2018 Nebraska Football Position Examination - Offensive Line

Nebraska’s offensive hasn’t been very good in a very long time. For example, name the last offensive linemen that won a yearly award, i.e., the Rimington, or the Outland Trophy.

Don’t expect that to change anytime soon. It takes more than a season to build a reputation as an offensive line. There are no stats that directly relate to success, especially for the individual lineman, and that’s what’s required to get on those award lists. You can point to stats like yards per rushing attempt, or get into advanced statistics and try to use success rate, but note that what’s missing from this article by SBNation stats guru Bill Connelly is “OFFENSIVE LINE”.

The Scott Frost offense doesn’t require an offensive line that can overpower and dominate opponents like Nebraska did in the 90s. They’re going to run quick, misdirection plays. And they’re probably going to pull. A lot. This means our linemen are going to have to be in shape, and be able to move.

Do we have those guys?

We sure as hell didn’t last year.

Nebraska was 112th nationally with 3.51 rushing yards per attempt. That should be a crime.

The one series that still stands out is the series at the end of the Minnesota game when we called time out only to allow Patrick O’ Brien to be sacked three times in a row. I hate to keep harping on that, but it was for me the defining moment of last season. The rest was a walk-through.

Now, I know that we are excited about the new Scott Frost era and former Husker offensive line coach Greg Austin. I loved Austin as a Nebraska player. The guy didn’t let anything stop him. He’d go down with yet another injury (I wonder what his knees are like now) and he’d get up again.

Keep in mind, however, we were just as excited when the last regime came on board. (You can deny it in the comments section, “Told You So” guy, and then you can thank me for giving you the opportunity.) Legendary offensive line coach Milt Tenopir took a liking to Mike Cavanaugh, and that was enough for me. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out in a big way. Here’s to hoping this time is different.

Here is what we originally wrote regarding our expectations for starters on the offensive line. Obviously, Michael Decker is gone now. You can brush over that all you want, but it’s a rather big blow for this season. Cole Conrad needs to step up in a big way.

Jon:

Center: Michael Decker, Cole Conrad, Tanner Farmer

Guard: Tanner Farmer, Jerald Foster, Boe Wilson, Matt Farniok

Tackles: Brenden Jaimes, Matt Farniok, Christian Gaylord

There’s so much hope here.

Mike:

Center: Decker, Conrad, Hunter Miller, Will Farniok

Guard: Farmer, Foster, Wilson, John Rairdon

Tackles: Jaimes, Matt Farniok, Gaylor, Matt Sichterman

Two months of conditioning and 13 practices didn’t seem to do a lot to break the stink of the last few years. Let’s hope summer conditioning and August shows us progress.

Andy:

C: Decker, Conrad

G: Farmer, Foster, Wilson/Raridon

T: Farniok, James, Gaylord

Be gentle, Greg Austin. They’ve been getting their pearls of wisdom from O-Line Cosgrove and their strength training from a guy who thought squats were unnecessary. Restoring their strength & confidence alone will require some weird combination of Herb Brooks, Greg Popovich & Mickey Goldmill.