The most embarrassing thing about Pelini's tenure has been the performance of the defense the past three years, including Carl's last year.
Because starting in '11, opposing teams, knowledgeable announcers and former Husker greats began wondering aloud "what is Nebraska thinking?"
Folks who knew football saw Nebraska lining up in defenses that were easy to read and easy to exploit. The opposing offense would then exploit the formation for big yards. At which point Nebraska.....did nothing. Virtually no adjustments. Just let themselves keep getting gashed. It did not seem to be a matter of speed and talent. By the time a Husker defender had the chance to react, he was already five yards away from the play. Some said we looked like a high school defense. That wasn't just Husker bashing. Former Huskers were just as concerned. As the problem persisted from game to game, and then season to season, it went from embarrassing to baffling. I don't think the coaching community really cares if a coach is ahem "passionate" or lets a chickensh#t drop here or there. But I get the feeling they understand why Husker fans are concerned, regardless of those magic 9 wins.
That being said, it felt like the defense engineered a huge mid-season turnaround this year. Just night and day from the South Dakota State game. Really, it felt like the whole team was playing looser and better, and that included the Michigan State loss, in hindsight a legitimate Top Ten team. The talent was there. Even the reserves filling in for the injured. Bo had won me back.
And that's why Iowa stuck in my craw. From the team's on-field performance to Bo reverting to angry clown form. Because something good was there for the taking, the pressure was back on, and the team fell apart in a now familiar way.
Long way of saying "no."
But I'm still looking forward to Season 7.
Prove me wrong, you little chickensh#t.