It'sNotAFakeID
All-American
Just like you're ignoring a pretty salient to everyone but you aspect of HCMR and Co's record: their disadvantaged status at Oregon St vs their advantaged status at Nebraska. Pelini rarely pulled an upset over a team more talented than his. Riley did that on a consistent basis. Riley rarely lost to a team that was less talented than his whereas Pelini found a way to do that on a regular basis. Without a doubt, Oregon State played the role of giant killer more just like Nebraska played the slain giant more, which skews the numbers. Nevertheless, Riley is a proven winner at a place not accustomed to winning who now finds himself in a place that is accustomed to winning. Throw in the years of experience developing a coaching style and system, being a student of the game, and understanding that inflexible square pegs will never fit into round holes, all of these create a formula for success for Nebraska.
These guys are going to succeed. I have confidence that they will throw together a 11-3, 12-2 season next year. Couple that with the fact that Riley & Co are people parents would love their children to have as coaches, and we could have something special brewing in Lincoln once again.
Or it could be a dumpster fire of epic proportions.
There is a certainty; win or lose, this coaching staff will represent the University of Nebraska with the upmost dignity no matter where they go. This coaching staff is a staff that wants to see fans succeed along with the team, and is a staff that will be disappointed yet reflective and flexible rather than defiant in the face of adversity. This is a coaching staff that will manage the emotions of the game far better than the previous staff, and that emotion management will manifest itself in late game situations. Sure, the hothead can fire his team up to win the occasional big game, but the cool, collected yet motivating leader will get his team prepared to contest every major contest. Remember, the product most fans want to see is a competitive Husker team. If we lose, we lose, but dammit we were in it until the end. No more blowouts, no more national stage embarrassments. It's going to be a fun, exciting season, far more exciting than another year of Pelini and his coaching staff.
Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the ride.
Not the victory but the action. Not the goal but the game. In the deed the glory.
