What would a combined lineup with Nebraska and Northern Illinois look like?
The Cornhuskers look to get their first win of the season as they host the Huskies of Northern Illinois this Saturday. While NIU comes into this week with a better record, having beaten Boston College but lost to Southern Illinois, Nebraska’s level of competition leading up to this game has been much higher.
While Boston College is a Power Five school, there’s no denying that not all Power Five programs are made equal, and BC is near the bottom of that list. So, while Northern Illinois may take over in critical areas we will list below, remember that the level of competition played is a significant indicator and grade inflator.
Going position group by position group, we look at a potential starting lineup with a combined roster of Northern Illinois and Nebraska.
Quarterback
Quarterback: Rocky Lombardi (Northern Illinois) – 63.9 Overall
Through two games, Lombardi has surpassed Nebraska’s Sims in regard to passing yards. This is, however, due to the number of attempts Lombardi has compared to Sims. Additionally, Sims has a better-passing percentage, but his four interceptions and multiple fumbles take him away from consideration.
Skill positions
Running back: Gabe Ervin Jr. (Nebraska) – 75.7 Overall
Wide receiver: Kacper Rutkiewicz (Northern Illinois) – 78.3 Overall
Wide receiver: Marcus Washington (Nebraska) – 65.5 Overall
Wide receiver: Billy Kemp IV (Nebraska) – 63.0 Overall
Tight end: Nate Boerkircher (Nebraska) – 67.1 Overall
Gabe Ervin continues to be one of Nebraska’s prime targets on offense. Ervin averages nearly six yards per carry and has totaled 132 yards on the ground through the first two games.
NIU’s Rutkiewicz leads the way among all receivers as Nebraska doesn’t even have a single player over 60 yards on the season. Like with the quarterback position, this is largely due to the number of times UNI passes the ball in conjunction with how reliant Nebraska is on the run game.
Offensive line
Tackle: Bryce Benhart (Nebraska) – 69.9 Overall
Tackle: Nolan Potter (Northern Illinois) – 68.1 Overall
Guard: Nouredin Nourili (Nebraska) – 66.6 Overall
Guard: John Champe (Northern Illinois) – 62.2 Overall
Center: Pete Nygra (Northern Illinois) – 63.2 Overall
The entire offensive line play is fairly average as neither team has one stand-out player to account for.
Defensive line
D Line: Nash Hutmacher (Nebraska) – 65.9 Overall
D Line: Skyler Gill-Howard (Northern Illinois) – 63.1 Overall
D Line: James Ester (Northern Illinois) – 62.4 Overall
Edge: Raishein Thomas (Northern Illinois) – 64.3 Overall
Edge: George Gumbs (Northern Illinois) – 63.2 Overall
Northern Illinois nearly sees a clean swipe along the defensive front and pass rushers. However, how much of this is due to the competition both teams have played? This certainly won’t be answered until we see the Huskies defensive front in person this weekend.
Linebackers
Linebacker: Tyler Jackson (Northern Illinois) 68.9 Overall
Linebacker: Luke Reimer (Nebraska) – 63.9 Overall
Luke Reimer has been a solid choice all season and would see himself in a starting lineup on a lot of teams Nebraska face off against, and in the country. While NIU’s Jackson grades higher, he hasn’t done much to drastically edge himself over Reimer.
Secondary
Cornerback: Quinton Newsome (Nebraska) – 72.1 Overall
Cornerback: Jacob Finley (Northern Illinois) – 68.8 Overall
Safety: Nate Valcarcel (Northern Illinois) – 75.3 Overall
Safety: Devin Lafayette (Northern Illinois) – 71.1 Overall
Line the defensive front, the Huskies see an almost clean sweep here as well. However, the caveat here is that Nebraska is just coming off the back of being dominated by Colorado, who will likely stretch any team’s secondary with their aerial attack.
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