Was Nebraska's 2010 Football Season Successful?
by Jon Johnston on Dec 6, 2010 11:00 AM CST
in Nebraska Husker Football
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It's a simple question - would you consider Nebraska's final Big 12 campaign a success?
JLew makes the point that Nebraska swept the Big 12 North teams - Is it enough that the team made the Big 12 title game?
I say no, not unless you're one of those "feel good" people who thinks that winning the Big 12 North means much more than.... well, participating. In this day and age of participation medals, is that enough for you to consider it a successful season?
I like Bo Pelini. I like what he's doing, but after trying to sit on the Oklahoma loss for a day - I'm still extremely irritated with Shawn Watson. Nebraska can do better - we've made two trips to the Big 12 title game in the last two seasons and we were missing an offense both times. It wouldn't have taken a great offense, mind you, but just one that could put four more points on the board this year, two more points last season.
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NO
We lost to Texas and We lost the Big XII trophy. Two goals and we failed at both.
This was a step back.
Time to fire Watson and bring some new blood. I say Scott Frost!
So I tried the Barbasol and Rotel dip and I was very dissapointed!
Frost again...
and again I ask why? What has he shown? Why would Nebraska take a wide receivers coach and make him an OC? Other than “he played for Nebraska”.
Nebraska needs to find a big time name, throw a ton of money at him, and get the best.
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
Frost has spent alot of time on both sides of the ball as a coach and from everything I have read has done an outstanding job @ Oregon. He was a QB and lead an offense and is a Nebraska guy so this would not be a “stepping stone” for him.
I am not saying that Frost is a home run, it would be a gamble, but say we bring a “big time name” and it works. In 2 years the guy is leaving to be HC somewhere else or worse he comes in and butts head with Pelini over how to run the team.
We need someone young, on the rise and someone who understands Nebraska and everything that goes with it.
So I tried the Barbasol and Rotel dip and I was very dissapointed!
I slightly agree...
but can we make him a position coach/assist OC first, before handing him the OC job outright?
But does he leave a National Championship caliber team for a lateral move. Why wouldnt he stay where is is if its the same job.
Also, If we dont take him someone else will.
And if there is a better name out there that is realistic I have not heard it yet. With all the HC jobs that are out there or will be out there why would an Big Name OC not become an HC instead of coming to Nebraska to be an OC.
Hell if Vanderbilt is intrested in Watson what team could a good OC get?
So I tried the Barbasol and Rotel dip and I was very dissapointed!
This guy?
Chris Klenakis OC Nevada.
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
I was always under the impression
That Chris Ault, inventor of the Pistol, was responsible for Nevada’s offensive production. Also, fair or not, I’ve always gotten this impression that the Pistol is a gimmicky offense, good as a formation or as a wrinkle on offense, but not as an offensive strategy anywhere outside the WAC.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
it's becoming more popular
Just thinking out loud here.
I hate to limit our coaching search to just the Nebraska line.
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
Oh I agree with that last part
Maybe hope Michigan gets trashed by Mississippi State and that staff gets blown apart by their AD in a fit of rage? Surely there’s a talented offensive mind up there.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
If you want a championship, you can't afford this kind of gamble.
I like Scott Frost as much as anyone, but picking him as Nebraska’s OC makes no sense. If Scott Frost played a big role in designing the Oregon offense, there would be some merit to this idea. But he didn’t. It’s Chip Kelly’s offense and Frost is basically along for the ride.
The whole idea that we need a “Nebraska guy” to run our offense is so tired. Understanding aspects like the walk-on program, media scrutiny, etc. in charting the course of the program is Bo’s job. The coordinator just needs to be a good X’s and O’s guy who teaches concepts well, makes effective adjustments in strategy when needed, connects with the players, and doesn’t clash with Bo. These qualities don’t depend on a “Nebraska background,” and surely Bo could find someone with more playcalling experience than Frost.
Keep in mind that Barney Cotton is also a “Nebraska guy.” Would you want him running our offense (again)?
Reporter: "What would it take to get you to spend three or four days outside, on concrete?"
Joe Paterno: "Depends what she looks like."
Where have I heard a comment like that before?
JLEW-“Nebraska needs to find a big time name, throw a ton of money at him, and get the best.”
That sounds like Steve Pederson and we all know where that line of thought got us!!!!! The season is almost over, do the research and look at who fits the Husker’s needs.
I'm not making the hire
So no.
And we don’t have an opening so again no.
But if we did have an opening I’m sure you’d see a complete list in a post….
Also don’t ever compare me to SP again. I think it’s a banable offense. I didn’t promise to bring anyone in, have that fail a couple of times, then have a failed NFL coach fall into my lab. SP definitely did not find a big name and bring him here, that would have been like getting Urban to come to NU.
All I’m saying is shoot for the moon here. Find the offense you want to run, and hire the best person to run it. Don’t make a list of favorite Nebraska players and call it good. Ohhhhh Frazier was an awesome QB lets hire him to run the offense! No no wait Green was a great RB lets go get him instead.
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
I apologize up front for the SP comment
As Americans; our culture wants the fast easy fix.
Sometimes it takes a long while to get things right. The program is back and headed in the right direction. Let’s not derail it by trying to hurry the process along. To limit our choices on any new hire is crazy. Hell, we have a billionaire volunteer assistant. How crazy is that? All I want is for them to take the time and make the right choices. It would be great to have a former husker but, if it doesn’t fit then let’s not try and put a round peg in the square hole!!!!
As long ad you are sorry
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
by JLew on Dec 6, 2010 8:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I think you can be disappointed with the season without going so far as to call it a failure. Second consecutive 10-win season, and that sits well with me.
I’m the last person to call for a coach’s job, but I think that Pelini needs to start thinking long and hard about what kind of offense performance he expects to have, and what steps are necessary to get there. If it’s not going to happen under Watson, he needs to be able to make that decision.
^^^^^This^^^^^
Ten wins, two years in a row. Any way you slice it, it’s a good thing. Not as good as we’d hoped (and had reason for that hope), but any year with double digit wins is a good year.
"...water for the corn." — petromax spambot
Absolutely
I wouldn’t call it a success (I think everyone’s definition of success this year involved some combination of a Big 12 Championship, a BCS bowl game, and a win over Texas), but I would call it a step forward.
This program is right on track – we improved in a year in which we lost the best player in college football and started a freshman at QB. The next step (and it’s a big one) is developing a coherent offensive philosophy that works with the guys we have.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 6, 2010 3:28 PM CST up reply actions
Pelini is the opposite of Callahan (with a shade more success so far)…
Callahan was an offensive mind who was actually pretty successful offensively (after his first year). Our offenses were successful and put up large numbers of yards and points. However, his defense couldn’t get out of the way, and loyalty to his buddy Cosgrove cost him any shot at success.
Pelini’s defenses have been masterpieces, but the past 2 years our offense has screwed the pooch. If he doesn’t step back and take a good look at Watson, Cotton, and the rest of the coaching staff, it could cause bigger problems down the road.
The season =
failure. The direction of the program = success. 10 win seasons back-to-back is great for the program. The season is a failure since our goals were to win the B12. We lost to all three of the south power schools. In no way can the season be counted as a success.
I agree
You cannot lose to the 2 traditional powers (one which was aweful this year), and lose the Big 12 championship and call it a success. I guess it depends on what it is you are going for, NC’s or 10 wins. 10 wins requires a favorable schedule more than a great team these days.
I wouldn't call it a step back
If anything it was pretty much equal with last season. Our defense wasn’t quite as dominant, but our offense was a bit better. In the end it evened out to 1 more regular season win. Regardless of losing to Texas during the season and to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship, there were a lot of good things that happened this year. Let’s not forget them.
-2nd consecutive 10 win season when we hadn’t had a 10 win season since 2003.
-Roy Helu Jr. rushed for 1000 yards for the 3rd straight season, and set a school record with 305 against Missouri. That was awesome!
-We ended a 19 game losing streak to top 15 teams on the road with a victory over Oklahoma State.
-We ended a long losing streak to top 10 teams at home and overall with the win over Missouri
-We were ranked the entire season, and have now been ranked for over a year. During the Callahan years we got excited when we cracked the top 25 for more than one week in a row!
When the dust settled, we won all the games that we were supposed to win, and we lost the ones that we were predicted to lose at the beginning of the season (Texas, Texas A&M, and to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title). Overall, it’s still kind of “meh” , but as long as we take care of Washington again and finish 11-3, I’d say there’s a lot to look forward to next year…despite the schedule. Here’s to hoping we don’t find a way to screw the Holiday bowl up.
I think all of this is great, but
how can ANYONE ever say that by not reaching goals, you are successful? I am just saying that if I were to go to my boss this year and tell him that I didn’t meet any goals that were set for me, but I did the same as last year, would that be success?
True...but you can't improve much..
When you’re already pretty darn good. Winning the Big 12 North and winning 10 games is impressive when you consider the fact that there are 120 FBS teams and Nebraska is in the top 15 programs. That’s really good, and borderline elite. You compound that with the fact that just 3 years ago this team had one of the worst defenses in college football and didn’t make a bowl game, and now we are in the top 15 with fairly middle of the road recruits and some walk-ons…
I know at Nebraska we want to win championships. But once you’re already pretty good, it usually just takes time to cross the threshold and become elite. Remember, it took Osborne how many years to win a championship? It took him 6 years to beat Oklahoma and win the Big 8. Nebraska is “back” in that we are a good program that will be ranked all season long and is capable of beating anyone…but the next step is not only being capable of beating anyone, but actually doing it all the time, and as I said, that takes time.
Besides
What team doesn’t set a goal to win the national championship? Heck, I bet even Western Kentucky’s goal is to win all their games. I’m sure Missouri and Kansas State’s goals were to win the Big 12 North…but neither of them did. Are their seasons failures? I don’t think totally…sure they didn’t reach that goal, but Missouri won 10 games and beat Oklahoma who was ranked #1 at the time. Their fans are pretty happy. You have to set the bar high to give yourself the best shot at reaching it. But if you set the bar high and you tried your hardest and got close…that may be failure, but at least you know you were close. Next season, you keep the bar high and you go for it…and eventually if you keep trying, you’ll probably reach the bar. At Nebraska, the bar is always high, and that’s why we will be an elite program.
I am not
disagreeing that what was accomplished wasn’t good. We are being a successful program at this point. We were not a successful program under BC. I still maintain that this season was a disappointment and should be considered unsuccessful in meeting the goals and expectations set forth by the team. I mention that because it is this reasonable goal that was set by the team. My expectations as a fan were to win the B12 title based on the information from Bo that is what he expected.
I see your side of things, but my argument is strictly about this season. The program is being successful and I wish for that to continue. I think we have a great HC and I hope he continues to learn and grow into the best HC of all time.
He will
Bo Pelini has a great future at Nebraska. And as I said in my above post, we keep the bar high at Nebraska…we won’t always reach it, but eventually we will. That’s why Missouri will never win a national championship, because their bar is set at 10 wins. Maybe if they keep reaching it, they’ll move it up.
But hey, as long as we are trying to reach our goals, and we are fairly close…I won’t consider a season a failure. 2007 was a failure because we weren’t anywhere close to reaching the program’s goals.
Here we go again!
I count this season as a WINNER!!! Billgrip has the right idea. We don’t want to go down the path of Callahan and Pederson! The last time we fired our coach after a Winning season and look at where it got us. We are in the rebuilding stages and it might take another year. for those that have forgotten go back and look at Doctor Osborne’s first 6 years as head coach. He only had one 10 and 2 season in the 1st 6 years.
Here is an oldie but, a goodie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpQvs5ESQso
The problem is...
That Watson has been here for 4 years.
There’re not only 2 options (Pelini/Watson or Callahan). Nebraska has one of, if not the, best defensive minds in the game. There are PLENTY of great offensive minds out there (Malzahn, Holgerson, Leach, Mangino). I’m not saying Nebraska’s in a place to get any of them, but there are plenty of people that can do Watson’s job, and do it better.
@GochfaceKillah on Twitter
by Screwface on Dec 7, 2010 3:06 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Here we go again!
I count this season as a WINNER!!! Billgrip has the right idea. We don’t want to go down the path of Callahan and Pederson! The last time we fired our coach after a Winning season and look at where it got us. We are in the rebuilding stages and it might take another year. for those that have forgotten go back and look at Doctor Osborne’s first 6 years as head coach. He only had one 10 and 2 season in the 1st 6 years.
Here is an oldie but, a goodie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpQvs5ESQso
I don't believe
I called for any coach to be fired. Go ahead and review all of my posts but I have NEVER called for the head of any HC. I didn’t call for us to return to the dark days. I am standing by my post. I cannot call this season a success when the fans and coaches expectations were to win this conference and go to a BCS game. We have the makings of a long successful program again with BP at the helm. I think we are in the right direction.
Tough Standards
Jimmy by those standards any year we don’t meet those two expectations is not a successful season. I think that is unrealistic! I would have liked to have seen the Huskers win all their games and been in line for the BCS title. I will catch flak from guys I was stationed with in Japan about the Oklahoma game on facebook for the next year!
I think we are in agreement on the program improving by leaps and bounds. I was originally not in favor of keeping any member of the Bill and Steve’s Bogus journey to mediocre!!!!
I have faith that, Doctor Osborne and Coach Pelini; have steady hands on the helm of this ship and will make changes as needed.
Such
is the life at NU. We expect 10 win seasons every year thanks to the standard being set long ago. We met the expectation of 10 wins, but this team was capable of much more and therefore is not a successful season in my eyes. I don’t expect to win the conference championship every year. What I expect is when you have the tools and motivation to do so, you reach that goal! Anything less is just rationalization/excuses as to why you didn’t meet the goal.
I can't help but be on the fence.
I think it’s pretty cold to say 10 wins isn’t a successful season, even with great expectations.
However, like Amonra said, October 16 and December 4 have been circled ever since December 6, 2009, and Nebraska failed to finish on both of those dates.
Maybe circling dates is a bad idea, it causes you to play not to lose rather than to win
I think that if the players and fans had treated Texas like “just another game” …then maybe they would have played differently. I feel like the fans and the team put too much pressure on themselves to beat Texas and win the Big 12, when really all they had to do was just go out and play their best.
In sports, sometimes you can want something so much for so many reasons that you lose the core of what you have to do- just go out and play. Execute. Do your job. I think in the Big 12 championship when we were up 17-0, the team and the coaches and players quit playing to win and started playing not to lose. I think from the second they walked out of the tunnel against Texas they were playing not to lose because they were afraid of what would happen if they lost.
Whereas against Missouri and Oklahoma State, they knew they could win and they played to win.
I was a pretty decent wrestler back in high school, and I was ranked in the state my Sr. year. But whenever I wrestled someone who was equally as good, I put pressure on myself to win and I was afraid of losing. So when I wrestled them, I wrestled not to lose. But guess what, I usually lost in a very close match. My record my sr. year was 24-7…not too bad. But I know I could have done better if I had wrestled to win instead of not to lose.
I agree
Playing not to lose is no way to play. But I think everyone agrees it was impossible to think of the Texas game as “just another game.” Robots we are not.
by Husker_in_KC on Dec 6, 2010 12:04 PM CST up reply actions
No
Not a success. NU won’t be in the same league as the elite teams in the nation until they get a new offensive coordinator. Will Pelini have the guts to get rid of Watson? I doubt it.
I just heard
that Greg Davis has been fired from Texas. Our new OC? (disclaimer: I am not asking for Watson to be fired. I am simply asking the question if people think it is possible.)
DO. NOT. WANT.
Texas’ offense might be even more incoherent than ours.
"...water for the corn." — petromax spambot
This year's
might be. What about last year when they had a solid set of seasoned players on O? How can they go from one of the most prolific offenses ever to terrible and that means he is a terrible coach? Wasn’t it Brown’s idea to change the offense to a pro set versus the spread they were running with Colt?
Go over and ask the Texas fans about Davis
DO NOT WANT
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
Do you remember how Suh destroyed their OL last year?
I’m willing to keep Wats one more year and hope we can get the discipline/maturity/mental errors fixed. Hiring someone who basically just got fired at Texas is a step backwards – it’s not even sideways.
"...water for the corn." — petromax spambot
Not Successful
Winning the Big 12 North was not really much of a goal. Winning the Big 12 was = Fail. BCS Game = Fail.
I say get rid of Watson or Cotton….I don’t care which. Someone on offense needs the hatchet and a quality replacement needs to be brought in. Two Big 12 Championships and two miserable offensive performances are bad enough. When you add that to all of 2009 and the last half of 2010 – our offense has again become a joke. It is time for a change.
Sadly
Those two coaches may be our ticket to enticing Bubba to say “No” to millions of dollars.
by Husker_in_KC on Dec 6, 2010 11:59 AM CST up reply actions
This should probably be a fan post
If you look at the mid 1990’s…Nebraska had several years of great seasons before they “arrived” as national champions. Even in the early 70’s there were several years of success in the 1960’s building up to it. But there were several heartbreaking losses in the seasons leading up to the national championships.
I think that success tends to snowball. You start to get some, it keeps rolling, and you get more and more. That’s why they say regarding millionaires that “Your first million is the toughest.” Nebraska’s football success started rolling several years before Nebraska reached the pinnacle of success. But it took a few years of great victories, but also heartbreaking losses to push the program over the edge into success.
Our success stopped rolling during the Callahan years, and so we had to start over after 2007…although not as bad as some would think because we still had pretty decent players and a rich program history to build from. When Pelini came in, we started as an unranked team that didn’t qualify for a bowl game. But from that point on, the success has started to roll. A lot of times it happens over time by way of two steps forward one step back, as demonstrated by the past three seasons. Don’t forget where we came from.
2008-
Two steps forward- standing toe to toe with Virginia Tech in 2008, even though we lost…it showed that the 2008 Huskers could play with decent teams.
One step back- Getting dominated by Missouri and Oklahoma that season
Two steps forward- Ending the season with exciting come-from-behind victories over Colorado (Henerey’s 57 yard kick) and Clemson in the Gator Bowl. This showed us that Pelini’s Nebraska wouldn’t just give up like they had so many times during the Callahan
years.
2009-
Two steps forward- Come from behind 4th quarter victory over Missouri. This victory showed us once again that our Huskers don’t give up.
One step back- Losses to Texas Tech and Iowa State…Many of us thought that the 8 turnovers against Iowa State basically said that our season was over.
Two steps forward- Winning the rest of our regular season games in 2009, followed by a close loss to Texas in the Big 12 title. Yes, I consider the loss in the Big 12 title last year to be a step forward because we were ranked 22nd, they were ranked 3rd. We were big time underdogs…and as bad as it sucked to lose that game like that, the fact that we were even in it against a team that played for the national championship was definitely a step forward.
2010
Two steps forward- Started the season in the top 10, and dominated our first 5 games to earn a top 5 ranking and some talk about national title contention. That hadn’t happened since 2001.
One step back- the loss to Texas on October 16th against a pretty awful Texas team.
Two steps forward- beating Oklahoma State and Missouri in back to back weeks…one was top 15, and the other was top 10. This ended some bad streaks on the road and at home against highly ranked teams. It showed once again that we can beat anyone regardless of their rankings. We also won 10 games two seasons in a row for the first time in a decade.
One step back- Blowing a 17 point lead to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. Our offensive ineptness losing us a second straight Big 12 title game.
Possible two steps forward (if we beat Washington)- Winning our 4th straight bowl game under Pelini and finishing with 11 wins and somewhere in the top 10-15 for a second straight year.
So as you can see, right now we’re on the one step back side of things…but overall, you can see that a pattern of success. The culture of the program is still improving, the players on this Husker team are gaining confidence. Soon they will not only know that they can line up and play tough against anyone in the country, but also that they can and they WILL line up and beat anyone in the country. With even better recruits coming in and the success continuing to grow…this season added to our success and kept it growing! The future is bright folks. Put on some sunglasses =]
Their are
different levels of success. I won’t say a ten win regular season isn’t a success. The guys worked to hard and won to many games to say it was unsuccessful. I say it was a successful season just not as successful as the players, coaches, or fans would have liked.
No question this season was successful...
but it was not a success. We had a positive season with 10 wins, a Big 12 North sweep, personal accolades and ruining many Saturdays for opposing quarterbacks throughout the season. Success is defined by achieving a goal or victory and being successful is doing well. Nebraska’s season was successful by every measurement. We didn’t win the games that we wanted to win or games that mattered but we still won 10 others.
The only way for us to determine if any given season is a success is if we win the National Championship. I know you have to set smaller goals to achieve the large ones but if any team in any sport is out there playing for nothing more than a conference or division championship, they are not true competitors.
I’m sure many will say that my standards are too high but I honestly expected the Huskers to be right where they are record wise. I thought they would be 9-3 in the regular season and win the Big 12 Championship making them 10-3. We didn’t win the B12 championship and it still hurts but the game is over. It wasn’t determined by refs or outside sources…we got beat by ourselves and a good under achieving Oklahoma team. Now we’ve been dealt Bowl Game cards we aren’t thrilled about but we still need to play the game and win.
This season wasn’t a success but we are very much so on our way to a season I would call a success. The National title is within reach in the coming years as long as we bring in the right personnel and don’t beat ourselves.
.
No question this season was successful…but it was not a success.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 6, 2010 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
Lost three games by 13 points total. Just like last year if we had any semblance of an offense well the sky would have been the limit. Any thought that perhaps the offense struggled cause they knew with our defense the sky was limit and they simply choked and became mistake prone, since they were trying not to make a mistake?
But yet in the three losses the defense only collected one turnover, while the offense turned it over seven times.
We did have an offense...
Until someone figured out how to stop it. The problem with Shawn Watson is that he doesn’t adjust…and even though basically everyone we’ve played in the past 2 months has stopped the offense or limited it, Watson doesn’t adjust very much other than throwing the wildcat in while Martinez was hurt.
I've gotta say no
Nebraska had two goals this year: Beat Texas, and win Texas’ conference. We did neither . Don’t get me wrong, 10-3 is not bad, especially when you consider our losses were by 7, 3, and 3, and also that we’re probably 12-1 right now if Martinez doesn’t get hurt. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Again.
I am absolutely convinced that Bo Pelini is the right man for this job. However, he must figure out how to get this team over the hump. Consider: he is 4-8 in games decided by a touchdown or less in his time here at Nebraska. In the last two seasons, easily his two best teams, that record goes to 2-6. A ton of losses by 3 points or less in there. 0-2 in the Big 12 Championship by a total of 4 points. This is a team that must LEARN to win when everything is on the line.
Regarding our offense…..we won’t have a say in the matter should Watson head for certain coaching oblivion at Vanderbilt. Should he not get that job, personally, I want to give him one more year. He’s spent two years developing Taylor Martinez. We’ve seen a flash of that potential. And on top of all of that, we’re headed for the Big 10 next year. Unless we nab some sort of offensive genius, we’re going to take a step back offensively next year, and I don’t think we could afford that.
That said, I do think someone needs to be fired. If anyone disagrees, please say so, but from my own amateur observations, our offensive line is simply not meshing well with the offense we’re trying to run. We really shouldn’t be surprised, we’re running the spread option and we’re trying to block it with a line coached by an old school option coach. Despite all of our frustration with TMart staying in, all of that would have been moot had our running backs not been getting hit for a loss on seemingly every other run. I like Barney Cotton, I really do, I just don’t think he’s a good fit with what we’re trying to do here. Bring in a coach who understands the zone blocking schemes and techniques of the spread option, give it a year, and if we’re still being plagued by mind-bending offensive meltdowns next year, then I think it’s time for Wats to go.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
It just takes time
I think that the more wins you get the more confidence you gain…if you notice we still haven’t won a “big one” in the past few years, especially games that were close against higher ranked teams. But we have started beating teams in the top 25 again, and that’s good. Last year we beat Mizzou, Oklahoma, and Arizona…who were all ranked somewhere around 20th. This year we beat Oklahoma State and Missouri who were both in the top 15 and Missouri was top 10. We’ve been slowly but surely winning games against better teams after a ridiculous streak of losing games against top 25 teams starting at the end of the Solich era. Eventually we will win a big one, but it just takes time and confidence. I think next year we’ll have plenty of opportunities against top 10 teams =]
I think what needs to happen for us to really become elite is we need to stop losing stupid games we shouldn’t lose, like Iowa State in 09 and Texas this year. We do that, and we are probably 11-1 right now and we would have went 12-2 last year.
All good points
And here’s one more undeniable step forward for you: assuming something very, very, VERY strange does not happen in San Diego in 3 weeks, this is the first year since 1999 that we did not absorb a lopsided (3+ possession) loss.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Offense
Why not just play Burkhead in that game???
Watson has got to go, because someone’s head has to roll and the Defense does it’s job! He is the only guy left from that other head coaches staff and it’s time for a change we need to know who and what we are on offense! I vote for Frost!
So let me get this straight . . .
The rushing offense improves by 100 ypg, total offense improves by 92 ypg (322 to 414), scoring by 7 points a game (25 to 32) and it’s time the OC should be fired?
Nebraska has a QB that CAN’T THROW the ball in Martinez. Doesn’t mean he shouldn’t start because he clearly makes things happen out there, but it is a serious limitation. Watch the tape again from the Oklahoma game. On at least 3 occasions there is a WR running scot-free behind the defense and if Martinez will trust his reads and continue looking downfield, he’s going to hit guys for big plays and Nebraska wins the game. Martinez is a freshman—he will get better in the passing game OR he will be a severe limitation on how many games Nebraska can win because he’s a liability throwing the ball.
Are we even having this conversation if Nebraska’s receivers catch the ball against Texas?
I think we still are
Simply because in these big games we tend to be going into the gunfight with a penknife. For your consideration: in the last two years, we’ve played Oklahoma and Texas 4 times. Watson’s offense has put together exactly 0 sustained touchdown drives in those 4 games. Throw in offensive clunkers against ISU, TTU, VT, and A&M in which Nebraska had 1, 1, 0, and 0 offensive touchdowns, and you’re building up some pretty damning evidence against Watson.
Personally, I’d like to see Watson get one more year with a new offensive line coach. Despite the bad I listed above, here’s some defenses of Watson: His Ganz-era offenses were legitimately very good, just about all of his playmakers in 2009 were playing through some sort of injury by the middle of the year, while not as bad as 2009, injuries were a major issue this year as well, but there’s no denying the improvement over last year, and finally, as you said, TMart is a freshman. Bad games happen, and he’ll be better next year.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
So the real question is
What equals success next year with arguably the toughest schedule in the country? I think even if we went 9-4 we’d be top 15 because the losses would probably all be to top 10 teams.
I'm not familiar with how senior laden these Big 10 teams are
But you have to think that it won’t be as strong next year. Let’s hope anyway. The top 3 teams going 33-3 is scary enough. If Michigan gets a defense, holy crap. Iowa was probably about 7-8 plays from being 12-0 instead of 7-5 (here’s hoping Mizzou goes in overconfident like usual and gets their lights punched out). Penn State is always a potential juggernaut.
I think if Nebraska could go 9-3 (5-3) next year that would be one hell of a run. We could do it, but in order to, we absolutely can’t choke away a game to a team we’re not supposed to lose to.
To get there, I think it’s really important to find a way to split Wisky and tOSU to start the year. 0-2 would be a tough hole to dig out of in conference play. And obviously, we can’t let either UW, or Fresno pull any surprises either in non-conference. I could see us getting into a really, really good bowl game next year if we pull it off though. Our schedule gets moderately easier after Wisconsin and OSU and I’d bet those Florida bowls are looking forward to getting at us.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Next year
If we fumble like this year next year, me thinks we have a losing record. Need to clean that crap up. Also, why the hell are the Huskers so damn sloppy with the ball? I heard they practice A TON on ballhandling drills.
I'm wondering how the coaches approach ball-handling
It seems like once we fumble a couple of times in a game, we are bound to fumble a bunch more times…I’m wondering if our coaches are so hard on players when they fumble that when they do fumble it so destroys them inside because they feel like they’ve failed the team so much that they and everyone else starts to catch the fumbles.
Yeah, kinda like Billgrip implied, its becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy
I don’t think its really a coaching issue. Sometimes it just happens. The 1999 Huskers almost certainly would have been National Champions had they been able to hold on to the ball. “Fumbleitis” just strikes a team out of nowhere at times and there’s just not much you can do besides hope it doesn’t cost you a game.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
As I said before...
The two main goals (Beating Texas and winning the Big12) were not achieved. In other words, they did NOT succeed. Not a bad season, but they didn’t “succeed” so it was a success.
NO....
granted it was a 10 win season, but as stated earlier, they didn’t achieve two main goals. Beat Texas and win the Big 12! Not much different if you went to school to be a Doctor and never graduated, would you consider that a success?
Matthew 11:28-30
Smoke em' if you got em'!!!
Low and Slow!!!
Was there progress this season...............
Yes, was the offense Better than 2009? Yes. Take the fumbles away and we’re in the Fiesta Bowl against UCONN, which is probably worse than playing UW AGAIN. We are a tough crowd to please but I like that and I know Bo likes that. At least he dies now. It pushes him and he pushes his team. The Holiday Bowl will be very difficult to swallow because, (a) we ALREADY blew Washington out this year, (b) it will be hard to get motivated for a bowl game, where the opponent DOES NOT belong on the field with us, and © even WHEN we win, 44-17, it will be compared to 56-21.
Which measuring stick are we using?
The Calahan one? In which we have made monstrous strides….or the Osbourne one,in which….well,there may have to be a few changes made
Just pointing this out
Osborne’s first three seasons (bearing in mind he inherited a better team in a weaker conference than Bo):
1973: 9-2-1
1974: 9-3
1975: 10-2
Including some U.G.L.Y. losses to OU. We may or may not have to make some changes, but by “the Osborne standard” Bo and his staff are doing just fine.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Thank you for pointing this out
To the people who seem to believe that Osborne was hired in 1993, then went out and immediately won NCs in 1994 and 1995.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 6, 2010 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
I remember those days
NU fans used to grumble loudly that Osborne couldn’t win the big one. They were used to huge success under Devaney and Ozzy was a big letdown for them. I think a lot of that talk went away after the failed 2 pt conversion against Miami convinced the NU fans that Ozzy was TRYING to win the big one at least.
Just a side note:
Wats did get an job offer from Saban at Alabama and turned it down…
Nick seems like he can coach.
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
Yeah that's been in the back of my mind too
Gary Barnett, Bill Callahan, Bo Pelini, and Nick Saban all seem to think very highly of Watson. Three of those guys did/are doing pretty well in the W/L column and Callahan undoubtedly is a gifted mind when it comes to offensive nuts and bolts.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
His inability to adjust is what kills us
It seems like he usually has a good gameplan, and you look at last year…our offense was just plain bad as it was and so his gameplan was always not to make mistakes. But this year I feel like the offense has so much more talent, and we’ve seen it…and it seems like his gameplan is usually solid and makes good use of our talents, but when the other team stops it or slows it down, it seems like we lose our identity completely.
I think he’s a better OC in a pass first offense. Just my opinion.
I'm a defender of Watson
But I honestly can’t disagree with a word you said. Against opponents on our level, we either throw a haymaker that ends it early (Mizzou) or hope and pray that the points we score in the first half will be sufficient.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
successful?
Hell yes! Perfect? Hell no! My 3 reasons for the 3 losses: 1) Watson; 2) O-line; 3)quarterbacks
My 2 cents
I think NU had a good season. Sure, they didn’t win the conference title or beat Texas, but they went 6-2 in conference while beating some pretty good teams. There are probably 100 schools in Div1A that would kill for NU’s success this year.
I’m sure Watson was a disappointment for you guys, but the fact is that the guys on the field are the ones responsible for executing the plays. Sure, the Huskers OC didn’t adjust much during the game, but he was probably afraid to mix things up because the players seemed to have a hard time holding the ball, let alone switching things up halfway through a game.
That being said I’ll make another observation. NU played TOO HARD against Texas, imo They made emotional mistakes, over pursued, had goofy penalties, etc. They did the same versus the Sooners (except for penalties). Emotion can be a powerful weapon in college football, but it can also make players play too tightly or uncontrolled.
OU suffered an 8-5 season last year with tons of difficulties…losing Sam Bradford, Gresham, and a handful of our best linemen. I think all that adversity from last year “hardened” the Sooners into a really good team this year. Next year we’ll be back in the MNC game, mark my words.
I’d suggest NU go from the offense they are running to a straight up power-I running game like Osbourne had. You guys have a great set of backs and strong linemen. No reason the option can’t work again. Hell, it’ll be a novelty now and surprise everybody.
Take it from me, losing 2 tough games in the Big 12 title game is going to toughen up the Huskers. Next year you guys play a pretty tough schedule….and I think you guys are going to run roughshod over the Big 10. The Big 10 just won’t be able to hang with an elite Big 12 team. It’ll be you guys and Ohio State for all the marbles up there.
Good take on things
I think you nailed it right on the head about emotion can make players play too tightly or uncontrolled. Bo Pelini is a very emotional guy, and I think a lot of players really like that about him and love playing for him. But he needs to be able to teach his players to control their emotions, and I think that starts with him. He still has some maturing and learning to do as a head coach. I think he will learn to teach them to control their emotions and use them to play better…but that will take some time. I wish I was as optimistic as you about our offense. We’ll see. We’ve seen some good from Watson but a lot of bad. Who knows whether or not he’ll be around next year.
As for your team…in your post earlier this week you said Landry Jones would throw for 300 yards and everyone called you crazy. You were right. He’s turned into a dang good quarterback in a very short time. I don’t know what it is about OU and recruiting QB’s, but you guys seem to get good one after good one…meanwhile over here at Nebraska we can’t seem to decide on a single starter for an entire season. If Martinez comes back (and that’s a definite if), and he decides for sure he wants to be the guy and starts to develop some leadership skills…maybe he’ll be our guy for 3 more years. Otherwise we are looking at starting over again next year at QB. Could we borrow your QB coach for a few years?
Again on Jones
I still can’t believe he threw for as many yards as he did on us. That was crazy…I haven’t seen that for 2 years. But I was impressed with our D only giving up 23 points considering how many yards you guys got and how many turnovers we had. Our D seems to be solid at clamping up when it counts.
OU's QBs...blame Josh Heupel
Heupel has been our QB coach since 2006 I think. I don’t know if you remember him as a player. He finished 2nd in the Heisman balloting his Sr year. Very smart QB. One of the best at reading defenses and audibles I’ve ever seen. He didn’t have a strong arm and was the first of the “Leach-style” QBs…but man he was sharp.
OU had a string of pretty good QBs after Josh also, Nate Hybl was decent, Jason White was excellent, and Rhett Bomar was very talented and improved a lot during his year as starter, but those 3 guys were all coached by Chuck Long (former Iowa Hawkeye great at QB). Sadly Stoops had to kick Bomar off the team before he could reach his full potential at OU.
Heupel took over as QB coach in 2006 and turned Paul Thompson into a decent QB in 2006, then he took Sam Bradford (who was a 3 star QB in HS) and turned him into a stud QB. Josh is the main reason that Landry Jones has gone from shaky freshman to a pretty damn good sophomore. Seriously, I could see Jones confidence growing every game this season.
I think Heupel is the unofficial “head coach in waiting” if Bob Stoops decides to ever leave. Naturally I want you Cornhuskers to keep your mitts off him, hehe. Since you guys hate the Longhorns so much might I suggest you take a shot of hiring Major Applewhite from the Longhorns? He was an outstanding QB coach for them for awhile, and I think he’s their RB coach now.
Somewhere
in the house here I have an autographed copy of Josh Heupel’s book….
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by Jon Johnston on Dec 6, 2010 10:35 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks for the perspective
But go back and watch Saturday’s game again and tell me, honestly, which team was playing on emotion. It was amazing how nonchalant and businesslike Nebraska’s defense was after big plays, while Oklahoma ran around yelling after every tackle for a loss. If you could give me any evidence that a player other than Taylor Martinez might have been wound too tight during this game, I’d love to hear it.
Nebraska’s problems holding onto the football and its coverage breakdowns had zero to do with playing with too emotion and everything to do with a lack of execution and, in some cases, poor coaching. Sorry, just because it fits into a neat little narrative doesn’t make it true.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 6, 2010 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
You are definitely entitled to your opinion
There was a lot of emotion on both sides for sure. I think the difference was that after NU got ahead 17-0 the OU players just figured they had nothing to lose, meanwhile NU adopted a “hold the line” type attitude. NU sure looked tight out there to me, except for Crick and Burkhead (both studs). OU looked tight at first but seemed to loosen up alot as the game went on.
Ultimately you are correct that turnovers and execution did the Huskers in, but emotion plays a part in sports, imo.
We'll have to agree to disagree
Since neither of us were in the locker room or on the sideline. One man’s “businesslike” is another man’s “tight,” I guess.
Agreed that emotion often plays a role, but it was a much smaller role on Saturday than playcalling or just being able to hold onto the dang football.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 6, 2010 10:21 PM CST up reply actions
Definitely right on that one
Not too often that you get outyarded by more than 150 yards, go -3 in turnovers and only lose by three.
If OU had been more successful on more 3rd and 4th and shorts than I can count that game could have easily gotten out of hand in the 2nd half.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Taylor Martinez = Ryan Leaf
This year we didn’t win it all, we did have a winning season!
Look at how we played and then look at the games we lost. We beat ourselves. Hang onto the ball and those games we lost would have been different! We can move the ball down field, we just need to not put the ball on the turf.
Quarterbacks are a different story. martinez can make things happen when he is healthy.
Martinez is also a prima donna; he is also a redshirt freshman! If anyone can get him straightened out it will be Coach Pelini. The only real problem is he is like Ryan Leaf; always has to be on the phone to his dad or his old coach. Has anyone else seen a problem with this?
Tons of college players are in close contact with their high school coaches
Rex Burkhead comes to mind. Tons of college players are also in close contact with their parents, and there’s nothing wrong with that, either. If Martinez’s dad is a hovering parent, Bo will take care of it.
The Ryan Leaf comparison is absurd. Leaf was one of the worst star quarterbacks of all time in terms of mental and emotional composure. He’s now a recovering drug addict and convicted felon. Taylor Martinez is a 20-year-old kid who’s still growing and maturing. Lay off a bit.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 7, 2010 9:45 AM CST up reply actions
Time will tell!
I see a lot of similarities in the two! The dad calling a lot of the shots. He is a 20 year old who is quarterbacking a Division 1 offense, he needs to mature quick, fast, and in a hurry.
I am not clear on his high school transfers but, I am actively researching. He transfered 2 or 3 times. So there may be a shopping around issue for programs. If he did it in High School he will do it in college!
Ryan Leaf was one of the most highly touted college players the years he played for Washington State. Heisman Hopeful and sold as the greatest thing since sliced bread! He had a meltdown after college and now is not playing. I hope I am wrong on this! I do see a lot of similarities in his actions and the dependence on his father!
I hope the rumors are wrong he is gone but, after the bowl game we will see how it pans out!
Hmmmm.....
you know – in talking to Fort Scott CC’s coach about Brandon Kinnie last year he told me he text’d Kinnie every morning at like 5:00 am (maybe it wasn’t 5, but it was damned early).
I think these guys stay in pretty close contact, I mean, hell, college coaches are mentors and role models to a point, otherwise they’re not doing their jobs.
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by Jon Johnston on Dec 7, 2010 10:00 AM CST up reply actions
5am is not the middle of a game!!!
Before or after the game is fine, just not when the team is on the field playing! Hell, your head coach sets the rules and you need to respect it or you don’t play! The rumor mill says the episode with Texas A&M wasn’t the first time he has broken the rules about the cell phone.
I do not pretend to be in the know or even know anyone involved with the program. I know this rule violation means penalty, sit his ass on the bench. He listens to the coach or he is not in game for the team! Individuals hurt the team as a whole. I know Coach Pelini will settle his hash, tow the line or get out!!!
Josh McDaniels...
for offensive coordinator?
by cowboy_in_the_wind on Dec 6, 2010 10:21 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I'm not familiar with him
Apart from his being canned as Denver’s HC. Although I’d hazard a guess that NU might be a little gunshy about another failed NFL coach.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Nope.
Hasn’t been around the college game for a decade, and he is not a character guy. He has an ego the size of North Dakota, and he’s a twice-caught cheater.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 7, 2010 12:47 AM CST up reply actions
Failure? Yes....
The goal was to win a Big12 Championship, as laid out by the players. It didn’t happen, so yes, the season was a failure. I don’t mean to be harsh, but that’s the reality. There’s no points for second place when the goal was first….period.
As far as coaching goes…I’m a firm believer that Shawn Watson needs to go. He seems like a really good guy that the players can relate to, but it’s just not translating to results that this team needs to see. If Pelini keeps him, he’s basically saying that the offense is fine, and his defense wasn’t good enough, which anyone can tell you is wrong.
I love the idea of getting Rich Rod from Michigan if things go down there and they get Harbaugh from Stanford. I don’t like the idea of Scott Frost….he’s a receivers coach. Nebraska has the money and reputation to go get an experienced OC. What I don’t want is someone coming in who would immediately be looking for his next HC opportunity, but Scott Frost is far from that.
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