IlliniHusker

The coach immediately before Bob Devaney was Bill Jennings. He stated that the University of Nebraska football team could never be used to satisfy the pride of the citizens of Nebraska, so people shouldn't expect too much from the Cornhuskers. The easy approach for the leaders of the university would have been to accept that analysis. Why didn't they accept "average"?

I strongly suspect that USC will be campaigning next year for John David Booooooooty for Heisman. With ESPN and the Game Day Crowd in love with him, its almost a given. Sam Keller has to outplay him when they meet head to head.

I believe that Callahan achieved the most realistic goals in 2006: winning the Big 12 North and going to a Jan 1 bowl game. We must give him more time to prove he can break into the elite group (Top 10, then Top 5 and battling for NC). Consider the high expectations of some really disappointing teams this year - Texas & California (pre-season Top 10), Miami U, Florida St, Alabama, Iowa (pre-season Top 20) and Iowa State (co-favored for the Big 12 North). Nebraska might not have lived up to the hopes and expectations of many fans, but we performed MUCH better than many of the big name schools.

First time I ever saw the actual ratings that the USA Today coaches turned in for their final ratings before the bowl games. Although the interest was in Fla & Mich votes, I found it fascinating how opponents rated Nebraska. Stoops rated us the highest! Stoops (OU) #17 Franchione (TAM) #20 Mack Brown (TU) #20 McCartney (ISU) #22 Hawkins (CU) #22 Bicknell (La Tech) #22 Blakeney (Troy) Not rated in top 25! Tommy Tuberville (Auburn) and Bill Callahan had NU as #23.

I'll be watching game on big sceen TV from frozen Illinois. Its interesting seeing USC scruggle against UCLA; in fact the Bruins have a lead late in 3rd Qt. Wake Forest won earlier. Seems like the "favored" teams are having a tough time today. Goooooo Biiiiiggg RRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

If we win out, NU will be somewhere between 11 and 15.

I don't believe that its good to win a "cheap" Big 12 Championship. We are playing the best team in the South at the END of the year. Having said that, I believe it would be easier to beat Texas. Why? Obviously Texas is on a downhill slide and OU is peaking at the end of the year. The NU - OU game will be a defensive battle and I wonder if NU can score enough to win. OU has a better defense than Texas and might force NU to be one dimensional - passing only. It all comes down to our improved and improving O-Line. If we can put up 28 points I think NU will win.

I personnally think that the O-Line play this year is more responsible for the team's success than anything else! The very young O linemen are an amazing story and somewhat under reported. The success that our RB's & WR's have had are largely the result of the O-Line. Can you catch the vision of how much better our offense will be next year? I believe in playing one game at a time, but the FUTURE LOOKS GREAT!

I was at that game where NU plummeted Minn by scoring 84 points. Imagine scoring 3 TD in every quarter! It was the most awesome display of offensive power I've ever witnessed. Since the game was planned in the Minneapolis dome, the only noise was the NU Fans.

I think we could definitely beat the Vols. They had no answer at all for the Arkansas running attack.

I prefer OU because I think we have a better shot at shutting down their offense. This is based on the assumption that Colt McCoy comes back from his injury and Texas has had it's pride damaged. Side comment - The NU win over KSU in Manhattan looks SO MUCH BIGGER after the Wildcats constantly broke down the Texas defense. The NU defense played a very, very good game against KSU and we didn't realize it at the time!

I'd just like to see NU play in a Jan 1 Bowl game instead of late Dec. I keep reading that ND has a lock on the Sugar Bowl, so IF WE WIN THE Big 12 it will most likely be the Fiesta Bowl.

Jay Norvell was never an offensive coordinator anywhere. Prior to NU he was the Oakland Raiders TE coach for 2 yrs. Before that he was the Indianapolis Colt's WR coach for 4 years and before that he was Ass't Head coach at Iowa State.

Historical perspective keeps us sane when we get blown out by OSU. I'm in my 60's and remember lots of years when we struggled. Bob Devaney captured the hearts of many NU fans because he brought consistant winners and our first Nat'l Titles.... and he did it with some humor and common sense. Before the Game of the Century he said: "There are about 1 billion Chinese people who don't care if NU or OU wins!" First TO just couldn't beat OU and should be fired. Moreover, TO was too dedicated to his staff and that guy McBride just was a mediocre defensive coordinator and should be fired. Then TO could never win the Nat'l Title and should just leave. At the end, TO was a genius and the greatest coach that ever lived. The constant thru the highs and lows..... the NU FANS ARE THE GREATEST ON THE EARTH AND SUPPORT THE BIG RED NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!

Defensive leadership usually comes from the LB group. Last year McKeon became the leader of the defense. He was vocal, assertive and getting on everyone to perform. The defense wasn't great all the time, but it did play with spirit. I expected him to resume the role this year, but he didn't and there is no real "leader" on the defense.* ..... Why? My speculation (from 500 miles away and not knowing the personalities), McKeon was thrust into role last year when injuries brought down so many LB's on defense. This year..... Bradley (Sr) is back, Brandenburgh is playing more and Rudd has become the darling of the fans....... so McKeon (Jr) has been delegated to a lesser role. Octo has more talent than anyone, but I wonder if he is really a "leader"? Since I'm just a fan who doesn't really know the answer, I'll propose an answer ..... the coaches should make it clear that McKeon is the defensive leader on the field and tell him to kick some ass (verbally of course!). * If I'm wrong on this, then who is the leader?

We all knew coming into the season that getting back to the Big 12 Championship game was our goal, winning the North was our goal. Somewhere in the middle everyone lost sight of that and some how raised our goals!!!! I couldn't agree more with BIGREDIOWAN !!! One of the hallmarks of great teams is consistancy from game to game. NU is NOT a great team. We have had a glimse or two of some great games and great plays, but we are NOT a great team. Very good teams occasionally fall flat on their faces. I personally suspect that if we had beaten Texas the wk before, we still would have been upset by OSU. Why? Because we are a very good team, but NOT GREAT. Lets support the coaches and team and win the Big12 North!

NU 31 OSU 20 Rushing 265 Passing 190

Huskers are up at least 3 positions. Into the top 20 for the first time in ? years.

NU 30 KSU 10 Rushing 195 Passing 235

READ ON HUSKERPEDIA TODAY THAT BLAKE COMMITTED TO NEBRASKA! He's a 4 star prospect according to Rivals.

MU's games leading up to the NU game are: T A&M, KSU, OU NU's games leading up to the MU game are: KSU, Texas, OSU As much as I love the Big Red, its very possible that MU will still be undefeated and NU will have 2 losses when we meet Nov 4th. The most important thing is PLAY ONE GAME AT A TIME! Right now our focus is on KSU, not Mizzou.

If we play like we did against ISU, we will win decisively. If we play like we did against KU, I'll be holding my breath. We need to establish some consistancy with road games against Big 12 teams. Accepting FBWillie's analysis of the KSU defense, we should attach the passing lanes, which should create our running game. Will be interesting to see how BC attacks the Wildcats.

C-Train had a great game and showed what he is capable of doing..... namely breaking thru tacklers. Its true that our O-Line opened holes, but then C-Train was seldom brought down by the first LB or DB that tried to bring him down. That is the sign of a great back. I hope BC continues to play him!

Frankly, I was worried about the ISU game.... considering what happened to our whole defense against KU. When this team struck quickly and got an easy 17 point, the team let down its guard. A ball control offense was the smartest thing that BC could have devised against ISU. I suspect that the windy conditions limited the pass patterns. Meyer had lots of trouble throwing long last night. The ball "sailed" on him a number of times. NU avoid this by using a dominating ground game. To try to force more passes and have INT's or more punts just didn't make sense. I really think our game plan was great.

The photo had an AP by-line. Years ago I used to trust AP, CBS News, CNN, New York Times, the Washington Compost, etc. but they don't care about accuracy, just making a fast $.