@HuskerDeusExMachina: I didn't even know that idea was on the table until you just brought it up. I'd be fine if they played that game at 8 in the morning, honestly. Especially when it's at Iowa City. Could be back eating day-old turkey in my sweats in Lincoln by 9 p.m.
@Sam: Love is a mysterious thing Sam. But the safe guess is probably whomever is the backup quarterback. Or Mikale Wilbon. Or some recruit who has awesome film.
@TAP: It's not just you. I mean, football had an OK season. But you'd like to see the big three turn a corner and soon. Baseball team has high expectations, I know. I wouldn't sleep on that team this year. But there's no question the Huskers need some better finishes in football, hoops and baseball going forward.
@TO: Definitely expect to see them sacrifice some QB rushing yards, but that needs to be picked up by a more consistent presence from the tailback run game. Completion percentage probably needs to make the type of jump you're talking about, yes. I'd say you'd like to see that thing get at least above 60. And that shouldn't just be declared a given. Lee completed 53.6 percent of his passes at Tulane, although he was on a bad team and perhaps forcing the issue a lot while playing from behind. I'll always come back to that O-line. They need to be more consistent, NU needs a much better average yards-per-rush stat from the I-backs, and pass pro also has to get cleaner because Armstrong took away a decent number of sacks a less mobile QB wouldn't have avoided.
@Glenn315: Reimers is a guy I definitely think can break out this year. Made a few plays last season. Gabe Rahn can give some quality reps, too. Conor Young is a guy peers say is pretty impressive. As for the true frosh, I'd say all three should see a wide-open opportunity, and I think NU might need at least two of them to be ready to give you something right away. Certainly that will be an expectation with Tyjon Lindsey. And while he doesn't get as much attention, I think Jaevon McQuitty is a major signing who lit up the high school scene despite being the focal point of defenses by the end of his career.
@OKCHusker: Never know given the staff changes, but I think he's fully prepared to make a run at it at corner. He was a safety in high school, yes, but NU coaches planned early on to make him a corner and I don't think that plan necessarily has to be abandoned just because some very good skilled Tennessee receivers gave him a bit of baptism by fire in the bowl game.
@JimNE: Big year for Cavanaugh's crew. Lot to prove. I think it's only right, though, to let him see if he can build something with some guys he had a big hand in getting to this program. I expect them to take a step forward up front this year, I really do. How big of a step is the question no one can know how to answer right now.
@dick: I think there are a lot of very reasonable people in this fan base who know when they are seeing a good product, even if it's a loss, and also know when it's not as it should be, even if it's a win. For example, this fan base in general seemed to recognize the game at Wisconsin was a missed opportunity but also a game of high effort that you will gladly take from your team. It also seemed to recognize a win like that 27-14 game against Purdue in Lincoln wasn't great football, lacked good O-line play, and didn't represent exactly what you want you even if it was a win. So while I'm not saying fans would be jumping up and down, I do think it matters HOW you get to 8 or 9 or 10 or more wins, and not just what the number is. I'd say fans are viewing 9-4 from this last season in a more positive light if there's not a 59-point and 30-point loss in there, I have to think.

@rickylee41: I don't really look at it like that, no, Ricky. I mean, whatever the record of the team is I'm covering, there's always something happening or about to happen that keeps it interesting enough. I consider myself a neutral observer. Do people read more of what we write when they're winning? I'm sure they do. So from a business standpoint, it's probably better for the LJS if the program were winning championships. But for me personally, I can't lie, the most interesting year I ever covered as a journalist was my first on the beat in 2007. What I appreciate is this is a hopeful fan base, sometimes with an optimism that some would say doesn't match the reality of the last 15 years or so. But I don't find that to be an incredible fault for people to think the next year might be better. I actually admire that trait. I mean, as of last week they had already sold 40,000 for the spring game. So it's a good reminder we're covering a team where the passion for it runs higher than most any other beat in the country.
@SiliconValleyHusker: Not saying Rathman would never come here but he really is an NFL guy, who I think enjoys the West Coast. I expect he'll land on a staff where he's coaching on Sundays soon enough.
@BrandonJ: They've got to be more consistent, certainly. And they need a few breaks, too. They got pretty beat up and didn't have the depth in 2016 to maybe handle it quite as they hoped. I don't claim to all the nuts and bolts of what he's teaching. The one thing I do know is O-line is a place where it seems you're going to lose a couple guys during the season to injury. So you really need to leave fall camp feeling pretty good about 8 guys or so. Because eventually you'll need them. I think they have a better chance to do that this year, but we'll see.
@NewportRed: I think McNitt is a player NU fans shouldn't sleep on at all. Lifter of the Year. Good hands. Really good athlete. He's one guy I'd bet they might find a way to use a little more, especially as they try to figure out the answers at the tight end spot.
@Sam: Well, that's the multi-million dollar question there. My crystal ball is too cloudy to answer that one, plus that would spoil all the interest of finding out, right? I do feel safe in saying it will definitely end better than the last relationship NU fans had with a football coach.
@SiliconValleyHusker: You get used to that NFL life and I can see where it wouldn't be easy to leave. No recruiting required in that life.