Winning Out? We’ll Find Out
There wasn't much that Bo Pelini could say in the aftermath of the loss at Ohio State that was going to appease NU fans. But saying that he told his team they needed to win out, didn't sound too bad. That would put the Huskers at 10-2 and in Indianapolis playing for the Big Ten title against either a Wisconsin team they already beat or an underwhelming Illinois, Purdue, or Indiana team. You like your chances of going to Pasadena in that scenario. But is that truly the right thing to say to a team?
It's hard to think of a precedent for such a public declaration. When Tom Osborne took over as Athletic Director following Nebraska's loss to Oklahoma State (which left the Huskers 4-3), he privately told the coaches that if they won out, they'd be retained. He also gave them some hope that at 4-1 they could remain and perhaps even 3-2. That message obviously didn't carry over to the field as the team would finish 1-4, including a near-miss loss at Texas.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow famously vowed after a bitter home loss early in the 2008 season that "a lot of good will come out of this" and "you'll never see a team play harder than we will the rest of this season." That wasn't a statement about wins and losses specifically, but the team did then follow-up those remarks by going undefeated and winning the national championship. The difference, of course, is that the statement came from a player rather than a coach. It also came after a one-point loss rather than a twenty-five point one.
There are certainly cases where a team has rebounded from a bad loss and won their remaining games. Pelini's team did it in 2008 after losing 28-62 at Oklahoma. The Huskers won the next four games, including the Gator Bowl matchup with Clemson. Some more painful examples for Husker fans would be the 1983 Miami Hurricanes that lost 3-28 at Florida to open the season before going on to beat NU in the Orange Bowl for the national championship and the 1982 Penn State team that lost 21-42 at Alabama the week after their controversial home victory over Nebraska only to win seven straight and the national championship.
Still, I don't expect that you'll find that Howard Schnellenberger nor Joe Paterno had publicly said they told their teams that they needed to "win out". Pelini didn't say that in 2008 either. So is it the right message? On the one hand, it was accurate as it pertained to a major goal. Where things stand today, the only way to guarantee a trip to Indianapolis, is for Nebraska to win their next six games. It's another way of pointing out that the Huskers still control their own Big Ten destiny, but that their margin for error is gone. On the other hand, you constantly hear coaches talking about taking things one game at a time and not looking ahead. Saying you need to win six straight sounds contrary to that message. It also would seem to add pressure to a team that's already been prone to mistakes in pressure situations.
If you're going to make a statement like that, heading into a bye week might be the time. The team can reflect on their commitment for the remainder of the season, and still have time to focus specifically on a big game at Northwestern. It's a pivotal game for a number of reasons. First, the Huskers are 0-2 on the road so far this season. That needs to change to avoid going 7-5 or worse. Second, it's a divisional opponent which makes it important in the standings. Third, it's a team that upset Nebraska in Lincoln and features the kind of dual-threat quarterback that has killed Pelini's teams (most recently Ohio State's Braxton Miller). A win in Evanston does a lot to change the tone of the season and keeps Rose Bowl dreams alive for at least another week.
We'll find out whether Pelini was right in telling his team (and the media) that they need to win out. Hopefully, that answer won't come until six games from now.
Georgia
10/9/2012
Serious question: Who among us really wants to see this team, and more particularly, this defense, play against Oregon in the Rose Bowl? Not too far fetched to believe the Ducks would score 80. Its moot, because there is no chance this team is gonna play for the B1G title. Pelini’s statement that the team must win out smacks of desperation…he should have said something like “we’re gonna play our tails off and get better every game and shoot for a trip to Indianapolous”. Its feasible this team wins 4 of the next six and gets a shot at a middle-tier SEC or Big 12 team on Bowl Day. Right now, I’d take that over getting completely humiliated by Oregon.
Lincoln, NE
10/9/2012
Would not want to see Oregon in the Rose. As it stands now, however, Oregon looks to be facing the best of the SEC (Alabama) for NC. That makes Oregon St or USC more likely. Still a lot of football left and this is all conjecture at this point.
10/9/2012
Coach Pelini puts too much mental pressure on the players. Now he has thrown down the gauntlet that they need to win out. If they don’t, then what? You cannot put the fear of god into these boys that if they make a mistake they will hear his wrath when they get to the sidelines. Mistakes happen but they are more likely when you are tight from fear. He says that he and the coaches tell the players and tell the players what needs to be done but then they don’t. Hopefully he sees that it could be the messenger.
Georgia
10/9/2012
Year five means this is Pelini’s staff and Pelini’s players. In short, what we now see are the fruits of Pelini’s labors. Not much of a harvest. Most striking, of course, is the defense. I fail to see a defensive genius at work…the schemes might be sound, but the personnell seem generally ill suited to execute the defense, and game preparation seems also to be lacking. It’s become all too common to see a defense visibly confused at the snap, and I’m quite confident NU leads the nation in defensive timeouts. Pelini’s teams play consistent with the personality of their head coach…eratic, inconsistent and undisciplined. I was a huge proponent of Pelini’s hiring, but have become convinced that the hire was, in the long term, a poor decision. It was a panic hire; NU felt it needed the complete antithesis of Callahan. Now, I think its time for a change to a solid CEO, capable of maintaining a consistent demeanor, hiring a competent staff and recruiting and coaching athletes to play a disciplined brand of ball.
10/9/2012
I agree with Howard in CA. I think these players are so scared to make a mistake and how Bo will rip them so they just play safe football. The OL needs aggression and the defense needs to being some pressure and speed. I just don’t think he can coach these kids mentally, not sure if he even knows what that means.
10/9/2012
On another note: Does anyone have any updates on Burkeheads injury?
10/9/2012
It’s funny how as Nebraska fans we expect perfection every season and yet when the coach finally calls for it himself I see comments from fans saying he’s putting too much pressure on them. We can’t have it both ways. I like the fact that he’s putting this pressure on them. I think it’s developing a sense of urgency that can translate into aggression on the field.
Sidney, Ne.
10/9/2012
Well I guess as husker fans we might as well rally around Pelini and Martinez, if you think about it what are our alternatives, a quarterback who hasn’t taken a meaningful college snap and a better coach, where would we get one of those in the middle of the season. Bo needs to take the defense over, let JP keep his title but put him in the press box where he belongs !!
Wakita, Oklahoma
10/9/2012
I finally got to see Coach Pelini’s post game press conference by going to Bigredtoday.com.
I hope someone is really watching out for coach’s health. He was extremely fidgety at this one and you can tell he is really suffering right now. This and his recent hospital visit incident. I have heard of upset stomaches being a precursor to heart attacks. With veins popping on his head every game, this should be a real concern.
@ TomCudd, is there a way that BRN can feature pre game and post game interviews with the coach? I don’t notice any on this site, or tell me where it’s located? Thanks.
Georgia
10/9/2012
@Big K, This is what concerns me about the mindset of the program…your statement can be summarized “for now, we’re stuck with these guys”. That is the state of one of the greatest, proudest programs in history? How has it come to this? Nebraska, stuck with a quarterback who can’t take care of the ball. Stuck with a coach, hired for his defensive prowess, in clearly over his head. Come on, we’re no more stuck with this situation than Alabama was stuck with Mike Shula. We need to step back, take a deep breath, and start making some reasoned, intelligent decisions about the future. Pelini’s passion (if it is indeed passion and not a manifestation of psychosis or severe emotional immaturity) is noted and appreciated, but he’s had his chance and it aint working. Indeed, it keeps on getting worse. It’s time to begin looking for our Saban.
Austin, TX
10/9/2012
I have to agree with points about a lack of coaching involved here and I don’t buy lack of player quality. Poor communication, game management, discipline, and overall game preparation are a byproduct of poor coaching. It makes me sick to see Iowa State and K-State do better at all of these. You can’t tell me they have better players! They have a better scheme fit to their athletes and are prepared to play each week…dare I say, they have better coaches? You see them knocking off ranked opponents on the road, or at least making it a game…and they play defense! Bo was brought in for defense and he’s earned a solid D- for two seasons now…figure it out man! He’s falling into the Callahan trap…perhaps a solid scheme if he has pro caliber players, but we don’t and you can’t count on that. You have to adjust to your players and put them in position to succeed…period. I swear, it makes me want to puke that we only wish we could play like some of our step sisters from the Big 12 North…seriously, no excuses.
10/9/2012
As an Iowa Hawk fan and interested observer, I’m puzzled by this NB team. I told my friends Big Red was going to go 8-0 in the BTen this year because I really believe you have by far the most talented offensive team and plenty of talent defensively too. I’m not used to seeing HEAD coaches scream publicly in the faces of their players and I have to wonder if that takes a toll. At the end of the OSU game every time a NB defensive player made a mistake the first thing they did was look over to the sideline like a little leaguer, as if they were going to get yelled at. Strange. You certainly have the talent to win out, but it’s beyond me how a defense gives up 63 pts to a team that Mich. St. held to 17 the week before. Something is wrong somewhere.
10/10/2012
I can live with 9+ wins a year IF we are playing to potential - and generally mistake free football. If we’re outclassed by the athletes on the other team - big difference from feeling like you’re giving away a winnable game!
I think we need to relax a bit (as fans). I know, love, and share the Husker passion - but think back to what we did to Dr Tom after 5 years! He nearly left for Colorado! We had 1-2 major games a year - the rest of it was generally a tune-up for those games - and Dr Tom emphasized playing to potential.
Bo is trying to do many of the same things, but with a much more hyper-sensitive crowd to please! He’s doing a GREAT job in MOST areas, but Fan Expectations need to be re-adjusted a bit. To me it was never about wins & losses - those took care of themselves if we were playing to potential.
Right now we’re playing under stress and NOT playing to potential - or even close. THAT’‘s the frustration to me. It seems these athletes are playing out of fear for reprisal on their mistakes instead of playing for each other! That true, deep love of your teammates which Dr Tom was able to get to ALWAYS had our teams playing near or at potential!
I look forward to the next couple years as Bo becomes more successful at this end of things - I think the sky’s the limit!
Go Bo! Go Skers!!!
10/10/2012
Ok, Nebraska fans, hear me now!!!
I AM FED UP WITH THIS WHINEY BS!!!!!
Look Nebraska fans, here’s the deal.
We all let the whiners win once. We traded Solich for Callahan.
I don’t think I have to elaborate on how that all turned out do I?
So we have Pelini, whom we hired and turned the football program
Around in 1 YEAR!!!. Yes, we were still in the Big 12, which isn’t
So BIG anymore is it? Oh yeah, no one cried fowl when Colorado
Left for the PAC 10. But when Nebraska left for the BIG 10, oh how
The mighty trembled!!!!
Pelini took us to Conference Championship Games in his first two
Years as head coach of Nebraska. We lost those games by 3 points
And 1 second. You remember. If you are a true Nebraska fan, you
Remember.
You all saw the Texas A&M game where it started off with a Cadet
Not knowing the difference between a Football, or Cotton Balls!!!!!
If you are a true Nebraska Fan, you remember!!! So here we are in
The cream of all college football. Having risen from our dark days
Of the 1940s and the 1950’s where even our head coach at the time
Was called up for military service. Yes, here we are in the B1G.
Or, well, at least, that is what the kids are calling it these days. The
B1G!!! We have arrived. Do you think they extended this invite
Blithely?
Pelini has already fired one assistant coach. Watson. Who thought
It best to keep our injured freshman quarterback in the game against
Oklahoma for the Conference Championship. He brought up Beck,
And Taylor Martinez is now “enjoying” his first year with the same
Offense he was in charge of last year. Except this is his THIRD year
With our team.
Pelini brought up Papuchis, to be our defensive coordinator. Who has
Already avenged the embarrassing loss to Wisconsin last year and who
Has held lesser opponents to low scores even though the defense he is
Implementing is a hybrid of the one Pelini established. Why is this?
Because when Pelini was brought in, it was to solve the problem with
Our anorexic defense. But he was brought in to be our Head COACH!
Not our Defensive Coordinator, no. Not our bridge to the B1G, no!!!
Our Head Coach.
Pelini has made great strides in both bringing us back to the prominence
We enjoyed once before in the B12, but to transition us to the conference
That he once himself played in, the Big 10!!!. You know, the Western
Conference, for those of you who are old enough to remember!!!
We have Iowa as our last game. This was not always the case, but it once
Was the case that we played Iowa every year!! When did that stop? 1903!
Yes, Iowa was once in our conference with us, but they had to make a
Decision when pressed. They chose to go with the “Western Conference.”
This would be the conference that would become the Big 10.
Yes, we are UNDEFEATED against the four horsemen of Notre Dame.
Yes, we are the winningest football program of the last 50 years! Yes,
We are Giants now. We were once Giants amongst non-giants. Now
We have the ability to become Giants, amongst Giants!!!!.
Nebraska beat Wisconsin this year. A team that we got blown out by
Last year due to three interceptions and a first year offense. Nebraska
Beat Ohio State, one of the PILLARS or TWIN TOWERS of the B1G
In its first year. The largest come from behind Victory in the History
Of the University of Nebraska Football, which of course, started playing
Football about 10 years before the conclusion of the SPANISH AMERICAN
WAR!!!!
Oh but we lost in a blowout to the WINNINGEST FOOTBALL PROGRAM
OF ALL TIME in Michigan. Whoopty freaking do!!!
Oh but we lost to Northwestern at HOME!!! The last time Northwestern
Beat Nebraska, Woodrow WILSON was President of the United States!!!
Oh but we lost to Ohio St. @ Columbus by 63 to 38!!!!! Ok, fine. But the
38 points Nebraska put up on them, IN THEIR HOME STADIUM!!!
Represents the largest amount of points that an opponent has scored on
Ohio St in their home stadium in 2 and a half DECADES!!!!!
So now I am hearing that we need a new coach at Nebraska. A new
Head Coach. ROFLMAO!!!!
Were I Bo Pelini. Were I Bo Pelini. Once again for clarity. Where I
Bo Pelini… One last time for those who are COMPLETELY without
The power of observation!!!! Where I Bo Pelini, I would, yes, RELAX!
For if it be, the powers that be, the will of this Husker Nation to say, you
Have not done enough for us. I would laugh. I WOULD LAUGH!!!!!!!!
And then, I would say, with all the sincerity that a human heart can muster,
“If you want me, to turn around a program in 1 year, then compete for a
Conference Championship the next two years, then change Conferences,
Fire my offensive Coordinator, hire a new Defensive Coordinator, and
Take a freshman quarterback and make him an expert on our offense in
1 year? Well then, you just sit right there in your chair, Nebraska fan, I
Will go in back and get THE WAND!!!!!
10/10/2012
I don’t think Bo has what it takes to become the next legendary coach at Nebraska. I’m sorry I just don’t anymore. At first I was all about it…he did produce near championship teams based on tremendous defensive play but little offensive play - and other peoples recruits. At least no one had any worries about Bo’s defense. Heck, we all thought, that at least if nothing else, there will always be the famous Pelini defense to count on. Not the case anymore. No such defensive coaching skills are on display here, and not too many more on offense. 3 years with our starting QB and he’s still giving up 4 turnovers? We simply do not have the players, or coaches, to make this a great team. There are no “monsters” on the O or D lines anymore…no great linebackers…no swarming to the ball…no swagger. Just 3 stars and a few 4. I think we have to start conceding that the Pelini experiment didn’t work out after all. And if that’s the case, we just lost 5 years.
I don’t see this team being much better any time soon. It’s going to be interesting to see how long we will stay with Bo. Like him as I do as a man, I don’t think he was ready for a big time job like the HC of Nebraska. Maybe we can nix the experiments and get proven winners? I know Saben and Meyer are off the table, but there has to be someone great we could get? Any ideas?
10/10/2012
Johnny husker. Love it, well stated. And if pelini giving too much pressure on winning out u think? Then how about we put the pressure on winning 6 games. R u kidding me? That’s wat coaching is all about pressuring and reasuring ur players they can and will do it. And all the talk about the rose bowl vs Oregon. And already downgrading the team, fact is huskers won the big to make it there! I’d its not one Thing its the other. We can win out and I truly believe we will. But until that time I will watch and sit in disgust in the next article that shows us being embarrassed in the rose bowl
Georgia
10/10/2012
There is a cult of personality around this guy that is distressing and annoying. Who can honestly say he is satisfied with Nebraska’s performance the past two seasons? Some of you act as if nothing is wrong…not even Bo takes that position; remember, he spent the spring and summer melding this team together, building unity, training like Navy Seals and doing God knows what else to solve the biggest problem Pelini teams have: they play sloppy, undisciplined football that makes the task of beating average teams difficult and good teams impossible. Only, the problem isn’t fixed, its getting worse, and after the most recent ass-whippin, Pelini sat at a microphone and conceded, for the first time, what we’ve all suspected, that he has no answers. The three million dollar man sat there and said he doesn’t know how to fix the problems, and then said “we’ve got to win out”. Name one coach in the history of sport who hasn’t had the goal of winning all his games . And for this, the flock rains praise upon him. Do yourselves a favor; stop worshipping this man and be honest about the state of the program and the direction its headed. Free yourselves from the dense fog of man crush and evaluate, as objectively as possible, this man’s performance in building and leading a staff and a team. Then remind yourselves of coaches, in the same geographical region, who take teams laden with two and three star recruits and make them competitive week in and week out, and ask yourselves “Why can’t we do that here?” I think you will find the experience liberating end enlightening. The restoration of greatness at Nebraska begins where the Pelini tenure ends.
Wakita, Oklahoma
10/10/2012
PE,
I think Gary Patterson could use a change of scenery. TCU could easily be considered a stepping stone university.
Wakita, Oklahoma
10/10/2012
Does anyone else enjoy Oregon’s Coach Chip Kelly? I think he is a fantastic coach and great for college football. He handles defeat just as well as a win and is always positive.
Unfortunately, I don’t think there is any way he can be lured away by any university. Plus living in Oregon has to be awesome.
San Diego, Ca.
10/10/2012
I’m glad the “NU” game is before the Meecheganders and certainly playing the Wolverines in Lincoln is big. The rest of the teams play standard QBs, though Minnesota’s is a huge one.
They’ll bounce back. Acing out, though?
Why not?
10/10/2012
I totally agree SEC Husker. I think you have hit the nail on the head. John Wooden believed in practicing the fundamentals to perfection. I do not see this happening. I believe there is great talent and heart on this team, but the teaching aspect seems to be missing. I did not hate Callahan as I feel he could recruit. I do not hate Pelini, but I have never been a Bo-liever. He just doesn’t have the class or demeanor that I feel we need representing our program. That isn’t worth much, just MHO. The loss saddens me as I don’t see progress like I had hoped for at this point in the game. We have lost several players recently also. I don’t know what that was about, but I don’t feel we are in a position to lose too many good players unless they were doing something illegal…what is the scoop there? If one player makes mistake after mistake, why are they not out of the game? Osborne would bench guys that did that. Do we really not have someone else to try? I think competition is good for players. Lots of questions in my head, but very few answers. Again, this is sad to me.
10/10/2012
It is really been in some ways a lonely past year and a half. These problems that people are starting to acknowledge became apparent last season and when people tried to bring them up they were simply told to pipe down. That Dr. Osborne went through the same thing. We didn’t have perspective. That we were anarchists, not true fans, or that we were the vanguard of the “occupy” the Osborne Complex. And we were not. We simply saw a complete regression in assignment football, on both sides. Comparisons between Dr. Osborne and Coach Pelini cannot be made with any intellectual honesty at all. Kindly see the points below:
1) Coach Pelini will never have the executive skill or possess the in-game management talent that Dr. Osborne had. No shame there. There might not be another Dr. Osborne in our lifetimes, anywhere. He was that good. . .
2) For large parts of Dr. Osborne’s career we carried over 100 scholarship players when few programs could do the same. . .
3) For large parts of Dr. Osborne’s tenure we and Oklahoma were the only shows between The Rockies and The Mississippi. . .
4) Dr. Osborne had a coaching staff that was light years better than our staff. Coach McBride against JP? Coach Tenopir against Cotton? Just two prominent examples that should get people to really appreciate the difference in the talent of the staffs Dr. Osborne had and Coach Pelini has. . .
And the reason why we’re all concerned? Coach Pelini shows absolutely no signs of admitting that there are things wrong. At the moment they are correctable, but with neglect and an insistence on not acknowledging them then that becomes something completely different. Let’s look at his 2009 recruiting class. His first. Well what do we have? Out of a 20 man class, 6 are no longer with the program, and only 6 have been able to be consistent contributors as regular starters. And you wonder why we have depth issues? Especially at Offensive Line? At least when a Walk-On made the Depth Chart (think Jared Tomich) he had to get to that 1/2 Depth Chart by beating our NFL-Caliber Athletic Talents. Today’s Walk-On’s (God Bless Them for everything they do) are really getting their opportunity because most of the scholarship players brought in by Coach Pelini are not developing. How about the use of Redshirts when appropriate? This staff already admitted blowing the management of Andrew Rodriguez. Three IB’s in one class and not one was redshirted? Heck even Abdullah doesn’t get that many carries when Burkhead is playing. And now? Aaron Green, gone. Tyler Moore, gone. Ryan Klatcko, gone. A great Offensive Line class of 5 is down to 3. And if those 3 don’t develop it will be a repeating issue to be lacking depth on the line for the next 3 years. That is program management and position coaches. And at the moment something is amiss regarding this managerial aspect of the program as well. . .
This is Coach Pelini’s program. His position coaches. His players. And what do we hear? It’s a culture. An ongoing process. We have 4th yr JR’s and 5th yr SR’s who have problems tackling. Who have upperclassmen who have issues with penalties and playing disciplined football. After 5 years we do have a culture and an ongoing process. Epic breakdowns, not just losing in close matchups but being routed by Wisconsin (last year), Michigan, South Carolina and now Ohio State. Bohl and Cosgrove were fired for 63 point outbursts and scorched earth being waged on the defense (cannot call this unit Blackshirts). We’re 6-5 in our last 11 games, and nobody is supposed to notice that or bring it up?
It is time to say that he did a great job with Callahan’s players. What he has done with his players is a mixed picture. And like I said before, he shows no sign of admitting that there are things that need to be acknowledged and addressed. He is a young coach and I am still willing to be patient because we are in some ways better off than when he first got here. I will grant him that. Freshmen play at Alabama. They play at LSU. Anyone remember Deion Jones? Yeah we found him first but where I am going with this is simple. He gets to play at LSU, as a Freshman. You think Coach Pelini would play him as a Freshman? Doubtful. Tyler Moore commits a false start penalty at Wisconsin and simply disappears for a few weeks while upperclassmen get playing time while committing the same mental errors on a far more consistent basis. Texas A&M plays a Freshman at QB in the toughest conference in the country. . .
Let’s continue to look at recruiting. For the third year in a row we will not even give out all of our official visits. That is a killer. It is not like we have 300+ Division I prospects within a 60 minute driving radius of Lincoln. It has been quiet for a long time on the recruiting front. We’re losing 45-17 to Michigan, and 63-38 to Ohio State. What do you say to someone who is considering Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State at the moment? It’s one thing if we’re playing these programs close and it’s a matter of tweaking a thing here or there. That is not the case. How do we get people here? USC, Oregon, and Stanford are alive and well in the recruiting wars of California and UCLA, Arizona and Washington are all on the rise up. Getting people out of California is only going to get more difficult. Recruiting in Big 12 country will be just as difficult (I miss being in Big 12, there I said it), and how exactly will we recruit SEC country? If you want to run this Matchup 2 Deep with two lane principles you better have NFL talent on the field. When we had some formidable Blackshirt Units in Year 2 and 3 we had one of the most special talents in Suh in recent memory, NFL talent at LB and the best secondary we had possessed in 15 years. Now, without Callahan’s players and with his hand-picked players, we have people who just cannot execute this defense. And of course who cannot forget the absolute inability to plan for mobile QB’s. The list is long. Brad Smith, Vince Young (2003), Russell Wilson, Dennard Robinson, Hundley (UCLA), and now Miller (heck last year too until he got hurt). Does anyone really thing that Northwestern and Michigan can’t execute the same things UCLA and Ohio State did? And does anyone think that Coach Pelini will be able to get significantly different results? The culture and ongoing process of the program at the moment tell me no. More than anything else the mental breakdowns, mental implosions, penalties, turnovers, blown assignments are now hallmarks of games under Coach Pelini against good teams. It is really frustrating to watch this program struggle with the fundamentals and see other teams play them soundly. . .
Programs play in 4-5 year windows where they are legitimately playing for the whole ball of wax for consecutive years. If you look at Dr. Osborne’s career he had two such windows. I am not mad that we are not in The National Championship hunt yet. But I am quite concerned that we are not even remotely close to being contenders in this conference, which is awful right now. I am even more worried that Ohio State and Michigan are simply burying us in recruiting right now. And on top of all that Coach Hoke and Coach Meyer are so far ahead of where Coach Pelini is at that for the forseeable future those programs will have advantages on us when it comes to teaching the fundamentals and having a team ready to play assignment football. Even with the win over Wisconsin this year, Coach Belieima (if things stay as is) will have Wisconsin playing better ball than we do. When The Big 10 Network was doing their preseason spin through the various different teams they asked Coach Pelini what did he think of JP. He said that he had known him since LSU and had an idea of what Coach Pelini wanted to do. He didn’t say that he was the best candidate for the job. I thought that that said quite a lot. . .
10/10/2012
A lot of great thoughts here.
Here’s the deal, we are not asking to win every game and don’t expect to win every day. It is just not possible to win them all, but bringing your team into a stadium where you actually have a good chance at winning and get blown out by 30 points? Get out of here, there is zero reasons why a husker fan has got to swallow a blow out like that. Lose by a score or two, fine, get them back next year. This blow out crap needs to stop, can this team not be coached on the road?
10/10/2012
The last time ANY opponent scored 38 points on Ohio St. in their home stadium was Illinois in 1984! Yes, the last time any opponents quarterback walked off the field in Columbus Ohio after scoring 38 points on the Buckeyes, Taylor Martinez wasn’t even born yet!
I am satisfied with how Bo Pelini has met the challenges of this program through his rebuild of it during the last two Big 12 years, and his first two years transitioning to the B1G and playing a conference schedule UNEQUALED in strength of schedule to any other team in the conference.
Bo is focused. Bo is doing his job. Now, LET him do his job. If Eichorst had any cajones at all he would offer Bo a 2 year contract extension after his team put more points on the board against Ohio St. IN OHIO ST. Stadium, than any other coach had done since Bo was a Sophomore in High School!!!
10/10/2012
Johnny_. Thanks for the stats, but also when was the last time Ohio State scored for 60 points in a game?? In the last TEN years they have scored over 60 points in one game against two teams, Nebraska and Eastern Michigan.
Half full, half empty. The blow out melt down game need to come to an end.
Georgia
10/10/2012
@Johnny_Nebraska…I recall Callahan’s offenses being quite prolific…they put up some big numbers…I’m sure if I checked the chat room archives I’d find numerous statements supporting Callahan and his offensive prowess, and urging NU to extend his contract. Come on Johnny…“we scored a good many points in one blowout loss” is the best you can do in support of Pelini? If so, you’ve made my point about what needs to happen better than I possibly can.
Helena, Montana
10/10/2012
NU is the 10th largest scoring team in the Nation despite all the turnovers, penalties, etc. Hard to understand how we can score 38 points in a game against a solid defense and still get blown out. I don’t know where Pellini is spending his time and energy, but it sure doesn’t seem to be on the defense he’s supposed to be so good at. How did MSU hold OSU to so few points, maybe we need to figure out what worked so well for them and stop making so many last minute confusing adjustments at the line for every play.
10/10/2012
John Papuchis is the Defensive Coordinator. Pelini is the Head Coach. Tim Beck is the Offensive Coordinator. Pelini is the Head Coach. This is the first year Taylor Martinez has ran the same offense that he ran the year prior. Next year, as long as the whiners don’t get too ansy with making knee jerk coaching changes, it stands to reason that we will be better on offense in its third year of operation, and better in our execution of defense with the second year of Papuchis’ coaching.
The reason why we are so inconsistent is because of the changes we have implemented. Give them time to take hold and you will see. Try to remember that when Osborne took over for Devany, it was Osborne’s offense that had already implemented. Devany let Tom make the changes that he saw fit to make on offense. Consistency begins with coaching. Osborne & McBride worked out the Defense together. Pelini made changes on the defense and let Watson continue to run the offense until it became clear we were one-dimensional. Pelini then made changes at the Offensive Coordinator spot and we started to see better performances. Pelini has just completed making a change at the Defensive Coordinator level, let’s give this some time folks.
Georgia
10/10/2012
“The reason we are so inconsistent is becuase of the changes we have implemented”? Let’s break this down a little. I concede the offense has moderately improved; it has better athletes and deeper talent, though the staff struggles mightily to get the ball to some of the better talent. Sometimes, I have been impressed with Beck’s management of the offense, though just as often his play-calling has been mystifying. There remains, however, one huge problem with the offense: the Quarterback. Martinez is a tough kid and is capbalbe of making plays, especailly with his feet. But no offense can rely, especially in big games on the road, upon a quarterback prone to giving the ball to the other team. TM is one heck of an athlete, but he is not a good quarterback, and until the offense is led by a true quarterback, it will consistently lose big games against real opponents. Bo’s allegiance to TM shows either stubbornness or a complete lack of talent behind TM; either way, its an indictment on Bo’s ability to lead the team. Now, that defense. First, let’s agree that Bo is, for all practical purposes, the defensive coordinator. He always has been and always will be. There has been no significant change on defense, and to suggest otherwise is to try too hard to find excuses. This is Bo’s defense, Bo’s players and Bo’s schemes. Defense is the sole reason Bo was hired. That is what is so perplexing about this situation… he has failed so miserably at the area considered his specialty. Ask yourselves this question: If TO could have foreseen, four and five years into the future, a defense melting and withering to the likes of Wisconsin, Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan, UCLA and South Carolina, do you think there’s any real chance Bo would have been hired? Of course not…he’s not here becuase of his winning personality. TO hired Bo to fix the blackshirts…Bo and Bo alone was given that responsibility. He has failed and now, admittedly, he has no answers. Again, Nebraska’s return to greatness begins where Pelini’s tenure ends.
10/10/2012
What assistant changes did Urban Meyer make when he came to OSU???? Did he have to make any? He inherrited a already great program that was used to playing the conference they were playing in. I like Meyer, but he has not had to deal with the challenges that Pelini had to face.
10/10/2012
@ SEC Husker,
Nebraska vs. Oregon
9/27/1986 vs. Oregon (5-6) W 48 14
9/28/1985 vs. Oregon (5-6) W 63 0
9/14/1974 vs. Oregon (2-9) W 61 7
9/11/1971 vs. Oregon (5-6) W 34 7
9/19/1953 vs. Oregon (4-5-1) L 12 20
9/27/1952 vs. Oregon (2-7-1) W 28 13 @ Portland, OR
I wouldn’t mind seeing them play again.
10/10/2012
Johnny, more that 50% of the coaches at Ohio state are in their first year. ...
This is the Head coaches team and responsibility. I enjoy your determination to stay loyal to Pelini, however it’s time to really narrow down the issues after 5 years. Nebraska is an elite program and deserves to compete at such level given the tools they have to make it their.
Georgia
10/10/2012
I’ve got some troubling news for ya Johnny…its 2012…a lots changed in the world of college football since 1986. I can’t believe there are many Husker fans itching to see our defense against the Duck’s offense…my God, the horror. Just like Jay, I admire your passion for Nebraska and, to a certain extent, your loyalty to Pelini. There are far worse traits (or flaws) than loyalty. But after five years, the head coach owns the program, and its time to take stock of where we are and where we are going. I just don’t see Pelini getting us over the hump.
10/10/2012
Jay,
Do keep in mind. Nebraska has never played Eastern Michigan.
10/10/2012
sec h usker,
Yes, alot has changed from the 1950s to the 1960s.
Yes, alot has changed from the 1960s to the 1970s.
Yes, alot has changed from the 1970s to the 1980s.
Yes, alot has changed from the 1980s to the 1990s.
Yes, alot has changed from the 1990s to the 2000s.
Yes, alot has changed from the 2000s to the 2010s.
Most notably, is, that Nebraska now plays in the B1G.
Not the B12.
Yes, alot has changed. But Nebraska became the winningest football program of the last 50 years in 1993. That was BEFORE Osborne went on his 60-3 run. Osborne thought he was going to go after his first five years. If we had panicked back then, think about what we would have missed out on.
We were so prolific that our Win Loss tally could actually absorb the Callahan losses. And either way you look at it, the next best winningest team in College football for the last 50 years, is still 40 wins away from even coming close to us.
1 Nebraska 0.77655 487 138 6 631
2 Ohio State 0.75680 440 138 10 588
3 Alabama 0.73471 441 157 7 605
4 Oklahoma 0.73420 448 159 10 617
5 Texas 0.72964 444 162 8 614
6 Michigan 0.72397 433 162 10 605
7 Southern Cal 0.71381 421 164 16 601
8 Florida 0.69125 421 185 11 617
9 Florida State 0.68242 404 184 15 603
10 Tennessee 0.68182 412 188 16616
I like Pelini because he has been given a HUGE challenge, and he has a “Workman’s” attitude about going about it. I’ll stick with him for now.
Georgia
10/10/2012
Johnny makes terrific points about the history and legacy of Nebraska football, but the concern has to be about the future. None of us want to be rattling off statistics five or ten years rom now reflecting how often Nebraska used to win. I don’t live in Lincoln, or even Nebraska; I’m one thousand miles away in north Georgia. Trust me when I tell you that outside of Nebraska, NU has suffered a severe erosion in reputation and respect in the past ten years. Outside of Nebraska, it is no longer considered an elite program. Why? Because too many people have tuned in the past ten years to watch what was once a great team and proud program get blown out of the water by the likes of Wisconsin and UCLA. I was sure that Pelini would bring the swagger back, but it hasn’t happened. In the past five years, Nebraska’s reputation has only diminished.
10/10/2012
Tom Osborne’s first 5 years. 41 - 13 - 2
Callahan first 5 years went 46 - 29
Bo (Mark) Pelini has gone 42 - 18 so far with this being his 5th.
While rebuilding the team he inherrited. While playing for two conference Championships, While switching conferences.
I will stick with Bo.
10/10/2012
Solich’s 5 years 49 - 16
Personally, I think Bo is doing a fine job.
10/10/2012
Nebraska vs. Georgia
12/20/1969 vs. Georgia (5-5-1) W 45 6 @ El Paso, TX Sun Bowl
Nebraska vs. Florida
1/2/1996 vs. Florida (12-1) W 62 24 @ Tempe, AZ Fiesta Bowl
12/31/1974 vs. Florida (8-4) W 13 10 @ New Orleans, Sugar Bowl
Nebraska vs. West Virginia
8/28/1994 vs. West Virginia (7-6) W 31 0 @ East Rutherford,NJ
Just in case you were wondering.
Georgia
10/10/2012
But Johnny, most of the wins you cite, along with playing for two conference championships, were accomplished by the teams (and players) he largely inherited. Whats troubling so many of us is that this team is comprised of only Pelini’s players and Pelini’s staff. This is, in short, the best indication yet of Pelini’s ability to build and lead a football team, and its not very good. We are simply not seeing progress on any front…recruiting is lackluster, staffing decisions are questionable (name another top-tier program that would hire Papuchis and Barney Cotton), play remains sloppy and undisciplined, and the team generally lacks the ability to compete in and win big games, especially on the road. No doubt Pelini has faced challenges, but all coaches do. The program simply appears to slide further into mediocrity now with each passing year. That needs to stop.
Georgia
10/10/2012
Please…no scores unelss they’re within, at least, the last decade.
10/10/2012
And yet Ndamukon Suh was not an effective defensive lineman until AFTER Bo had become the Head Coach. Let’s not forget that.
Only sighting scores that are within the last decade restrict the Nebraska fan to a time period in which we were playing the worst 5 years of football (Callahan) and our rebuilding years (Pelini). If given the choice between the two, I choose Pelini. Not because I hate Callahan, personally he is a good man, but when people refer to the mediocrity of Nebraska football, they are making a direct reference to the Callahan years, and the subsequent rebuild.
Yes it sucks that we lost to Northwestern last year, but did any of you bother to note that had we beaten Northwestern, we would have been playing for the B1G Conference Championship in our first year in the conference?
The loss to Wisconsin last year was out of our division.
It was only our two division losses to Michigan and Northwestern that counted toward representing the division. Michigan had already lost to Michigan State and Iowa. Michigan State lost to Nebraska. Northwestern lost to Michigan, Michigan St, and Iowa. Had we not had that 3 point home loss last year, Nebraska would have played Wisconsin again for the B1G Conference Championship. Now, is that good enough for our FIRST year, in the B1G with the toughest Schedule in the B1G?
Helena, Montana
10/11/2012
Yeah, but, Johnny….what have we done LATELY?
10/11/2012
DennisR,
We have fought our way back from the very definition of mediocrity.
We have played in 2 conference championship games
We were 3 points shy of playing in a third conference championship game.
I wonder if the coin had flipped one more half turn in any of these scenarios if we would be having this conversation?
What if Bo Pelini had won one of those two conference championships the last two years we were in the B12? What if we didn’t lose to Northwestern by 3 points last year and played in the Conference Championship game in the B1G, in our first year. What would the conversation be like then?
But unfortunately, they put one second back on the clock, so instead of losing to Nebraska, Texas went on to get its plow cleaned by Alabama.
Unfortunately, our offensive coordinator wanted to keep our injured freshman in the game. As a result we became one dimensional against Oklahoma.
The further you go into a carreer of excellence, the less and less mistakes are tolerated. That is life. That’s how it forces you to learn.
But honestly people. These are far more integral wins that we are winning today than we have won before. It is a far better future we now head to, than we have ever known.
GO BIG RED!!!!!
10/11/2012
Callahan 46-29??? That’s 75 games in 5 years or 15/yr???
10/11/2012
More like 27-22 in 4 years!
10/11/2012
I have to agree with James Moore and SEC. I think you both have stated all the same points many of us are thinking. Callahan could recruit, but couldn’t inspire play. Pelini does not seem to be able to recruit and he sure isn’t inspiring much lately. I think you can pin a lot of it on one individual player also. I just want to know why that player is the ONLY choice. Maybe if he was challenged with a backup…it might inspire something more than “whoop there it goes again.” Things at this point should be getting stronger as he has been there longer. Personally I just don’t see it. Enjoyed reading the comments and thoughts! Good to know others are questioning the same things I am thinking.
Wakita, Oklahoma
10/11/2012
One thing that the national media has pointed out is that Nebraska is still committing fundamental errors, such as blocking techniques (missed assignments) and basic ball discipline (fumbles). You could also throw a bunch of dropped balls into the mix.
Somehow or another, these players have developed bad habits whether it’s from poor coaching or poor practice habits, who knows. This ultimately is on the coaching staff.
Wakita, Oklahoma
10/11/2012
One thing about college football is that when you get all phases working in one game and you win impressively, no one can say anything negative.
You’re always only as good as your last game whether you are Alabama or the U of Buffalo.
10/11/2012
OU7Times - Finally, something we agree on. That being, “players have developed bad habits whether it’s from poor coaching or poor practice habits, who knows. This ultimately is on the coaching staff.”
I couldn’t agree more. These mishaps, at some point, need to fall back and land squarely on the shoulder’s of Coach Pelini. The same guy that waxes poetic about accountability and “pointing the thumb, not the finger.”
I want meaningful championships, not a damn whale trophy from the Holiday Bowl. By meaningful, I mean outright conference titles, not divisional titles beating the likes of Kansas State, Missouri, Iowa State, Kansas, and Colorado. And, a BCS bowl berth and win would be nice too.
Quite frankly, I’m tired of, after more than a decade of watching the same painful conclusions every year, hearing our fan base believe that winning with “integrity” clearly refers to treating fans, the media and big money boosters like rented mules, blaming the players for their “lack of execution,” berating refs to the point of embarrassing the program and potentially costing the team Ws, and acting as if the passion of Nebraska fans is the real problem with the program.
I’m also tired of hearing how having limited arrests from your team is something that needs to be celebrated as if it isn’t, or shouldn’t be, a baseline expectation.
National championships aren’t a birth right. However, they don’t need to be treated as an unattainable goal. It now seems people start talking about expecting national championships and a certain segment of the fanbase says, “Whoa, let’s hold our horses. You’re talkin’ about fillin’ some big britches there.” When we stop expecting and demanding high standards from our program, you start getting performance in line with the standards. If after 5 years we aren’t in a spot where we can compete in BCS bowls and win conference championships on a regular basis, what are we really asking from our coach?
10/11/2012
Would you be saying this if we won the Conference Championship in 2009? Would you be saying this if
we won the Conference Championship game in 2010?
Would you be saying this if we played in the conference
championship in 2011?
We all saw what an outsider’s choice in Head Coaching
did to our program in 2003. If Pelini was good enough
for Osborne, he is good enough for me.
10/11/2012
Pelini was hired to fix the defense, which he did year one and two. It’s amazing to see how in year 5 the defense has taken a pretty big step backwards. If Pelini was more liked by the media and fans, I think they would be more patient about the huge loss to OSU. However, his demeanor has only been tolerated because he had returned the Husker defense to the “blackshirt” defense we have come to expect. If there are any other blow-outs this season, his tenure may be coming to an end. Especially, with a new AD coming to town. Don’t forget Callahan was ousted, not because of the offense, but because of the defense and finally the ugly blow out game in Lincoln with…corrrect me if I’m wrong, was it Ok State?
10/12/2012
Yes, Bill in Iowa…Ok State = blowout…I was there and it sucked the big one. I also got to see us get beat at College Station AND the Big XII Championship game in Dallas/Arlington under Pelini. I have spent a lot of money to see these games with no joy. Forgot the Cotton Bowl. I am ready for some winning!
10/13/2012
Bo has had 5 years to show he knows what he is doing. His tired and failed record shows he doesn’t know what he is doing. He would probably make a good defensive/offensive coordinator. But to manage both sides of the ball, special teams and recruit…he doesn’t pack the gear. Eichorst will pick this up and do what he is being paid to do. Do I feel sorry for Bo? The guy has made $2 million a year for at least a couple of years and has more money coming in the future. He simply isn’t worth what we are paying him and needs to be replaced. NU faces Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Minnesota and Iowa. They might beat Minnesota if there is anything left of the team. Their last game against Iowa at Iowa is to horrible to imagine.
10/13/2012
So true drbordo. Two million a year should get something better than you win some you lose some. T.O. was a strategist. When things were not working…he was trying to think of a new plan. What is wrong…and what do we need to do to make this change. He could make changes after a game. He could make them at the half. I think T.O. was able to be prepared for a variety of incidents that could play out in a game. The guys were prepared and training was toward the goals set forth by a highly competitive man that could keep his wits about him without looking like a complete buffoon on the sidelines. Personally I have never had respect for this man. I accept him as the current coach, but I think his time/days should be numbered. Just my opinion.
10/15/2012
I don’t mean to be rude but, for a team to go undefeated and win a National Championship, wouldn’t they have to “win out.” I thought all coaches taught that. YES, Pelini can tell his players they need to win out. Because, if they want a championship, that is what is needed. I know, I know, it’s a vicious circle…..:)
10/16/2012
Johnny Nebraska, Michigan scored 39 points in the 2006 game when they were ranked No. 2 and tOSU was #1.
10/16/2012
Buckeye Mike,
I stand corrected. Good eyes on that one. For some reason I had dismissed that game as having been played in Michigan not Columbus. I re-checked, you are correct.
10/16/2012
Not going to brag about any of those defensive displays including the NU and Indiana games. You asked in another post if Urban had to replace a coordinator or coach. He replaced all coaches except Luke Fickell, co-defensive coord. Mike Vrabel and Stan Drayton. Offensive coord. offensive line coach and receivers coaches were all replaced, thank god.
10/16/2012
Sounds a bit extreme to replace almost everyone like that. I am glad he kept Fickell. It could not have been a pleasant experience inheritting the role of head coach in the manner that he did last year.
Well, NU’s offense is vastly improved over last years. Indiana has been known to play with wreckless abandon at times. I guess occassionally the probably of a plays success swings to your favor.
I mean, even a blind squirl finds a nut every now and then.
I just think it is so wrong for folks to start talking about a coaching change at Nebraska simply because we lost a handfull of games. There is always a 5th year slump. Pelini has brought us back from oblivion and taken us to two conference championships and darn near took us to a third one last year. Additionally, it is not like the B1G gave us the easiest schedule they could have either. A fact that has been mentioned several times on air.
The meltdowns, both on the field and on the sideline are rare. Honestly, more has been made of them than they actually should be. When I saw Urban throw down his play list after the failed fake punt, I was like, “Oh watch out Urban, these libs might get the impression you are having a melt-down.”
Its football. Football without passion is like Pizza without meats.
10/16/2012
I grew up watching Woody lose it on the sidelines, and my high school coaches were old school, they would grab you by the facemask or kick you in the butt to get your attention. Football is a game of emotion and passion, and Bo has plenty of it. Tom Osborne was a rarity in college football, as he was able to control his emotions. I think NU’s biggest problem is their mistakes that occur over and over. Their o line play has not improved under Cotton, so maybe a change is needed there. Martinez needs to come out of the game if he turns it over 3 or 4 times, just to send him a message.