The Immediate and Short-term Future

[da skers]

If we go 10 wins this year....that puts NEB at 3 consecutive 10 win seasons.....only a handful of teams our currently doing that...

I post this comment a lot, but I am sick of people using the win total to justify Pelini's coaching. It's not about the number of wins, it's the losses and the nature of them. Losing to NW at HOME, blown out by Michigan and Wisconsin. Until we can consistently beat teams we should beat or hang with teams we are fully capable of hanging with, I am not satisfied.

I'm not calling for him to be fired, but it's not a black and white number of wins issue here. It's the inconsistency and inexplicable losses that have become Bo's calling card that have me concerned.

I hate how we lost also man....but it doesn't mean we're going to lose like that next year....go look at OU and how they come back after getting pummeled one year and losing 3 to 4 games in a season....then the next year they go 10-1 or 9-2 and take a conference championship...NEB isn't OU...but teams do it and I am just providing an example.

But we probably will lose a game like that next year. Look at Bo's track record. ISU 2009, TxTech 2009, Washington 2010 (bowl) , SDSU near debacle last year, etc.

If you factor in the early 3-4 cupcake games every season (not so much this year, but still Tenn-Chatt and Wyoming.....), 10 wins is not that impressive.

Quite correct. People try to compare the 10-win seasons of today with what was done in the 80's and 90's. But... in the 80's and 90's those were 11 and sometimes 12 game seasons. They are now 12-or 13 game seasons (sometimes 14 games) --- that is huge! Plus, as you point out, NU has 2-3 absolute gimmes in the "pre-season"

Really, if you want to look at a realistic measure of record, what have the conference + bowl game records been under Bo? I have no time to look it up, but under Bo I'd guess that NU is winning 60-65% of those games. That is.... OK. It is.... well, upper middle of the pack in conference. Nothing that wins conferences --- or really even competes for winning conferences.

Those who spout the "10 win thing" are reaching some, it would seem. And, by the way... for this year to get that NU must beat both Iowa (no small task) and win a bowl game... so a 10 win season is by no means a lock this year.

You also didn't have the scholarship limitations in those years that limited your depth chart if you missed on a few guys or injuries plagued you. We kept kids from going to our rivals by giving them a scholarship. They would come to NU and be on a championship team rather than go to KU where they could play right away. Different times are very different both ways.

Its also slightly ironic that we beat 2 of the teams you consider to be the top 4 of the league. MSU had its best team in years and will lose their best QB in the past 2 decades. Their last 4 years is their dynasty and I'll be shocked if they win 7 games next year. OSU was down this year, but they still had talent. Michigan was now where near down this year. Nearly every person close to the program knew what they lacked last year was a defense and Richrod had a new one pegged to change that. I would guess they would be right where they are if not better on offense. Most every booster has stated he was just 1 year away from fielding a NC caliber team. RichRods problem was he pissed off the wrong guy and was sold out by Llyod Car the day he was hired.

Wiscy will always be solid but without Wilson this year they were in trouble. They had no QB and they even injured that guy in practice. They would have probably been a 7-5 or 8-4 type team at best. I'll put them at that record next year unless they find a Juco QB or recruit a guy who's all world. Even then they lose a mostly Sr offensive line. They're going to struggle.

Right now . . .I'd say next year's B10 race will be Nebraska's to lose. We're going to have a 3rd year QB and a very good back up in JT or Carnes. We'll have a solid team of RB's, WR's and O-line coming back. We need to find a center and a guard. On defense we'll be better off as we'll be in year two of a new scheme and we've got a good line on a couple of juco fill ins. Charles Jackson will start in the back field. We need to find 2 LBs or for Whaley to keep his grades up.

Our most challenging B10 games next year are at home in PSU (who should be down) and Michigan. I would say the winner of the NU vs MU game will take the B10.

You should post more often Skers, I always enjoy reading your thoughts on the program.

Is that Whaley's problem?? He really can't keep his grades up with all the help?? Because when he was on the field in the Meechicken game he was a playmaker. He's fast and strong!! Are grades the reason he hasn't been on the field really???? Just guess I haven't heard anything about it.

That was part of it. And he was asked to do a few things that would help him grade out better in the games and in practices. He's finally done trying to do it his way and do it the way he's asked.

 

[robsker]

This argument is getting pretty old. One side says we haven't even come close to BCS games which is absurd considering how the last two Big 12 Championship games went. The other side says Bo is doing much better when compared to Les Miles and Nick Saban which again is absurd unless we're all hoping Bo leaves our program like Miles and Saban did to actually become great. Unless we have a meltdown season where Bo loses the team much like BC did in 2007, there's absolutely zero reason for his dismissal.

I agree with all that you have said --- except that NU really was not overly close to a B12 Championship, really. But, yes... Bo is not going anywhere soon...

 

[robsker]

I am concerned about our recruiting. I really am not a recruiting guru, but I was looking through the kids and I really didn't see a stand out. Maybe feb signing day will bring the big fish around. The problem with us as fans we are hanging onto the 90s. We really aren't, and haven't been, nationally relevent since 99. Don't get wrong, I love my Huskers but it's just the truth. It seems like we went through a patch where we had the athletes, but not the coaches. Now I think we have the coaches, but not the athletes. I really need to understand recruiting better

Interesting. I think we have the athletes to be quite a bit better than NU is now --- not good enough athletes to be a regular BCS team, but good enough to be occasionally a BCS team (something NU has not even actually approached) or, at least be on the bubble for a BCS game. What I am thoroughly convinced of is that we do not have the coaches to motivate the players to play and to teach fundamentals. The outside observer would certainly see how this team plays and conclude that the coaching is just not even remotely getting it done --- the team is far too often flat, non-physical, fundamentally lacking, and playing w/o passion. That is... coaching.

NU is one of the nations biggest under achievers. Again, coaching.

Those concerned with recruiting may be quite justified in that concern.

So what is your solution? Fire the lot of them? Start over from scratch? Be careful what you wish for.

He doesn't have a clue about coaching. He's living in a make believe world of talking heads on the radio who if they had any idea how to coach would be trying to do it. Bo's name will continue to come up during big school searches over the next few years. But thats pretty common with crappy coaches.

Where has Bo's name come up thus far in a big school's search --- not counting what someone on this board postulates (that is, not counting people here wondering if Bo would go to Ohio State or wherever... that does not count --- it would count only if national-level people with actual behind-the-scenes info assert that he was seriously considered --- which he was not). Has Bo's name been a top contender for any coaching position at a big school thus far? If so, when? Where? You say continually.... that Bo has been considered continually by others. OK pony up --- where was he a top 3 candidate? A top 5 candidate? Anywhere?!! Has anyone pursued him?

Last year he was offered Miami informally and at that time TO asked what it would take to stay here. I was very open about what he asked for and you see how many private planes he has at his disposal now. Harvey even gave his public support of Bo in the newspaper shortly there after. Thats why he's still here.

Not to mention he was also one of the first two people contacted for the Michigan job but he declined that very quickly and ATM contacted his agent to see if there was interest if Sherman left for the NFL. I also know a couple of LSU boosters who had him set if Miles had bolted LSU.

But hey. . .what do I know. Obviously nothing.

Hmnn... how accurate that confidant post you provided is questionable....

And you were correct earlier... you are pretty obnoxious. Bo's rep is falling. Not irrecoverable, I suppose... but he is falling.

 

[da skers]

This argument is getting pretty old. One side says we haven't even come close to BCS games which is absurd considering how the last two Big 12 Championship games went. The other side says Bo is doing much better when compared to Les Miles and Nick Saban which again is absurd unless we're all hoping Bo leaves our program like Miles and Saban did to actually become great. Unless we have a meltdown season where Bo loses the team much like BC did in 2007, there's absolutely zero reason for his dismissal.

Personally I don't think you can compare any coach to any other coach at any other program or time period. At least not exactly to determine if the guy is a quality coach or not. Each place is so different and the set of variable is too great.

There are two things I would like to see Bo change. 1 - his intensity. It negatively impacts his body language and also leads him to give short answers to questions from the media. He often comes across like hes under attack Its horrible and misjudged a lot and easily taken out of context. I wish he had a salesman's approach but not everyone can do that. But I'm also not going to say he's a crap coach because of that. He relates well to people one on one, the kids and when he's in booster functions. (as long as people aren't trying to be too cute.) 2 - I wish in his coaching style he would revert back to the philosophy he had in his first two years with his players. He worked 4 stations instead of 3. They took a day a week to develop freshmen and scout team guys better and they focused on doing things technique and attitude wise. The past two years its been too scheme focused and I think that's hurt. They still do development stuff but its in the spring, summer and early camp rather than all year. I think they need to go back to the beginning a little and do stuff slowly rather than install all the defense in the first 9 days like they did this year. I'm not saying their broken by any means. .. but need to make some minor adjustments. These are very solid coaches who work well together and that's extremely important.

 

[JJ Husker]

Sorry but the OP basically lost me from the git go with yet another "sky is falling" diatribe. When he stated that NU loses a lot to graduation this year (apparently totally ignoring all the young talent we have) and that OSU and Michigan will become an untouchable upper tier and dominate into the foreseeable future (with no backup for the domination claim). Claiming we have to do something, apparently completely differently, to catch up to Wisconsin and MSU and on the same level as PSU.... I just don't see it at all. Sure we've got plenty of room for improvement and adjustments to make in many areas but, playing even as exceptionally poorly as we generally did this season, against a murderous schedule, we handily beat MSU, beat PSU, beat OSU, and just plain didn't show up for most of the Wiscy game and virtually none of the MIchigan game. I see absolutely no difference between us and the other top 5 in the league. I can see more years of these 6 teams beating the crap out of each other and no one escaping conference play with less than 2 losses but I sure don't see an elite top tier that we cannot begin to touch for 9 more years. IMO the post is completely asinine and without merit. I can't even comprehend being that disillusioned. Maybe if Callahan and Pederson were still here, but now? This isn't a personal attack but I think the OP's prognostication skills are lacking and being severely overshadowed by some short term disappointments.

 

[da skers]

I am concerned about our recruiting. I really am not a recruiting guru, but I was looking through the kids and I really didn't see a stand out. Maybe feb signing day will bring the big fish around. The problem with us as fans we are hanging onto the 90s. We really aren't, and haven't been, nationally relevent since 99. Don't get wrong, I love my Huskers but it's just the truth. It seems like we went through a patch where we had the athletes, but not the coaches. Now I think we have the coaches, but not the athletes. I really need to understand recruiting better

Interesting. I think we have the athletes to be quite a bit better than NU is now --- not good enough athletes to be a regular BCS team, but good enough to be occasionally a BCS team (something NU has not even actually approached) or, at least be on the bubble for a BCS game. What I am thoroughly convinced of is that we do not have the coaches to motivate the players to play and to teach fundamentals. The outside observer would certainly see how this team plays and conclude that the coaching is just not even remotely getting it done --- the team is far too often flat, non-physical, fundamentally lacking, and playing w/o passion. That is... coaching.

NU is one of the nations biggest under achievers. Again, coaching.

Those concerned with recruiting may be quite justified in that concern.

So what is your solution? Fire the lot of them? Start over from scratch? Be careful what you wish for.

He doesn't have a clue about coaching. He's living in a make believe world of talking heads on the radio who if they had any idea how to coach would be trying to do it. Bo's name will continue to come up during big school searches over the next few years. But thats pretty common with crappy coaches.

Where has Bo's name come up thus far in a big school's search --- not counting what someone on this board postulates (that is, not counting people here wondering if Bo would go to Ohio State or wherever... that does not count --- it would count only if national-level people with actual behind-the-scenes info assert that he was seriously considered --- which he was not). Has Bo's name been a top contender for any coaching position at a big school thus far? If so, when? Where? You say continually.... that Bo has been considered continually by others. OK pony up --- where was he a top 3 candidate? A top 5 candidate? Anywhere?!! Has anyone pursued him?

Last year he was offered Miami informally and at that time TO asked what it would take to stay here. I was very open about what he asked for and you see how many private planes he has at his disposal now. Harvey even gave his public support of Bo in the newspaper shortly there after. Thats why he's still here.

Not to mention he was also one of the first two people contacted for the Michigan job but he declined that very quickly and ATM contacted his agent to see if there was interest if Sherman left for the NFL. I also know a couple of LSU boosters who had him set if Miles had bolted LSU.

But hey. . .what do I know. Obviously nothing.

Hmnn... how accurate that confidant post you provided is questionable....

And you were correct earlier... you are pretty obnoxious. Bo's rep is falling. Not irrecoverable, I suppose... but he is falling.

Thats fine. Question its accuracy. I don't care. Attend a booster function and ask people who are in the athletic department, TO, PM, DO, etc, the guys that are attending how close I am.

 

[MLB 51]

The way I see it is, Bo has us winning 9-10 games a year. And if look what we put on the field this year. I think he did quite well. We have so many injured players that we are playing allot of back ups. Give the guy a break. I didn't honestly think we would the CCG or even play in it for that matter.

 

[wol-va-rine]

You also didn't have the scholarship limitations in those years that limited your depth chart if you missed on a few guys or injuries plagued you. We kept kids from going to our rivals by giving them a scholarship. They would come to NU and be on a championship team rather than go to KU where they could play right away. Different times are very different both ways.

agreed...

Its also slightly ironic that we beat 2 of the teams you consider to be the top 4 of the league. MSU had its best team in years and will lose their best QB in the past 2 decades. Their last 4 years is their dynasty and I'll be shocked if they win 7 games next year. OSU was down this year, but they still had talent. Michigan was now where near down this year. Nearly every person close to the program knew what they lacked last year was a defense and Richrod had a new one pegged to change that. I would guess they would be right where they are if not better on offense. Most every booster has stated he was just 1 year away from fielding a NC caliber team. RichRods problem was he pissed off the wrong guy and was sold out by Llyod Car the day he was hired.

- I disagree about MSU, they have a solid defensive system that will keep them in just about every game, I think the take a step back next year with a first year starter at QB but they still have good RBs and good defense, I see 8-9 wins for them next year, Dantonio is a good coach...

- OSU will probably take a step back with the hiring of Meyer, he's bringing in an inexperienced DC (the LB coach at Florida who has no experience as a DC) which makes no sense to me, if I'm Meyer I come in and clean house with respect to the offensive staff but I keep the defensive staff intact, he would win quicker that way...

- RR had no plan on defense, I have no idea where you're getting that from (or that most boosters supported him), there were some rumblings that Casteel might jump ship and finally join RR in AA but nothing definite, those were just rumors, much like Callahan at Nebraska...he had to go, we would probably have 4 losses by now if he had stayed, he not only lacked defense but an offense that could put up points on good defenses...

Wiscy will always be solid but without Wilson this year they were in trouble. They had no QB and they even injured that guy in practice. They would have probably been a 7-5 or 8-4 type team at best. I'll put them at that record next year unless they find a Juco QB or recruit a guy who's all world. Even then they lose a mostly Sr offensive line. They're going to struggle.

Wisconsin will be good next year, probably not as good as they've been these last two years but their o-line is never a problem, they lose 2 to 3 kids every year from their o-line and just keep truckin', QB will be an issue for them next year though and they may have trouble moving the ball against good defenses...

Right now . . .I'd say next year's B10 race will be Nebraska's to lose. We're going to have a 3rd year QB and a very good back up in JT or Carnes. We'll have a solid team of RB's, WR's and O-line coming back. We need to find a center and a guard. On defense we'll be better off as we'll be in year two of a new scheme and we've got a good line on a couple of juco fill ins. Charles Jackson will start in the back field. We need to find 2 LBs or for Whaley to keep his grades up.

I also think Nebraska will be the favorite next year, MSU loses their starting QB but will still have enough on defense to compete for the title, we lose our two most productive interior linemen on D but return a lot on offense so I think we'll be in the mix as well but playing on the road against you guys will be tough...

 

[ladyhawke]

I am concerned about our recruiting. I really am not a recruiting guru, but I was looking through the kids and I really didn't see a stand out. Maybe feb signing day will bring the big fish around. The problem with us as fans we are hanging onto the 90s. We really aren't, and haven't been, nationally relevent since 99. Don't get wrong, I love my Huskers but it's just the truth. It seems like we went through a patch where we had the athletes, but not the coaches. Now I think we have the coaches, but not the athletes. I really need to understand recruiting better

Interesting. I think we have the athletes to be quite a bit better than NU is now --- not good enough athletes to be a regular BCS team, but good enough to be occasionally a BCS team (something NU has not even actually approached) or, at least be on the bubble for a BCS game. What I am thoroughly convinced of is that we do not have the coaches to motivate the players to play and to teach fundamentals. The outside observer would certainly see how this team plays and conclude that the coaching is just not even remotely getting it done --- the team is far too often flat, non-physical, fundamentally lacking, and playing w/o passion. That is... coaching.

NU is one of the nations biggest under achievers. Again, coaching.

Those concerned with recruiting may be quite justified in that concern.

So what is your solution? Fire the lot of them? Start over from scratch? Be careful what you wish for.

He doesn't have a clue about coaching. He's living in a make believe world of talking heads on the radio who if they had any idea how to coach would be trying to do it. Bo's name will continue to come up during big school searches over the next few years. But thats pretty common with crappy coaches.

Where has Bo's name come up thus far in a big school's search --- not counting what someone on this board postulates (that is, not counting people here wondering if Bo would go to Ohio State or wherever... that does not count --- it would count only if national-level people with actual behind-the-scenes info assert that he was seriously considered --- which he was not). Has Bo's name been a top contender for any coaching position at a big school thus far? If so, when? Where? You say continually.... that Bo has been considered continually by others. OK pony up --- where was he a top 3 candidate? A top 5 candidate? Anywhere?!! Has anyone pursued him?

http://content.usato...ops-bo-pelini/1

"Another name is former Ohio State player Bo Pelini, who is 30-12 in three seasons at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers begin play in the Big Ten this season."

http://bleacherrepor...l-at-ohio-state

(Yeah, I know bleacher report but it is what it is)

"According to Bruce Feldman of ESPN, the second name, after Meyer, that should be on Ohio State's wish list is Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini. The ties to Ohio State for Pelini are obvious, having grown up in Ohio and played for the Buckeyes himself."

http://blog.blockona...ates-top-5.html

Number Four - Bo Pelini

Pelini is from Ohio and was a team captain of the 1992 Buckeyes football team, so it’s obvious that he’s a guy who will value the tradition of Ohio State football and, especially, the rivalry with Michigan.

http://www.cleveland...io_state_h.html

No surprises atop Ohio State head coach wish list: Urban Meyer, Luke Fickell, Bo Pelini: Doug Lesmerises analysis

Any other questions? We have a good coach. You may not think so but that's your opinion. There are many others who feel the same way I do. I believe in giving people a chance. 4 years is a very short time to completely develop a football team. We have a young team. We HAVE made progress. Maybe not according to your standards but we have. I look at Taylor Martinez and see a completely different young man than I saw last year. Do we have problems-Yep. Can we work them out? Yep especially if our fans really get behind the team and support them.

 

[da skers]

- RR had no plan on defense, I have no idea where you're getting that from (or that most boosters supported him), there were some rumblings that Casteel might jump ship and finally join RR in AA but nothing definite, those were just rumors, much like Callahan at Nebraska...he had to go, we would probably have 4 losses by now if he had stayed, he not only lacked defense but an offense that could put up points on good defenses...

I know one of the lawyers who's firm handles sports marketing and contract for them. He's also a pretty fair booster up there.

And good points on your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[Enhance]

http://content.usato...ops-bo-pelini/1

"Another name is former Ohio State player Bo Pelini, who is 30-12 in three seasons at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers begin play in the Big Ten this season."

http://bleacherrepor...l-at-ohio-state

(Yeah, I know bleacher report but it is what it is)

"According to Bruce Feldman of ESPN, the second name, after Meyer, that should be on Ohio State's wish list is Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini. The ties to Ohio State for Pelini are obvious, having grown up in Ohio and played for the Buckeyes himself."

http://blog.blockona...ates-top-5.html

Number Four - Bo Pelini

Pelini is from Ohio and was a team captain of the 1992 Buckeyes football team, so it’s obvious that he’s a guy who will value the tradition of Ohio State football and, especially, the rivalry with Michigan.

http://www.cleveland...io_state_h.html

No surprises atop Ohio State head coach wish list: Urban Meyer, Luke Fickell, Bo Pelini: Doug Lesmerises analysis

Any other questions? We have a good coach. You may not think so but that's your opinion. There are many others who feel the same way I do. I believe in giving people a chance. 4 years is a very short time to completely develop a football team. We have a young team. We HAVE made progress. Maybe not according to your standards but we have. I look at Taylor Martinez and see a completely different young man than I saw last year. Do we have problems-Yep. Can we work them out? Yep especially if our fans really get behind the team and support them.

Layin' the wood! Nice finds!

 

[wol-va-rine]

- RR had no plan on defense, I have no idea where you're getting that from (or that most boosters supported him), there were some rumblings that Casteel might jump ship and finally join RR in AA but nothing definite, those were just rumors, much like Callahan at Nebraska...he had to go, we would probably have 4 losses by now if he had stayed, he not only lacked defense but an offense that could put up points on good defenses...

I know one of the lawyers who's firm handles sports marketing and contract for them. He's also a pretty fair booster up there.

And good points on your thoughts. Thanks.

thanks, and yeah, I didn't say "all" boosters because there are fans (and boosters) who thought RR had a chance with a new DC, I held on until the bowl game debacle, I just didn't see it after that and most of the people associated with Michigan (boosters or not) had enough after getting blown out 4 or 5 times in year 3, I still think if Casteel had come with him in 2008 we'd be talking about RR as coach, but that's here nor there now...

his main problem (jmo) was meddling with the defense and not letting his DC do his job, he even took over the defense from Scott Shafer for the Purdue game in 2008, Purdue proceeded to score 48 points to win the game after scoring only 41 points in their previous 4 games COMBINED, he needed to just keep Shafer and let him do his thing, but he fired him after one year and the defense was in free fall (we gave up 458 points last year) until Mattison came in this year...

 

[Chaddyboxer]

If we go 10 wins this year....that puts NEB at 3 consecutive 10 win seasons.....only a handful of teams our currently doing that...

I post this comment a lot, but I am sick of people using the win total to justify Pelini's coaching. It's not about the number of wins, it's the losses and the nature of them. Losing to NW at HOME, blown out by Michigan and Wisconsin. Until we can consistently beat teams we should beat or hang with teams we are fully capable of hanging with, I am not satisfied.

I'm not calling for him to be fired, but it's not a black and white number of wins issue here. It's the inconsistency and inexplicable losses that have become Bo's calling card that have me concerned.

I hate how we lost also man....but it doesn't mean we're going to lose like that next year....go look at OU and how they come back after getting pummeled one year and losing 3 to 4 games in a season....then the next year they go 10-1 or 9-2 and take a conference championship...NEB isn't OU...but teams do it and I am just providing an example.

But we probably will lose a game like that next year. Look at Bo's track record. ISU 2009, TxTech 2009, Washington 2010 (bowl) , SDSU near debacle last year, etc.

If you factor in the early 3-4 cupcake games every season (not so much this year, but still Tenn-Chatt and Wyoming.....), 10 wins is not that impressive.

Quite correct. People try to compare the 10-win seasons of today with what was done in the 80's and 90's. But... in the 80's and 90's those were 11 and sometimes 12 game seasons. They are now 12-or 13 game seasons (sometimes 14 games) --- that is huge! Plus, as you point out, NU has 2-3 absolute gimmes in the "pre-season"

Really, if you want to look at a realistic measure of record, what have the conference + bowl game records been under Bo? I have no time to look it up, but under Bo I'd guess that NU is winning 60-65% of those games. That is.... OK. It is.... well, upper middle of the pack in conference. Nothing that wins conferences --- or really even competes for winning conferences.

Those who spout the "10 win thing" are reaching some, it would seem. And, by the way... for this year to get that NU must beat both Iowa (no small task) and win a bowl game... so a 10 win season is by no means a lock this year.

You also didn't have the scholarship limitations in those years that limited your depth chart if you missed on a few guys or injuries plagued you. We kept kids from going to our rivals by giving them a scholarship. They would come to NU and be on a championship team rather than go to KU where they could play right away. Different times are very different both ways.

Its also slightly ironic that we beat 2 of the teams you consider to be the top 4 of the league. MSU had its best team in years and will lose their best QB in the past 2 decades. Their last 4 years is their dynasty and I'll be shocked if they win 7 games next year. OSU was down this year, but they still had talent. Michigan was now where near down this year. Nearly every person close to the program knew what they lacked last year was a defense and Richrod had a new one pegged to change that. I would guess they would be right where they are if not better on offense. Most every booster has stated he was just 1 year away from fielding a NC caliber team. RichRods problem was he pissed off the wrong guy and was sold out by Llyod Car the day he was hired.

Wiscy will always be solid but without Wilson this year they were in trouble. They had no QB and they even injured that guy in practice. They would have probably been a 7-5 or 8-4 type team at best. I'll put them at that record next year unless they find a Juco QB or recruit a guy who's all world. Even then they lose a mostly Sr offensive line. They're going to struggle.

Right now . . .I'd say next year's B10 race will be Nebraska's to lose. We're going to have a 3rd year QB and a very good back up in JT or Carnes. We'll have a solid team of RB's, WR's and O-line coming back. We need to find a center and a guard. On defense we'll be better off as we'll be in year two of a new scheme and we've got a good line on a couple of juco fill ins. Charles Jackson will start in the back field. We need to find 2 LBs or for Whaley to keep his grades up.

Our most challenging B10 games next year are at home in PSU (who should be down) and Michigan. I would say the winner of the NU vs MU game will take the B10.

You should post more often Skers, I always enjoy reading your thoughts on the program.

Good observations Skers!

 

[Chaddyboxer]

This argument is getting pretty old. One side says we haven't even come close to BCS games which is absurd considering how the last two Big 12 Championship games went. The other side says Bo is doing much better when compared to Les Miles and Nick Saban which again is absurd unless we're all hoping Bo leaves our program like Miles and Saban did to actually become great. Unless we have a meltdown season where Bo loses the team much like BC did in 2007, there's absolutely zero reason for his dismissal.

The statement we are making is that Bo Pelini's record as a first time coach is better than Miles and Saban's FIRST TIME coaching careers. Go look up the stats man. ; P. I think you accidentally missed what we were saying.

 

[ladyhawke]

I am concerned about our recruiting. I really am not a recruiting guru, but I was looking through the kids and I really didn't see a stand out. Maybe feb signing day will bring the big fish around. The problem with us as fans we are hanging onto the 90s. We really aren't, and haven't been, nationally relevent since 99. Don't get wrong, I love my Huskers but it's just the truth. It seems like we went through a patch where we had the athletes, but not the coaches. Now I think we have the coaches, but not the athletes. I really need to understand recruiting better

Interesting. I think we have the athletes to be quite a bit better than NU is now --- not good enough athletes to be a regular BCS team, but good enough to be occasionally a BCS team (something NU has not even actually approached) or, at least be on the bubble for a BCS game. What I am thoroughly convinced of is that we do not have the coaches to motivate the players to play and to teach fundamentals. The outside observer would certainly see how this team plays and conclude that the coaching is just not even remotely getting it done --- the team is far too often flat, non-physical, fundamentally lacking, and playing w/o passion. That is... coaching.

NU is one of the nations biggest under achievers. Again, coaching.

Those concerned with recruiting may be quite justified in that concern.

So what is your solution? Fire the lot of them? Start over from scratch? Be careful what you wish for.

He doesn't have a clue about coaching. He's living in a make believe world of talking heads on the radio who if they had any idea how to coach would be trying to do it. Bo's name will continue to come up during big school searches over the next few years. But thats pretty common with crappy coaches.

Where has Bo's name come up thus far in a big school's search --- not counting what someone on this board postulates (that is, not counting people here wondering if Bo would go to Ohio State or wherever... that does not count --- it would count only if national-level people with actual behind-the-scenes info assert that he was seriously considered --- which he was not). Has Bo's name been a top contender for any coaching position at a big school thus far? If so, when? Where? You say continually.... that Bo has been considered continually by others. OK pony up --- where was he a top 3 candidate? A top 5 candidate? Anywhere?!! Has anyone pursued him?

Truthfully, I think the fact is that Bo is hurting himself. He was seen as a very up and coming coach when we hired him and was thought to be in high consideration for big programs after turning around Nebraska after a couple years. However, his attitude is absolutely killing him in the minds of ADs around the country. He is seen as a hot head, and starting to get the reputation for not being able to develop players, not being a motivator, and for not being humble enough to make changes to make things better and help his team compete. I would say in the last two years Bo's rep around football has taken a pretty big hit.

I am going to guess that Skers will place you, like me, into that camp that "knows nothing about coaches."

Well, together we can wait for the evidence that Skers will present showing forth that Bo has been "continually" sought after by big-time programs for coaching positions.

For what it is worth, I agree with the entirety of your post.

UM athletic director Kirby Hocutt has spoken with three coaching candidates, and Nebraska's Bo Pelini is expected to be next.

Read more: http://www.miamihera...l#ixzz1eZ8rPEOq