We had an incredible run based on great coaching and staff (TO's years as I was too young to really follow BD). We might not have had the best recruiting results, but TO and Co knew what we were, who we were and how to continue to be that. We ran a system that not a lot of schools ran. IMO, it narrowed down the competition for Player X. It also helped that we were winners.
It also helped that when TO was on the hot seat (losing to OU and dropping 8 straight bowl games IIRC) he put his "pride" aside and asked for help. Again, IIRC, he went to Bobby Bowden who gave him the secret of success........Speed. We saw the results with wins at all levels to include 3 MNC's. Not to bad.
Folks try and talk about the schollie limits and location, but I look at the success of, IMO, "lesser" programs and I call BS. My opinion is scheme and lack of coaching experience, but that has been beat to death.
As it relates to "lightning in a bottle", that is what is missing. Just looking at recent success, Gino Smith at WVA, Miller at OSU, Tebow, Harvin, De'Anthony Thomas, the list goes on and on. That is "lightning in a bottle". Gill, Frasier, Frost, Crouch, Green, Phillips, Peter, Wistrom etc.......Lightning in a Bottle. Guys who could single handily win games seemingly by themselves. Wiling the team to win and having the ability to do it. Look at SUH in 2009. Prime example.
IMO, that is what we are missing. In the day and age of schollie limits, parity etc..... this is the difference maker. NU needs that. A vocal leader who can create wins and steal wins. Rex is great. Heart and Soul of the team, but lacks the break away speed to be a threat every time he has the ball (please do not kill me, IMO he is one of the greatest to play at NU). Martinez? he has the will, will own every single NU record for QB's, but will he be remembered as one of the greatest? Again, lightning in a bottle.
Here is the essence of this:
"
Of every one hundred men in battle, ten should not even be there. Eighty, are nothing but targets. Nine are the real fighters, we are lucky to have them since they make the battle. Ah, but the one -- one is the Warrior-- and he brings the others home." -- Commonly attributed to Heracletus, 500 BC (likely apocryphal)
Describes the teams of TO. All fighters, but led by a Warrior or two!
That is Lightning. We need some.