What stole the soul of the Husker team?

[SouthDakotaHusker]

What changed?

 

When Osborne was couching we used to destroy teams at will. Last night USC handled us at will. Now if it was two evenly matched teams and a fight until the end, it would be one thing, but last night USC could run against us at will, and force us three-and-out at will.

 

I have heard for some time how other teams are “Catching up to the Huskers”. Yes teams catch up, but that was not the case last night, we were not even competitive until the USC started resting their starters. I also understand that Solich left the cupboard bare in terms of talent. But we have supposedly had “top 10 recruiting” classes for three or four years now.

 

I cannot put my finger on what exactly changed. Please help me out.

Is it the coaches? Is there that big of difference in game plans?

Is it that reactive coaches will always be destroyed by aggresive coaches?

Is it that starting with Solich we have a string of conservative coaches (much like Carr at Michigan), who just try to keep the game close, and eventually hopefully win, rather than going for the Jugular Vein and understanding football is a game of emotion, momentum, and testoterone? Once the other team is demoralized, the game is over no matter how much time is left on the clock?

 

Or is it the players? Is there that big of gap in college football players?

 

Or is it simply that speed kills in college football?

 

Or is it that players need four years of playing together in order to play as a team. If that is the case, why were the USC freshman linemen able to push around our senior lineman?

 

Is it that Osborne, and now Carroll are simply legends, men among boys? Geniuses in strategies and motivating players?

Or is it that Osborne, and now Carroll care about their players, not just as athletes, but also as persons, as individuals with deep respect?

 

The 1990’s Huskers were men on a mission, did their passion simply die out? Our defense seemed to be pushed around like a high school team playing a college team.

 

Is it superior blocking techniques by USC or is it that the players or couches simply could not read the mis-direction created by USC?

 

Or is it that in the 1980’s and 1990’s the Huskers were a team that represented the entire state. After the third championship, did things go to everyone’s heads, and now Nebraska football is big business, and our egos have become twice as big as our hearts when it comes to playing football? Is Husker football today all about money rather than passion?

Did we simply become a second-rate Notre Dame team that we are so full of ourselves that we think we walk on water and assume everyone college football should automatically raise the white flag?

 

Every since Eric Crouch left, it seems like the Huskers are no longer a team that inspires fear in the hearts of friends and foes alike. Rather the nagging question has been, “Yes, but what happens when Nebraska has to play a top 10 team?”

 

Someone please help me out; what is the core problem with the Huskers today or core ingredient that we once had, and no longer possess?

 

I don’t mean to bag on my beloved Huskers, but last night I laid awake in bed, scratching my head trying to figure out what has changed? The very soul of the Husker team is gone. Who or what stole the Soul of our beloved Husker team?

(If I offended anyone, forgive me, I don't mean to flame anyone, rather, it is like watching a loved one with anorexia, it was just too painful to watch).

[Bugeater]

It's not "what", it's "who". And you all know who I'm referring to.

[Licensed to Ill]

It's not "what", it's "who". And you all know who I'm referring to.

[cmadd101]

Its the very untalented nebraska players just not top notch guys look at lucky no way could he hack it SC they dont have a player that could except maybe the kicker

[tattooedhusker]

untalented Nebraska players? if your referring to all players then your an :asshat

[Hunter94]

not so fast, how many of our guys , do you think, REALLY, could start for SC? 3 or 4, maybe??

[HuskerSpot]

peaks and valleys.............sometimes your at the top, and sometimes you're not. We're not at the top right now.