#6-NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS

Bo Pelini somehow survived the offseason after yet another four loss season in Lincoln. If a subpar 2014 includes more humiliating losses such as the one Iowa put on Nebraska last year, Pelini and his cat will be digging in the litter box for employment come next fall.

Ameer Abdullah is back and is the odds on favorite to lead the conference in rushing. His nearly 1700 yards last year earned him third team All-America honors along with First Team All-Big Ten. Taylor Martinez has finally graduated so the show now belongs to sophomore Tommy Armstrong. Armstrong showed promise at times last year but his passing accuracy is still in question. Kenny Bell paces a solid group of receiver who will need to stay healthy in order for the Huskers offense to find success. On the defensive side of the ball, Randy Gregory may very well be the best defensive end in the country. All 3 linebackers return however the secondary remains a question after being hit hard by graduation.

Florida Atlantic and McNeese State will provide tune-ups for the Cornhuskers prior to an always tough trip to Fresno State. The next week, the Miami Hurricanes visit Lincoln for a prime-time ABC tilt. The conference schedule looks manageable with at the very least, wins of Illinois, Rutgers, Purdue and Minnesota expected. Road trips to Michigan State, Wisconsin and Iowa will ultimately decide the fate of this year’s Nebraska squad.

PREDICTION: 5-3 IN THE BIG TEN, 9-3 OVERALL