A lot of polls have us in the top 5 ahead of Texas. I think that NU fans needs to start thinking of where Bo has this program in 2 to 3 short years. So at the end of last season Bo had this team ready to play with anyone. That anyone is Texas, Alabama, Florida etc.
This leads me to my next question. Do you think Alabama or Texas would potentially lose to all those teams you just mentioned and have a 5 or 6 loss season? I don't and NU fans should start to think of top 5 and top 5 schools don't lose 5 and 6 games on the schedule we have this year.
Most of the teams on that short 6 list had multiple losses of more than 5 games, only UT is exempt from that list. Only Texas brings in a D that can compete with NU. Mizzou brings back a lot of players from a defense that didn't perform that well.
I don't see more than 2 losses max and a chance to run the table and go undefeated is just as likely as losing 2 games.
A lot of polls had Mississippi last year in the Top 5. They ended up losing 4 games. It's where you end up at the end of the season. This will be my final comparison to 2007, but weren't we as high as #14 in one point in the season? We aren't a top 5 school until we actually finish the season in the top 5. Right now we are a top 15 school, and 5-6 losses is a possibility. We did gain some ground, but there is no way we are a Texas or Alabama caliber team yet. Yes, we did take Texas down to the final second, but that doesn't necessarily mean we can produce an entire season with the success they had. And to answer your question, no program in this era of football is immune from 5-6 losses given some bad breaks and serious breakdowns.
Also, many of Nebraska close calls last year were against teams that had 5 + losses. Heck, we lost to a team that had 6 losses last year. I'm glad you are very optimistic about the season, and hopefully after seeing the Washington game I will share that enthusiasm, but I think you're basing a lot of this season on "best-case scenario" which is rare, but could happen.
The last time I checked Bo Pelini was the coach here and not Houston Nutz. Pretty much says it all. His defense won the scoring title last season after inheriting the 117th best defense from 2007. 4 starters return on a O-Line that has J. Hardwick coming in to take a starting spot and they will be much improved. If you look at the D this team will have, I think he competes for another scoring title, and look at the schedule, we look good. Bo is on record saying that it take 3 years to smell what he is cooking, or buy into the system he has on defense. In simple terms, this is the 3rd year. When the coach says he expects to be 5 times better than last year, he has finger on the pulse of this team and knows what he has. Go back to the O-line, you control the lines and you control the game.
I think you need to listen to Bo Pelini, he is very focused and I doubt he will let this team lose focus in 2010. If he says we are going to be good this year, which 5 times better is pretty good, I believe him. In Dec we can revisit this topic. I stand by my posts here and let's see how this season plays out. I am a NU homer but I try to look at the facts. Case in point, I was pumped a few years ago when B Gabbert signed on. I called a fellow NU and told him that we will play for NC's with him at the helm. Now, I was bummed when he decommitted, but very happy when BC got booted. Just think of what would of happened last year if B Gabbert QB'd this team with that D and his ability. I see only 1 loss on the books potentially, that was the TTU game. This is complete fantasy but if he stayed, not only would he have been the QB last year he would've been playing as a true sophomore and this team has 1 loss and is playing in a BCS bowl or maybe in Pasadena last year. I thought Blaine had the ability to bring us back to play for NC's but in reality it is Bo Pelini that has NU in the position today. NU schedule is pretty easy, sit back and enjoy the ride and let Bo Pelini earn his money. Anything more than 2 losses for this year and I think NU isn't living up to their potential for this year.
