by Rich Kaipust, WORLD-HERALD BUREAU , Omaha World-Herald

The Sporting News? preview magazine picks the Huskers behind Kansas in the Big 12 North and ? despite a headline on its regional issue proclaiming Nebraska football ?back with a vengeance?? ? has no place for NU in its preseason Top 25.

Lindy?s also tabs Nebraska second in the Big 12 North behind KU. Both Lindy?s and Phil Steele?s College Football Preview barely squeeze NU into their Top 25s at No. 22.

If nothing else, the $7.99 that readers plop down at least gets them a taste of national perceptions two months before preseason camp starts.

?We definitely have a lot of work still to get done,?? NU senior Ndamukong Suh said Wednesday. ?We had a great senior class, and those guys laid the foundation for us and gave us a good starting point. Now what we have to do is build on that and increase on that and have an even better year.??

Nebraska bounced back from 5-7 in 2007 to finish 9-4 a year ago. Bo Pelini?s first season as head coach culminated with a Jan. 1 win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

A year ago the preseason magazines placed NU as low as fourth in the Big 12 North. The Huskers went on to share the North Division title with Missouri at 5-3.

Suh said he usually doesn?t hurry out to see the magazines, which this summer feature the nose tackle as either a first- or second-team preseason All-American.

?I?m always interested to see where they might have us,?? Suh said. ?But am I concerned where they have us? No, not at all. That?s just their opinion.??

With Missouri losing key players, Nebraska and Kansas appear to have emerged as co-favorites in the Big 12 North. Athlon and Phil Steele pick NU ahead of the Jayhawks.

Kansas, never a North Division champ, gets Nebraska at home on Nov. 14 but has to play Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech from the South.

The common denominator in the magazine is uncertainty about NU?s quarterback situation as Zac Lee takes over for Joe Ganz. Athlon and Phil Steele both put the Husker quarterbacks at No. 11 in their unit rankings for the Big 12.

Kansas, meanwhile, returns senior and three-year starter Todd Reesing at quarterback.

Nebraska did not make final ratings in either major poll in January. In fact, the Huskers haven?t been ranked since the midseason collapse in 2007.

Where should they start 2009?

?I think we?ll be in the mix, just because of the season we had,?? Suh said. ?I know personally I didn?t come here to be 9-4, but 13-0 and playing for a national championship. I think that?s everybody?s ultimate goal, but it?s a process.??

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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