Every team has to deal with injuries. Some teams, however, can get hit harder than others. And, some teams can lose players that matter a lot more in the starting line up. If Mike Moudy injures his knee this year, most people likely don't care as much. Sure it stinks, but, at least it's not a potential All-American.
I believe it to be completely fair to think Nebraska may have had more success this year without the injuries they sustained. I also find it reasonable to say you can't focus too much on the 'what-if' game.
I've said this before and it still sticks. Bo is going to have to win a conference title soon if he wants to continue as coach here, and he knows it. If every year ends in similar fashion, and the same or different reasons crop up for that ending, fans and administration eventually grow tired of it. Recruiting was rough for a few years, our coaches are still learning, the administration isn't forward thinking, we had too many injuries to be competitive, or whatever else we can come up with. As I said, it'll eventually get to the point where people will say let's get a guy in here who can better overcome challenges if Pelini can't win.