Handicapping the Spring Game
Since Bo Pelini returned to Nebraska, the spring game has become a competitive contest. By splitting the talent, Nebraska's head coach has kept things from becoming too one-sided. Even so, it's often been clear which team had an advantage. This season's contest might be the toughest to call yet.
How Much Do They Play?
One key question is how much will certain athletes play. For example, Rex Burkhead is a huge asset to the White team offense. But will he be used sparingly to prevent injury? If so, then the White team seems very limited offensively. Likewise, there are questions about how healthy and effective Taylor Martinez will be for the Red team. If his ankle is still a problem (or they wish to protect him), then the tandem of Cody Green and Brion Carnes seems to handily trump Ron Kellogg.
Offensive Lines
The Red team seems to pretty clearly have the better offensive line with three potential starters in Marcel Jones, Jermarcus Hardrick, and Brent Qvale. Backup center Cole Pensick gives up nothing sizewise to White starter Mike Caputo. The Red team will likely rely on a walk-on to start at one of the guard spots, but Brian Thorson, Seung Hoon Choi and Luke Lingenfelter seem like capable options.
The White team has likely starter Andrew Rodriguez and two-deeper Brandon Thompson. Otherwise, there are mostly young, inexperienced guys. Conspicuously absent from any mention on the roster is Jeremiah Sirles. He's not even listed in the "will not play" section.
Defense
If the Red team has the decided advantage offensively, the White team can bring it defensively. They've got two quality defensive tackles and defensive end Josh Williams. Behind them are Lavonte David, Alonzo Whaley, and Will Compton. They've got safety P.J. Smith, cornerbacks Ciante Evans, Anthony Blue, and the versatile Lance Thorell as well as number of inexperienced but talented prospects.
The White team might have better defensive ends in Eric Martin and Jason Ankrah and Thaddeus Randle is a very viable defensive tackle. But they give up more in the back seven with the main standouts being Sean Fisher, Courtney Osborne, and Alfonzo Dennard.
The Difference
As we say goodbye to Alex Henery, it may be kicker/punter Brett Maher that swings things for the Red squad. In what should be a defensively-dominated game, the special teams could well be the difference. So give me the Red team by a field goal in what could be a 13-10 game.
4/15/2011
Martinez won’t play, Burkhead won’t be in there much. Brion Carnes stars on Saturday. So, I’ll take the White team by 10, and the unders. ;-)
4/15/2011
Ron Kellogg pulls out the upset. Red team by 3.
4/15/2011
Martinez n burkhead will play. Pry b for just a couple series. Thnk its mainly gna help decide backup qb.
4/15/2011
“In other news”... The Big XII Conference inks a deal with ABC-ESPN for a reported $130 million dollar per year TV contract and over a billion dollars over the life of the contract.
Folks, this is HUGE!!! ;-P
I am really not surprised that this gigante story in the world of sports was not even mentioned by BRN.
So much for the demise of the Big XII.
4/15/2011
OU7times, congratulations on the big TV deal. I think most Husker fans only wish the best for OU. Nebraska had to do what was best for Nebraska. The respect for each others programs goes back a long ways…it is sad to see the rivalry end. But at the end of the day, we are all happy to be in the Big 10 and hope to meet OU in a championship game someday.
4/15/2011
Sounds good! Let’s hope it happens.
California
4/15/2011
I am not surprised to see the Little 10 TV contract not mentioned here on BRN… as most of us don’t really give a damn about what happens in that conference anymore.
Glad OU will get a check… But did you just come over here to brag Nancy?
As for the spring game, I am going to have to agree with Darren in that I think Carnes will impress Saturday!
4/15/2011
Oh, it’s tough talkin’ Bill K. Haven’t heard much from you since before the Big XII (that’s 12, Bill)Championship Game. Anyway, why should you care? Nebraska is still a member of the Big XII until July 1. So just because BRN doesn’t have any comment on their own conference doesn’t mean that it isn’t news, Brainiac.
If I recall, you were a finger in the air as you’re leaving’ , guy. Didn ‘t turn out quite like you thought, did it?
BTW, don’t you owe me money from that game?
Not braggin’, just sayin’...
4/15/2011
OU it wasn’t just about the TV contracts. It was the uncertainty of the conference long term. And the fact that lone star Texas wanted to protect their own interests at the expense of the rest of the Big 12. Too bad Barry didn’t want to keep the rivalry going when the Big 12 was formed. If OU and NU was still playing every year I might actually give a two cents about the conference.
4/16/2011
Tough talking?
Jesus man… have another.
4/16/2011
Yea, Barry must have been against continuing the OU-NU rivalry because he was scared the Sooners would all of the sudden start losing games to NU because after all, Barry was 12-4 against the Cornhuskers. That makes sense…
Bill, where did you come up with that nugget?
Okay, so NU felt victimized and did what they had to do but to ignore the story of the magnanimous contract really says a lot about this site. If it’s a good thing for the Big XII and it doesn’t involve Nebraska (still a ‘member’) then we’ll ignore it ‘that’ll show ‘em’.
Bill ‘Kay’, if it’s the little 10 then Nebraska lost to A&M,Oklahoma and nearly to lowly Iowa State. What’s your lame excuse there? So, good luck in the Big XXIV, Bozo. Do you ever research anything you spew or is it all spew from the hip with you?
Where’s my money from the Big XII game, big talker? I spotted you 17 damn points!
4/16/2011
Bill in Iowa State, Oh, I get it! When the Big XII was formed the Sooners had to pick one ‘rivalry’ game to play every year and Oklahoma picked Texas-OU instead of OU-NU. So let me get this straight…the Big XII started in 1996 and Coach Switzer coached his last game in 1989 but “Barry” was the one who screwed the OU-NU rivalry game?
Coach Switzer wasn’t even on the staff or payroll and deemed not worthy of being head coach anymore, by then, yet he supposedly had the power of ending the rivalry between the two?
Where on earth did you get that gem?
First of all and most of all Texas is a bordering state. To give up the RRR would be nothing short of dumb ass. That game is reserved for the Texas State Fair and prospective recruits out the wazoo look to that game to decide which team they will commit to. Not so with OU -NU games. OU got its fervor when Coach Wilkinson began coaching at Oklahoma. Texas-Oklahoma has sways been the stuff since day one. I dunno, maybe you just got your colon twisted over it, that’s all.
Say what you want about the game being played in Texas every year but OU comes out of that game with it’s fair share of wins (with the exception of 1984). You see, Oklahoma signs contracts with Texas to play there. Both teams agreed to the terms and conditions in that contract. I’ve never heard of a contract deal between Oklahoma and Nebraska. Have you?
Pissing away millions of dollars because your feeling got hurt is a horrible, horrible (did I mention horrible ?) business move.
Leaving the conference the way Nebraska did with recent coaching staffs in the last 8 years or so, some of the bizarre fan base now and throwing away millions in hard earned money are totally, totally out of character for Nebraska (at least the Nebraska I’ve known all my life). This is the new Nebraska way. Enjoy it cause it’s here to stay.
Speaking of leaving the conference…why didn’t NU file a lawsuit first against the Big XII before leaving if it felt discriminated against?
4/16/2011
OU its been a while since I read that, but I found an OU sports writer who clearly makes the point, he says:
The Sooners — not Texas, not league officials, not anybody except OU — caused the series to shift off its axis. OU wanted no part of an annual crossover game with Nebraska, although it would have been easy to implement one….
Nebraska would have signed off on such a deal immediately. Oklahoma would not. The Sooners were in the midst of the Howard Schnellenberger disaster and about to board John Blake’s sinking ship. OU knew what was coming — losses to Nebraska of 69-7 and 73-21 in 1996 and 1997 — and wanted no part of it. http://blog.newsok.com/berrytramel/2010/12/03/ou-football-did-sooners-cause-nebraska-exit/
4/16/2011
In the end, Nebraska left because Texas was unwilling to commit to the Big12. Nebraska, up on the North end of the conference, had to find a stable home while it could and it did in the Big10.
4/16/2011
And I agree with OU7….BRN should of mentioned the story but since most of us do not rely solely on the BRN for our Husker news, we caught it anyways.
4/16/2011
Who cares bout the big 12 tv contract. Besides u people its irelevant to us so brn pry didn’t post it. But back to the original story iam interested to c how the fg kickers do and the cornerbacks
Chicago, IL
4/16/2011
@OU7Times, I didn’t hear about the new TV contract. That’s good news for the Big 12. Had I read it, I probably wouldn’t have linked it here for the simple fact that we are a Nebraska site and NU isn’t in the Big 12 any more. (Haven’t you heard? :)
But, let’s keep these discussions on topic. There are plenty of other free-for-all forums out there.
@Greg in Ohio, how dare you go somewhere else for Husker news! :)
We try to highlight the best stories for our readers, but we definitely miss some. Send me your links at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I’ll be sure to post them.
4/16/2011
@OU7Times: Why are you so angry towards NU?? I’ve been a husker fan since 1969 and always respected the Sooners. Actually, I hated/respected them because they always found a way to beat us back then. When the B12 formed and the sooners decided to play the Longhors every year instead of the Huskers I was sad to loose that long time rival. Yes, we feel betrayed/back stabbed by the Long Horns and especially Beebe (not sure of spl) I also feel the sooners helped put us in a box. Remember, we didn’t want to leave the B12, it was texas that started this whole mess and NU was put in a box and the B10 was our best option. Please don’t visit our web site if all you want to do is be mean.
4/16/2011
Jason, you haven’t heard that Nebraska is a still a member of the Big 12 until July 1?
How do you miss that?
4/16/2011
Who cares if we’re still in the B12-2 til July. As far as football goes we’re no longer there. The Huskers don’t have any B12 teams left on their schedule. The football team is in the Big 10 now. That is who we are preparing for. I sure hope OU isn’t preparing for Nebraska this season.
How do you miss that?
4/16/2011
Hey Darren, I was kind of joking when I made my prediction, but not only did Red win by 3, but Kellogg put in a solid performance. At least that’s how it sounded over the radio. I wonder how he looked from the stands?
4/16/2011
Jamal turner gna play wr or qb? Brion carnes did good and pry b best fit for backup qb. What about aaron green didn’t hear him play on radio? Am I wrong or did he play?
4/16/2011
OU7times,
Why do you keep claiming that I owe you money?
We never bet.
4/16/2011
Billy K,
Seriously, I’m kidding you about a bet.