Nebraska was roughly as successful its first three seasons in the Big 10 as it was the previous three seasons in the Big 12. Which is to say pretty successful, but not quite up to the big dogs.
That second Big 10 season in 2012, all Nebraska had to do was defeat a 7-5 Wisconsin team they had already beaten once to go to the Rose Bowl and stake a strong Top 10 claim. We all know what happened there.
When the Big10 concocted the Legends and Leaders divisions, everyone (including Nebraska fans) thought we'd landed in the easier division.
As we continued to play worse, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue and even Illinois became threats. You could not assemble a Big 10 schedule without teams Nebraska might struggle to beat. This season might be as good as it gets. Put together an 8 game schedule of Big 12 teams and you won't be pencilling in many wins, either.
You know what actually DOES make outsiders dislike Nebraska football? Whiny fans blaming their poor performance on cherry-picked conspiracy theories.
This team has gone out and earned its reputation.