Here are three key areas to keep your eyes on when Nebraska takes the field against Ohio.
Watching Georgia Tech struggle to run the ball against Colorado on Thursday was eye opening. Georgia Tech had a top tier running back, but without former offensive line coach Geep Wade, their ground attack stalled out against a defense that normally bleeds rushing yards. That tells you everything about Wade’s coaching impact. Now at Nebraska, Wade has a chance to prove his scheme was the real secret. Watch for noticeably more lateral movement and athletic pulling from this offensive line after the snap. We could see a faster, more aggressive front five than anything in Lincoln over the last two decades. If Wade has this unit firing off the ball, young speedsters in the backfield like Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee, and Jamal Rule will hit open gaps at full speed and turn standard carries into explosive touchdown runs.
That offensive firepower will also depend heavily on the quarterback setting the standard. Anthony Colandrea is going to bring his natural confidence to every snap, but the real indicator of progress will be his comfort level in the pocket. Pay close attention to how he reacts when a play breaks down. If he stays cool and displays built in trust with his receivers on scramble drills, this passing attack will make a massive leap.
While the offense finds its rhythm, the defense has its own frontline battles to settle. The interior defensive line enters the season as a potential question mark, and their biggest test will be taking on double teams and anchoring at the line of scrimmage. If the front men prevent guard climbs to the second level, this linebacker core can dictate the game. Owen Chambliss and Dawson Merritt have the instincts to clean up everything in sight if they stay clean.
If all three of these areas hit, Nebraska will look like a totally transformed team. The benchmark today is simple: hold the Ohio Bobcats under 125 rushing yards and let the Husker offense rack up over 200 yards on the ground. Achieving those two numbers will prove the foundation is solid for the rest of the season.
