Will NU return to National Dominance again - next 10-15 years
- Thread starter TGHusker
- Start date
husker_rob
Four-Star Recruit
I tend to believe that, with the right coach, anything is possible.
We have a long history, but we were pretty much a doormat when Bob Devaney came to town. Somehow he made a room of kids believe in themselves at some point. And winning is sometimes contagious. And they were able to keep the machine running for a long time because of that winning attitude, shared by players, coaches, and fans alike.
We've lost our way after the last 15 years. I'm not sure if anyone in that locker room truly believes they will beat Ohio State when they step on the field with them next year. They may hope. But I doubt they truly believe. I doubt many coaches or fans feel differently.
You look at all the great programs, and they typically have a man leading them who believes. When we get that guy, we'll know because he'll be quoted someday like Bear Bryant after the fact:
You boys were eight and ten years old last time Alabama was on top. That was before any of you were paying much attention to it. What are you doing here? Tell me why you are here. If you are not here to win a national championship, you’re in the wrong place. You boys are special. I don’t want my players to be like other students. I want special people. You can learn a lot on the football field that isn’t taught in the home, the church, or the classroom. There are going to be days when you think you’ve got no more to give and then you’re going to give plenty more. You are going to have pride and class. You are going to be very special. You are going to win the national championship for Alabama.
...Except our boys weren't born the last time Nebraska was on top.
But I do think someone out there exists who will once again make our program believe it belongs. I don't necessarily get the vibe that it's this staff. I hope, but I don't truly believe.
We have a long history, but we were pretty much a doormat when Bob Devaney came to town. Somehow he made a room of kids believe in themselves at some point. And winning is sometimes contagious. And they were able to keep the machine running for a long time because of that winning attitude, shared by players, coaches, and fans alike.
We've lost our way after the last 15 years. I'm not sure if anyone in that locker room truly believes they will beat Ohio State when they step on the field with them next year. They may hope. But I doubt they truly believe. I doubt many coaches or fans feel differently.
You look at all the great programs, and they typically have a man leading them who believes. When we get that guy, we'll know because he'll be quoted someday like Bear Bryant after the fact:
You boys were eight and ten years old last time Alabama was on top. That was before any of you were paying much attention to it. What are you doing here? Tell me why you are here. If you are not here to win a national championship, you’re in the wrong place. You boys are special. I don’t want my players to be like other students. I want special people. You can learn a lot on the football field that isn’t taught in the home, the church, or the classroom. There are going to be days when you think you’ve got no more to give and then you’re going to give plenty more. You are going to have pride and class. You are going to be very special. You are going to win the national championship for Alabama.
...Except our boys weren't born the last time Nebraska was on top.
But I do think someone out there exists who will once again make our program believe it belongs. I don't necessarily get the vibe that it's this staff. I hope, but I don't truly believe.
junior4949
All-American
The poll could have named us or any other program for that matter and the answer would be no. I highly doubt Bama's next seven years resembles the past seven years. As the money gets bigger, the expectations get bigger. The coaching carousel will get bigger and bigger every year.
beorach
Special Teams Player
I've seen you post this before and responded but maybe you never followed up and read the response.
I don't follow your reasoning for putting forth 2012 as remotely illegitimate. Notre Dame was that season's only undefeated team (having defeated Michigan, Michigan State, Miami, Stanford, Oklahoma, and USC to name the most respected programs of late) that wasn't on probation - Ohio State. The one-loss teams (heading into the bowl season) were Alabama, Oregon, and Stanford. Considering Stanford had beaten Oregon and Notre Dame beat Stanford, I don't see how you're arguing that ND was "over ranked," especially when it doesn't seem you like the idea of a conference rematch for the MNC game. Georgia wound up being the highest-ranked two-loss team.
If Alabama was lucky in 2012, it's that they were in the game at all...due to the suspension of the Buckeyes.
p.s. - I had forgotten about Florida having been a one-loss team back then...but they had lost to Georgia that season (i.e., not won their division). They lost to Louisville in their bowl game.
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Outside of Alabama, and maybe OSU, what other program are we considering as dominant in such a way that NU was during the 90s? Certainly there are a few programs over the last couple of years that seem to be consistently near the top: Mich St, Clemson, FSU, LSU, Stanford, Oregon, Oklahoma(?), TCU/Baylor(?). Maybe I'm missing a couple of teams, but I don't see any of those outside of Alabama especially, and maybe OSU, as dominating the way NU dominated.
Its not impossible for NU to get back to that, but its pretty rare for anyone to be that dominant let alone NU.
Maybe I need a better understanding of what "dominant" is in relation to former Husker domination.
Its not impossible for NU to get back to that, but its pretty rare for anyone to be that dominant let alone NU.
Maybe I need a better understanding of what "dominant" is in relation to former Husker domination.
beorach
Special Teams Player
U$C came close, especially if you count that season of vacated losses. Say what you will about Saban - he's nowhere near so irritating as "Poodle" Pete on the sidelines!
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Hooked on Huskers
All-Conference
Specify "National Dominance".
If NC, no.
Top10 ratings ........ probably no.
Top25, occasionally yes.
Not a single vote in 2015 Coaches poll (others receiving votes). Massey Composite (90 rankings): 48th http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm
BTW, what year ended sellout streak?
If NC, no.
Top10 ratings ........ probably no.
Top25, occasionally yes.
Not a single vote in 2015 Coaches poll (others receiving votes). Massey Composite (90 rankings): 48th http://masseyratings.com/cf/compare.htm
BTW, what year ended sellout streak?
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B.B. Hemingway
All-American
Really? With all the advantages this program has going for it, and "occasionally top 25" is the ceiling your giving the program?
Again, the negativity, and overall outlook this fan base has for Nebraska's football program is baffling....
TGHusker
Heisman Trophy Winner
Yes, I'd say USC and also the run Miami had in the later 80s early 90s . Currently you have Bama and OSU but also one could include those schools mentioned hspwr post as being near dominant as they have consistently been in the picture the last 5 years.
olddominionhusker
Starter
Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but when I think national dominance I think winning/playing for national championships multiple times over a relatively short period in time.
Do I think the stars could align and one year with an Iowa 2015 type schedule we could go on a run and even win the playoff? Sure. But another dynastic stretch like TO had, no way.
I think we can get back to respectability year in and year out and have some good years in the top 10. But the landscape has tilted so far against us at this point, a multi year run of dominance seems like a pipe dream
Do I think the stars could align and one year with an Iowa 2015 type schedule we could go on a run and even win the playoff? Sure. But another dynastic stretch like TO had, no way.
I think we can get back to respectability year in and year out and have some good years in the top 10. But the landscape has tilted so far against us at this point, a multi year run of dominance seems like a pipe dream
Hooked on Huskers
All-Conference
past recent history ....
2002: #NR
2003: #19
2004: #NR
2005: #24
2006: #NR
2007: #NR
2008: #NR
2009: #14
2010: #19
2011: #24
2012: #23
2013: #25
2014: #NR
2015: #NR
No Top10. Some days, in fact today, removed my scarlet color glasses
B.B. Hemingway
All-American
I'm well aware of Nebraska's recent struggles, I just refuse to believe that our recent past is the new ceiling for this program....
Hooked on Huskers
All-Conference
B.B., I'm afraid good guys finish last (sorry MR)
This is such a nonsensical post in that it's presumptions stand in direct contrast to what we know of our own history. If We went off of the "we know, and the media knows, what we've got" then we would have fired Osborne in '91 or '92.
It's impossible to know what a first time coach would have done in his 8th year, but I think we saw the floor with Bo, not the ceiling.
Now we have an older guy in the twighlight of his career, and he registered a season that is consistent with his historical results. We just have to how that is the floor of his performance at NU, but I see little evidence at this point that NU will win Riley his first ever American football championship (as a HC or staff member).
Canesfan01
Banned
College football was alot more better when Miami and Nebraska were dominating. Those were the days..