Urban Myth

From an outsider's perspective, I feel that the "sideways" trajectory was about right. After a coaching change that brings in a guy with a 93-80 record, I'm not sure you could say the Huskers are on an upward trajectory. You also have to factor in what he's up against; limited ties to the Midwest, a cut-throat approach to recruiting among top B1G coaches, and a newfound pressure to win. There's also the first year woes that come with new coaches trying to change a culture. A 9 or 10 win season in year one would be quite the success, but not necessarily an improvement. With all of that being said, had the article been about the FUTURE state of B1G programs, you'd have to say that Nebraska is on an upward trajectory. Riley has shown his ability to build a program (Oregon State went from nothing to respectable). NU certainly doesn't need rebuilt; they need to be rebranded. The only question is whether or not he can do that. The guy has a quiet confidence to him that reminds me of Tressel. I have a feeling he will have his championship-caliber teams every few years or so, he just has to be able to bring in the talent to do it.

Every great run must come to an end. I look at it more as a "passing of the torch" than us exposing Alabama. They had a great run, now it's time for them to move over. I definitely didn't mean that Nebraska's 4 year span was any less impressive than Bama's. Saying Nebraska's run "rivals" Bama's was a pretty poor choice of words on my part. I truly do hope Nebraksa makes it back. Winning big-time nationally televised games would go a long way in rebranding Nebraska football. I was absolutely thrilled when the B1G welcomed the Huskers into the club. I was surprised (as an outsider) when Pelini was let go. I was even more caught off guard by the hiring of Mike Riley. I look forward to seeing what happens for you guys in the near future. It'd be great to have a program other than MSU compete on the national stage. Penn State, Nebraska, and scUM are all historically rich programs that can get us on an SEC level. I've always felt it was just a matter of time...

I'd love to see GameDay back in Lincoln. Being 25, I cannot remember a single time Nebraska was a destination for the game of the week. I assume it'd be quite nostalgic for some to see Nebraska in a marquee regular season matchup. Something like that would do a lot to get Nebraska back on the map. I honestly think people have forgotten about the huge amount of success they (meaning Nebraska) had ~20 years ago. Three titles in four years rivals the dominance Alabama has shown over recent years. A successful prime time matchup would go a long way to bringing relevance to this program.

I think it should and will stay at 4 teams (at least for now). We haven't even seen the first playoff play out, yet people are already wanting to expand the playoffs to 8 or more teams. There is nothing wrong with the discussion. But let's just see how it works out for a couple years or so. The committee did a great job picking the four most deserving teams. Now lets see how it translates on the football field.

I had a feeling that could be the case. It's too bad SE didn't at least think about Tressel as an option. It could've been the perfect matchup. Hopefully Riley works out for all of you. I didn't know much about him until looking him up after the announcement. He sounds like a real class act. Maybe it'll translate to results on the football field. I heard the comparison between Oregon State and Indiana. If anyone had that kind of success at Indiana, that coach might be the real deal. It could be a great fit.

I would sure love for you to elaborate on this "slush fund" gifting program you speak of. Did you read a different report from the NCAA? The one I read several years back did not mention anything of the sort. It came down to him covering up the act of six players exchanging their own trophies/awards for tattoos. And his first year at Ohio State was not as terrible as you act. He had a very average team that year. 7-5 was enough to make people worry for several months, but that 14-0 season that followed certainly silenced the doubters. You also might want to look back on his recruiting. He may have had one class outside the top 15 in the ten years he was here. He consistently had classes ranked in the top 10. From an X's and O's standpoint, you won't find anyone better. He always had a clear game plan that was executed to near perfection for the better part of 10 years. He's the most realistic homerun hire the Nebraska athletic department can get.

I'd say both are top 20 jobs in college football. Each program has an embarrassment of riches; great facilities, rabid fan base, and the means to pay any coach what he deserves. Both are great academic institutions as well. If someone forced me to pick one over the other, I'd choose Michigan. I feel it is just a half step above Nebraska. The location/market size certainly helps. In terms of history, I'll give Michigan the slight edge as well. Both would be a dream job for anyone.

You're right, bulldozer. That was improper English. I blame Ohio state on that one..

I would tend to agree. However there isn't a whisper coming from anywhere else either. It's really odd that there is nothing coming from anywhere. Also, Tressel has had more than ample time to deny interest and hasn't done anything. You can't tell me he doesn't know he is atop the wish list and if he knew we had no chance in hell he would have to respond just to get people off his twitter, right?Not necessarily. Tressel is, after all, a university president. I am more than positive he has an individual who handles his twitter account. He's also 61 and probably pays no attention to his (or anyone else's) twitter comments. There's a great shot he has no idea anyone is even talking about him and Nebraska. It may have never even occurred to him that it's even the slightest possibility. Maybe he could care less. Or maybe he's in communication with them right now. I hope this is the case. Unfortunately, hope has a funny way of turning into disappointment. I'm a Buckeye. I see it all the time. So he does care? "Maybe he could care less" is an idiomatic expression. It's the same thing as saying "Maybe he doesn't care". So no. He doesn't. In that particular statement that is. Is that not a common common expression in Nebraska? I'm not trying to be condescending, it's a serious question. Driven out west several times and I always seem to say a phrase that's common in Ohio but unheard of in Utah, or California, or wherever else I may be.

I would tend to agree. However there isn't a whisper coming from anywhere else either. It's really odd that there is nothing coming from anywhere. Also, Tressel has had more than ample time to deny interest and hasn't done anything. You can't tell me he doesn't know he is atop the wish list and if he knew we had no chance in hell he would have to respond just to get people off his twitter, right? Not necessarily. Tressel is, after all, a university president. I am more than positive he has an individual who handles his twitter account. He's also 61 and probably pays no attention to his (or anyone else's) twitter comments. There's a great shot he has no idea anyone is even talking about him and Nebraska. It may have never even occurred to him that it's even the slightest possibility. Maybe he could care less. Or maybe he's in communication with them right now. I hope this is the case. Unfortunately, hope has a funny way of turning into disappointment. I'm a Buckeye. I see it all the time.

Another day and still not a whisper of Tressel and Nebraska here in Columbus. I feel like there would've been at least something by now. As much as I'd like to see him get back into coaching, it's starting to look like a real long shot.

What a great hire Tress would be for you guys. I just don't see it as very likely. If Nebraska came out and offered him over $5 million a year, his ears would certainly perk up a bit. It'd have to be a truly significant offer to pry him from Youngstown State. There's no question about Nebraska's ability to pay an insane amount of money for a great coach. The true question is more along the lines of, "will they?" I certainly hope so.

Not only is he at his alma mater, but what is so great about David Shaw? Nebraska should aim a bit higher IMO. After his fourth season at Stanford, he goes 7-5. The four year mark is usually a good indication of what a coach can bring to the table. And from what I've seen, his recruiting is not overly impressive either. I wouldn't settle for Shaw if I were you.

Money most certainly does a lot of talking, billdozer. A blank check just might do the trick... Thanks for the warm welcome!

*First post... here it goes... I am a proud graduate of the Ohio State University and I come in peace. I've been lingering around this message board on and off during the football season, even more now since the firing of Pelini. I finally decided I'd create an account and post. Hopefully I can bring a little insight to the board here and there as it pertains to certain situations. Unlike most buckeye "fans" I am sure you've run into, I like to consider myself above most. Not in a "I'm better than you" sort of way, more like "I actually attended the university, donate, and attend each and every game I possibly can" sort of way. I also take pride in my personal hygiene. The real reason I'm here right now is to talk about Jim Tressel. Hopefully my two cents will enlighten some of you... I really don't think Nebraska lands him. My main reason for this is because of the fact that he is currently serving as the president at Youngstown State. I know this has already been addressed, but I feel it's been overlooked. Tress has only been on the job since July. For all of his faults, he is very loyal. I cannot imagine he would up and leave after 6 months on a job he has wanted for years. He has also stated publicly that he has no intention of coaching again. I tend to believe him. There has been not so much as a whisper here in Columbus about Tress and the Nebraska position. I feel that if it were a real possibility, talk radio would be exploding with discussions on this topic. Honestly, no one has even brought it up. But with the way the coaching carousel is, maybe that bodes well for the Huskers... With all of this said, I would personally love to see him get back in, especially at Nebraska. It would go a long way to help with the legitimacy of the conference. There isn't a doubt in my mind that he would return the Huskers to national prominence. His in game management is second to no one. The man is a true mastermind. He would bring consistency to your program that you haven't seen since TO. Here's to hoping the sweater vest gets back at doing what he was meant to all along; roaming the sidelines of a historic program and competing for national titles.