I keep hearing the mantra that "we haven't earned anything" yadda yadda. Know what? If you look at most of the teams in the polls, NEITHER HAVE THEY. We're not the only team that has to prove ourselves--so does every other team (although it sure doesn't seem like it at times).
On a side note: It is rather unfair to saddle Pelini with the past shortcomings (losses) of two prior coaching staffs. That's what I come to expect from the national media--NOT NU fans. This staff is earning their pay and you darn well know it. If you can't see this team making leaps and bounds improvements since this guy took over, then I don't know what games you're watching. In Year One, we've seen a team go from basically being functionally illiterate to winning a bowl against a decent team. In Year Two, we're beginning to develop an identity and a winning attitude.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not going to sit around in a self-imposed purgatory because "we haven't earned anything yet." I'm enjoying every minute of watching this team rise from the ashes. I may never see it again, and it makes me wonder if this what the first Devaney years were like. I suggest that we sit back and savor watching it grow. Feel free to gripe about our ranking--that's why these forums are here. Just keep it all in perspective and remember that we're not the only team that has to prove ourselves.