Anybody know when Nebraska begins preseason football drills? When the balloons will soar again over Memorial Stadium? Anybody have an extra ticket to the Nebraska-Southern California game? It must be difficult for Husker fans to avoid feeling a heightened sense of anticipation for 2006, thanks to three straight triumphs to end the 2005 season, Zac Taylor’s return, the defense’s resurgence and a meat-grinder of a schedule that elevates intrigue if you’re a Big Red fan — and induces ulcers if you’re a coach.

Anybody have an extra ticket to Nebraska-Iowa State?

As Husker Nation waits impatiently for August, there’s plenty to ponder in the interim. For one, it’s time to get used to turnover on the coaching staff. Turner Gill bolted after the 2004 season. After this past season, Scott Downing departed. Now, the NFL Minnesota Vikings appear set to try to lure Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, who enjoyed a sterling turnaround this season after last season’s struggles.

Cosgrove, 50, remains pals with new Vikings head coach Brad Childress from their coaching days at Wisconsin and Illinois. There’s significant buzz that Childress plans to offer Cosgrove a chance to coach linebackers, assuming an offer hasn’t been extended already. The Vikings’ ownership plans to increase salaries for all coaches. Stay tuned.

Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, who also coached with Childress at Wisconsin, noted that this is a Husker staff with strong ties around the nation, college and pro. This time of year, when coaching movement runs rampant, NU staff members will be mentioned frequently in job speculation. Get used to it.

It’s yet another example of Nebraska’s changing football culture. Once upon a time, NU ran the option; now it runs stretch plays. Coaches used to entrench themselves in the South Stadium cocoon, hardly ever looking for opportunity elsewhere; now staff changes likely will be a constant.

It’s not a bad thing. It’s just a different thing.

Regardless of staff alterations, Nebraska should be regarded as the favorite to capture the Big 12 North next season, with Iowa State a close second.

The Huskers, coming off an 8-4 record, return no fewer than 18 starters (nine on offense, eight on defense and the place-kicker).

The Cyclones, 7-5 in 2005, return 10 starters from an offense that averaged 28.3 points, including quarterback Bret Meyer, tailback Stevie Hicks and wideout Todd Blythe. ISU takes a hit on defense, losing six starters.

Iowa State also endures a schedule hit, as Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech replace Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

Nebraska’s conference schedule should provide an opportunity for the Huskers to seize control of the division out of the starting gate. After a home game against Kansas and road tests at Iowa State and Kansas State, NU should be no worse than 2-1 with a decent chance to be 3-0.

Iowa State, meanwhile, opens at Texas before playing Nebraska at home and Oklahoma on the road. In other words, the Cyclones might face yet another 0-3 conference start, 1-2 at best.

Nebraska’s fate could be determined during a brutal four-game stretch that begins with the Oct. 7 showdown in Ames. Then, after traveling to Manhattan, the Huskers will take on Texas in Lincoln before playing Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

Because its 2006 schedule is tougher than 2005, Nebraska could improve as a team next season yet still lose four games.

Taylor’s strong leadership, coupled with an ever-improving and experienced defense, should ensure greater overall consistency in 2006, as opposed to the wild mood swings of this past autumn.

Although it will be difficult for Taylor to improve significantly as a leader — he was that outstanding this season — he needs work as a player. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 2,653 yards and 19 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions, as Nebraska finished No. 54 nationally in passing offense.

“Zac knows he had a great year,” Norvell said. “But there are still areas of his game he can improve on: quicker reads, quicker delivery, quicker with his short and intermediate game.

“He also can improve himself athletically. I still want him to get bigger and stronger.”

Same goes for Taylor’s teammates. As always, the offseason will be critical. Indeed, this is no time for Nebraska to rest on its laurels, not with so many opportunities on the horizon.

I can envision balloons drifting already.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.