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Erstad has got to be the best athlete NU's ever had at the position.

Far be it for me to try to revise history, but what the hek:

No offense to Brook, but Tommy's option skill was the difference in the 4th qrtr in that OB. Yes, NU still could've won it, but I wonder how different the play calling might have been with Brook in the game (throwing more?).

If NU had Tommy in '96, that season would've looked at lot like '95. NU would've rolled to a second (maybe 3rd straigh title).

'97 would be hard to call. I dont recall when Frost transferred to NU, but would he still have if Tommy got the extra year? If so, I'm sure Frost starts of just as bad as he did in '96, then gets it together come conference time. Based on NU's OOC games that year, I don't think NU loses like they did against ASU, but do they still win at Mizzou if it was Frost's first year as starter (or other QB for that matter?)? If NU loses one game that year they don't get a share of the title.

All in all, I'm fine with the way things turned out.

Does anyone think that Texas and OU fans debate on whether or not the schools are rivals? What if the Internet was around during the Big8? Would we be discussing whether or not OU was our rival?

I'm thinking, "no". At this time NU doesn't have a rival, at least a rivalry nowhere near the depths of which we had with OU.

GC, I agree. It seems like even when CU is clearly a notch or two below the Huskers, NU always seems to have problems with them post Frazier. Last year NU was rolling, then came the wretched bye week, and they struggled with an inferior CU. Assuming NU continues to be a notch above, I'm interested to see if they can stop this close game trend and just hammer CU.

It'll be nice once the NCAA implements a rule to curb this. Then schools will actually have to go back to recruitting student-athletes, not just athletes.

People all have their own agenda...

 

Here's what I want to see, and what I think will happen.

 

The coaches will pick the starter that gives the team the best chance to win

Agreed. And I'm sure thats the attitude that the 99th percentile of Husker fans fall into.

1. Steroid ban in the NCAA. Can't build dynasties now by having 70% of your players taking steroids anymore.

 

Considering I personally know someone who was juicing at a Division II school at the time who says both lines were, let's just say everyone was doing it and leave it at that.

 

Oh and if you don't think people still are....

 

I refuse to believe that Nebraska juiced hardcore, because there is no way that would have been kept quiet. Every single team that has had a juicer has been found out at one point or another, or they eventually will be. Just look at A-Rod..

 

Secondly, the Big 12 has been around for a decade. We had two coaches, one who thought the entire offense revolved around the QB and every play had to be made special for him, and another coach who was all business and really had no idea how to run a college program. If T.O. had remained as coach, I'm sure we would still be a dominant power. T.O. has always adapted his defenses and offenses to meet the times, and Nebraska once had a strong spread running/passing attack, we weren't always this strong option team under Osborne like people assume we were.

 

Posters like these are why I only listen to what Fro Daddy has to say, because he actually comes up with intelligent rebuttals and comments instead of just pulling crap out of his ass pretending Mizzou is greatest thing to hit college football ever. I have never though that Nebraska was the greatest and will always be the greatest, but I do believe in football programs making comebacks. OU was sh#t in the 90's, and now look where they are. Alabama was piss poor for a long time as well. Nebraska may never be what it used to be, but Nebraska will be competing for championships again some day.

I'm sure the 'roids went on, but NU was hardly the poster child for this. I remeber SI doing an article about the rappant 'roid use at OU (The Boz). Pete Fiutak, mentioned TO, NU, and the program turning a blind eye to the use. Never understood where he was getting his info. Like you said, I have a hard time believing that something like that wouldv'e been hidden from us, but the rest of the country some how got different info.

One thing I do question is our offensive style. I like Watson and he runs a good a offense, but there isn't much unique about it. I think one of the factors that led to our dominating run in the 90s was the fact that our offense was very different than most of our competitors'. When most teams had thrown away the option-heavy concepts of the 70s and 80s, TO remolded them into something innovative and, with the right personnel in place, incredibly dangerous.

 

The fact that our offense was so unique helped us level the playing field with the teams who had huge recruiting advantages over us. We weren't recruiting the same type of QB or WR (and in some ways OL) that the other powerhouse programs were. Now our offense is almost indistinguishable from what most other teams in the country are running. So we are recruiting all the same players as schools like USC, Florida, LSU and Texas. And we rarely win recruiting battles with those schools.

Excellent point! I never understood those that felt that NU had to get out of the "dark ages". The program was doing just fine under TO.

I believe its KU's to lose until I see something that changes my mind....

Fro, just curious about what makes you believe that its theirs to lose considering they were 3rd in the North last year and NU came within an OT of playing for the conference title instead of MU? What needs to change?

WOW-All this KU love from Fro Daddy and HuskerRed. Dang....I got nothing. Good posts!

 

I to think it's between KU and Nebraska, but as I've said in other posts, until KU can beat Texas tech, I can't favor them at this time. Ask me after they play. KU has to go at least 1-2 VS the South teams, and I just don't see them beating Texas or OU. That means they'll likely have to go undefeated in the North to win the North....and that will be tough with road games @CU, @KSU (I know they suck, but still our rival and anything can happen), and of course NU in Lawrence. It will be difficult.

You can do what KSU did to beat Texas . . . take out their QB with a cheap shot. Not recommended, KU has more class than that.

 

Speaking of which I HATE the unbalanced schedule with the other division. Division champions should be determined by record WITHIN the division to be fair. Common opponents would be the first tie-breaker, overall conference record second.

 

I get the point about unbalanced scheds, but then what would you call the games against the south? Conference games that mean nothing? Glorified scrimmages? You cant call them true conference games if they have no bearing on the standings.

 

You hit the nail on the head!! I agree 100%!!! The schedules don't make since.

 

Uhh yeah, agreed.

Went with Steinkuhler. Aaron Graham should probably be listed.

 

Aaron Graham played center.

Duh! Thanks for the correction.

Went with Steinkuhler. Aaron Graham should probably be listed.

Considering the award is named after him, its tough to go any other way than Rimmington.

Halfway through our quest for the Sun Belt conference title.

Had to go Rathman, but Schlesinger was close. Another honorable mention not listed: Mark Scheleen (sp?)

Had to go with Rozier. Perfect blend of speed and power.

Yep.

Somewhat surprised that Craig's pro career didn't land him on this list.

very cool

We have been recruiting in Florida for years, everyone knows that it is rich with good players, as is Texas and California. When BC took over, I got the impression with him that he just figured the good players would show up...it seemed to me that the only players that he really went after was the skill positions that he thought was important, namely QB and receivers. He put no importance on having good linemen, or a good defense for that matter. He also thought that if they were good enough to be college players they should already know everything about their position - he didn't realize you still had to teach them, not just expect them to show up and put out.

 

Recruiting is something that has to be done, when you hire a coach you have to look seriously at his abilities as a recruiter...even assistant coaches need to be good when it comes to recruiting, as players will have the most contact with them during the recruiting process, and as a player when they show up. I think this coaching staff has some very strong recruiters...and anyone that meets Bo can't help but get fired up.

 

It is also necessary for us to get good publicity, as fans, as a university, and as a city. They have to want to come for more reasons than just football. I think the University does more than it's part in putting the money where their mouth is. It is also important for us to be viewed as moving up in the polls into a position that we can challenge for the NC. Let the kids that just want to play, that aren't really looking to seriously play for a NC go someplace like K-state, CU, or ISU. We want the kids that believe that we are going to win a NC...that is the message that has to go out from fans, coaches, and the university.

 

Recruiting is a tough business, very competitive. Osborne used to be really good at evaluating talent, finding it where nobody else looked. I think that is an important key also. Your coaches and recruiters have to know talent when they see it...and know when it can move successfully to the next level and compete for a starting job, and when it can't.

Good points, Trucker. I dont know if BC didnt "get" cf or if his ego didnt allow it (?)

Anyway, I thought the article, without saying so, really highlights how awesome Devaney and Osborne were in being able to build and sustain NU like they did. I agree that I think Bo has assembled a staff that can hopefully get NU back in kids' minds like it was prior to this decade.

I saw Bo once too. After a bad mountain biking accident (hit my head on a rock after falling 50 ft. off a cliff), I was lying unconscious and saw a shaft of light. As I moved toward the source, I expected to see a long-haired guy with a beard, but nope, it was Bo.

 

 

And now it starts.

A shaft of light?

Just wrong on so many levels.

I'm glad Helu and Q had game experience going into this year. Just imagine where our running game would have been without them, with the year Lucky had.

Agreed. And its super nice having these guys coming in with plenty of experience with an inexperienced qb.

And per most of the above posts is why these type of polls are complete crap.

BTW, NU is up to 3rd.

Does anyone know the reason they started their formula at 1936? I cant think of a significant reason to start there.

*edit* Nevermind. Guess I should just read the link next time.

Why start with the 1936 season?

The AP poll was introduced that season, making it the first time the longest-standing news organization in the United States began ranking teams and crowning a national champion. Starting in 1937, the NCAA began recognizing "major college programs" (now known as the FBS). To accrue points, a program had to be recognized as one of these major programs by the NCAA. Those years are listed on pages 426 and 427 of this year's NCAA Football Record Book.

Sounds good. Maybe we can land both.

Because he needs to work on his throwing motion. Let's not jump the gun here - who knows if he will even start at NU (we hope so, but we are in the habit of anointing way too early), much less "jump for the NFL."

Fair enough. I guess I'm just not as convinced as others that he shouldn't factor into next years QB race.

Not to be contrary, but why does Green have to RS? Pryor didn't, Tebow didn't, Frazier didn't. If he out performs others, get him on the field. If he ends up being all we hope, I'd rather see him play for at least 3 seasons v. 1RS and 2playing before possibly jumping to the NFL.