DelK

Man, I've needed that so many times in my life. I can't articulate how much respect I have for you for this response. Shows a helluva lot of depth of character. When I was your age, my rebuttal would've almost certainly been vitriolic and totally lacking in self honesty. Just would've lashed out, probably. You've got about a decade head start in life on me in terms of having the character it takes to turn awareness of your own flaws into lessons for wisdom and self-improvement. I'm really impressed. WELL DONE!! Hat's off to you two. I'll alert the press that we have at least two gentlemen posting on this board. Very good!!!!!

Ah, you kids. (My dad used to say that, sorry.) I remember watching a 21 - 21 tie between the University of Illinois and Nebraska in about 1952 or 3. And then happened to be in the stands for Devaney's first game as NU coach. So, it's been a long ride. And very interesting, to say the least. I understand the DESIRE for the Huskers to be on top of the heap but it's pretty tough to do. I don't get too excited about a season with ten wins or a little less. For one thing, I remember listening to a game with the Sisters of the Poor under Cally when the defense couldn't stop anything. Bo has his faults as does Dr. T and all the coaches and the administration as well. I am convinced they all want to do well and for the most part, seem to be doing pretty well all things considered. The history of college football is LITTERED with teams who fired coaches because they didn't win enought games or didn't win the big ones. Michigan and Tennessee come immediately to mind and there are a WHOLE lot more.. So, feel free to yell at the coach and call his record "unacceptable" and "attrocious" and call for his replacement if you like. But it's till a good university and a pretty good football team with some pretty good players. I'll take that and hope for better days.

A number of coaches have been fired in the last ten years or so because they didn't win the "big one" or didn't win enough. My memory isn't going to be good enough to list them. But, Michigan, Tennessee, Illinois, Colorado, probably Pitt, Boston College, Kentucky, and the list could go on and on. My memory isn't good enough to make definite statements about all those but it seems to me that not very many of those joined the elite teams within two or three years of the firing. My observation would be that elite teams are built over TIME. In all our exuberance at Devaney's success, he didn't hit elite status right away. He did make us competitive in most games pretty quickly, but it took some building. Most of the schools we face have populations that are multiples of what we have in Nebraska. It's pretty easy to say, "Patience my ass, I'm going to go out and kill (fire) someone." I'm not in that category.

Hmmmmm. I'm working on it. AHA!! Tennessee fired Fulmer, no doubt about it! Oh, wait. . . .

Yeah, this. They fired Phil Fulmer 'cause he had a down year or two.

WOW!! You must be living in Lincoln and have been there for a long time. Thanks for mentioning all those past huskers!! This old guy likes your coach and the way he goes about his business.

thanks for the post. Remember when NU had a team psychologist? My uneducated guess is that there is something in the mind set of coaches and players that leads to bad things when the game starts going downhill.

Welcome Dawg!! Nice to have you post. I respect your coach VERY much. One of whom some say what used to be said of Dr. Tom, to wit: " He can't win the big one." You support one heckuva a team and I hope we can keep it interesting. We've got a puzzle on our hands for dad gum certain. Seems to me there is some sort of psychological barrier or complex present in the team--mainly defense.

But Bo is the defensive coordinator. Kinda hard to fire yourself.

Kinda odd that the W-L numbers are one off, plus a bowl blowout, that got Frank fired. A psychological workup of the team, especially the defense, would be interesting. Something along the lines of what happens when you visualize a successful performance on the field and "things" go awry very quickly. Hmmmmm.

Add Southern Mississippi to the list.

Just read a piece quoting the AD as setting a ridiculous goal of six wins for this season. Just seems to me he set it up to make sure the Embree was not retained.

Massey has us up by three. Pretty close.

LOL!!!!!

Another word of warning. I do not remember EVER having beaten a team twice in the same season. Not that it can't be done but UN hasn't done it in my memory.

Has no one paid attention to all the upsets? Doormats last week turn in to world beaters this. BEWARE!!!!

Speaking of knowing what was coming, the announcers commented on it. Must be terrific analysis by the defensive coaches (read, "Bo").

Can't remember NU EVER having beaten a team twice in a season. That's a pretty big hill to climb!!

Catching punts was a little discouraging. No wind problem next week so we'll see what happens. Pretty tough to beat half-way decent team twice in one year.

Does anyone else think Burkhead's running is reminiscent of Paul Hornung? Looks as though he can't possibly make any yards and, bingo, first down.

Yeah, I don't necessarily disagree. I don't think there was much out there for him to investigate. Miami is a private school and in Miami where there isn't always a media focus. From what I have read and read between the lines, I think Miami was surfing a rather slippery slope and knowingly left Eichorst hanging in the wind. That being said, this is big boy business and I think both Miami and Eichorst did what I would expect -- Miami withheld info and Eichorst chose not to be "loyal." I understand both sides. There may be plenty of ammo in the future on which to criticize Eichorst, I just don't think the Miami situation fits into that category. Thanks. One would have had to do a lot of investigating to find out how bad it was and the best way would be to have openness and honesty from the folks down there.

My only problem with the "he didn't know what a mess he would have" at Miami is that no wise person takes a job without knowing what he faces. Could due diligence have given him the picture?

It's too dad gummed bad there is an epidemic such that the world seems FILLED to the brim with bobbleheaded, empty talking heads who feel compelled to say something even if they have to guess or have no idea of the facts and background on what they are talking about. Seems to me we can count on the fingers of one hand, even-handed, thinking, knowledgeable reporters in both sports AND news fields. Blithe, meaningless chatter passes for wisdom. I guess it's all entertainment.

Yeah, we're right on the cusp of my being able to wryly say to folks in the south when they ask how the Cornhuskers are doing, "They play a little football in Nebraska." That instead of, "They try."

This is a pretty good summation IMHO. Maybe we all are in danger of having an inflated view of our abilities to handle challenges.