Blackshirts?! Nebraska's defense was not that tough. Beathard's 3rd down conversion rate may have been poor but Nebraska's defense broke down and allowed Iowa to score TDs and little Nebby settled for FGs.
Next year, Nebraska's OL will be a work in progress but Iowa's OL will be even better and deeper. James Daniels and Sean Welsh will play the interior (hopefully with Boone Meyer as a guard) and Boettger and Croston at tackles with Render and the Paulsen boys backing up the tackles.
Iowa is hands down better at the LB and secondary positions than Nebby and Iowa could be one of the best units at LB with Niemann and Jewell if the guy who takes Fisher's spot can play the weak side spot and handle the play action passing game. Fisher was exploited a lot this season (Indy and Minny games). Iowa's Bo Bower is an insider backer and not as good as Niemann or Jewell but he gives depth. Nebby's LBs were weak tacklers. Nebby loses 3 DB starters while retaining Gerry who is not likely to go pro but could. Iowa's improvement at WR with speedsters like JermSmith, Falconer, Ogwo, Scheel and Parker. I will always wonder how much impact Derrick Willies could have made to this program with CJ being his QB.
Iowa needs to build depth and strength on the DL but its nice to see Iowa landing some 6'4"+ tall guys. No disrespect to Nate Meiers but Iowa needs more rangy athletes at the DE who can overpower the opponents OTs. Matt Nelson and Parker Heese are underweight for now but bring greater athleticism to this DL. I believe Iowa will continue to improve next year while Nebraska may win a couple of more games but not be top 15 competitor next year.
