Nebraska fans have even more reason to be encouraged about O-line

For years, Nebraska football fans have been lamenting the play of the offensive line, rightfully so.

Husker fans know that championship teams are good in the trenches. That’s a lesson learned long ago from Tom Osborne and Bob Devaney.

The greatest college football team ever, the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers, epitomized dominance. If Nebraska is ever going to win championships again, it will need to be elite in the trenches. That’s been a huge part of Curt Cignett’s formula at Indiana.

Nebraska football isn’t going to get there this season. Don’t worry, I’m not on the Rhule-Aid that hard. Geep Wade does have me drinking it, though, believing that this will be Matt Rhule’s best Nebraska team.

Nebraska football offensive line showing more signs of improvement

The quarterback feels like a better fit. So does the defensive coordinator. Most importantly, Nebraska should be better in the trenches, especially along the offensive line.

Wade, the offensive line coach, met with the media after the second Nebraska practice that was open to the media on Tuesday. Tree Babalade didn’t practice. Neither did Owen Chambliss. It doesn’t seem like anything serious, and in Wade’s press conference, the biggest development was the Huskers’ O-line depth.

Babalade is a projected starter at right tackle, along with Brendan Black, Justin Evans, Paul Mubenga, and Elijah Pritchett. Gunnar Gottula is having a strong fall camp. He’s healthy and has been making a push to start. He might have to settle for being the sixth offensive lineman.

Yet, as Wade said, Gottula is someone Nebraska can win with, to the point that I wouldn’t rule him out as a starter just yet.

Wade also praised the work of junior Gibson Pyle, who he said has a standout camp. That’s great news because this team needed another starting-caliber player to emerge.

Beyond the projected starting five, there are Gottula and Tyler Knaak. Pyle taking a step forward, along with someone like Sam Sledge or Grant Brix, would give the Huskers the kind of depth required to make it through the Big Ten season, assuming they all play well.

“I look at it as I’m trying to get eight guys going to win the Big Ten — and playing them anywhere,” Wade said.

It feels like Nebraska is well on its way to having those eight, which could mean more wins in the Big Ten. At least that’s the hope.

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