The expectations are high for the Nebraska football team this year.
Favored by almost everyone to win the Big 12 North and picked in the top 10 in the preseason polls, the Cornhuskers are considered one of the nation's elite teams for the first time in nearly a decade.
But while there's a lot to like, question marks still exist. Here are a few things that have to go right if Nebraska is to live up to the lofty expectations:
1. A quarterback must step up:
Perhaps the biggest question heading into the season is what to expect under center. With coach Bo Pelini still yet to name a starting quarterback, it's still unclear whether senior Zac Lee, sophomore Cody Green or redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez will be charged with improving a unit that ranked 11th in the Big 12 Conference last season in passing offense.
Lee, who played injured for much of last season, failed to impress until the team's Holiday Bowl rout of Arizona. Green was given an opportunity to start in two games but was equally unspectacular. Martinez dazzled fans with his speed in the Spring Game, but is still largely an unknown.
Pelini said that all three have improved, and it's possible that all could see action this season. But the fact that none of the three asserted themselves as a starter early in fall camp makes one worry that the team's passing woes might continue this fall.
2. Young players must solidify offensive line:
With Jacob Hickman lost to graduation and Mike Smith out for the year with an injury, the team's collection of redshirt freshmen on the offensive line will be key this fall. Nick Ash, Jesse Coffey, Brent Qvale, Cole Pensick and Jeremiah Sirles are among the first-year players who could see significant playing time. Junior college transfer Jermarcus "Yoshi" Hardrick also figures to make an impact.
Offensive line coach Barney Cotton has spent the last several months touting the development of this young group. Whether they live up to those expectations will go a long way toward determining the fate of the offense.
3. Pressure can't be a distraction:
Since Pelini's arrival three years ago, the Huskers have played the part of blue-collar underdog quite well.
But after Nebraska's narrow defeat of then-No. 18 Missouri last season, the Huskers vaulted up the polls and got a taste of being the favorite. The results weren't pretty.
Armed with a fresh No. 17 national ranking, Nebraska was promptly dismantled at home in a 31-10 loss to unranked Texas Tech followed by a depressing 9-7 defeat by lowly Iowa State.
Pelini and the players say they aren't letting this year's expectations affect their mindset. But if this year's team is to be successful, it will have to learn to play the role of favorite instead of underdog in big games.
4. No letdowns in road games:
The general consensus is that this year's schedule is pretty favorable to the Huskers. The rematch with Texas will be played three states north of Bevo's stomping grounds, and Nebraska will be spared a trip to Columbia, Mo., where the always-hospitable Tiger fans haven't quite gotten over being left out in the cold in conference realignment.
But the schedule does include trips to Washington, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Texas A&M. With the possible exception of the A&M game, the Huskers will likely be favored to win each of those matchups.
And with animosity running high in anticipation of Nebraska's impending switch to the Big Ten Conference, a couple of miscues in a hostile environment could send the Huskers plummeting down the polls.
5. The injury plague can't continue:
With returning contributors Anthony Blue, Sean Fisher and Mike Smith out for the year and Dreu Young expected to miss most or all of the season, Nebraska can't afford many more injuries.
As unfortunate as the current disabled list is, the team's depth should be able to absorb those losses. But if front-line players continue to go down before conference play starts, untested players could be forced into action.
Mitchsmith@dailynebraskan.com
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