TGHusker

Boy, Kansas State would have to leave the conf if they were apart of the Big 10 Good move. I wish polls (including preseason polls) would not be generated until the conferance games began.

I think our feelings of media/poll bias comes to us when we see all of these non-traditional teams ranked ahead of us. We perceive that they are the flavor of the month and how dare they step on our traditional power parade by being ranked ahead of us. Teams like BSU, Louisville, Okla State, Rutgers, TCU, WV, etc are some teams that have been ranked ahead of us in recent years. We want to point the finger (or maybe give the finger) to the polls when we need to realize that the old king 'has no clothes'. We haven't been as good in recent years as our tradition would have us believe. I'm hoping (but am careful of the kool aid) that our performance on the field next year will match our expectations and the polls will follow & perceive NU to be worthy of a high ranking.

1. Mike Brown(football smarts, athleticism, is a literal on the field coach like Singletary was) 2. Ralph Brown(as nuch or maybe a bit more althletic, but not an on field coach like Mike) 3. Gomes(The best Secondary player I have seen since the brown brothers when you watched him play by play during the game) He didn't get the hype of some of the other players for some reason I can't believe I left Gomes off of my OP. Gomes caused so many turnovers. We need a turnover causing machine like him. I remember several times him catching a receiver and knocking the ball out of their arms when they weren't expecting it. Speed and could hit. I guess I fell into the 'less hype' trap you mentioned.

I could go wt the black wt a bold red N - for one game. I like how how regular helmet stood for a simple concept: We are Nebraska and we are about to run all over you.

Quote in bold: Very good observation.

Ok, we are entering those dogs days before the spring training game - not much big news happening - so I thougt it is time for some wild speculation looking back in time. Obviously, this is wild senseless brainstorming just to pass a Friday afternon in the dog days. I was thinking about the impact Devaney had on NU. Consider this: 1940 - 1961 (pre Devaney) NU had 3 winning seasons and was bottom 10 in winning % (368) The 5 years before Devaney NU's Record was 15-34-1 // wt 1/3 being shut outs. /// In only 4 of those games did we score more than 17 pts. Devaney was 35-10-5 (750) at Wyoming His first year at NU 9-2 and a win in the Gotham Bowl (NYC - that had to be fun in the winter. But being our 1st bowl in years - I'm sure it was great fun) Bob was 101-20-2 (829) at NU 1. Should Devaney be considered one of the greatest coaches ever based on how he turned NU around and secured 2 NCs? He often gets passed up on the greatest list because he has been overshadowed by Tom. Maybe 101 wins is too few, but 829 winning % is no small accomplishment and the turnaround is as great as Kansas State under Synder. He was Bill Snyder before there was a Snyder and Bill has yet to win a NC. ME: If we projected Devaney coaching another 5-10 years, I think he would be consider one of the top 5 all time. Assumption is he would be still mentoring Tom Osborne - who ran his offense. He probably would have won a couple more NC. Regardless, I think based on his record, % and turnaround job alone - he's easily a top 10 guy. 2. What would NU football be like without Devaney and Osborne? Would NU be a Kansas or KSU pre-Snyder or would another great coach rescue us - who and when? Did we get "lucky' wit Devaney - finding a needle in the haystack? Me: We'd be Iowa State at the best or Kansas at the worse . I think we were 'lucky' to get Bob. Our history didn't deserve a coach wt his .750 winning % at Wy. But we were in a better conference - perhaps the reason he took the job. 3. Of today's active head coaches, not named Bo & who have not won a NC: Who would you want to be our Bob Father and who would you wish to be our Osborne (learning from the Bob and following him)? Me: I'd take Chris Petersen (BSU - similiar Mtn West back ground and record Bob at Wy) as our Bob Devaney and Paul Johnson (GTech) as our Osborne - since he is a believer in the option. Ok age wise that doesn't match Bob and Tom but I think they mirror Bob and Tom some what.

Next year, I'll be happy wt the CC. I think the persception out there is that a one loss NU is not as good (because of the perception of the Big 10 strength) as a one loss Oregon or Stanford, Big 12 champ, or a one loss - any SEC. We'd have to run the table to get in it and hope the PAC, Big 12, and SEC champs aren't all undefeated.

... and we need to hang on to them for a long time. I really like this group of guys we have now (save the Barney jokes). Coaching staff stability should be a priority. This was the key to Tom's success - longivity of the staff - which does require some personal ambition sacrifice by the staff. Everyone may think they should be a HC but some are better as position or Coord coaches. With longivity comes consistincy in recuiting.

Yea, I didn't think of those streaks - those were equally painful and even more telling of the fall we had taken. To think how badly we got trounced by OSU Lite, Kansas and Mo during that period. I don't know what was worse being behind OSU at half time by 35-0 or losing to Kansas as bad as it was. Painful to think about it. You may be write about the consecutive sell out streak as you noted on your other post. We did survive 2007-9 with it still going. But if prices for the tickets keep going up and prices for farm goods (which supports the economy around Lincoln and the state) keep going down while expenses (fuel and all things releated - fertilzer ) keep going up - we might reach that tipping point. Hope not.

While I could get excited about beating up an old has been, I'd like to see us schedule some recent upstarts or a few old timers - upstarts: Standford would be an interesting match up - similiar styles Louisville - see if Bo can outcoach SW Georgia Tech - see if we can beat our old offensive option model Boise State - just to put them in their place Old timers: We still have a score to settle wt FSU - here in November I'd like to beat N Dame again I'd like to see Miami come here in November just one time. hey maybe our new AD can make that happen. I'd like to see how we'd do against the Kellyless O Ducks & OC Scott Frost - that would be a real homecoming for him USC - when was the last time we beat them?

I agree, if the sell out streak ends, it means passion has ended. That speaks of something terrible going on wt the program - (or a freak snow storm that kept eveyone away!!!). Actually the 2 streaks that continue - the sellout and the academic All- Americans speak the loudest about our program. It says we have built this program on passion, the love of the game and on academic integrity. No short cuts and no major NCAA violations. These streaks are ones we can be very proud of and I see continuing. The newly extended 92k seat stadium will be sold out as well.

I believe the "Dark Days" are over at NU. While we may bemoan a 4 loss season or laying defensive eggs as we have in recent years, I think NU has rebuilt were we can officially forget the BC years. We aren't where we want to be yet and there may still be some doubt if Bo can get us over the hump - (the next 2 years should tell us IMHO) - but I think the days of .500 and below is behind us. Thinking about this made me think back to the streaks that ended and those that remain. I wonder which one can we realistically recapture. With the infusion of TV money, it may be difficult to recapture many of these records as the current very strong programs may remain that way - I don't see Alabama, LSU, OSUt, OU fading anytime soon (outside of a horrific NCAA Violation - like PSU or a terrible coaching change like Michigan wt Rod... or NU wt BC) - it may be difficult for us to recapture some of our old streaks. Here are some of the past and current streaks and my thoughts on if we can recapture them. You may think of other streaks: What streak ending is the hardest to swallow? For me it was the 9 win season. A 6-6 team can get into a bowl game now. However, I think the 9 win bar should be moved up to 10 wins as a measurement of greatness. To me the other streaks to have meaning are bulilt on W-L. We will be in the top 25 and in bowls if we win at a high level. NCAA record consecutive sell outs - Safe and will continue Most Academic All Americans - safe and will continue Consecutive wining seasons - I believe we had 40 ended wt Frank - 7-7 in 2002 - If you call 7-7 a wining season, then it ended wt BC 2 years later. We are building this again but will lag behind the recent strong programs until they faulter one by one. Consecutive 9 win seasons - We had 33 ended wt Frank at 7-7 in 2002. Bo has proven he can win 9 games so our current new streak will continue. Consecutive Bowl bids - We had 36 ended wt BC - doubt we lead the NCAA in this again 348 Weeks in a row in the AP top 25 a AP record - Ended wt Frank - We've been on razors edge with the top 25 - losing CCG and BG at the end of the season kind of hurts the rankings. 33 straight years ranked in AP (final Bowl) - ended wt Frank

I sure hope not. The RB position with Ameer and Imani is two-deep and they are, respectively, a junior and a sophomore. Unless one of them get hurt, then you redshirt both Taylor and Newby. That way, the two freshman get acclimated, get stronger, learn the blocking schemes as redshirts and then the next year the distribution of RB's will be ideal (where we then would have a senior, a junior, and two freshman). By all means, redshirt both RB's unless there is an injury. Or, if Cross turns out to be a role player only (just short yardage) then redshirt one of the two freshman and let the other back up Ameer. Agree 100%. Don't cash in all of your chips unless you need to. Bo needs to "Know when to hold them". One of them may become another "Heard" - disappointed about playing time. This past year I would have rather us given Heard more touches and redshirting Cross ( I believe Cross was a true fresh - correct??).

Wish the time frame went back to 1970 - Imagine how much that would have added to our #1 position. NC in 70 & 71 - perhaps the 2nd or 3rd best team of all time in the 71 Huskers (95 Huskers being # 1, 2001 Miami possible # 2). Sad that we haven't won anything since the 1999 Big 12 CC - modern day kids/recruits don't know of us as being the most dominant program since 1962.

That is great news. Even wt his waivering, he's gone through a long process. Committing originally a year ago - so I think he's had the opportunity to get the jitters out of his system. He's had time to do his doubting and he was able to regain his faith in NU and himself. I think he will be fully committed now and be a big contributor in the future. I really like this class. Has to be Bo's best yet and just in time. If Bo can keep his staff together, I think we'll be prime time quickly and regularly. Success will bred more success.

Here is my new sleeper - undercover recruit. My homestate S Dak kid - Nathan Gerry. He may end up being a steal with his two way experience - looks like a hard nose tackler (which we need in a big way), speed and can run. Great safety prospect. http://hailvarsity.com/2013/01/recruit-profile-ath-nathan-gerry/

During his four seasons as a Cornhusker, he set an NCAA career record by completing 89.5 percent of his attempted field goals. His total accuracy on combined field goals and extra points also set a new NCAA record of 96.7 percent. He is the all-time leading scorer in NU history with 397 points. IF you believe Wikipedia Henery also set an NCAA record for being the first player to be the best ever at his position and not be a finalist for his position's award because the nominating coaches in his conference were a bunch of butthhurt dooshbags with the Texas teet still in their mouths. well stated!

We'll need Bo's best year to date for either one to remain in the conversation. Not sure of the last Heisman winner from a 4 loss team. I'm glad they are both in the conversation - says a lot of respect for our O. I am cautiously optimistic that our D will improve - so that should help TM & AA chances.

Well, theoretically, Brook Berringer was our last NFL qb, but I'll just leave it at that. Otherwise, you are correct. Stanton just fits the mold of Kapernick, Wilson, and Griffen. Very good runners, very agile and fast, but they do it from the pocket first, which is where games have to be won. Heavy Heart.

With the new Juco commits, we are ending up wt a very good class - yes I wish we could have gotten a top Juco DT but this class is something to get excited about. Drake on D -assumption he'll be a DB and maybe punt returner (hope he doesn't have the drop problem we had this year). Stanton on O. While we had a lot of hype on the forum for him, I think he will outplay even our expectations. I think he will be our next NFL QB (was Vince F our last NFL QB??? - I guess we were never know as QB U). We are getting some good OL recruits & WR who will help Stanton's success as a passer. With the RBs we have, we won't need him to run like TM has had to over the years.

I'd rather he just popped him. I would forgive Vince for all eternity for that. Because he just went to UK? Or did I miss something...? There's some butthurtin goin on because there's the idea that he "stole" a recruit, and the slight spec. that he may have stolen Heard too (100% rumor of course). I'm no difference either way. It is what it is, but it was part of the forgiveness part of the joke. I heard Tom O. is coming out of retirement to be Vince's assistant. Even Tom is going to UK.

Same reason I made him my MVP. - Here are 2 "IFs and BUTs" thoughts: 1. As someone noted before: What if L David had been in the program 4 years? I think we'd be thinking of him as the all time greatest D guy at NU instead of Suh or at least in the same conversation. 2. What if L David had not been here? What would we be thinking about Bo P (not Ruud) now - easily could have had back to back years of almost worse ever kind of D performances. I think he saves Bo's career with that stripped ball against OSU. (OK I may have overstated that - but it was VERY BIG) If we lose big to OSU (which we were on the way towards), I think it sets us back for the rest of the season. There would not have been the biggest comeback ever & we may not have been the come backs kids this past year - the OSU comeback gave us the "We can do this" attitude for this past year IMHO. All very speculative I know - but his impact on 2011 cannot be underestimated. I can go with that. I remember tellin my wife not long before that play that we were witnessing a 2007-like meltdown right before our eyes. Funny that we end up wt 2 of the 2007 meltdowns the next year. I didnt mean meltdown as far as invidual blowout losses. I meant meltdown as two blowout losses in a row (wiscy and OSU) leading to the complete tanking of an overhyped season resulting in no bowl game and coaching change-again. You know, the catastrophic meltdown. Yep, I agree it could have been gotten pretty ugly.

Same reason I made him my MVP. - Here are 2 "IFs and BUTs" thoughts: 1. As someone noted before: What if L David had been in the program 4 years? I think we'd be thinking of him as the all time greatest D guy at NU instead of Suh or at least in the same conversation. 2. What if L David had not been here? What would we be thinking about Bo P (not Ruud) now - easily could have had back to back years of almost worse ever kind of D performances. I think he saves Bo's career with that stripped ball against OSU. (OK I may have overstated that - but it was VERY BIG) If we lose big to OSU (which we were on the way towards), I think it sets us back for the rest of the season. There would not have been the biggest comeback ever & we may not have been the come backs kids this past year - the OSU comeback gave us the "We can do this" attitude for this past year IMHO. All very speculative I know - but his impact on 2011 cannot be underestimated. I can go with that. I remember tellin my wife not long before that play that we were witnessing a 2007-like meltdown right before our eyes. Funny that we end up wt 2 of the 2007 meltdowns the next year.

D. Williams represents Bo's D from 2003. Williams had more of a supporting cast than L David did in 2011 but in some ways had a similiar impact. He seemed to come out of no where (literally on the blitz package) to become a real spark plug for that D. He elevated Bo's stance in Huskerland. Bo came in after Frank's 7-7 year and created a D that either should have saved Frank's job or promoted Bo to HC - but that is a debate that has been on many threads before. I think D Williams made NU D exciting again. Because of his speed, he was almost unstoppable off of the corner. Pity those QBs.