Preseason Countdown: No. 22 Nebraska

Where The Conhuskers Have Been: It didn't take Bo Pelini long to move Nebraska back to respectability following the Bill Callahan fiasco. The 9-4 season had its ups (a Gator Bowl win over Clemson), downs (a 35-point loss to Missouri and a 34-point defeat vs. Oklahoma) and near-misses (losing to Texas Tech by six points and Virginia Tech by five), but the simple fact is the Huskers were better than most prognosticators believes they were going to be in finishing tied for first place in the Big 12 North. But after losing nine starters, including a record-setting quarterback in Joe Ganz, can they vie for the division title again?

Where The Cornhuskers Are Going: If Huskers fans have been waiting for a return to the run, run and run some more days of Tom Osborne, this season is going to be as close as we've seen since Ozzy was running things.

Without Ganz, QB1 designation goes to junior Zac Lee. While Lee was the scout team player of the year, the former junior college transfer has only five career attempts at Nebraska and that means he's not going to be expected to do too much, especially early on. So Pelini will ride the Huskers strengths, which in an ode to the past, is the offensive line and a one-two punch at running back in Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille, who combined for 1,270 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. They'll be running behind a veteran line that has combined for 61 career starts.

Defensively, Nebraska reutnrs its top four tacklers from a year ago, led by first-team Big 12 tackle Ndamukong Suh, who had a breakout junior year with 76 tackles, 7 1/2 sacks, 11 1/2 tackles for loss, three pass break-ups, two interceptions and he moonlighted as Lil' Red. The linebackers lost some experience, returning just one starter in Will Compton, but the line should be so good that the unit should have time to gel.

But maybe the biggest benefit to Nebraska this season is just how much the divison has changed from a year ago. Missouri is in rebuilding mode, Kansas has too many questions on defense to be a real threat despite the return of Todd Reesing, Kerry Meier and their top five rushers and Colorado still seems a year away from truly competing for the North crown. So that leaves the Huskers, who do draw a tough schedule with trips to Baylor, Kansas and Colorado, not to mention the prospect of hosting high-powered Oklahoma and a non-conference trip to Virginia Tech.

The Señior Says: 9-4, Big 12 North champs.