Quick, how many games do you think Nebraska's top three linebackers heading into last season actually started together? Josh Banderas. Michael Rose-Ivey. Dedrick Young. How many times were they all on the field on the first defensive play of a game in 2015?
While you ponder that, recall that Rose-Ivey missed the opener due to a suspension. Banderas and Young were both watching Week 2's action in sweats on the sideline. For Banderas, that groin injury would take him out of four of the first six games.
Then Rose-Ivey had his own groin issue the next week against Miami.