Huskers ranked inside top 25 in national post-spring poll

Coming off of a 4-8 season hasn’t slowed down the hype surrounding the Husker’s outlook for 2019. Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports included Nebraska at No. 17 in his list of the top 25 programs coming out of the spring practice period.

The Huskers will need to rely on a lot of young talent in the fall, namely starting quarterback Adrian Martinez. The optimism surrounding Martinez’s sophomore campaign likely played a large part in NU’s ranking on the list. Martinez has already garnered momentum in sports books as one of the leading candidates to win the Heisman Trophy. The online sports book Bovada lists Martinez as +1300 odds to take home the coveted trophy, only behind QBs Trevor Lawrence of Clemson, Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama, and Justin Fields of Ohio State.

It isn’t just Martinez though, who has caught the national media’s attention. The fresh faces such as wide receiver/running back Wan’Dale Robinson and Oklahoma State grad transfer defensive tackle Darrion Daniels, combined with standout wide receiver JD Spielman, have collectively raised Nebraska’s prospects for 2019 in the eyes of many in the national media. According to VegasInsider.com, the Huskers are at 40/1 odds to win the national title.

The competition will be tough, however. A sizable chunk of the Big 10 west is ranked in the poll. Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota and Wisconsin are all featured inside the top 25, all of whom the Huskers will play in 2019.  Nebraska will also take on the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are ranked at No. 6 in CBS Sport’s rankings. However, the Huskers will avoid Michigan unless they meet up in the Big 10 title game. The Wolverines are ranked just inside the top 10, at No. 9.

Nebraska will open their season against South Alabama on August 31 at Memorial Stadium.

(Photo – Kenny Larabee)