6 minutes ago, lo country said:

After the MSU game, a writer had mentioned this. Just keep it close into the 4th and NU would find a way to give away the game....

That illustrates a problem with mindset and an inability to handle pressure and / or success.  This is directly attributable to a coach's culture.  

On 10/31/2021 at 9:34 AM, BigRedBuster said:

I learned that if I go to the game, experience game day in Lincoln and we lose, I have more fun than sitting at home watching and reading this board during the loss. 

Glad to hear that you had a great time with the other fans and friends.  For their devotion, the fans in the stands deserve so much more...

4 minutes ago, Decoy73 said:

All true, but could you make the arguments that a different QB could solve the turnover woes and a different O line coach, among other things, could solve most of the penalty problem?  Add a good special teams coach and maybe things turn for the better in ‘22.  A lot of coulds and maybes, but there’s always hope.  I’m just not ready for the silly season coaching carousel again. 

For many reasons, including avoidance of the coaching carousel, we all wanted Coach Frost to succeed.  I think the matter just boils down to lack of measurable results.  The number of close losses may indicate progress on the surface, but the analysis of each of those losses reveals a variety of problems.  This leads me to believe that the problems are strategic and not tactical in nature.

Accordingly, removing a position coach or altering field personnel will not ultimately change the overall result. 

Establish an identity, develop a strategy to support that identity, and then find personnel, both coach and player, who can implement.

Think of just how much football evolved in the time between 1968 (6-4) and 2002 (7-7).  During that 34 year span we consistently enjoyed 9 or more wins each season despite all of the changes taking place in the game.

Get the right coach and this program could be awakened...

I learned that despite the continued poor results, some will still hold firm to the notion that we are close.  We most certainly are not.  Turnovers, penalties and errors in execution remain our bain in these games.

It is hard to believe that Illinois, Minnesota, and Purdue are the teams holding us back, but the results speak for themselves.

With Wisconsin returning to form recently, it is hard to imagine any other scenario except an 0-3 finish.

The clock is officially ticking on the end of this staff's time in Lincoln...

25 minutes ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

No but those saying "it is a small class you should expect a low ranking" should also take note that you have the lowest highest rated recruit in the conference. Additionally that player is a RB, which we have what feels like 12 of that are practically all Freshmen. Would a few highly productive JUCO linemen make a difference on our offense? Would just a OT? I mean if we are just 1 play away in all these games couldn't 1 more guy be the tipping point? 

We are one player away until we are not.  Unless I missed it, did we sign a long term contract extension with our QB?  Was Toure a one year free agent or can we extend him as well?  Using a little a professional lingo this morning as College is becoming a pro league.

The point is, we will have plenty of new holes to fill in the not so distant future.  This is where the system does matter.  If the system is not structurally sound, the dam is constantly springing leaks.  Successful systems are able to withstand attrition and continue marching ahead.  We are engaged in micro focus when the problems are at the macro level.

2 minutes ago, TheSker said:

There is good depth and talent in the waiting.  One of the reasons we can be thankful for the super seniors is it gives the next guys up more time to develop.

 

With Williams being out, we'll get to see a couple of them get some important game time now.

 

Remember, Farmer had picks in one game last season.

 

The cupboard is no longer bare 

I was not calling into question the personnel or our depth of talent, but rather our capacity to coach that talent.

6th Year Seniors have a weight of game experience that they can rely on to guide instincts.  This is a huge advantage that can far outweigh a coaches scheme.

That game experience will certainly be missed and not easily replaced...

4 minutes ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

I wish I had even an ounce of your optimism. 

More than that Hedley, I wish the solution was that simple.  Keep in mind that the situation is not static entering 2022, but rather a dynamic one.

The problems we are seeking to fix today may pale in comparison to the ones we are soon to face in 2022.  Namely attrition through graduation of "Super Seniors" on the defensive side of the ball.  Chins is a hero to the optimists today, and rightfully so, but will soon be a villain in 2022 as he will be the scapegoat when the team wins 4 or 5 games against a lesser schedule.  

Let's also save the discussion of 2021 termination until November, 2022.  

1 hour ago, Ulty said:

No it wasn't.

 

The Illinois game was the same $h!t we saw in the previous 3 seasons, and it is the same $h!t we have seen in the past two months. Sometimes these performances have been against top 10 teams, sometimes they have been against crap teams. But we always find new ways to make dumb mistakes and we never close the deal. We've lost more games in this exact manner than we have won in any manner. And every time we find ourselves in a "must win game" or "the most important game of Frost's career" or "chance to make a big statement," we fail. Every. Damn. Time. 

 

The Illinois game is not a head scratcher, it is the norm. In fact, the Illinois game is the quintessential Scott Frost coached game at Nebraska.

You beat me to a response as that too was my reaction to the post.  Those supporting this staff continue to treat these mounting losses as an aberration when in point of fact they are part of an established trend.

Illinois was not a head scratcher as we had an entire offseason to gameplan and prepare for what I described this Spring as a near "must win" for the staff.  Rare for an opening game, but it is proving to be true.

Similarly, Minnesota is in the same bucket.  For those that tout the near misses against Top Ten teams such as OU, MSU, and OU, as a sign of progress, there is a palpable silence when it comes to losing the winnable games that matter for bowl eligibility.  

I am in the Option 4 camp.  I have reached my conclusions on this staff following nearly 4 years of results.  However, I think for reasons completely unrelated to job performance that this staff will indeed receive a 5th Year.  

I will also reaffirm my position that it is too late for the Head Coach to make any staff changes.  Exercising that option at this stage is merely an effort to rationalize poor results in Year 5 (as the result of "transition").

For those that are fiercely loyal and sentimental towards this Head Coach, I completely understand why you are reluctant to let go.  Just understand that his departure will likely happen at the end of 2022 and it is time to prepare for that.  This is simply a 1 year reprieve from the coaching carousel.  

Pure and simple; my belief that we lack a program identity.  From recruiting to game and personnel management, our approach to football these days is an enigma wrapped in a riddle.

Coach might describe his approach as "unpredictable".  

18 hours ago, TheSker said:

Frost will take it back up.

Agreed.  A 0.450 overall winning percentage is achievable.

Let's all concentrate and perhaps we can help Coach get there by willing the team past Illinois in 2022!

6 minutes ago, TheSker said:

You are wise to use the term "likely".......

Perhaps a recognition that lightning can occasionally strike.  However, it is very difficult to foresee any rain amidst this drought.

This entire topic is a manifesto to the pull of sentimentality guiding so many in our fan base these days.  A blinding belief in what could be rather than an acceptance of what is.

Thanks Coach Frost for all of your contributions.  Unfortunately, November, 2022 will likely usher in a new era.

3 hours ago, Decoy73 said:

I’ll chime in.  I’m somewhat guilty of this.  But, it’s not necessarily only in the interest of sentiment.  There’s a little of that.  More so it’s the want of long term stability.  Like not worrying your coach is going to jump ship for a “better” job whenever there’s an SEC opening, for example.  More like a Kirk Ferentz type tenure with, of course, better results.   

Very honest answer and one that most fans agree with.  We all want continuity and sustained success.  However, we must begin to evaluate the significant body of work that already exists and determine if it forecasts future success.  4 years in it is becoming increasingly difficult to see a scenario where our current approach leads to success.

40 minutes ago, HuskerNation1 said:

 

I posted this in another thread a few weeks back. It's called familiarity bias where some show a favoritism toward those they are more familiar with, and because of that, they are unable to objectively evaluate that person as they might somebody they were not familiar with.  It is hard for some fans to admit they are giving Frost's special treatment compared to another coach that had no ties to Nebraska.  

Completely agree HN1.  

3 minutes ago, knapplc said:

 

Do you see anyone on "this board" giving these examples as reasons to keep Frost? 

Let's just be honest, this all goes without saying.  Any other coaching hire with this record would not have seen a 4th season, let alone a 5th (as I believe he will get).

I just recognize that sentimentality is a strong pull in the face of reality.  As a fanbase, we begin by excusing his methods and then expand that to excuse his results.  Whether we care to admit it is another matter entirely.

20 minutes ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

That is why I think it would be exceptionally more beneficial for a new staff to have next years schedule. Easier schedule in year one to work out kinks etc. They are able to show progress over the previous 5 years of what had been going on in Lincoln. Will look as if they are showing improvement year 1 in the W/L column. Builds excitement etc. 

Logic will get you nowhere on this board Hedley.  Sentiment, emotion, and gameday passion are what rules the day.  Coach Frost delivered the last football national championship to NU (as QB), he delivered "the speech" after the Orange Bowl to vanquish our Wolverine doubters and he fought the CFP establishment while a Head Coach at UCF.  

These are the feats of legends.  Legends capable of future success at NU (perhaps in Year 10 so be patient).  To not believe in the stuff of legends is to be but a heretic in this fanbase.  

Enough with my sarcasm, you get the point...

1 hour ago, hunter49 said:

if Frost loses the last 4 games, who would take his job?

program is on the brink of disaster.

Unless there is a mutual separation agreement, I do not see Coach Frost being terminated involuntarily this season.  I think our new AD will give a great degree of deference to our Coach's historic and sentimental ties to the state.  However, make no mistake, absent a bowl game for a 5th straight year, the clock is now officially ticking towards termination in November, 2022.

In terms of your comment regarding being on the brink of disaster, it presumes that the disaster is yet to come.  With this set to be the 5th consecutive losing season, I would argue the disaster has already occurred.  At this point, the wreckage is merely smoldering.  The flames have largely been smothered by an apathy retardant.  

Just now, TGHusker said:

Don't forget about Troy 2018  -  Example of low talent Nebraska being beaten by a lessor school. 

Football 9/15/2018  

Troy Beats Nebraska Troy 24, Nebraska 19

LINCOLN, Neb. – B.J. Smith scored on a 26-yard run midway through the fourth quarter and Will Sunderland made an interception in the final 3 minutes, giving Troy the cushion it needed to beat Nebraska 24-19 on Saturday and denying new Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost his first win.

Perhaps it matters marginally in games such as this.  To that point, you may be on to something TG.  That said, FSU lost at home to Jacksonville State this season where I believe there should have been a bit of a talent gap.

At any rate, when you fail to consistently defeat the 4 that really matter in our quest to become bowl eligible (Purdue, Minnesota, Northwestern, Illinois), these games are even less important.  Honestly, how many fans have had sleepless nights over the near miss against Troy in 2018?  Nary a one.  In fact, most of us (self-admission) forgot we even played Troy that season let alone lost to them.  

2 minutes ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

And do we believe that a drop in star power is going to result in more W's for Frost? Do we think he can outcoach with similar level talent to the opposition? NU has had a distinct advantage against the rest of the B1G West. This year that seems to have changed. 

Since we are already grossly underachieving, I am not certain you will see much difference in terms of tangible results.  The better question would be, do we believe that a reduction in talent will jeopardize potential future wins over the Fordhams and Buffalos of the world?  Unlikely.  

27 minutes ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

I understand all of that. It still doesnt discount that our highest rated recruit would have been our 8th best in last years class. 

While I am not one to place high emphasis on recruiting rankings, I do think it is supporting evidence that this staff's most impactful days are in the past.  The ability of this staff to sell a recruit on the Central Florida paradigm has long since expired.  The reality of 4 losing seasons has now completely eroded that narrative in the minds of potential recruits.

Simply marketing a season or two as "rebuilding" or an "aberration" for a potential recruit has come to an end.  The results are clear; the program is without clear direction and struggling to find an identity.  Top recruits want playing time, but more importantly, they want to associate themselves with success (earned or unearned).  The latter will prevent us from making any consistent inroads with top talent going forward.

29 minutes ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

Gotcha, you replied to coaches that had won over half their games in a season by year 4 lol so I was like what the heck herbie ha

The perils of multitasking (business call / business email / message board)...

1 minute ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

Hugh Freeze won 8 games his 1st year at Liberty and 7 his first year at Ole Miss, Mark Stoops won 7 his 4th year at Kentucky.

These were candidates that I think could be able replacements in 2022.  7 or 8 wins in a season seem like a mirage right now.

3 minutes ago, FrantzHardySwag said:

Wrong list, haha. This is definitely not a possibly Frost replacement list...

Thanks for clarifying Hardy.  Would help for me to read prior to responding next time!