Moustache

Did you guys want L.J. Cole?

Yes, but TX is usually all they've got. They've just recently started getting into CA and FL out of necessity due to the rise of the SEC presence in TX. (TAMU, Arky, LSU) Also, I think it's easier to win in the B1G than in the Big 12 at this point. Therefore, NU should be able to win more and attract more recruits.

I'm an LSU fan, but I have always respected the Huskers. I am having a friendly debate with a friend who debates that Nebraska has exactly ZERO advantages over Oklahoma as far as recruiting goes. I argue that the facilities are better at NU, but I am having trouble coming up with any other advantages. I thought what better place than Husker board to get some thoughts.

Last time I looked this team that is located in a poor location and can't recruit still has 2 more NC's than LSU. T_O_B It's all about what is happening now. I won't argue that NU has a shitton more tradition than LSU. BUT, the thing many are overlooking is the reason for the SEC domination is the population increase. Schools down there have caught up and surpassed what Mich, ND, Nebraska, and the old guard were doing strenght and conditioning wise. THen, they spent the money on facilities to match. So, now kids have an option to stay home and let their families see them play, instead of taking off far from home. I'm sorry, but it's going to be difficult to convince a kid from Florida not to go to UF, FSU, Bama, LSU, UGA, and even Clemson and go to Lincoln instead. Nothing is wrong with Lincoln, but all of those schools are in a much closer proximity. (driving distance) Hell, a kid from TX will be hard pressed to pass up a growing and SEC A&M team, LSU, UT, and OU to go all the way up to Lincoln. LIke I said before, nothing wrong at all with Lincoln (personally I'd like living there than many places down south), but it's just closer to familiarity and family. NU can still have a top 10 recruiting class every 3 or 4 years, but most years it will be ranked between 15-20, which means you guys need a coach with superior scheme and relationship skills.

Not at all what I mean. WHat I meant was, in terms of recruiting, you guys are not gonna compete for the same guys. You need a solid coach who can develop players and scout REALLY good 3 stars. When you start winning, you'll get more 4 stars. BUT, you guys are never going to CONSISTENTLY get a top 3-5 class. I absolutely think NU can compete for the NC with the right coaching and system.

One thing I don't understand is naming Papuchis a DC. If you're gonna bring in a young unproven DC and trust your own defensive prowess (BO), then he should've brought in Tosh Lupoi as a DC to get a key into West coast recruiting. Papuchis is a good one (he was at LSU as a grad asst I believe), but he is not ready to be a BCS team's DC yet. He's gonna have some growing pains, but ultimately will be a good one.

Nate, I agree 100%. Let's face it. Lots of fans and college football people get all butthurt because they're not pulling in 18 4 stars like the elite programs. That just isn't needed. What is needed is a consistent system to recruit to, good scouting/development, and winning the games you're supposed to win. (i.e. not losing to northwestern) If you make a BCS bowl against a team like LSU or bama, sure you might lose. But, you also have a good chance at winning if your players are confident in their system. Bo can do it, but I just feel like he freaks out and changes stuff too much.

FWIW, this is from an outsider's perspective. (LSU fan) I see a lot of worrying about recruiting. Well, you guys really need to look at recruiting as it relates to your conference. The only teams in the big 10 that can consistently out recruit Nebraska is Michigan and Ohio State. With good coaching/scouting/development, you guys should be competing for a big 10 championship every 2-3 years. You shouldn't worry about recruiting at the level of an SEC team or USC, as you're just not going to consistently get better classes than them due to location. (I know Lincoln is much better than many SEC cities like BR, tuscaloser, and Auburn, but kids like to stay close enough to home so their parents can see them play). If you guys are able to hover between 15-25 consistently in recruiting rankings, then you should be able to be getting into BCS games often. The key is not recruiting, as I think NU can recruit itself. But the key is going to be running a consistent system on BOTH sides of the ball and recruiting players to that system. Right now, I don't see that happening. I'm confident Bo can fix it, but he needs to decide if he is spread (air raid) or spread (option). On defense, he needs to play more speed. I know you won't have the talent or stars of the USCs, Texases, Alabamas, or Floridas of the world, but you never recruited that many stars in the 90s and still whipped some consistent ass with good scouting, consistent systems on both sides of hte ball, and a 15-25 ranked recruiting class.