T-Row's Top 25...No. 9 Nebraska

Originally Published: Aug 27, 2010 9:30 AM CDT

Heres the question. Can the Huskers defense be as dominant without Ndamukong Suh? If they can come close, theyre a Top 10 team. Jared Crick played in Suhs shadow last season, but hes the man in 2010. The Big 12s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year will demand the double teams that should set Bo Pelinis defense in motion. Defensive back Prince Amukamara is a ball-hawker and defensive end Pierre Allen is a load, but Nebraska lost a ton of talent from their defense, so the black shirts will have to go a long ways to hold opponents to the nations best 10.4 points per game that they accomplished a year ago.

Offensively, Nebraska was dreadful most of the season. But, the return a wealth of experience and should be better. The Huskers were 99th in total offense. Quarterback Zac Lee has to give them a threat through the air to take the pressure off talented back Roy Helu, Jr. The 33-point performance against Arizona in the Holiday Bowl is something to build on in 2010.

The Huskers do have a secret weapon. Kicker Alex Henery is as accurate as they come in college football today. He has made 50-of-57 field goal attempts in his career.

Nebraska has a three-game stretch midseason where they play at Kansas State, home against Texas and at Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks. Theyll lose one of those games then lost late in the season at Texas A&M.

Prediction: 10-2