The offseason is officially here for Nebraska football. With a new head coach and a majority of the new assistants in place, it's time to get prepared for the 2015 season.

During former head coach Bo Pelini's tenure, he never lost more than four games in one season. While that's actually pretty good in the big scheme of the college football landscape, it wasn't enough for Husker fans. It also was about more than the wins and losses.

Nebraska isn't necessarily in a rebuilding year, but there are some things that need to be worked on. If the Huskers wish to be competitive in the Big Ten, the offseason will have to be extremely productive. From the quarterback controversy to the overall attitude of the team, there's plenty to work on before the next season rolls around.

Here are a few areas that must change in order for the Huskers to improve in 2015.

Find an Offensive Identity

Mike Riley wants to find an identity, as reported by Jon Nyatawa of the Omaha World-Herald:

We certainly have to establish an identity. And an identity has to be a blend of the system with what the players are comfortable with and good at. I think that's coaching. You take your talent and you make sure it's the right fit for the system — and you adapt the system as best you can to the team.

Finding that identity will be imperative too. Failure to make Nebraska's offense more cohesive and focused will make it difficult to succeed going forward. To improve in 2015, the offensive identity must find a focus.

That identity will play a big part in who Nebraska's quarterback will be. It will also determine the expectations for the running backs and the wide receivers. Will Nebraska run the ball more or will the Huskers throw it? That has yet to be determined.

It's nothing a good offensive identity can't solve, though.

Settle the Quarterback Controversy

As for the quarterback position itself, this is a definite area that needs to change for the Huskers to improve. I've said it before and I still believe it—the quarterback position should be up for grabs in 2015.

That's not to say the starter shouldn't be Tommy Armstrong at the end of it all. However, Mike Riley and his staff need to open up the competition. That's the only way to see if Armstrong will truly excel and rise above Johnny Stanton and Ryker Fyfe.

Armstrong finished the 2014 season with a 53.3 completion percentage. That's under the 60 percent goal he set for himself, but there's still time and room for improvement. Taking away his guarantee to start should only help motivate him.

To truly improve and find an offensive identity, it all starts with the quarterback. Will Armstrong come out on top? Only time will tell. If not, it's a change the Huskers need to make to improve going forward.

Bring Back the Original Blackshirt Tradition

One thing that should improve the Huskers, especially on defense, is the return to the original Blackshirt tradition. Most fans liked what new defensive coordinator Mark Banker recently had to say about the Blackshirts.

"If you’re going to carry on a tradition, let’s carry on the tradition and do it the right way, and don’t make a mockery of it," he said, per the Omaha World-Herald.

Now it's up to Banker and his staff to get things back to how they were before Pelini. That's not to say it'll make a huge difference on the field, but it may. If nothing else, the true history of the Blackshirts could improve morale, which would be great for the Huskers.

Plus, Nebraska alums have asked for the tradition to be returned to the way it was. The camaraderie that could be built from one generation to the next is reason enough to bring it back. The confidence that could surface as a result is an improvement that's worth striving for.

So, let's hang the jerseys in the locker room at the end of fall practice. It's worth a shot.

Running Backs Must Step Up

It's time for life after Ameer Abdullah. For Nebraska fans, it's not ideal to see the I-back go. However, the Huskers have what it takes to fill the void he left behind.

It won't be easy. Change never is. Abdullah was a strong leader for the Nebraska offense. That alone will be a challenge to replace. Nebraska must find a way to, though.

The good news is that Riley has both Imani Cross and Terrell Newby. Both players have experience on the field, which is great for Nebraska's offense. Plus, the Huskers just snagged a commit from Devine Ozigbo, who was previously committed to Iowa State, per Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Herald.

Replacing Abdullah's talent is one thing, replacing his leadership is another. It seems like Cross would be the likely fit to step into Abdullah's leadership role. Spring practice will determine if he'll fall into that role seamlessly or not.

Ultimately, the offensive identity Riley wants to create will shape the running backs. However, there's no denying life without Abdullah won't be rocky to start. It's a change that was forced upon the Huskers, but it's one the team must now adapt to. It's the only way to improve.

Fix the Attitude Around the Program

Things started to get a little tense under former head coach Bo Pelini. Fans often grew tired of his sideline behavior and the "us against the world" mentality started to grow thin, as RantSports.com looked at in 2013.

Mike Riley isn't wasting any time changing that perception, though. His humility is charming, and his willingness to let fans into what's happening behind the scenes is refreshing. As some have said, including Sean Callahan of HuskersOnline.com, Riley and his staff "get it." 

The general attitude around a program can make a big difference. When the fans are fully behind a coach, it does nothing but benefit the players. Plus, it removes the "us against the world" mentality, which can often become toxic.

Nebraska wants to win. However, fans don't want to do it at the expense of the Huskers' reputation. Riley understands that. If nothing else, that's the biggest thing that can improve the Nebraska football team in 2015.