Nebraska’s offensive line returns more starters than it loses. Aside from one fullback, the backfield loses nobody, assuming Marlon Lucky returns for his senior season.

Those are areas offensive coordinator Shawn Watson points to as strengths for Nebraska’s 2008 football team.

A look at Watson’s track record as offensive coordinator during his Colorado tenure indicates he prefers to mold an offense according to personnel.

Which basically means this: Nebraska will emphasize running the football next season.

“You need to be able to rush the football,” Watson said. “That’s key No. 1.”

Newly hired Nebraska coach Bo Pelini retained Watson as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. It will be Watson’s third season at Nebraska and second in those coaching roles, but his first in charge of play-calling. Former coach Bill Callahan assumed those duties, with input from Watson.

Now, it’s largely Watson’s show.

Don’t expect major changes. After all, Nebraska’s offense ranked 11th nationally in total offense in 2007.

“We just need to streamline ourselves a little bit,” Watson said, “in terms of narrowing down what we do conceptually.”

Does that mean simplify?

“We’ll simplify,” he said. “But yet we’ll keep our multiplicity. The multiplicity will be in the formation looks, it will be in the personnel groups.

“Conceptually, you do what you’re going to do; in other words, what you’re good at, how you’re built. You play to your personnel.”

Which brings us back to running the football. Watson believes the ability to do that, and play good defense, will be key to Nebraska’s success next season.

The Huskers weren’t accomplished in either area during their recent 5-7 season that led to Callahan’s firing.

The defensive problems, of course, have been well-documented. But they’re largely related to Nebraska’s inability to establish the same type of ground attack that helped the Huskers win the Big 12 North title in 2006.

That season, Nebraska ranked No. 23 nationally in rushing the football, averaging 175.5 yards per game. That average dropped to 144.4 in 2007, when the Huskers ranked 71st.

Playing with a defense that allowed points in bunches, the offense many times focused more on the passing game — either coming from behind or anticipating having to come from behind.

“There were games and situations that didn’t allow us to rush the ball the way that we would’ve liked to rush the ball,” Watson said. “It had nothing to do with the offensive line. It had nothing to do with our backs. I still believe that our offensive line is one of our strengths, and was one of our strengths last year.”

Watson stressed he won’t stray from the passing game, as he wants to strive to be a balanced team.

“I love multiplicity, because I think it really drives defenses crazy,” he said. “It gives you an opportunity to change yourself up, week-in and week-out.

“Championship football centers on a football them that can run the ball and control the clock and eat up chain. That creates some explosion plays off the play-action pass opportunities it presents.”

Watson, Colorado’s offensive coordinator from 2000-2005, first encountered Pelini in 2003, when Nebraska played CU in Boulder. Pelini was Nebraska’s defensive coordinator.

“I immediately had respect for him,” Watson said. “As we began to prepare for an opponent, there were things that he did that other people didn’t do. A lot of teams, you can find indicators, like something to verify when you’re going to get pressured, for example.

“He did not show his hand. What he made us do is he made us execute. We had to slim down what we prepared and what we game-planned and do the things the kids knew. It made us work.”

Nebraska won the game, 31-22, and Colorado gained 333 yards and committed two turnovers. It was Frank Solich’s last game as head coach, and Pelini’s second-to-last game with Nebraska.

Pelini, of course, is defensive-minded. But he’s been looking forward to helping direct an offense as a head coach.

“To be a good defensive coach you better understand offense. I do. I have ideas,” Pelini said. “I will give my input, throw out ideas. Some things stick, some things fit, some things won’t.

“We’ll talk it through. But I’ll be familiar with everything that is going on on the offensive side of the ball.”

Watson said he’s excited about the opportunity to work with Pelini.

“I think he loves ball like I love ball,” he said, “and we’ll be able to bounce ideas off each other.”

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.