The O Line is the base of the pyramid. You want to know why Wisconsin gets great running backs? Because they have a reputation for building amazing O Lines. The best Husker teams had great O Lines.
Case in point:
When your running backs have to dodge defenders behind the line of scrimmage on 2/3 of their carries, you're going to suffer.
But here's the weird thing. We've had this problem for years and years. Before Riley. Before Pelini. Rex Burkhead was slicker than a greased pig - and he had to be, because anyone who watched those games watched him make the first man miss as soon as he got the handoff time and time again. Abdullah did the same thing. So did Pork Chop.
In presidential politics there's a saying about what's the most important thing in getting reelected: "It's the economy, stupid."
In football, "It's the Line, stupid."
Bring me a coach who will commit to building a great offensive line and I'll show you a coach who'll last here a long time. Doesn't matter if he's running the Option, Pro Style, Wishbone or Fun & Gun.