Unfortunately, just looking at the facts as they lay tonight, I do think that the B12 North will likely be a duel between KSU and Misery for the next couple years. I was convinced that Prince left the Ksu program in such a hole that the white rat would not be able to bring it back and would soon go back to the retirement home. Well honestly he has done the best job coaching in the NOrth in a long time and a case could be made that he has the only team improving at this point in the season in the North. I have to concede with the job he has done from the preseason to the OU game last week, Snyder is much the best coach in the North. He made lemonade outta lemons in a weak conference division. We have not improved but have regressed.
Misery has a very young team with some players that will be excellent on both sides of the ball. Gabbert will be the real deal next year if healthy. Their O Line should be better and the Freshman DE they have will be All America imo. And unfortunately MU seems to be recruiting very well. I don't think the coaching staff is all that great but MU will have more talent than anyone in the north. IF KSU had their talent they would rival the south teams I am beginning to believe. But KSU and MU will likely compete for the top spots.
I think we are going to be in for a struggle and likely 2nd or 3rd best in the North for the next couple years. Hopefully the adminstration and fans will have patience and see if this staff and HC with little experience, doesn't get things on the right path and we rise back to the top.
But a few weeks ago I thought we were on our way so things can change back. But right now it looks like KSU and MU might well be the teams to beat in the North for at least the next couple years.
Billyball,
I have to disagree slightly with your post. At this point i believe KSU is an unknown. The old man, although a good coach has much greater compition for the JUCO's he used to pull easily and his age, IMHO, will not allow him to build a long term solution at KSU. THey may or may not become at top North team again.
I do think you are right about MU, They are extremly young and have alot of young talent. They should continue to improve and have the ability to win the North the next few years. BUT, with that said, Nebraska is in a very simular boat. There is some young good talent on your team. You return much of that young offense and have pulled some nice players as well. Both teams have to replace some key parts.
Mu will lose their best (as of now) OL, thier two starting WR's (perry doesnt worry me as much as finding another player to fill the role that Alexander does) and they also lose Baston & Weatherspoon on D.
For NE, obviously Suh will be gone, and how does that effect a good, young player like Crick, and the rest of the D as a whole. I think lossing Dillard will hurt, unless a young backer is able to step up. Could very well happen, but nobody had done so to this point. I dont know if that speaks to a lack of depth and ability, or more so to Phillip and his drive to play. He was basically made an after thought and made it back to not only starting, but to being probably the most consistant LB in the group. Turner leaves after what feels like 7 years and both safeties, Asante and O'Hanlon. I dont know much about your back ups at safety to speak about them, but they fact that I know enough to know that I like your backups at corner and know their names and that O'hanlon is still a starter after the past 2 seasons may be my answer.
With all that said, I believe every team in the north, with the exception of KU should be better next year ( CU after a coaching change only). And I see the next 2-3 years becoming a MU/NE fight. There maybe a team here or there that can pop up, but when you look at the two schools out of the 6 that have the best facilities, the most commitment, the better players, the best anything.... you will see that it comes down to the same two schools everytime. Nebraska and Missouri