Husker Dude 6

Coach Tressel is under a show-cause, so that isn't gonna happen anytime soon. Your comment about him not being able to recruit - he recruited the majority of the guys that urban Meyer has gone undefeated with the last two years. Petrino could do it. Everybody would just need to watch their co-eds. Kiffin and Turner. No way. Nuh uh. Frost? Borderline, cause I've seen what has happened the last 3 - 4 weeks with his offenses up in Eugene. If we get an offensive minded coach here, we need to have a guy who will re-establish some darned toughness on the offensive side of the ball. Some smack-you-in-the-mouth-and-you-know-it's-coming-but-you-can't-stop-it type football. Brent Venables, not seeing, Mark Richt - no way. He's the Bo Pelini of the south, just nicer. Did you see what happened to Georgia this year? They had it worse than we did with injuries (hell, they lost Aaron Murray to a torn ACL in the last GAME of his Georgia career). Your assessment is right, namely... what coach could Nebraska possibly pull out that would be better than the current staff? Sure there would be a fair number of takers but would they be better than the current group? Probably would be more fan/media-friendly but better coaches... I have my doubts. ----- Especially considering USC is in the market and Texas could be shopping as well with a new AD, not to mention a usual surprise or two from around the country (ie- Bielema last year).

Nebhawk, good assessment of the conference setup. I do think Michigan has a lot more problems than it even appears right now. I guess I'm curious what kind of "boost" we would get. When UNL hired Bo, they drastically wanted an improved defense. He delivered that improvement in the first two years (thanks in large part to Suh and company). Then we switch conferences and get caught in limbo with the types of players we had recruited (mainly undersized defensive front seven) and as we started this year we struggled. A 1/3 to halfway through the season the defense started to click. The offense started as the focal point of the year. As the injury bug hit, the team was forced to rely on 2nd, 3rd and 4th options at a number of spots and still managed a respectable record (by most standards). I'm afraid pulling the plug on this coaching staff could cause more damage than good. Maybe there's a candidate who could bring in a staff that would match or exceed Bo and Co. but I'm in the camp that believes this group can turn things around still.

And Taylor Martinez was directly responsible for 2 of the losses by lying to the coaching staff on the extent of his injuries. To put blame on Martinez for both losses wouldn't be wise. Should he have been more forthcoming in letting the coaches know how bad he was hurting? Yes. I find it hard to fault a 5th year senior for wanting to play so badly that he would try to tough it out for himself and his teammates. Might things have gone differently with Armstrong/Kellogg? Maybe. But it's a big question mark. I appreciate Taylor trying to play through and really hope he's healthy enough for the bowl game. Imagine a healthy Martinez, Ameer and Newby running that read option triple option that the team ran today... would be one helluva task to stop that kind of triple threat for a full game. I totally agree. While I appreciate TM for all the great things he has done, I also (in my opinion) fault him (and his father) with putting himself above the team to earn a higher NFL draft position. I am positive that his lying to the staff insures that he will not play a snap in the bowl game. You're quite possibly 100% correct about TM and his dad pulling some strings (more so his dad, I'm not sure Taylor would try and pull that). That said, this season was going to be his last as a quarterback and potentially last season of football [unsure of NFL/CFL prospects]. I can't blame him for wanting to compete and put himself out on a line to play and win. I wonder if that option deal was a part of Beck's master plan at the beginning of the year or if it's come along lately? I wish they would've tried to do a little more of that with that pistol formation too... next year == Taylor/Cross, Armstrong, Newby, Ameer and then a fake for a pass to Bell or Allen. Not sure about anyone else but that could make for one scary good setup.

why not use the number 5 why not use the average wins per season OH it would not for espn (extra stupid personal newsman ) Because everyone talks about the number of wins, and that's extremely misleading because "9 wins" now means "four losses." The "9 wins season" thing gets thrown around with no perspective. It's like comparing dollars decades apart without adjusting for inflation. Agreed, check out what Gary Barnett added in the Omaha.com story yesterday. http://www.omaha.com/article/20131128/HUSKERS/131128603

The sh#t fans aren't the majority of all fans. But when it's the sh#t fans that you constantly hear about, they sure as heck seem like the majority. But that's the whole point though. He's gotta understand AND relay the fact that they are the minority. And I've heard that one of the things he said in addressing the team before leaving for State College was that a lot of the times the negative 5% always has the loudest voice, and that you have to put it behind you. But then Kaz has a cheap remark, then Beck with his, and then Bo today. Leads me to ask what the hell is going on in North Stadium. Exactly spot on. It's this weird undercurrent of disdain for the fans that I don't understand. What's their theory? That the fans woke up one day and just decided to be dicks to the team just for kicks? Or do they ever take any responsibility for the fans' concerns and appreciate it as a justifiable response to the blowout losses and the lack of fundamental football? Honestly, the "no coach can get a fair shake in Nebraska" mentality being perpetuated by the coaches is the biggest turn off and reflects very simplistic reasoning that does not reflect favorably on their intelligence. Concerns are one thing. I think even the most stubborn person can understand that concerns are legitimate. How we voice those concerns and how we treat the team post loss or even close win is the sticking point. I'm not saying we should be all hunky-dory after a loss, no; but we shouldn't be doing things like starting a rumor(?) that Pelini will resign post-Iowa which gets circulated to the point where the team has to call a meeting just so they know what the hell is going on. Also, the Twitter sh#t is ridiculous. It's the actions which deviate from normal that stand out and stick the most. And it's those actions that people remember. +1, couldn't have said it better myself.

And Taylor Martinez was directly responsible for 2 of the losses by lying to the coaching staff on the extent of his injuries. To put blame on Martinez for both losses wouldn't be wise. Should he have been more forthcoming in letting the coaches know how bad he was hurting? Yes. I find it hard to fault a 5th year senior for wanting to play so badly that he would try to tough it out for himself and his teammates. Might things have gone differently with Armstrong/Kellogg? Maybe. But it's a big question mark. I appreciate Taylor trying to play through and really hope he's healthy enough for the bowl game. Imagine a healthy Martinez, Ameer and Newby running that read option triple option that the team ran today... would be one helluva task to stop that kind of triple threat for a full game.

In reading the board and other media about the program, I started to wonder whether we have become too concerned with our image on a national stage? Is there such a thing? I understand the concern with image and recruiting. National image could play an impact with that. However I also wonder whether we have started to worry more about what the talking heads at ESPN or whomever think and speak about. The reason I ask is because I thought back to 1995 (I was starting elementary school so my perspective is limited). I do remember and have read about how criticized Tom was for playing Lawrence Phillips and Christian Peter but played them anyways. Going farther back, keeping Johnny Rodgers after his legal troubles. I'm not trying to bring Osborne into this at all. I am curious how the fans took the media coverage and the decisions? Obviously media has changed dramatically over the years but I wonder if those changes have caused the fans to be more swayed with every story, tweet or post. Not trying to be critical of anyone or any group in particular, just curious whether I'm on an island in this curiosity or if others share a similar perspective. Thanks in advance.

Understand completely. I'd say I regret posting it but I thought it could be of interest for others who may wonder what other Husker coaches think.

why not? and if you are going to let him coach here, you should let him run his team the way he sees fit. Looking at the 7 millie buyout plus all the assistants that would probably be replaced as well. That and the new salaries for a new HC and staff. It's more than 3 mill a year, just sayin. Chump change for this program. Money is NEVER a barrier for the football program here. Agreed, money isn't an issue for the athletic department. However I will have to refer to the post below and echo his opinion.

I'm sorry, In the Deed the Glory. He came by the tailgate after the game and let loose a little bit. He's got some fire to him like Pelini does so it wasn't a surprise to me but I've been around the guy before and knew his personality.

Sorry for adding to the rumor ideas... wish I could post the coach but he fully supports Bo and company.

Heard from a Husker head coach (another sport)... Bo will not be going anywhere unless he chose to leave. 'Shocked' if anything other than that were to happen. No "evidence" that I can provide without getting the coach in hot water but thought it could be worthwhile to know. Seemed to be very avid to keep Bo and staff around, "good for Husker athletics as a whole."

Um no. What you actually said was... which is incorrect. Read the entire thread with that. Thank you for trying though.

My apologies, it can be difficult to understand humor, sarcasm, etc. through a message board sometimes.

What kind of logic are you trying to employ, my friend? LOL When you LOSE the championship game, there isn't a booby prize. 2nd place means 1st place loser. As poster In the Deed the Glory pointed out, without a championship game Nebraska would have won the championship outright last year. As opposed to Oklahoma who shared the conference title last year with K-State (which Oklahoma actually lost to). It's simple logic my man. Really???? You are going to post that like I support you and ignore the rest of my post. Wow. That seems illogical! Does it? I viewed it as giving you some credit for a plausible idea not a dig at the rest of your post. I am not saying the rest of it was wrong by any means, just found that part to be relevant.

Yep, in the national championship game. A game he's gotten to three times. What you're doing could hardly be considered using logic. Nebraska was not a co-champion. If there wasn't a championship game it would be different, but there is, and we lost. We were not a conference champion. By any definition. We have no trophy or title that says conference champion. Oklahoma does. Not just last year, but 8 times since 2000. You had 3 posts total earlier today. What made you decide to come out of the woodwork we were happy having you in? Go away. I'm sorry you like your club and dislike fans who wish to express their views after taking in some rather low blows from other posters towards players, coaches and others over the past three years. I was simply employing basic logic which you fail to understand at this point. My point was not arguing Oklahoma's success over the past decade and beyond. I was responding to a post that said Oklahoma won a share of their conference last year to which I pointed out that Nebraska would be considered to win a "share" of the conference championship given the same circumstances. Because the circumstances are different, Nebraska was not considered the champion of the Big Ten. I really don't intend to cause harm to the powers that be on this site but simply would like to bring about a different form of thinking. Some can handle that, others cannot. I may not respond to other posts in the future, I may respond to every single one. This not a display of immaturity or me being stubborn, this is my form of providing a different perspective. I'm as frustrated with today's loss and this season's losses as other are but I attempt to provide a sense of civility and perspective in discussing the state of the program. Thank you for understanding.

What kind of logic are you trying to employ, my friend? LOL When you LOSE the championship game, there isn't a booby prize. 2nd place means 1st place loser. As poster In the Deed the Glory pointed out, without a championship game Nebraska would have won the championship outright last year. As opposed to Oklahoma who shared the conference title last year with K-State (which Oklahoma actually lost to). It's simple logic my man.

Amen IvabigN! Prepare to be picked apart (some of these posters are still stuck with the kool-aid) but I appreciate your perspective. Logical and fantastic.

And last year Bo won a share of the Big Ten (since Big 12 doesn't have a title game, Nebraska would be considered a co-winner last year on that standard). No we didn't win a share of anything. We won the Legends division. We lost the game to win the conference championship by a score of 70-31. Wisconsin won the Big Ten Championship. Plain and simple. You're grasping at straws here. False Junior. My logic is just fine with that argument. Oklahoma was a co-winner. If the Big Ten did not have a championship game (a la Big 12), Nebraska and Wisconsin would have been co-winners. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, everyday would be like Christmas. And if we are playing the "if" game, "if" Ohio State isn't on probation, they win the conference with an undefeated record. D'oh! Hey man, don't hate me for using logic. Yes, Nebraska lost the championship game (I'm not arguing that) but they would also be considered a "co-winner" using the Big 12 as the standard which you set out.

And last year Bo won a share of the Big Ten (since Big 12 doesn't have a title game, Nebraska would be considered a co-winner last year on that standard). No we didn't win a share of anything. We won the Legends division. We lost the game to win the conference championship by a score of 70-31. Wisconsin won the Big Ten Championship. Plain and simple. You're grasping at straws here. False Junior. My logic is just fine with that argument. Oklahoma was a co-winner. If the Big Ten did not have a championship game (a la Big 12), Nebraska and Wisconsin would have been co-winners.

Wow a national championship and 8 conference championships? What a thing to be concerned about "falling" down to. Won a national championship with a large contingent of another coach's players. Since then, he hasn't been able to reach that level and has been somewhat trailing off (National title, then a few BCS games then lower bowl games). And the falling down I'm referring to is the fact that Bob Stoops is currently sitting on the proverbial hot seat in Norman. Yes the Sooners seem to be in a "better" spot in the national championship picture but their fans are getting antsy. Bo is just more of a polarizing figure and the national media love those types of coaches. He won a share of the Big 12 last year. If that's slipping, I'll take it. And last year Bo won a share of the Big Ten (since Big 12 doesn't have a title game, Nebraska would be considered a co-winner last year on that standard).

Wow a national championship and 8 conference championships? What a thing to be concerned about "falling" down to. Won a national championship with a large contingent of another coach's players. Since then, he hasn't been able to reach that level and has been somewhat trailing off (National title, then a few BCS games then lower bowl games). And the falling down I'm referring to is the fact that Bob Stoops is currently sitting on the proverbial hot seat in Norman. Yes the Sooners seem to be in a "better" spot in the national championship picture but their fans are getting antsy. Bo is just more of a polarizing figure and the national media love those types of coaches.

and further, how many players would not be extremely defensive of their coach? if your players do not love you, you are doing something extremely wrong. it should be a given that your players are loyal to you, not a plus. This was essentially my point when I brought up that Callahan had support also My view is that should Nebraska fire Bo, the next guy may do great and find another level to rise to. However I would fear that the next guy would turn into a Bob Stoops. Win a national title within two years but then trail off again into irrelevance in the national championship picture. Re-establishing a program isn't easy. A strong argument could be made that Bo has done so already. Unless there is a sure-fire replacement that could do better, why disrupt an above average program?

I like running the read option with our chubby QB who can't run faster than our center. I particularly liked the part today where we started out in fullWatsonpanic mode, used THAT to dig ourselves a hole, and then commit to the run when down by 14 in the fourth. I share the frustration Mr. Accountability. Though today our other option at QB was a walk-on from Grand Island, not a healthy Armstrong. Ameer was hurt and it showed as the game wore on. Combine those along with all sorts of injury concerns and it makes for a very limited playbook. Very similar to a couple years ago when the coaches worried for Martinez's safety and limited his running plays. It would have been really special to see Newby or Cross get going today though. No better stage for those two step up and perform.

Must be ignorance, my apologies. Their support certainly did not get the press coverage that Bo's players have gotten about this unfortunately. I've been looking for support from Callahan's players but the internet has not found anything so far. --- The only news I've seen about Callahan former players are pro players saying he sabotaged the Super Bowl.... not a whole lot of positive publicity surrounds the guy.