Well, folks, just wanted to start a little dialogue about a concern of mine this year and that is star power. Every year of the Bo Pelini era we’ve had a bonafied star on the field (or multiple). Suh, Prince, Crick, David, Dennard. In fact, with the exception of the 2009 class, Nebraska has had some damn good talent. 2008 looks weak on the surface too, but those were three pretty damn pretty damn solid players in Bowman, Nicks, and Ruud. Needless to say, our lack of talent those years was pretty indicative of the results.

Are we missing those stars again?

I love Rex. One of my all-time favorites. But hes not a wrecking ball like Marian Barber, Anthony ‘A-train’ Thomas, or the great Ron Dayne; he’s not as elusive as Maurice Clarett or Shonne Green; he’s not as explosive as a Javon Ringer, Mike Hart, or even a Montee Ball.

Rex could be productive like some of those guys, but do we have the hogmollies that Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan have? Tyler Moore, still a year away? A-Rod, can he settle down and be the all-conference player he is supposed to be? Is Long just the best returning player on an average o-line?

All that said, I think we have some special players on the end this year. Reed and Cotton are the perfect TE duo. Cotton has it all IMO and Reed is dynamic in the passing game. Additionally, Bell and Turner are game breakers and are as speedy as it gets in the B1G. Enunwa is a solid possession receiver and don’t sleep on Timmy. It all comes down to having someone who can get them the ball consistently.

Taylor, Taylor, Taylor… If you have read my posts in the past, you know how pro-Taylor I am. That said, he is probably not going to be an all American qb. I get that. Chances are we are going to need him to be our Trent Dilfer, Craig Krenzel, (Insert Alabama QB here), etc.

Continuing on with the problem, I dont think Taylor has the stars on D to keep him at 10-15 throws a game. He definitely doesn’t have Ray Lewis like Dilfer, 5 defensive draft picks like Krenzel, or Nick Saban and his 5 star recruits like the Crimson Tide signal callers.

To start, we are slow upfront — not to mention pretty thin. I’m really scared about this group.

At LB, WC is a leader and ended the year strong. That said, unless we have a young stud step up by conference play, we are too thin here as well.

Fortunately, I think we are going to be strong in the secondary. We are deep at the position and will be able to play 5 and 6 backs if we get to 2nd and long / 3rd and medium. Expecting a lot out of Seisay and Stafford.

I hate it, but I’m expecting another ho-hum year. We lose one we aren’t supposed to, 1-1 at best vs the University of Ford and Chevrolet State, but keep the Heroes trophy. 2nd or 3rd in the Legends.

If I’m going to be wrong, and I hope I am, we need stars! Who are those stars going to be?? My best guesses:

1. Andrew Rodriguez
2. Damion Stafford
3. Rex Burkhead
4. Mo Seisay
5. Jamal Turner

My dark horse is Ben Cotton.

What say ye? Help me convince myself I’m wrong.

-Austin Henggeler