2006 schedule puts Nebraska in a good spot

By Brandon Cavanaugh  |   Tuesday, March 07, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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As Nebraska gears up for their third season under Head Coach Bill Callahan, the expectations are just as high as usual in the Cornhusker State and the schedule is not exactly full of fluff. However, after observing the Scarlet and Cream's slate, it appears that the Cornhuskers may be setting themselves up for a banner year.

Both participants from last year's Rose Bowl are scheduled (at USC and Texas in Lincoln) along with the usually formidable Big XII competition. Regardless of the hurdles facing Callahan and company, 2006 could be quite significant in catapulting NU back onto the national stage.

Athletic Director Steve Pederson arranged two games prior to the USC battle that may very well determine the outcome of the season itself. First, Louisiana Tech comes to Lincoln followed by Division I-AA Nicholls State. The former provides Nebraska with a seemingly soft opener, but it appears more difficult than the latter contest. This schedule may prove useful in allowing a number of players to get into a rhythm including a new starter at running back following the departure of Cory Ross, not to mention a bevy of possible new starters across the board on both offense and defense.

At the running back slot, Marlon Lucky, Cody Glenn, Leon Jackson and JUCO recruit Kenny Wilson will be looking to come away with the starting role. The rest of the offense is also up for grabs, from offensive line to wide receivers - with the only exception being quarterback. A healthy Zac Taylor - who helped lead Nebraska to three straight wins to end the season, including a victory over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl - will be taking snaps once again for the Cornhuskers in 2006.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cornhuskers have a glut of talent at linebacker. They welcome back formerly-injured starters Steve Octavien and Stewart Bradley along with now-experienced backups Adam Ickes, Bo Ruud, Lance Brandenburgh and incoming JUCO Steve Allen. The secondary also looks to have several new faces with the addition of JUCO cornerback Andre Jones, while several former high school running backs such as Omaha's Corey Young, Los Angeles' Ricky Thenarse and Harbor City's Major Culbert look to make their marks in the safety rotation.

Following Louisiana Tech and Nicholls State, Nebraska can head into Los Angeles chomping at the bit to take on a very talented, albeit somewhat-inexperienced squad of Trojans, specifically at quarterback. Both redshirt sophomore John David Booty and sophomore Mark Sanchez will battle for time at the position. Should Nebraska leave California victorious, they will come home to what appears to be a game in which they can further their optimism against Troy (4-7 in 2005).

After taking on a second set of Trojans, the Cornhuskers welcome the Kansas Jayhawks to town and begin Big XII play. The Jayhawks dealt Nebraska their first loss in the series since 1968 last year and look to come into Lincoln to make it two in a row. However, with the loss of Charles Gordon and the vast majority of their defensive playmakers such as linebackers Kevin Kane and Nick Reid, this could be very difficult to achieve.

A duo of Big XII North matches await Nebraska next as they travel to Ames to visit Iowa State (7-5 in 2005) and Kansas State. KSU will be starting their first year with Ron Prince, the man replacing someone who quite literally built the program's successes, Bill Snyder. Redshirt junior Bret Meyer and redshirt senior Stevie Hicks will do everything they can to ensure that the Cyclones have every chance to knock off the Cornhuskers. They will have a stout test against the revitalized Blackshirts, a unit that doubled their sack total from the previous year at 50 in 2005.

Kansas State is somewhat of an unknown as most are expecting Ron Prince to bring some manner of Virginia's offense to the Big XII, though how effective he will be in his first year is anyone's guess. As Nebraska fans know, sometimes players left behind are not enthralled with a new coach's attitude and a brand new system is not always installed seamlessly. Still, Wildcat fans appear to be in love with Prince and Josh Freeman, a quarterback recruit who signed with KSU after committing orally to Nebraska.

The second of the Rose Bowl participants comes to Lincoln with the Texas Longhorns sporting a new face at quarterback (likely redshirt freshman Colt McCoy or true freshman Jevan Snead). They still have plenty of talent to go around, much like their counterparts from the national title game last year. Following their first National Championship in three decades, Texas will no doubt be a favorite to repeat, should they begin the year well. Their hopes and dreams may cross Nebraska's in Lincoln.

A trip to Oklahoma State lies in wait for Nebraska next, a team that went 4-7 last year including a stretch in which they won once in an eight game stretch (over then #13 Texas Tech). Road games have been sticky for Nebraska over the past several years and with several highly emotional games already over, the Cowboys can prepare for a possible upset that would propel their spirits and severely dampen the Cornhuskers'.

Missouri seems to prefer the comforts of home when it comes to taking on Nebraska and they will have to do so this year without Brad Smith under center for the first time in what seems like a decade. Still, a talented young man named Chase Daniel (or perhaps Chase Patton) will attempt to lead the Tigers to their second-straight victory over the Cornhuskers, but much like Kansas, they could find themselves overwhelmed quickly and find themselves down another notch on the all-time series list yet again.

Venturing into Kyle Field to face the Texas A&M Aggies is always a difficult task, at least initially. Big Red will have to do just that in their Big XII road finale. Losing Reggie McNeal is a big blow and a notch in Nebraska's favor, but the Aggies appear to have just enough weaponry, such as tight end Martellus Bennett and quarterback Stephen McGee. It appears that A&M Head Coach Dennis Franchione's seat is starting to bubble a bit and should Nebraska come in and dismantle the Aggies, that bubble may burst.

Finishing out the regular season, Nebraska faces yet another team with a new man in charge. The Colorado Buffaloes will take the field with former Boise State head coach Dan Hawkins. Much like Ron Prince, many are not quite sure just what to expect from Colorado in 2006. There are also questions whether Hawkins' success at Boise State will transfer over into the Big XII, much in the same way that Dirk Koetter's practices at BSU have garnered moderate results at Arizona State. Also working against the Buffs is the presence of their former offensive coordinator, Shawn Watson, as Nebraska's tight end's coach.

The road should be just as long and arduous as it appears. Should Nebraska be able to survive the landmines in its regular season, a trip to the Big XII Championship and a BCS bowl could be within reach. It all starts with Louisiana Tech. From there, it appears to be one wild ride. How smooth it goes will be up to Callahan and his charges who will determine that now during the end of winter conditioning and the beginning of spring football.
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