I'm just incredibly torn. I think what's transpired over the last few years is inexcusable, and that includes the PR blunders. A good coach comes to Nebraska and turns it around in year one or two. Nebraska has everything in place to do that. These dumb articles by Sip or the quotes by McMilan are so farce that once I see them, I just exit out. When you have top 25 recruiting classes annually, decent coaching should always yield decent to good results. 7-9 wins annually.
Where I am torn is what Nebraska seems to be currently. In my opinion, they are tweaks away from being a ranked team annually, and a true competitor to win the division every year. As they stand currently, they have three good things to build off of going forward.
1. Rockstar D-coordinator and scheme. They will always have a good defense that doesn't lose them games.
2. Talent in the cupboard. Nebraska doesn't have any holes and what's needed is certain positions to be developed properly (O-line and RB).
3. A pretty damn good S&C staff. Nebraska looks so much better than they did even in Bo's last years.
4.(Cheating here because I said 3). Really good TE play.
The problem is the offense. It has always been the offense. Aside from Beckton, everyone is below average. It's a testament to the talent that they even have gaudy numbers nationally. To me, the O-line isn't even the biggest problem, although it is right there. What is happening at running back completely blows my mind. Every single year there is a problem identifying who is the best player at that position. Why was Marvin Scott the guy all year leading up to fall camp, and now he's nowhere to be found? Why was Gabe Ervin the starter when he looked the worst out of the five who played? Good, developed running backs can help a young O-line. Ryan Held has been saved by the moxie of players like Devine and Rahmir who seem to do well in spite of their coach.
I have zero knowledge as to why guys like Piper and Benhart regressed so much. Although I do have a guess. The change in schemes or styles stunted their development a bit, which then hurt their confidence. The nail in the coffin was going against our front 7. Sometimes getting your a$$ handed to you for two camps makes you not want to play. Remember that clip of Tannor obliterating Piper in practice? I think he's been shook ever since.
Scott is going to have to figure out not only how to get major coaching upgrades on those two positions, but he is going to have to find a much better way to see the truth in practice on that side of the ball. No more guess work.
Last thing, if I could give him advice, I would tell him that he needs to take over the WR room or consider Beckton for it. The mismanagement of Betts and Brown are a travesty to this program. Treat them better and watch what happens. Those two could easily set the league on fire alone.
