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Originally Posted by Saulbadguy
Missing the bowl game was inevitable.
The utter annihilations of NU by Colorado, Kansas State, and now Iowa State, Missouri, and even KANSAS, has really set the tone for Nebraska football for this decade.
Like I said, Nebraska will probably be pretty good in years to come, and will compete for the Big XII North title just about every year, and even the Big XII title some years, but they will no longer be the class of the Big XII year in and out, ever.
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I can't disagree with that. It is hard to sustain a dynasty in this day and age. Parity makes it hard for any school to rule their conference for long. I'll be happy to compete for the Big XII every few years and an occasional naitonal title run.
As for moving away from the option, I guess I have mixed feelings. I don't doubt that it can be successful even today. It is really hard, though, to be an elite team in the nation running it. Aside from the Osborne teams can you name any recent powerhouse team focused on the option? It can win games, but without the perfect recruits and coaches it won't win NC's in today's game. You need a balance, something Solich never really embraced.
Going to a West Coast offense may have been too drastic IMO. Still, I have a little more faith in Callahan than Naptown. If the promise of NFL experience brings the best talent, so be it. I miss the days when the Big Red could run over any opponent, but I'll be plenty happy to see them beat teams through the air. I know that there were a few years in the 70's or 80's when NU was more pass oriented. It was only later that the option focused attack arrived. Next year will be very telling. Hopefully they can build on this year's improvements starting tonight.