Ganz and Lucky to Continue Success
5 comments so far
July 16, 2008 by
Overlooked last year because of the disappointing defensive performances, the Nebraska offense will be returning with two of the most explosive offensive players in the Big 12, if not the country. With Bo Pelini riding into Lincoln on a white horse named "Defense," do NOT get distracted and forget about the offensive powerhouse put together in the 2007 season. Marlon Lucky's rushing success was spectacular, but Joe Ganz's quarterbacking exploits would have reached Heisman potential if he had been able to get the same type of stats for a whole season of starts, rather than the few games he played.
Lucky's rushing to the tune of 1000+ yards and nine touchdowns while receiving 700+ yards and three touchdowns is a good prequel to the 2008 season. We will see at least 2000 all purpose yards and upwards of 15 touchdowns this season from Lucky as the spread option opens up those great running lanes all those Mizzou fans keep cheering about. If there are any legitimate "dark horse" Heisman candidates in the Big 12, Marlon Lucky would definitely be it.
Of course, it doesn't hurt to be returning behind an experienced offensive line. That line will also be part of the reason Joe Ganz should see more of the same numbers he began putting up at the end of the 2007 season. Making plays with his shifty feet and speed will only be necessary when his line breaks down, which shouldn't be too often. Ganz's 16 touchdowns and 1400+ yards in three games are probably going to jump up, but if he averaged the same number of touchdowns a whole season, we'd be talking about how he compares to Brandon Vogel's EA Sport's NCAA Football 2009 season.
Likely, Ganz will be a top 10 quarterback in terms of numbers, probably getting near 40 touchdowns and 3500 yards. Lucky's numbers should put him in the top 10 as well, but I really think he'll also be the best RB in the Big 12, hands down. Ganz has more competition for the top QB in the Big 12, but he's got a chance to be one of the best in 2008. Any way you slice it, the offense should excite and entertain the whole year.
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kyle Jul 17 08
I get a good laugh from this cause i rooted for Sam Keller for qb now in retro spec we really should have put ganz in haha. But that would be a huge slap in the face to Sam Keller.
Andrew Jul 17 08
Dude, the spread option is not the offense we are going to be running this year. Furthermore, look at who Ganz put those numbers up against last year. You also most not remember how ineffective the NE offense was last year when it counted the most ala Mizzu, USC (most of the game tell the end), Oklahoma State just to name a few.
tom Jul 17 08
I don't care what the coaches call it, it's going to look a lot like the spread option. Did you see the play calling in the spring game? Also, I am very aware of who Ganz put his numbers up against. You will see more about that in my analysis of our 2008 schedule in the next few weeks. Maybe I just didn't get my point across, but I never said that the Nebraska offense was not ineffective at times. They were just overlooked (it's in the FIRST SENTENCE). If you didn't know, we were a top 10 passing team last year. That is the type of success we can build on.
Greg Morrow Jul 17 08
You've got senior leadership running whats still possibly the most complex offense- in the Big 12 Conference, anyway.
You should have "synergy" in this offense this year, that Callahan could only have fantasized about, because of the mix of talented experience. The only comparison would have been if Zac Taylor and Cory Ross had been seniors, at the same time.
You also have real, centralized command and control at the play caller position. Watson as coordinator, Watson as shot taker. His assistants just doing the assisting.
About Lucky. He's got such a golden chance to reach every conceivable goal, this year. Been a long time since Nebraska'a had a senior back (Rozier) so well set up to go national.
ze bop Jul 18 08
Ganz didnt play vs Mizzou, USC, OSU, and ATM, so whats your point?