Nebraska Football Preview 2019

The 2019 Huskers are looking to get back to the winning ways of so many years past. They have suffered their worst back to back records in decades. The Huskers went 4-8 in 2017 and 2018 and look to basically flip that number around this season.

In this article we will look at the offense, the defense and the team as a whole and rank it on our scale of : poor, fair, good or excellent. The hopes is that this primer will help prepare you for the 2019 betting season.

Head Coach Scott Frost is back in Lincoln for his second year.  The former Husker QB hopes to return glory to the Big Red nation.

Offense

The Husker offense returns seven starters. QB Adrian Martinez threw for 2,617 yards and 17 TD’s in 2018. He also ran for 629 yards and another 8 TD’s. The offense is predicated around him. Junior RB Dedrick Mills looks to get a majority of the carries in the backfield. The 5’11” 215 lb. back is sturdy and quick.

The OL returns three starters and will see the start of a freshman Center and a sophomore LG. These players control the A Gap, so it is important that they get squared away early.

WR JD Spielman is back. He had 66 catches for 818 yards and 8 Td’s last year. He is joined by returning starting WR Kade Warner and senior Mike Williams.

The key for this offense is that Martinez stays healthy. The fact that he is a running-style QB increases the odds of an injury. Junior QB Andrew Bunch is waiting in the wings should anything happen to Martinez.

Verdict: Good

Defense

Five defensive starters are back for the Huskers. DT Carlos Davis is a big part of this defensive line and is considered to be the best NFL prospect on this team at the moment.

DE Ben Stille returns to rush the edge. The 6’5″ 290 lb. junior had 5 sacks in 2018.

The corners are well managed by returning starters Lamar Jackson and DiCaprio Bootle. The safety positions have two new starters in CJ Smith and Jojo Domann. Deontal Williams will also rotate in a lot. He had 23 picks in 2018.

Verdict: Good

Other Notes:

Nebraska was 6-5-1 against the spread in 2018.

Nebraska was outgained by about 260 yards on special teams in 2018.

Nebraska was -2 in turnover ratio in 2018.

Notable wins in 2018:

• vs Minnesota 53-28
• vs Michigan State 9-6

Conclusion

Nebraska will be chomping at the bit to prove that they are good again. Many of the experts on TV seems to be in the camp that thinks Nebraska will be the most improved team of 2019. They will definitely be improved. But, will they be a premier team in the Big Ten? Not quite yet. This program still needs a season or two more under Scott Frost before it is Big Ten title worthy.

Verdict: Good

Betting

The sportsbooks have the total win over-under at 8.5 games. Looking at the Nebraska schedule, I can see them starting off with four wins right off the bat. Then the schedule toughens as they get into the meat of the Big Ten schedule. I can see this team winning 8 ball games this year which would be an absolute welcomed record by the Nebraska faithful who have felt battered and bruised the last two years.