Frank wasn't the sharp decline... That was when Bill got fired I believe.
Bills first years? You might be right but I don't remember Frank's teams ever being that bad... Could be wrong though. So much sucking the last 20 years.There is also a sharp decline where Bill got fired - labeled as "Bo Pelini hired". I'm curious about the sharp decline before that.
Bills first years? You might be right but I don't remember Frank's teams ever being that bad... Could be wrong though. So much sucking the last 20 years.
03-04, to me, is a STEEP drop. Yes, 03 wasn't exactly an awesome year, but they did get 10 total wins. The offense was struggling, but Pelini was running a legit defense that was leading the nation in a few categories.There would seem to be a significant drop-off from playing for the National Championship in 2001 to going 7-7 in 2002. Then we were 10-3 in 2003 but didn't have any really good wins and were blown out in the three losses. We were back to 8-4 and 9-5 in Callahan's middle two years so I would think the steep drop has two be in that 2002-2004 range. Just not sure where exactly.
03-04, to me, is a STEEP drop. Yes, 03 wasn't exactly an awesome year, but they did get 10 total wins. The offense was struggling, but Pelini was running a legit defense that was leading the nation in a few categories.
In 04, we lost to Southern Miss, a mediocre Kansas State team, a bad Iowa State team, and the worst loss in school history, the 10-70 nightmare in Lubbock. That game, in itself, probably should've gotten Callahan tarmac'd and Pederson shown the door the next morning. Nebraska football was a bulwark, a historical power that beat Rockne's famed 4 Horsemen, and all the history since. Devaney's turnaround, Osborne's rock-solid consistency with the MILLIONS put into facilities, recruiting, coaching, etc. To get Tom Osborned ourselves by a bunch of 2/3 star guys; a national laughingstock overnight. All to be topped off by losing to a mediocre cu squad that kept us out of a bowl game for the first time in what, 40 years?
Yeah. Big drop.
This is how I see it, as well. Small decline after TO retired in 1997, but stable through 2001. Sharp decline with the 7-7 2002 season, with a small bounce back in 2003. Down years in 2004-2007 (save for 05-06), followed by Bo's hiring and the growth in 2009 (and 2010 stability). The performance declined, but stabilized in 2011-2014. 2015 and 2016 were slight declines from 2014, with the falling off the cliff in 2017.Yeah, I think it's probably the big drop off being 2002. Has to be coming off playing for the natty. Then flat with maybe a little improvement in 03. But not the big bounce back that people like to claim it was. Then another steep drop in 04. Little bounce back in 05-06 before cratering again in 07.