Toward the end of the Pelini era, there were a lot of thinkpieces floating out in the national media about whether Nebraska fans realized they were no longer a national power like they once were under Tom Osborne and whether those years had created unrealistic expectations for what the program could be today. While it’s a fun discussion because it ties into how television has changed the entire landscape of the sport, it’s kind of a straw man. Nobody in Nebraska believes they’re going to return to the 1980s or early 1990s. But is being as good as Wisconsin really too much to ask? The idea that Nebraska can't win a national title is ridiculous. Obviously, it would take the right coach with the right philosophy and some luck in recruiting. But can it happen? Of course it can. If Wisconsin can put itself on the periphery of the playoff discussion every year, there’s no reason why Nebraska can’t be as good or better.
