The Huskers enter the 2014 season ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll. That's not bad, but it doesn't tell fans much. As Bo Pelini prepares for his seventh season at the helm of Nebraska football, fans want to know what to expect.
So, what will Pelini and his team accomplish in 2014? Let's take a look at the top expectations fans can count on and look for during the new season.
AmeerAbdullah will Break 1,000 Yards (Again)
If there is one thing Husker fans can count on in 2014, it's that I-Back AmeerAbdullah will surpass 1,000 yards this season. If he does so, the senior will be the first three-time 1,000-yard rusher in school history.
Abdullah made it clear that he's about more than just the accolades. That doesn't mean he won't obtain those accomplishments, though.
The depth at the wide receiver position will likely have Abdullah's carries lower that in the past. However, an improved offensive line should still increase his production.
Needless to say, expect at least 1,000 yards from Abdullah in 2014. Don't be surprised if he smokes that number, though.
Improvement on Turnovers
It's no secret that turnovers have been an issue for the Huskers under Pelini. In fact, Hail Varsity's Brandon Vogel took a look at the issue in both 2012 and 2013.
During the 2014 offseason, turnovers were a focus. As Grant Muessel of Hail Varsity reported, John Papuchis is aware of just how important it is to fix the turnover problem:
One of the things that you hear a lot about our football program is our turnover margin, we’ve got to get better at it. Well, half of that is on us…getting takeaways is half of the battle in terms of the turnover margin, and we gotta hold up our end of the bargain. In some of the games where we may have had some turnovers and people point at that, we didn’t have very many takeaways either, so there’s a lot to be said for a defense equaling things out, so that’s something we’ve been stressing and harping on.
The time and attention during fall camp and the offseason should help. Plus, quarterback Tommy Armstrong now has some experience under his belt that should help potential turnovers.
While he had eight interceptions in 2013, per Huskers.com, Armstrong knows what he needs to do. He talked extensively about his role on the team during Nebraska's annual fan day.
Pelini also talked about the need to show improvement in this area during Friday's Big Red Breakfast.
What should fans expect? The easy answer is less turnovers. That's a simple expectation to have, but it's a major factor in keeping Nebraska from a Big Ten Championship title.
10 Wins or Bust
Pelini's first six seasons with Nebraska have had at least nine wins. That also means four losses. That's not bad, but it's not what fans want.
So, will 2014 be different? As CBSSports.com put it, "Aside from a quarterback who needs some seasoning (Tommy Armstrong), the Huskers have the goods to take the East (weaker of the two reconfigured divisions). Bo Pelini has loosened up to the point that a 10-win season - finally! - seems likely."
The 2014 season just feels like one where Pelini will finally break the nine-win trend. However, that could always mean it goes the other way, which would be a bust.
Fans can expect either a season that finally puts an end to the annual four losses or a season that falls apart at the seams. It just doesn't seem likely that the middle-of-the-road season (or nine wins) is on the agenda.
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