Well lets consider the 71 defense, whether its a different era or not. All Americans are the same in an era (best at their position that yr). They controlled the game. DC Monte Kiffin, yes the same Kiffin that led the Tampa two defense with a great middle guard (warren Sapp) his mg in 71 was Rich Glover (all american). In their perspective era's, Glover was every bit as good as Sapp. DT Larry Jacobson (another all american) 1st round pick Giants. Both linebackers to Buffalo 1st round & 2nd round) Willie Harper DE played lb for SF. My memory fades on some of the other players, but the D line was fearsome. John Dutton, & Monte Johnson-back up dt both played in NFL.
At the time, several references were made to that team, one being said during an NFL game, don't remember which one, "I think Nebraska could probably beat half of the NFL teams, which we know wouldn't be the case, however, just to have that comparison is pretty lofty praise.
Before the game against Alabama, the announcers were spouting off about the SEC defenses and how Nebraska hasn't faced that type of defense and the Alabama offense with their All American center, (which Glover owned) and all american running back Johnny Russo would dictate the play. Actually Russo didn't do to bad, however the final score 38-6 was exactly how the game was. Alabama could do very little against Husker D, meanwhile the Offense had little trouble moving the ball.
Just an old timers take on the 71 Defense. Was it as good as 95? Hard to say, different eras as well as different schemes. For the time they played in`I'd say they were just as good. Other than Oklahoma, they weren't really threatened. Game of the Century 71 Oklahoma, if memory serves, was ranked #1 offense and #2 defense in the nation, while Nebraska was ranked #1 defense,#-Offense(dont recall exactly, It was top five I think, but I like to think of it as #@1 vs #1 and #2vs#2 in same game when teams are ranked #1 and #2, which made for a great game memorable is so many ways. You won't see that type of match up in today's game, even if it is 1 vs 2. their nation ranking for offense and defense won't approach this match up.
Quick litle note, I lived in Omaha at the time 21 yrs old, and during commercials, the water company complained about difficulty in keeping up with water demand. They actually came on during commercial time and asked viewers to space restroom activities over longer periods of time. Another commercial time out, ABC shot live footage of Omaha and Lincoln and both cities looked like ghost towns. Nationally Televised broadcast on Thanksgiving Day.
