Penn State '05 = NU '06??

Washusker

Washusker

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While watching the Orange Bowl last night, I couldn't help thinking that we've got a lot of simliarities with Penn State.

First, we are both big-time programs with great history that had recently fallen on hard times.

Also, we've recently enjoyed important recruiting classes that have rejuvinated the respective programs.

We've also each had to endure some changes in offensive systems.

Both programs have been perceived as lacking real athletes, hence the hard times.

We've both been forced to play younger kids at key spots this year, but at the same time we'll have some important players back to anchor the 06 team, just like Penn State did for 05.

We both play in conferences which are bit soft in the middle.

Point being, could we see Big Red having a Penn State-type year in 06? Could we make it into a BCS game?

I don't see why not. We are returning 17 starters, and have refocused our recruiting on getting real athletes back into Lincoln. Just like Penn State, we'll be able to rely on that infusion of young talent, mixed in with returning starters at key areas. Further, the Big 12 shouldn't be any better next year. Oklahoma will be better, but if Vince Young goes pro, Texas will be worse. I think Colorado will be a year away. We could make real waves in the conference. Penn State took advantage of a favorable schedule and pretty mediocre Big Ten. They had OSU at home. We have UT at home. Also, we have a returning starter at QB, a guy who is a proven leader, just like Michael Robinson was for PSU. We'll have very good athletes on defense, especially if Carriker comes back, Turner continues to develop, Bowman develops, and Ashlee Palmer is the real deal. Further, i think this NU team has really bought into a team concept of playing for eachother, just like Penn State obviously did.

The pieces are all in place for a big year in 2006.

At worst, I'd expect a 9-2 season and a berth in the Big 12 Championship game. At best, we could split with USC and Texas, win the Big 12, and be 11-1 with a BCS game spot. If we could possibly win vs. USC or UT, that would be the spark that could send this team rolling, just as the Northwestern or OSU games did for Penn State.

So there it is. My prediction for 2006: 11-2, Big 12 Championship, Orange Bowl victory.

Why not aim high?

 
the only way we make it to a BCS game is to win the BIG 12 Championship. If we go 11-1 and lose the Big 12 we will be just like Oregon and play in the Holiday or Cotton Bowl.

so anyway

 
If Lucky and Glenn can start living up to their own hype and become Nebraska's version of Thunder and Lightning ala USC's Bush and White that might have a possibility. Plus the O-Line will need to show drastic improvement.

 
I think playing all of the junior personnel that we did this year, coupled with some serious work on the o-line during spring ball, will make Nebraska a serious contender for a major bowl next year.

Maybe not a BCS (but maybe a BCS); something a step above the Alamo on our way the reclamation of our spot in the way of things...as College Football goes.

:smokin

 
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If Im right they are adding a BCS game next year, the Cotton Bowl, atleast I thought they said that during the TT-Bama game. So we could go there but I just think there are to many tough teams on the schdule. USC- Will lose a lot this year to the NFL but still tough and away, Iowa St.- Away game with a more experienced team, Texas- Enough said but atleast its home, Texas A&M- McGee impressed me against Texas. So even if we split those its 2 losses... Hopefully we pull out all 4 and the rest od the games.

 
Bill's glasses are too small. :)
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:lol:

That's hilarious. Plus, I don't think BC has any of those sweet high-water pants wit the dark shoes...

JoePa rules.

Seriously, though, I think all the pieces are in place to really explode on the national scene next year and yes, play in a BCS Bowl. We've got a favorable schedule, great experience coming back, momentum coming off the bowl win, hungry players, and a coaching staff that appears to have turned the corner as well.

If these coaches TEACH as well as possible over the spring and in the fall, and if certain players step up (Lucky/Glenn, Purify, Murtha, Octavien, Bowman, Palmer), I like our chances.

Granted, a lot has to go right. But folks, I am a pessimist at heart. I really thought we were a .500 team coming into the year. But what I saw makes me think we've got a chance.

 
I think JoePa said the goal line stand last year against Illinois (I think it was Illinois?) springboarded their team into this year. It didn't seem like a big deal at the time but it gave the team confidence. Maybe the KState GW field goal was that springboard for this team.

Also, we have a gritty senior leader at QB coming back (a la Michael Robinson). Callahan may not be as stylish as JoePa :thumbs , but I think we very well could be next year's Penn St.

 
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the only way we make it to a BCS game is to win the BIG 12 Championship.  If we go 11-1 and lose the Big 12 we will be just like Oregon and play in the Holiday or Cotton Bowl.
so anyway
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Not necessarily. We could still get an at large bid like Ohio St did this year

 
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the only way we make it to a BCS game is to win the BIG 12 Championship.  If we go 11-1 and lose the Big 12 we will be just like Oregon and play in the Holiday or Cotton Bowl.
so anyway
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. We could still get an at large bid like Ohio St did this year
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back in the 90's i would have to say yes, but after the last few years i still think the BCS people will not give us as much credit for the season as they gave OSU. Remember OSU playes in the Media's Darling Confrence.

If we do not start the year in the top 25 then I dont think that we wont get very much credit for each of our wins and we will get hammered hard in the polls for each loss.

This year OSU had 2 loses and still remained in the top 10. If NU has 2 losses then we will be lucky to be in the top 20. We were 5-1 last year and didnt even crack the top 25 and there were teams with 3 losses that were ahead of us in the polls.

 
Granted that was the case..but we really did not deserver to be in the TOP 25. As our team showed after that by Losing the games we should win. We were just squeaking out wins from really crappy Pitt teams.

#24 where we are now is deserved after how we sprung back.

 
We have a rough schedule next year guys. Even though Bush, Leinart, (probably White) will be gone from USC and Vince Young will be gone from Texas... both of these teams have amassed huge talent over the past few years, and they're still gonna be very tough to beat.

As far as where we stand in the conference.. i havent really checked out what our opponents (besides texas) look like for next year. But, I think CU and ISU might give us a bit of a headache.. we'll see.

Anyway, I would love to buy into us having a 10-1, 11-2 type of season next year but... ehh, i duno. I wanna see what next years group looks like when we get there.. who knows? they may come to gether and play like studs... or they could falter here and there like they did this year.

So, until we getta see them on the field next season.. i'll just keep the faith :P

 
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