Stew Mandel's Mailbag: Mike Riley success at Nebraska

Saunders

Saunders

Heisman Trophy Winner
I asked a question, Stew liked it, and it got answered.

Stewart, it's been 16 years since Nebraska last won a conference title. Do you think Mike Riley wins one within four years, ending the drought before it hits two decades?

— Josh, Tampa

I'm as curious as the next guy to see how Riley does at Nebraska. He's a good fit in a lot of ways, and not just because of his Nice Guy persona. He has a proven history of developing unheralded players into college standouts and often NFL players, and I believe Nebraska in 2015 needs someone like that more than a flashy recruiter. Location dictates the Huskers will always be reliant to some degree on diamonds in the rough. At the very least he should win more big games than Bo Pelini did and win a couple of division titles in that four-year span. As for something more, though ...

Interestingly, if he'd entered the Big Ten three years ago, I'd have said yes, absolutely he'll end that drought. That conference was ripe for the taking. But today? Even as an avowed Mike Riley fan, I have a hard time saying that knowing even if he gets the Huskers to Indianapolis (which I believe he will), he then will have to beat Urban Meyer, Mark Dantonio or Jim Harbaugh in a championship setting. (James Franklin could eventually join that list, but all we know of Franklin to this point is he's an excellent recruiter.) AnOregon State fan might counter that Riley took it to Pete Carroll a couple of times at the high point ofUSC's run, but those were midseason games. A championship game, where motivation is an unlikely factor, is a different story.
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That's awesome! I'm a fan of Stew Mandel. Pretty cool to get your question answered.

I believe Nebraska in 2015 needs someone like that more than a flashy recruiter.
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I think this is extremely true. We need someone who appreciates recruiting, is innovative in the area, and tireless about it -- but Bill Callahan was a flashy recruiter. If that's all you are, you are just a seat warmer. It might be hard to break into the upper stratosphere without one, but top recruiting never guaranteed Texas or Florida or Michigan their results either. Let's start with a program and a culture to be proud of.

Franklin was an apt name to bring up. If recruiting was all we needed, Franklin would have fit the bill.

He's also right that the conference right now is not as ripe for the taking as it was three years ago. The only time we made the B1G CCG, we faced the #3 team in the other conference...and got killed. The 7-5 luxury won't happen again, and defending national champions Ohio State are on top of the world right now.

Harbaugh vs Riley will be a cool comparison going forward. They've come in at the same time.

 
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Good question and cool that is one he chose to answer.

I liked his response and agree with it. Sure we would like to think it will go down even better than that but that is reality at this point in time. We could beat Urban and tOSU but that wouldn't be the odds on likely result within the next couple years I wouldn't think. I'll be plenty satisfied with more disciplined play and a reduction in head shaking performances and embarrassing losses. I might be smoking the kool-aid (to mix metaphors) but I think we're already assured of those types of improvements.

 
he then will have to beat Urban Meyer, Mark Dantonio or Jim Harbaugh
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Three pretty impressive names in the college football coaching ranks right there.
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That was not only in Stewart's Mailbag, that question was the premise of Stewart's spot on Drop the Mike with Mike Welch yesterday here on drive-time in Lincoln. Sadly, I missed most of the segment and the podcast isn't up on their site. But if you check here, you may see it pop up:

http://www.theticketfm.com/category/drop-the-mike/

Stewart basically reiterated what he said in his Mailbag, from what I heard. I didn't realize that segment was based on a question from the Mailbag, nor did I know it was a question from someone around here. Cool.

 
The BIG is a very tough conference to win now. Riley has many more resources at Nebraska than he had at Oregon State, but I don't know if he can beat Harbaugh and Meyer. I expect Riley to administer beatdowns on Sparty.

 
Very cool. I remember sending in a question to.... now I don't remember which publication, before Bo's first season, and they had Trev Alberts and Tom Osborne send me responses. Felt on top of the world.

 
MichiganDad3 said:
The BIG is a very tough conference to win now. Riley has many more resources at Nebraska than he had at Oregon State, but I don't know if he can beat Harbaugh and Meyer. I expect Riley to administer beatdowns on Sparty.
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Not sure Dantonio isn't better than Harbaugh. Urban is on another level than both of them.

 
knapplc said:
That was not only in Stewart's Mailbag, that question was the premise of Stewart's spot on Drop the Mike with Mike Welch yesterday here on drive-time in Lincoln. Sadly, I missed most of the segment and the podcast isn't up on their site. But if you check here, you may see it pop up:

http://www.theticketfm.com/category/drop-the-mike/

Stewart basically reiterated what he said in his Mailbag, from what I heard. I didn't realize that segment was based on a question from the Mailbag, nor did I know it was a question from someone around here. Cool.
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Taking Vandy to 9 win seasons required some coaching. Franklin is being short changed a little here.

We still have a Wisconsin team and a pesky Iowa team to get buy before we even think about the other three or four.

Coach Riley did not fall into a sweet spot, but still think he will get us back to being respected by fans and our rivals. He shows us he can take steps forward, even minuscule the first few years, I will be happy. I just want hope that we are going to improve.

 
Riley might get Nebraska back to playing a high level of football but winning this conference is only getting more difficult, not easier. Not only is Ohio St., Michigan St. and Wisconsin playing consistently tough football but Minnesota is bringing up their level and I would expect Michigan and Penn St. to follow suit like the Mandel says. Riley's got his work cut out for him.

 
Until we find a way to beat Minnie, Iowa and Wisky, I wouldn't worry about Sparty, OSU or Michicken. Riley has his work cut out for him. The west (without the flashy names) is getting tougher.

This year will be very interesting indeed. A lot of stuff to watch for and be excited about.

 
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