According to Rich Kaipust of the Omaha World Herald, “Nebraska could be as young at linebacker as any time in recent memory.”

“It’s go time, and it’s got to be perfect,” said Mike Ekeler, the Husker linebackers coach. “I don’t think on Saturdays (next season) you’re going to put an asterisk by it and say, ‘Aw, you know what, Will Compton’s a freshman. We’ll let that one go. He missed that play.’ It’s all for keeps. We’ve got to demand and expect perfection.”

The accountability comes with something just as prominent: Opportunity.

Fisher, Whaley and Compton can be considered legitimate threats to win starting jobs next season.

This year’s recruits received a list of 10 alphabetized reasons to become a Husker. Each recruit was then asked to rank what single factor influenced him most in his decision to sign a letter of intent, with 1 being the most influential factor and 10 representing the least influential factor.

Based on that system, the consensus of the recruits willing to share their individual priorities is:

1. Coaches

2. Game-day atmosphere (fan loyalty/quality of people)

3. Tradition/culture (bowl history, major award winners, success in the NFL)

4. Strength and conditioning program

5. Academic support/life skills program

6. Athletic Director

7. Major degree offering/campus atmosphere

8. Facilities (including locker room, weight room, etc.)

9. Players (past, present and future)

10. Nutrition/medical services

[via Huskers.com]

Steve Hanway at Big Red Network put together a nifty little graph that shows the relationship between the number of All-Americans on a Nebraska squad and the coach’s winning percentage.

Hanway suggests that Ndamukong Suh could be named an All-American this fall and that the team’s winning percentage will likely follow the well established pattern.

At Coach Pelini’s press conference yesterday, he said what’s he’s looking to get out of spring ball.

I think we have a better handle this year on what we have on our roster and what we want to do. I think we have a better plan on both sides of the ball on where we want to go. I told the team yesterday that we have to make some giant steps in 15 practices. Last year there were a lot of unknowns and this year we have a better idea entering spring ball. I know that we are a better team this year entering spring ball then we were last year.

A better team this year. I like to hear that.

What do you say Husker fans? Is this team ready for 10+ wins? I know I’m ready.

Lincoln’s Craigslist doesn’t see the kind of action Craig garners in a big city. For instance, under Writing Gigs, there are only three.

Here’s one:

Sports network is seeking fans to cover their beloved Huskers. Playerpress.com is the platform for your opinions to be heard by millions. Compensation is available after brief trial period. No exp needed. Please include short writing sample with response.

We ran some ads looking for contributors on Craig’s site and in the Daily Nebraskan a couple of years ago. We had a decent response to the Daily Nebraskan ad, but never closed the deal. One of the things we learned from that particular episode is college students aren’t blogging, rather they’re sharing content on Facebook and MySpace. Yet, I still believe there are future sports writers and photogs on the ground in Lincoln right now who would gladly cover Nebraska athletics for us for free. Why? Because in order to get a job as a sports writer, you need a great tear sheet and a good reputation.

Of course, you can earn that by building your own site. If you have the time. The skills. The aptitude, the money and the perseverance to see it through.

One can also go the college paper route. I did! But there was no such thing as the internet in my mid-1980s day. If I was in school today, I’d develop my own site(s) and submit writing to other sites.

If you (or someone you know) wants to write about the Huskers and provide front line reporting from the campus in Lincoln we’d like to hear from you.

You can develop a voice on Huskerzone and perhaps say some things you could or would not say in a more formal media setting.

Come on, let’s see what you’ve got.

Tad Stryker, a longtime Nebraska sports writer from North Platte, has some interesting things to say on Huskerpedia about the team’s quest for a starting QB.

Here’s a sample of his thinking:

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have a much-anticipated quarterback competition that begins in earnest March 25, when spring drills get underway. I don’t know enough yet about the three main rivals to discuss their relative merits. Instead, I’ll lay out the characteristics the Huskers need in their new signal-caller.

Nebraska needs a quarterback who can move well in the pocket and become a threat to pick up first downs with his feet. All three of the contestants – junior Zac Lee, redshirt freshman Kody Spano and true freshman Cody Green – are dual-threat quarterbacks with decent speed. The winner will be able to run the ball better and more often than Joe Ganz did. He won’t be a burner like Baylor’s Robert Griffin, but hopefully he’ll become at least as good a passer.

Of course, there are the intangibles and the issue of character. After cheering Zac Taylor and Ganz, Nebraskans have grown attached to quarterbacks with guts and heart. Lots of heart. That needs to continue.

We’re one week away from spring ball. Who do you want to see emerge under center?

Spencer Schubert of News Net Nebraska (a UNL student publication) wrote a compelling human interest story about Ndamukong Suh and his decision to stay in school for his senior year.

Suh led the Nebraska football team with 76 tackles last year, including a team-high 7.5 sacks. Surprisingly, he also was the co-leader in interceptions with two. That he has an express ticket to the NFL goes without saying, this year or next.

According to Schubert, the decision for the 22-year-old senior construction management major wasn’t a hard one to make.

He wants his degree in construction management so he can take over his father’s business, a goal which has its roots in African culture. In Cameroon, it is tradition that the parents spend all the energy they can to take care of their children. But once the time comes, the role switches and the children pour all they can into taking care of the parents. Ndamukong said he wants to see those roles switch soon, so he can see his parents retire.

“It makes me almost shed a tear,” his father said. “In Cameroon, when you grow up, personally your parents are everything to you.”

Suh is from Portland, Oregon. The Beavers and Ducks both wanted him to play for them, but Suh decided to venture out and meet new people. The example he’s setting in Lincoln right now is pretty impressive. I’m excited to see what he’s has in store for our opponents this fall.