The Nebraska Huskers are not expected to be contenders in the BIG 12 North Division this 2008 football season according to oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) . Nebraska’s chances in the highly competitive north are 6/1, behind favorites Missouri (4/5), Kansas (5/2), and Colorado (4/1). Nebraska is installed at 12/1 odds to win the overall conference championship and 80/1 odds to win a BCS National Championship. In “total wins” betting, the posted OVER/UNDER number is set at seven.
At BIG 12 media days , recently held in Kansas City, Nebraska was voted to finish third in the north by media representatives.
First year Nebraska Huskers coach Bo Pelini could be taken for a brick mason from all the rebuilding he must oversee in the Nebraska football program. Building a foundation was the first thing Pelini emphasized prior to the start of spring practice back in March.
The Huskers return six starters on both sides of the line. The most challenging area facing Pelini will be rebuilding the defense. The defensive line seems to be well set, but the linebacker corps needs a complete overhaul. The battle for playing time at linebacker will continue well into fall camp.
Last season Nebraska faced the task of replacing starters at all four positions on the defensive line. This fall is just the opposite, as Nebraska returns its top two players at all four defensive line positions.
The 2007 Husker offense was the most prolific passing offense in school history and posted the best total offensive output in 10 seasons. Many of the key faces in producing those big numbers return for 2008. The biggest chore will be replacing four veteran wideouts and three tight ends in the receiving corps. The Huskers also must replace two key members of a strong offensive line and Sam Keller, who started at quarterback the first nine games of the 2007 season. Senior quarterback Joe Ganz seems to be the heir apparent to Keller. Ganz was effective enough in his three starts last year and in the spring to be the leader going into fall camp.
Nebraska Huskers 2008 Football Schedule
Aug 30 Western Michigan
Sep 06 San Jose State
Sep 13 New Mexico State
Sep 27 Virginia Tech
Oct 04 Missouri
Oct 11 @Texas Tech
Oct 18 @Iowa State
Oct 25 Baylor
Nov 01 @Oklahoma
Nov 08 Kansas
Nov 15 @Kansas State
Nov 28 Colorado
