Enhance

Simple fact of the matter is that Mizzou couldn't beat who they needed to beat in order to get to a good bowl this year. That is their fault. It is in no way Nebraska's fault if Mizzou gets the Alamo Bowl, it's just the way the cookie crumbles. Besides, we'd all live better lives if we just ignored espn analysts.

I didn't personally play with any Husker (or any other major College FB player for that matter), but one of my good friends used to live in Colorado and played on the same team as Zac Robinson of OSU.

I listened to the same radio segment yesterday, and I can't help but agree. All good teams reload and come back firing year after years (NU from mid 60's to late 90's). I don't see Mizzou being capable of doing this. MU, CU, KSU, etc., all have a good recruiting class and a few good years and then they sink back into mediocrity. I'm not expecting anything different within the next few years. Their *Perfect Storm* has passed and I don't think they'll be as lucky as Texas was 2 years ago when McCoy started as a Freshman. I just don't see Mizzou being capable of that given their entire history. I still think they could be competitive next season in the B12 North, but as far as talent and coaching I think Nebraska has the best chance of taking the North next year. Time will tell, but the North is going to come down to MU, NU, and possibly KU.

He's a defensive tackle leading the team in tackles! That's nearly unheard of. He's easily our most NFL-ready talent right now. And since Oklahoma he has played extremely well. He also made 2nd Team All Big 12 Conference. Guys on our second team would be first teamers in most other conferences. It's ridiculous how good the B12 is right now

Stats would take too long for me to give you, but I will say this. Through quick comparison of the schedules, Nebraska has played a much tougher schedule. We played VA Tech, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech (3 of those 4 were in the top 10 at some point this season) most noticeably. Clemson played Alabama, Wake Forest, BC, and Florida State. Alabama is the only one to have eclipsed the top 10 to my knowledge. I will give Clemson this, however. They finished their season against some quality competition and haven't given up 50+ points twice this season (in our defense, it was Missouri and OU that ripped us for 50+ and OU will most likely be in the NCG). I think it should play out to be a good game. Both teams have rookie coaches. I give the offensive edge to Nebraska especially because of our T.O.P. stats and how explosive they can be at times. Clemson does have a strong defense, and their offense probably has the upper hand over our defense. I'm really looking forward to the game. As always... GBR

I really like the direction our non-conference games are going. Fresno State, Tennessee, Wyoming, and Miami? Now thats some damn good football. Hell, if the whole Callahan to Tennessee thing is true, that's going to be a big game Husker fans pay attention to in hopes of beating him and the Vols. Hopefully T.O. and any future athletic director can continue to give us playing time against tough opponents like these, so when we win them all it looks even better =D. GBR

SECjunky.com confirms this. Absolutely terrifying for Tennessee and fans alike.

FSU because of name recognition and Nebraska revenge. 0-4 against them in the 80's and 90's. It's time to at least add one win into that column. (Even though neither team is ranked, I personally think WE have a better chance of being ranked if we take down FSU over Clemson by the end of the year.)

there is no way in hell that Suh is leaving besides, if he builds on this season and moves it into next season he will be a much higher draft pick

I would say more like a Rozier, as well. Helu seems like he could be the type of guy to juke people all over the field and take it into the end-zone. Very rarely have I seen Helu get brought down on the first hit, he makes people miss.

Here is what I think when it comes to our team and the O-line, or any facet of the team for that matter. I think we can all, for the most part, agree that Callahan and Co. did little to develop the talent of our players and coached them very poorly. The players had quite a bit of "experience" coming into the season, but their knowledge of the game and their technique made them almost as good as Freshman and Sophomores. I've seen the o-line play better as a team this year (especially the last few games) than I have seen in the past 4 years. I think Cotton has done a great job working with these kids. Those of you who downplay their improvement this year, what did you expect? We play in the gauntlet that is the Big 12, they had terrible coaching last year, and there isn't a single person/group of guys out there that could coach this team to greatness in one season. This coaching staff is extremely young, and I think they have done great given that.

60 years ago nobody would have known what Bo looked like/said on the sideline other than the players. It's annoying what kind of things get stirred up in the course of the football season. Anyways, he is a rookie at head coaching and we all need to remember this. He will learn, with time, to control is temper and outbursts for the camera on game day. Nobody can be like T.O. as far as mannerisms go, but Bo as the same attitude and desires towards football that T.O. has/had. I think Bo as the potential to eventually be a great among all the great Nebraska coaches.

A lot of people are disappointed in our pass defense, but we have to remember that most of the quarterbacks in the Big 12 returned from a year ago, and most are better than they were last year. The spread isn't just a Nebraska problem, it is a everybody problem. I'm glad you pointed this out. With the way offenses are run right now, it's going to take awhile before the spread is figured out. As I said in another forum, OU's wishbone was deemed practically unstoppable and now it is an obsolete form of offense because it's been figured out and proved generally useless. Defenses recruited big strong defenses to shut down the wish bone. With the spread, defenses now have to recruit faster and lighter guys. The team that is able to recruit guys that play like 250 lb. linebackers but run like corners is the team that will dominate on defense. Offenses will evolve, I expect in the next decade or two that spread offenses will become obsolete and a team will realize the usefulness of power running games to counter the defenses with light but fast backs.

Well said.

I specifically remember watching Sportscenter one day after class in the 2007 school year, just after Bo Pelini had been hired to coach Nebraska and Rich Rodriguez had been hired to coach the Michigan Wolverines. I remember the talking heads on ESPN lauding the Rodriguez hire as great for the program, even saying that he would work the Big 10 really well and have a great impact his first year. They then went on to say that the Pelini hire was "average". The Wolverines are 3-9, with only one good win over a struggling and overrated Wisconsin team. Pelini is sitting at 8-4, nearly had the team at 10-2, and has the Huskers clearly on the right path to reaching our potential and our goals. I love being underrated, and can't wait for the day Nebraska gains the recognition we used to have.

I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade, especially as a Husker fan, but LSU has played a very tough schedule imho and their defense has been atrocious since Bo left. If Bo was still the DC at LSU, they would be right in the mix for a bcs game.

People thought OU's wishbone was unstoppable, and now it is obsolete for the most part. The spread will be figured out, by fast defensive backs and linebackers and fewer guys recruited to stop the run. We're going to have to teach corners and safeties to hit and stop the run like 250 lb. linebackers.

I must say, GT would have been a much better opponent given some of the teams they have physically manhandled (Miami and Georgia anyone?). They did have wins over VA Tech and a pretty good Maryland team, but then they went and got punched in the face by Florida. I think they might have some better overall talent and development on that team, but I think it will play out to be a good game. Nebraska's defense is still bone-headed at times, but our offense can get things done. A victory will come if we can be extremely consistent on offense and create a few turnovers on defense.

And, if I'm not mistaken, FSU won all four times. It's about damn time we took one from em.

Realized I said 9-2, I meant 10-2.

Here is my take on the team so far... Pros: The team had an overall good effort. NU was a couple plays away from being 9-2, which a lot of people seem to be overlooking (except with the almost BU upset of TT, our close loss didn't look so hot). Our defense, obviously the problem child of our team, came out and made good strides in the first year under Pelini's system. The offense was prolific, at times, and we ended the year no. 1 with TOP (which I feel is impressive, others may not. It also helped keep our struggling defense off the field). Overall, first year coach did a damn good job (better than Callahan's first year). Cons: The defense, in my mind, does not deserve the coveted blackshirts just yet. They made way too many bone-headed plays this year, some that just boggled my mind. I think this plays a lot to Callahan and Co., however. Yes, we have "upper classmen", but Callahan did little to develop talent. It was almost like sending Freshman and Sophomores onto the field this year. Give the defense a few more years and I think we will be where we want to be, but I am in no way satisfied with their showing this year. They made improvement, but have a long way to go. The offense was prolific at times, but Watson hasn't overly impressed me quite yet. Some of the play calling against CU was boring and albeit predictable at times, but we no doubt have some great playmakers and the ability to continue doing well next year. I would like to see less spread, personally, and something more along the lines of what OU and Texas do. They have variations of the spread, but also incorporate some power running which is something I think a lot of Husker fans are dying to see. We just need a good, strong back who can read the holes that aren't as easy to see as they are in the zone-read. If Q could just hold the ball and hit the holes harder, he'd be my choice for no. 1 on the IB depth chart next year. We lose a lot of starters next year, but countless other teams reload year after year and I see no reason why we can't do the same. I expect our offense to improve and be more consistent, and expect the defense to move up into the 40's, maybe 30's in total defense. Gonna take awhile before we are where we want to be defensively.

1) How long have you been a member of Husker Nation? Since 1989 when I was born in this beautiful state of Nebraska. 2) What/who led you to The Nation? Family. 3) Where are you from originally? Born and raised in Omaha. 4) Where do you live now? Still live in Omaha, but I go to school in Lincoln. 5) Favorite Husker memory? Beating OU 20-10 in 2001, because that was the first game I remember sitting down and watching all the way through. 6) Worst Husker memory? Callahan era. 7) Number of home games attended? All the home games this year and a few others sporadically before this year. 8) Number of away games attended? None yet. 9) Favorite Husker memorabilia/apparel? My husker beanie and hoody! 10) Favorite place to watch a Husker game? (section in Memorial, bar, friends house etc.) South Student Section at Memorial Stadium or at my home with friends and family. 11) Favorite all time player? Probably..Cory Schlesinger. 12) WCO or Option? Option..but whatever gets us the win also works. 13) Stevie Pederson or Billy Byrne? T.O. 14) Lil Red or Herbie Husker? Herbie. 15) Favorite Husker play? The unforgettable Tommie Frazier run in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl. 16) Favorite game-day beverage? Yes. 17) How did you find HuskerBoard? (referral source) Google!