Welcome to Ten Burning Questions, Husker Locker’s version of a preseason game show!

In it we examine an issue surrounding Nebraska football from three potential perspectives, or, in this case, doors. On some of the burning question, there’ll even be a grand prize or a booby trap, so be on the lookout!

At the end of each burning question, we want you, the reader, to weigh in with your take. So have those comments ready, OK?

Burning Question No. 1: What kind of season will quarterback Zac Lee have?

Overview: Lee takes over for departing Joe Ganz, who, in his 16-game career as a starter for NU, became a kind of folk hero for the Husker faithful, and a record breaker to boot. Ganz’s quick sense of humor, easy humility and juxtaposition to Sam Keller made him an easy fan favorite. He was the kind of guy your grandmother loved.

It won’t be as easy for Lee, who has the athleticism and size of Ganz, but the NFL pedigree and flash of Keller. Lee may be faster, and he may have a stronger arm, but will he have that sixth sense, especially on the run, that Ganz used to have? Can he make plays where none exist? Will he have the exquisite chemistry Ganz enjoyed with receivers Nate Swift and Todd Peterson?

And does Lee have enough time to settle in before the Big 12 Conference schedule hits with a road game at Missouri and a home game vs. Texas Tech right off the jump?

“Zac’s going to have some confidence building games,” college football analyst Phil Steele said. “Florida Atlantic, Arkansas State and Louisana-Lafeyette. Those are nice. But if you’re talking about being tested, go against Bud Foster’s defense on the road in Blacksburg. After Zac’s gone into Blacksburg and faced a Bud Foster defense, the rest of the year will be pretty easy stuff for him.”

Let’s go to the doors!


Door No. 1: One Big Season, with Lots of Help

It’s not often that new quarterbacks, even upperclassmen, come in and shine immediately. But if Lee were looking for a target player to fit that mold, he’d do well to look at Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark’s 2008 season. Clark, who had played sparingly prior to last year, was solid through the non-conference and only had two “bad” games, both of which came later in the year at Ohio State and Iowa. For the year, Clark threw for 2,592 yards, 19 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. Why was he so effective? He got help from a PSU running game that 206 yards per contest. Could NU, which averaged 170 last year, reach that number? Very possibly.

While Penn State didn’t have a test like Nebraska will at Virginia Tech, Lee should have a strong running game to take the pressure off of him. One disadvantage when compared to Clark: PSU had arguably its best receiving corps in history last year in Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams. All were seniors. Lee will throw to a bunch of largely untested or inexperienced targets.

Door No. 2: Shades of another first-year Zac – with a tougher schedule.

Although Zac Taylor finished the 2005 season on a high note, the first three games of that year were not memorable, as Taylor completed just 39-89 passes for 399 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Fortunately, NU scored four defensive touchdowns in three games against Maine, Wake Forest and Pittsburgh. Taylor, facing criticism and pressure, magically turned it on the next week with a 431-yard performance vs. Iowa State.

Lee probably won’t be throwing the ball as much, but he could begin the season out of rhythm and needing to find the groove, so to speak, with his receivers. Remember that Taylor, too, had a spectacular spring game in 2005. It meant nothing once the season began.

In Lee’s favor will be a better running game. Nebraska averaged just 96 rushing yards per game in 2005. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson would love to double that in 2009.

Working against Lee: Road games at Virginia Tech and Mizzou in the first five. Taylor played his first five at home. In 2007, Keller was never really the same after spitting the bit in Columbia.

Door No. 3: A hybrid of Watson’s former protégés.

In his time at Colorado and Nebraska, Watson coached a number of guys right in Lee’s size, speed and skill range. Lee might have more raw talent than any of them except Craig Ochs, who played at CU for a couple years before transferring. Watson even compared Lee to Ochs during spring football.

Let’s look at some of Watson’s guys 1999-present. We don’t count Joe Ganz in 2007 because we deem that as Bill Callahan’s “mercenary” phase when he trying to score points to polish up his resume.

1999: Mike Moschetti 203-307 (62%) 2,688 yards, 18 TDs, 12 INTs, 117 rush yards, 5 TD

2000: Craig Ochs, 145-245 (59%) 1,788 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INTs, 106 rush yards, 4TDs

2001: Bobby Pesavento/Craig Ochs: 184-305 (60%), 2,454 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs, 82 rush yards, 1 TD

2002: Robert Hodge 131-245 (51%) 1547 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT, 85 rush yards, 2 TD

2003-2005 Joel Klatt (average of 3 seasons) 222-364 (61%) 2,458 yards, 15 TDs, 11 INTs, -42 rushing yards, 1 TD.

2007: Sam Keller 205-325, 2,422 yards (63%) 14 TDs, 10 INTs -97 rushing yards

2008: Joe Ganz 258-420 (67%) 3,568 yards, 25 TDs, 11 INTs, 258 rushing yards, 5 TDs.

What can we glean from this list and what might it foretell for Lee?

*Expect rewards for risks. When a Watson quarterback completes a pass, it’s usually for a first down, at least. Even dropback guys like Keller and Klatt were well above 11 yards per completion. Ganz was near 14 yards.

*But also expect some sacks and interceptions, too. Ganz, Ochs and Moschetti were all pretty mobile guys who could create yards with their feet. But they got nabbed a lot in the backfield, too. All Watson QBs, aside from Ochs in 2000, had more than ten picks. In other words, don’t expect Zac Taylor’s 2006 season, when he entered the Big 12 title game with just four interceptions.

*If Watson’s QB can run, he’ll get some shots to do so. And Lee may Watson’s fastest quarterback in a decade.

Which of the doors would you pick? Before commenting, also consider:

The Grand Prize: A season similar to that of Ganz or, if you figure in rushing yards, Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson: 3,064 passing yards, 562 rushing, 33 total touchdowns.

and

The Booby Trap: In which Lee gets injured, and Watson has his toughest QB job since Ochs took over as a true freshman in 2000.

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