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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Bill Callahan (3rd season, 13-10) 2005 record: 8-4 (Beat Michigan in Alamo Bowl) Big 12 finish: 4-4 (t-2nd North) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 107th (96.0 ypg) Passing: 54th (224.3 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 26th (124.3 ypg) Passing: 43rd (207.9 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 Louisiana Tech Sept. 9 Nicholls State Sept. 16 at USC Sept. 23 Troy Sept. 30 Kansas Oct. 7 at Iowa State Oct. 14 at Kansas State Oct. 21 Texas Oct. 28 at Oklahoma State Nov. 4 Missouri Nov. 11 at Texas A&M Nov. 24 Colorado Depth Chart: Offense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 83 Terrence Nunn Jr. 84 Grant Mulkey Sr. WR 87 Nate Swift So. 7 Frantz Hardy Jr. WR 17 Todd Peterson So. 80 Tyrell Spain Jr. LT 54 Chris Patrick Jr. 76 Lydon Murtha So. LG 62 Andy Christensen So. 72 Rodney Picou Fr. C 50 Kurt Mann Sr. 65 Greg Austin Sr. RG 61 Mike Huff So. 78 Brock Pasteur Jr. RT 70 Matt Slauson So. - Carl Nicks Jr. TE 11 Matt Herian Sr. 85 J.B. Phillips Jr. QB 13 Zac Taylor Sr. 3 Harrison Beck So. IB 34 Cody Glenn So. 20 Marlon Lucky So. Depth Chart: Defense 7 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 90 Adam Carriker Sr. 98 Zach Potter So. DT 94 Barry Cryer Sr. 43 Ty Steinkuhler So. NT 54 Ola Dagunduro Sr. 77 Ndamukong Suh So. DE 44 Jay Moore Sr. 99 Barry Turner So. SLB 34 Stewart Bradley Sr. 40 Lance Brandenburgh Jr. MLB 13 Corey McKeon Jr. 38 Phillip Dillard So. WLB 15 Steve Octavien Jr. 51 Bo Ruud Jr. CB 2 Cortney Grixby Jr. 21 Titus Brothers Jr. CB 14 Zack Bowman Sr. - Andre Jones Jr. SS 30 Tierre Green Jr. 46 Ben Eisenhart Jr. FS 8 Andrew Shanle Sr. - Ricky Thenarse Fr. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 29 Jordan Congdon So. P 97 Dan Titchener So. KR 20 Marlon Lucky So. PR 2 Cortney Grixby Jr.

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Despite a schedule that includes Texas and USC, Bill Callahan's third season as coach is anticipated enthusiastically, largely because of the final two games in 2005. Victories at Colorado and against Michigan in the Alamo Bowl quickly turned a growing pessimism into unfettered optimism. Nebraska looked like a different team from the one it had been in the first 10 games.

For that optimism to be justified, however, the entire offense, and the running game in particular, needs to improve. Nebraska ranked 96th in the nation in total offense and 107th in rushing. The change in offensive systems, though dramatic, can't be blamed entirely for that lack of production.

The Cornhuskers didn't have an eight-victory offense, despite the surprising play of quarterback Zac Taylor, who persevered in the face of 38 sacks to rewrite the passing section of the school record book. Taylor, in typical fashion, shouldered much of the blame for the sacks, claiming had he read defenses better, those who were supposed to protect him would have been more effective.

Some of the optimism is based on a defense for which "the sky's the limit," according to nose tackle Ola Dagunduro. The defense has reason for such confidence, especially up front, where a bigger, stronger and faster Adam Carriker is expected to dominate from his base-end position.

Callahan has raised the talent level with three recruiting classes heavy on junior college transfers. "There's no doubt in my mind that we will be a better-looking football team as we take the field in September," he says. "It fits the profile of what a Big 12 team should look like."

It also fits the profile of a North Division representative in the Big 12 Championship Game. That's how the most optimistic of Cornhusker fans saw it as they left San Antonio last December, anyway. And the optimism has continued to grow.

OFFENSE

Few imagined the impact Taylor would have when he arrived from Butler County (Kan.) Community College in January of 2005. He threw for 2,653 yards and 19 touchdowns, even though he rarely had time to go deep.

Five of Taylor's top-six receivers return, led by wideouts Nate Swift and Terrence Nunn, who caught 88 passes between them for more than 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. In addition, Matt Herian, one of the best receiving tight ends in school history, is expected to return to full health, after missing last season because of a broken leg. Callahan has the skill players in place for a potent passing attack.

The concerns are on the line and at running back, where the departure of Cory Ross leaves a void larger than his size (5-6, 195-pounds) might indicate. But remember, Nebraska -- which once set the standard for running the ball -- ranked No. 107 in the nation in rushing last year, with Ross.

The line will be built around center Kurt Mann, one of two seniors figuring in the plans. The other is Greg Austin, who can play both guard positions and back up Mann. Running back might be handled by a committee of young players, among them Cody Glenn, Marlon Lucky and Leon Jackson.

DEFENSE

The Blackshirts got a boost when defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kevin Cosgrove turned down an offseason opportunity to coach in the NFL. The Blackshirts again will be a strength, with a solid front seven, two-deep, led by bigger, stronger and faster Adam Carriker at base end and vocal leader Corey McKeon at middle linebacker. Despite constantly dealing with double-teams, Carriker was credited with a team-high 9.5 of Nebraska's nation-leading 50 sacks, while McKeon led the Cornhuskers in tackles and tackles for a loss.

Nebraska ranked 10th in the nation in pass-efficiency defense, and junior Cortney Grixby and senior Zack Bowman are returning starters at cornerback. But the safeties are unproven. Senior Andrew Shanle has seen limited action as a backup at both safeties, while junior Tierre Green moved from cornerback, where he was a part-time starter, to strong safety in the spring -- after beginning his Cornhusker career as an I-back.

SPECIALISTS

Jordan Congdon is a reliable placekicker. He set a school record by kicking 19 field goals in 23 attempts as a true freshman. But Sam Koch, who averaged a school-record 46.5 yards per punt and was an important factor in creating favorable field position, must be replaced. Special teams will continue to be a point of emphasis in Callahan's third season in Lincoln.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Optimism is the order of the day as a result of last season's strong finish. Callahan has acknowledged a sense of urgency in needing to win and return Nebraska to prominence, not only in the Big 12 but also nationally. To that end, he has upgraded the talent in the program.

This year's schedule is more challenging than last season's. It includes reigning national champ Texas as well as USC at Los Angeles. The Longhorns visit Lincoln on Oct. 21 -- Nebraska's only home game in October and a possible preview of the Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City on Dec. 2.