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There are a lot of questions surrounding Nebraska as the upcoming season draws near, and things just got a little more complicated for first-year head coach, Mike Riley.
It was reported Thursday that five Cornhuskers will be suspended for the season opener on September 5, against BYU. Riley wouldn’t release the names of the players. In addition to the suspensions, senior receiver Sam Burtch will miss two to four weeks due to a lateral meniscus tear that will require surgery.
Because the names of the suspended players have yet to be released, it’s difficult to speculate how it will affect the Huskers in the opener, though the Cougars should be a worthy opponent. BYU started 4-0 last season and if injuries hadn’t sidelined key players, the Cougars may have finished better than 8-5. Quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Jamaal Williams will be returning to the offense and could cause problems for Nebraska.
It will also be interesting to see how the team adjusts to a brand new staff led by Riley following last season’s firing of Bo Pelini. Youngstown State‘s current head coach was with the Huskers for seven seasons between 2008-14. Pelini was fired prior to the Holiday Bowl, which was coached by then-assistant coach, Barney Cotton. Nebraska was knocked off by USC, 45-42.
Anytime a coach who has had as much success with a program as Pelini had with Nebraska is fired, there could be some backlash. The firing stunned a lot of people inside and outside of the program, and it could potentially carry into the upcoming season.
Nebraska should have a solid team again in 2015 and should challenge for a Big Ten West title, though injuries, off-the-field issues and uncertainty with a new staff could aid the Cougars in their upset bid.
Jason Shawley is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com covering Big Ten Football. Follow him on Twitter @jshawls.
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