Foreshadowing reasons why the team doesn't improve beyond 5, 6, or 7 wins....

[Eaton Beaver]

For that to happen i would think Dylan has to have a bad year.
At one point last year he was 132nd in the nation with a 44.4 passing grade against man defenses. Add in being easily flustered with pressure and a questionable deep ball is a combination of things for man coverage.
Hoping a coaching change, new wr's, 2nd yr development, and reliable Linemen break these habits.

 

[HerbRedman]

Reasons I'm extremely confident in 8-4 minimum (+2 improvement W/L:

1. Offense will be SO much more competent and reliable.
2. STs will be competent. STs will at least be a B- (at worst). B- STs shouldn't really cost you Ws. I think STs will be an A- though.
3. OL will be competent/good
4. WR/TEs will be good
5. RB will be improved
6. Defense may not have an '24 OSU away in them BUT they won't be as bad against the RPO
7. Defense won't cost us 4 games like it did last year (UI, IU, UCLA, USC)



The biggest things that could hold this team back are:

1. Injuries (obvious)
2. General miscues --> youth
3. Schedule logistics (we have some ill-timed road trips, short weeks, etc)


I think #2 and #3 will keep this team at 8-4. I think the team is a 9-3 team.... I would LOVE to finally see an NU team play up to its potential. But I think #2 and #3 bump us down to 8-4. Which I can live with (sets us up for a big 2026).

 

[Eaton Beaver]

Reasons I'm extremely confident in 8-4 minimum (+2 improvement W/L:

1. Offense will be SO much more competent and reliable.
2. STs will be competent. STs will at least be a B- (at worst). B- STs shouldn't really cost you Ws. I think STs will be an A- though.
3. OL will be competent/good
4. WR/TEs will be good
5. RB will be improved
6. Defense may not have an '24 OSU away in them BUT they won't be as bad against the RPO
7. Defense won't cost us 4 games like it did last year (UI, IU, UCLA, USC)



The biggest things that could hold this team back are:

1. Injuries (obvious)
2. General miscues --> youth
3. Schedule logistics (we have some ill-timed road trips, short weeks, etc)


I think #2 and #3 will keep this team at 8-4. I think the team is a 9-3 team.... I would LOVE to finally see an NU team play up to its potential. But I think #2 and #3 bump us down to 8-4. Which I can live with (sets us up for a big 2026).

Anything else? Its not that tough.

 

[HerbRedman]

Anything else?

 

[Eaton Beaver]

Do you think #7 is actually true?

 

[HerbRedman]

Do you think #7 is actually true?

Ehh...I think all 4 losses were shared losses. Indiana obviously nothing went right.

All 4 were very poor showings by Tony White & the defense. IIRC 3 were vs the RPO and the 4th (USC) was a simple counter running that they ran repeatedly that we couldn't stop.

My point is that John Butler is not taking over for a flawless DC. White had 4 games that were stinkers. He did have some very good games (CU, OSU, Rutgers).


The narrative on the defense is that it automatically has to take a couple steps back from 2024. It might take a step back in a couple areas but it actually could be better in a couple areas too.

 

[Flabio]

Ehh...I think all 4 losses were shared losses. Indiana obviously nothing went right.

All 4 were very poor showings by Tony White & the defense. IIRC 3 were vs the RPO and the 4th (USC) was a simple counter running that they ran repeatedly that we couldn't stop.

My point is that John Butler is not taking over for a flawless DC. White had 4 games that were stinkers. He did have some very good games (CU, OSU, Rutgers).


The narrative on the defense is that it automatically has to take a couple steps back from 2024. It might take a step back in a couple areas but it actually could be better in a couple areas too.

Agree. TW vs Indiana was incredibly hard to understand.

 

[Stan Raymond]

Ehh...I think all 4 losses were shared losses. Indiana obviously nothing went right.

All 4 were very poor showings by Tony White & the defense. IIRC 3 were vs the RPO and the 4th (USC) was a simple counter running that they ran repeatedly that we couldn't stop.

My point is that John Butler is not taking over for a flawless DC. White had 4 games that were stinkers. He did have some very good games (CU, OSU, Rutgers).


The narrative on the defense is that it automatically has to take a couple steps back from 2024. It might take a step back in a couple areas but it actually could be better in a couple areas too.

I can agree with that, our defense was good but it wasn't winning defense. Defense that gets the stop or turnover when it is needed to win the game. There is room for improvement, especially in forcing turnovers and 3 and outs. Crank up the aggression and go for short opponent possessions. Might give up a few big plays with more aggression, but I think it will pay off over the long haul.