1. Twenty-two years for TO to win a National Championship.
2. Fourth year HC.
3. First year OC.
I'm not indifferent to this argument, but the problem I have with it is that Bo's 4th year defense looks like his 1st year defense... We didn't get better this year, we regressed. As bad as the end of the 2010 season was, with losses to A&M, OU, and Washington, none of those scores were 48-17 or 45-17 (neither of these losses, by the way, were to national championship contenders - Michigan was not even a contender for its division championship).
Sorry to be one of the guys sounding the alarm bells, but who honestly sees us getting better on defense next year without Lavonte David, Alfonzo Dennard or Jared Crick?
I see us being
worse on defense next year, not better, and maybe I'll be wrong, but at this point I don't think "lack of patience" is the fan base's problem. It is Bo's 4th year, and the program regressed to its 2008 level - except that this year we haven't even seen the defense improve like it did that year. We've seen the defense have one good game this year - that's it.
We saw the offense improve for a while, but it's now regressing and dealing with the same issues it's had at the end of 2009 and 2010. The biggest issue at the end of 2009 and 2010 was offensive line play, and despite changing OCs and hiring an extra OL coach, we're running into the same issues at the end of 2011. The wide receivers are still dropping passes, we've still got multiple guys who are putting the ball on the turf, we still commit drive-ending penalties, and despite an allegedly more simple offensive scheme that allows players to learn the system fast and get on the field, we are still seeing our young talent warming the bench.
I feel I'm usually one of the more rational posters after a loss, and I feel I'm usually one of the more patient posters on the board in terms of trusting the coaches to teach their players, and giving the players time to improve. Even now, I'm not advocating for removing Bo, but I find it impossible to characterize this season as anything other than a disappointment. If you're not going to seriously question Bo and the state of the program and whether it's headed in the right direction right now, when do you question it?
Wow Hercules, I agree with everything you say and how you feel. Im not calling for Bo's head, but it's becoming obvious what a Bo Pelini product looks like. To further your point regarding the defense regressing, look no further than the nickel package. I love how people like to say Bo is a defensive guru, and that because we are changing conferences it will take time to adjust. Our nickel package includes Lance Thorell, obviously the weak link, I dont think that's even debatable. This would be our "BASE" defense if we were in the big XII still. Therefore, this look is what we have basically been recruiting for until this past year. So how is it that we have been abused countless times running the nickel? Oh yeah, we lost several players to the NFL, so we follow that up with a walk-on senior? that makes no sense. At least a freshman out there making mistakes can grow and develop. you gain nothing by playing thorell.
Another indicator of POOR coaching is the lack of adjustments made going into the michigan game. It was clear that Michagan watched the Northwestern game and took the same approach. line up in spread, out man the defenders in the middle, and throw over the top of cheating safeties. Wow, that's a radical approach. According to Pelini, its ALWAYS an execution problem. We just didn't execute out there. does anyone else get tired of hearing that? Why does Bo insist on running the same scheme, regardless of the talent on the field? It didnt work against northwestern, why would it work against Michigan? Is it stubborness or stupidity?
Also Herc, you are so right about losing L. David. Compton has made strides, but who could ever replace David? No one on this roster. Same goes for Dennard. If Ciante is the best we have by game 11 we are in BIG trouble. Also, is there a slower d-line in the entire country? Not trying to pile on or overreact, but just for fun, please someone try to name one because i will make it a point to watch that team next week. it would be fun

Actually, if so, i would enjoy watching said team because I would relish that we do not in fact have the slowest d line.
Even more laughable is the offense. Did bo fire shawn watson? simple question, can anyone answer it? I dont know, but that fact that Shawn couldn't find a LATERAL position anywhere else in the country kind of tells you the kind of "talent" he had. Bo supporters will tell you Bo got rid of him, good for Bo if that's the case, but why is it even a question. Mr control/disciplinarian Bo never really made a concrete statement, kind of like every offense under Bo. You just dont ever really know what they want to be. For the record, I like Beck, he calls good games, he calls bad games, but i've been impressed with Martinez's growth. In one year Beck has torched several top 10 defenses, something watson never could. Also, Martinez is beginning to look like a decent qb as a soph. I'll give beck time. He shows promise. At the same time burning 3 red shirts on the 3 rb is as dumb as it gets. Has anybody figured out a reason for that move?
I guess i thought when Gilmore left the WR would improve and we would see less dropped balls and some accountability. Dropping passes is something i can understand with young players and being early in the season. However, by game 11, freshmen aren't really freshmen anymore and you've had basically an entire season to fix the problem. Yet the problem continues...
The O-line is another fun train wreck. There was an article in one of the papers earlier this year about how we can blame the o-line troubles on Callahan for this year, but thats it. Sounds pretty sketchy if you ask me, but okay. SPOILER ALERT, the o-line will remain consistantly inconsistant and be plagued by injuries, penalties, and recruits that don't pan out to be replaced by the next feel good story walk-on next year. While the previous statement is entirely speculation, it is a fact that we are playing a majority of freshman, juco, and walk-on talent on our line. This is Nebraska. I thought o-line was one area where you could recruit on tradition, maybe not.
In conclusion to my lenghty rant, (i really wish it wouldn't be so easy to criticize SO MANY fundamental issues) i guess with a Bo team you get "Bo" A team that is hot and cold, lucky when it shouldn't need it (see Fresno St / Washington) a team that never really dominates anyone ,(nevers wins 50-0) plays down to competition, loses once each year to someone they shouldn't as well as beats someone they shouldn't. Again sorry for the rant, but let's all get used to mediocrity, being rated 15-25 on good years, and plenty of easily fixed, fundamental issues to complain about for the years to come