First Glance: Indiana's First Trip to Lincoln Since 1977 Won't Be Easy, as Nebraska Has Division Title Hopes

(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Week Nine Preview: Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Big Ten schedule makers did not do Indiana any favors as the back third of the schedule begins with road trips to Maryland and then out west to Nebraska. That’s over 1,200 miles of travel for the Hoosiers in the span of a week. We pinned the game at Maryland as a swing game and to turn around and head to Nebraska, who many have winning the Big Ten West, is going to push IU to the limit physically and mentally. The Hoosiers last played Nebraska in 2016, but have not played in Lincoln since 1977. The Hoosiers lead the series with Nebraska 9-8-3 with IU’s last win coming in Lincoln in 1959.

Week Nine: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Date & Time: Saturday, October 26th, 2019, Time: TBA

Venue: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

TV: TBA

Cornhuskers at a Glance

Head Coach: Scott Frost

Entering his 5th year as a head coach, 2nd year at Nebraska

Overall Record: 23-15 (4 years)

At Nebraska: 4-8 (3-6)

Last Season: 4-8 (3-6)

Cornhuskers Returning Leaders

Passing: Adrian Martinez (2018: 224-347, 64.6 Comp%, 2,617 Passing Yards, 17 TDs, 8 INTs)

Rushing: Adrian Martinez (2018: 140 attempts, 629 yards, 4.5 avg, 8 TDs)

Receiving: JD Spielman (2018: 66 receptions, 818yards, 12.4 ypc, 8 TDs)

Tackles: Mohamed Berry (2018: 112 TKLs, 9 TFLs, 2 Sacks)

Cornhuskers Preseason Predictions

Athlon: 1st in the Big Ten West

Lindy’s: 3rd in the Big Ten West

Phil Steele: 1st in the Big Ten West

Street & Smith’s: 1st in the Big Ten West

S&P+: 6.4 wins 45th nationally

Impact Newcomers for the Cornhuskers

1. Wan’Dale Robinson, AP- Robinson is Nebraska’s version of Rondale Moore. He was a top-100 recruit according to 247 Sports and the number one all-purpose back. If he can keep himself out of trouble, Robinson was cited for marijuana possession earlier this summer, he can be the breakout star of the West division. In high school, at Western Hills (Kentucky), Robinson put up insane numbers. He rushed for 6,795 yards and 97 touchdowns and caught 102 passes for 1,787 yards and 21 touchdowns.

2. Darrion Daniels, DL- Nebraska went the grad transfer route to help bolster the defensive line for a defense that needs to be better than 94th in total defense like it was in 2018. Daniels comes over from Oklahoma State to be the 320-pound immovable object in the center of Nebraska’s defensive line.

3. Noa Pola-Gates, DB- Nebraska’s defense also stuggled against the pass, finishing 78th nationally, so they need an infusion of talent in the secondary as well. Pola-Gates is a four-star freshman who could break into the rotation quickly. A top-200 recruit, Pola-Gates is listed at 5’11” and 170 pounds. He made 57 tackles, five interceptions and broke up seven additional passes during his senior year at Williams Field High School in Gilbert, Arizona.

4. Dedrick Mills, RB- The Cornhuskers have some depth questions at running back as Devine Ozigbo is off to the NFL and back up Maurice Washington, who ran for 455 yards last year as a freshman, has some off the field issues to clear up before returning. Nebraska hit the transfer portal again for Mills, who at 5’11” and 216 pounds gives the Cornhuskers a power back. Mills led Georgia Tech in rushing with 771 yards as a freshman in 2016.

Offensive Preview

If Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez can stay healthy, the Cornhusker offense is set to really take off. Martinez had an outstanding true freshman year. Although he did get banged up and missed a game, he put up impressive numbers. In 2018, Martinez completed 224-of-347 passes (64.6%) for 2,617 yards with 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Martinez is also a threat on the ground, running for 629 yards and eight more scores. He should only get better as a sophomore and he has plenty of weapons around him to help with that. Behind Martinez is Andrew Bunch, who played in five games in 2018 and threw for 320 yards and two scores, and sophomore Noah Vedral.

The rushing attack will have to find a near leader after Devine Ozigbo graduated. Sophomore Maurice Washington could’ve been handed the job, but legal trouble is keeping him from the field, so Nebraska may have to rely on junior college transfer Dedrick Mills to be the man to start the season. Mills led Georgia Tech in rushing as a freshman with 771 yards and had 1,358 yards for Garden City C.C. in 2018. The Cornhuskers may need to throw a freshman into the fire as well. Nebraska brought in two three-star running backs in Rahmir Johnson and Ronald Thompkins and don’t be shocked to see Scott Frost stick Wan’Dale Robinson back there in certain situations as well.

Speaking of Wan’Dale Robinson, he should find himself firmly among the deep rotation of receivers for Nebraska. Junior JD Spielman leads the group and has put together a nice career, putting up 1,648 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two seasons. He is a speedster who can take the top off the defense and be a difference maker on special teams. Sophomore Kade Warner is back after making 17 catches as a freshman and redshirt freshman Andre Hunt should join the mix as well. The Cornhuskers go at least two-deep at each receiving position with seniors Mike Williams (12 rec. 122 yards) and Jaron Woodyard (1 rec. 10 yards) filling out the depth chart.

Nebraska returns junior Jack Stoll, who rocks the 80’s mullet and was the third leading receiver a season ago with 21 catches for 245 yards.  A pair of sophomores in Kurt Rafdal (4 rec. 67 yards) and Austin Allen (2 rec. 54 yards) give Nebraska a lot of depth at tight end.

The offensive line returns three starters in juniors right tackle Matt Farniok, right guard Boe Wilson and left tackle Brenden Jaimes. The Cornhuskers will have to shore up the center and left guard positions. Currently, they have former walk-on Trent Hixon at left guard and have moved freshman Cameron Jurgens to center. The Nebraska line was not great last season as they left up 28 sacks (68th nationally) and 77 tackles for loss (65th nationally). If the line struggles again, the Cornhuskers have enough talent at the skill positions to use quick drops and let their athletes go to work. However, they must be able to keep Martinez healthy.

Defensive Preview

Nebraska must turn around their defense and if they cannot, it may not matter how good their offense is, their shot at the West Division title will probably go out the window. The Huskers ranked 94th in total defense, 88th in scoring, 96th against the run and 78th against the pass. A repeat of those numbers will drive the Cornhusker faithful bonkers.

Improvement all starts up front for Nebraska as they must find some production on the line. The Huskers must up their total of 25 sacks and 63 tackles for loss from last season. Nebraska brings back both starting ends in Ben Stille (25 tackles, five TFLs and five sacks) and Carlos Davis (27 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one sack). They will need to up their production. Behind them is Khalil Davis who was good in reserve as he posted 41 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. In the middle of their three-man front will be graduate transfer Darrion Daniels, who is a mountain at 320 pounds. Sophomore Damion Daniels will back him up.

Leading tackler Mohamed Berry is back at linebacker. He made 112 tackles including 10 for a loss and two sacks. Three other upperclassmen will be along side Berry to fill out the four-linebacker look. Alex Davis looks to close out his career on a high note, junior Collin Miller will try and build off a 17-tackle sophomore campaign and JoJo Dorman will man the hybrid safety/linebacker spot after 19 tackles a year ago. It is a veteran group that needs to step up and the depth behind them is thin with sophomore Caleb Tannor, junior Will Honas and senior Tyrin Ferguson in reserve.

The Cornhusker secondary will have to break in a pair of new safeties, but returns two very good, veteran corners in Lamar Jackson (no not that Lamar Jackson) and Dicaprio Bootle. Jackson had 28 tackles to go along with two interceptions and seven pass breakups. If teams try and stay away from him, they have to deal with Bootle, who led the Big Ten with 15 pass breakups. So, pick your poison. The Cornhuskers also have four-star freshman Noa Pola-Gates ready to fill in and provide a spark off the bench.

Getting back to the safety positions, Nebraska has a pair of juniors in Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke who are ready to step up. Williams picked off two passes and recovered a fumble to go along with 23 tackles, while Dismuke made 10 tackles and blocked a punt. Senior Eric Lee will provide veteran depth and C.J. Smith is a freshman who could see the field if people struggle.

Special Teams Preview

The Cornhuskers return senior punter Isaac Armstrong, who came off the bench last year and averaged 43 yards per punt. Placekicker Barret Pickering had a great freshman year hitting 14-of-18 field goals. JD Spielman is an elite punt returner as he averaged 17.3 yards per return last year and could take over kick return duties should Maurice Washington not rejoin the team. Washington averaged 15.7 yards per return as a freshman last season.

Past 2019 First Glance Previews

Week One: Ball State

Week Two: Eastern Illinois

Week Three: Ohio State

Week Four: Connecticut

Week Five: Michigan State

Week Six: Open

Week Seven: Rutgers

Week Eight: Maryland