Nebraska Football 2022

[omaha79]

I don't want to lose Mickey. It's pretty obvious the players love him 1000 times more than Frost, and he comes off as a likeable guy in the interviews. I just don't think the fans have the patience for him to learn the ropes on the job. If he's kept on as HC all I really see happening is a couple more seasons of 4-8, and he'll be run out of town like every other coach. And that would be sad. But my other side wants to see him get a shot over some lame new hire like Brett Bielema or Bill O'Brien.

interesting that Mickey is more "exciting" than a "lame" hire like Bielema. I'd take 7-1 right now. By any measure, Bielema has been a fantastic hire for Illinois. I sense a little of the "nebraska guy" mentality coming into play here. The idea that anything about a Nebraska guy is in any way exciting is part of the reason we are in this mess now. It should never be a factor in any coaching discussion associated with this program ever again.

[Busguy2010]

interesting that Mickey is more "exciting" than a "lame" hire like Bielema. I'd take 7-1 right now. By any measure, Bielema has been a fantastic hire for Illinois. I sense a little of the "nebraska guy" mentality coming into play here. The idea that anything about a Nebraska guy is in any way exciting is part of the reason we are in this mess now. It should never be a factor in any coaching discussion associated with this program ever again.

Right, I mean "not one of us" by lame. I definitely would take Bielema. I think at this point, Bielema would have had the Huskers at least 6 wins at this point if you were to cut and paste... But I don't like him. He has no connection to Nebraska, and he's more an antagonist to Nebraska than anything else.

Bill Callahan and Mike Riley also didn't have any connection to Nebraska, and we saw how that worked. So IMO there's nothing wrong with the homer mentality, as long as its acknowledged that it doesn't mean he's gonna be good, which I did. What I'm really saying is I want it to be a slam dunk, or Mickey. If there's not really an exciting connection, i.e. the guy isn't fired up to be the Husker coach, he comes here for the money, Nebraska wasn't his first choice, he couldn't do any better than Nebraska, etc, then I'd want to keep Mickey in the spot.

[Greg S]

interesting that Mickey is more "exciting" than a "lame" hire like Bielema. I'd take 7-1 right now. By any measure, Bielema has been a fantastic hire for Illinois. I sense a little of the "nebraska guy" mentality coming into play here. The idea that anything about a Nebraska guy is in any way exciting is part of the reason we are in this mess now. It should never be a factor in any coaching discussion associated with this program ever again.

Right, I mean "not one of us" by lame. I definitely would take Bielema. I think at this point, Bielema would have had the Huskers at least 6 wins at this point if you were to cut and paste... But I don't like him. He has no connection to Nebraska, and he's more an antagonist to Nebraska than anything else.

Bill Callahan and Mike Riley also didn't have any connection to Nebraska, and we saw how that worked. So IMO there's nothing wrong with the homer mentality, as long as its acknowledged that it doesn't mean he's gonna be good, which I did. What I'm really saying is I want it to be a slam dunk, or Mickey. If there's not really an exciting connection, i.e. the guy isn't fired up to be the Husker coach, he comes here for the money, Nebraska wasn't his first choice, he couldn't do any better than Nebraska, etc, then I'd want to keep Mickey in the spot.

I think Nebraska is a better job than Illinois. That being said I am not sure Bielema is going to leave so soon, let alone to a team not only in the same conference, but same division. When's the last time that happened in any major conference?

I am also not sure Bielema is necessarily the best option for us right now (though I do think he'd be successful).

Greg

[omaha79]

interesting that Mickey is more "exciting" than a "lame" hire like Bielema. I'd take 7-1 right now. By any measure, Bielema has been a fantastic hire for Illinois. I sense a little of the "nebraska guy" mentality coming into play here. The idea that anything about a Nebraska guy is in any way exciting is part of the reason we are in this mess now. It should never be a factor in any coaching discussion associated with this program ever again.

Right, I mean "not one of us" by lame. I definitely would take Bielema. I think at this point, Bielema would have had the Huskers at least 6 wins at this point if you were to cut and paste... But I don't like him. He has no connection to Nebraska, and he's more an antagonist to Nebraska than anything else.

Bill Callahan and Mike Riley also didn't have any connection to Nebraska, and we saw how that worked. So IMO there's nothing wrong with the homer mentality, as long as its acknowledged that it doesn't mean he's gonna be good, which I did. What I'm really saying is I want it to be a slam dunk, or Mickey. If there's not really an exciting connection, i.e. the guy isn't fired up to be the Husker coach, he comes here for the money, Nebraska wasn't his first choice, he couldn't do any better than Nebraska, etc, then I'd want to keep Mickey in the spot.

I'm just saying at this point, the idea of a coach being a "Nebraska guy" should no more sway the decision to hire him or not than whether he has brown hair or blonde. Whether he wears polos or hoodies on the sidelines. It's irrelevant. No "Nebraska guy" succeeded in reviving the program and they certainly didn't provide a hometown discount. Some wanted Turner Gill in 2007. How would that have turned out? Some have talked about Craig Bohl in the past. I have no evidence that would turn out well. Some wanted Frost in 2015. That would have been an even more unmitigated disaster than what we got in 2018, but at least we could have skipped over Riley and gotten straight to the stain that is Scott Frost and already have likely been on to something else by about 2019.

I'm now totally agnostic about a coach being a "Nebraska guy". It doesn't move the needle one way or another. System. Experience. Recruiting prowess. Big Ten acumen is what I care about.

[Busguy2010]

I think Nebraska is a better job than Illinois. That being said I am not sure Bielema is going to leave so soon, let alone to a team not only in the same conference, but same division. When's the last time that happened in any major conference?

I am also not sure Bielema is necessarily the best option for us right now (though I do think he'd be successful).

Greg

I think its a better job too. The only reason I'd accept Bielema is because he has ties to Barry Alvarez, and he likely would return the Huskers to being a "big uglies" school.

[Busguy2010]

I'm just saying at this point, the idea of a coach being a "Nebraska guy" should no more sway the decision to hire him or not than whether he has brown hair or blonde. Whether he wears polos or hoodies on the sidelines. It's irrelevant.

I totally agree. I don't think his being a homer should affect his status... However, if we consider some of the obvious potential names (and forgive me I don't really dive deep, I've just heard names) such as Dave Aranda, Dan Mullen, Lane Kiffin, Matt Campbell, Brett Bielema, Bill O'Brien, those names don't really strike a much of chord with me. Yeah, they're all decent to good, but none of them have a connection. It matters to me, I guess. Unless Urban Meyer comes here, then I personally would give Mickey his homer benefit.

Brett Bielema would come here for 7 million
Lane Kiffin might come here for 9 million
Urban Meyer might come here for 11 million

IF none of them want it for that, then I say give Mickey a shot with the leftover candidates.

[damonhynes]

interesting that Mickey is more "exciting" than a "lame" hire like Bielema. I'd take 7-1 right now. By any measure, Bielema has been a fantastic hire for Illinois. I sense a little of the "nebraska guy" mentality coming into play here. The idea that anything about a Nebraska guy is in any way exciting is part of the reason we are in this mess now. It should never be a factor in any coaching discussion associated with this program ever again.

Right, I mean "not one of us" by lame. I definitely would take Bielema. I think at this point, Bielema would have had the Huskers at least 6 wins at this point if you were to cut and paste... But I don't like him. He has no connection to Nebraska, and he's more an antagonist to Nebraska than anything else.

Bill Callahan and Mike Riley also didn't have any connection to Nebraska, and we saw how that worked. So IMO there's nothing wrong with the homer mentality, as long as its acknowledged that it doesn't mean he's gonna be good, which I did. What I'm really saying is I want it to be a slam dunk, or Mickey. If there's not really an exciting connection, i.e. the guy isn't fired up to be the Husker coach, he comes here for the money, Nebraska wasn't his first choice, he couldn't do any better than Nebraska, etc, then I'd want to keep Mickey in the spot.

I think Nebraska is a better job than Illinois. That being said I am not sure Bielema is going to leave so soon, let alone to a team not only in the same conference, but same division. When's the last time that happened in any major conference?

I am also not sure Bielema is necessarily the best option for us right now (though I do think he'd be successful).

Greg

Illannoy is a better job now, and Bielema is making it better, now. Wild card is how long he'll stay.

[nebport5]

It is interesting to me. I look at Brett Bielema. I don't necessarily like the guy. But, he's a proven Big Ten coach. Some laughed when Illinois hired him. The faithful in this state tried to act like it was a desperation move from Illinois and that Nebraska somehow had the better head coach in Frost. What did Bielema and Illinois do? Proceed to beat the pants off of Frost and Nebraska from the moment he stepped on campus.

The one thing Nebraska hasn't tried is to hire a coach with Big Ten connections. Who knows that you need to run the ball and play smashmouth football. Who has connections to the recruiting area.

The announcers said during the telecast, to paraphrase, "They say Nebraska can't win because of recruiting area, but that's nonsense. If Illinois can fix things with the right coach in a couple of years, so can Nebraska."

I think we are learning, it all comes down to coaching and system. Having the right guy in there who recruits the right players, develops them, and has a system built to win in this league will. Nebraska hasn't really had that since moving to the Big Ten. If they keep trying gimmicks from the Pac 12 or American Conference, they will continue to fail.

I can't argue with you here. I do think coaches that have spent significant time in this area would be fine. Like Leipold, Campbell, Doreen and Kleiman.

Greg

I Think each of you are saying different things. You could add the Big 12's historically spread heavy offenses as "gimmicky" for The Big 10.

Pelini did have Big 10 area connections and even played for Ohio St and coached under Fry at Iowa. Campbell's lack of Big 10 experience concerns me. Getting a "local" area coach is not the way to go.

[nebport5]

I don't want to lose Mickey. It's pretty obvious the players love him 1000 times more than Frost, and he comes off as a likeable guy in the interviews. I just don't think the fans have the patience for him to learn the ropes on the job. If he's kept on as HC all I really see happening is a couple more seasons of 4-8, and he'll be run out of town like every other coach. And that would be sad. But my other side wants to see him get a shot over some lame new hire like Brett Bielema or Bill O'Brien.

Based upon the fact he already "gets it" more than Frost did in 5 seasons? Frost couldn't recruit well and was stubborn about his system. What makes you think Mickey couldn't bring in the right players and coaches to get NU back into wining seasons? Joseph has already shown more encouraging leadership qualities than Frost did in his tenure. O'brien has Big 10, SEC, and NFL experience. He may not be my first choice but I wouldn't say he'd be a lame hire.

[nebport5]

Illinois is not the better job. That's your emotional resignation talking. Bielema is however showing that if he can get Illinois competitive in the BIG West, there's no reason Nebraska can't return to being competitive in conference. We need a guy who understands the BIG 10, can recruit well and has a supportive A.D. I have more faith in Joseph and Alberts making it happen vs Alberts bringing in another stubborn ego guy who's gonna run his system. If not Joseph, it should be Aranda with Joseph. Forget Campbell.

[Busguy2010]

If he's kept on as HC all I really see happening is a couple more seasons of 4-8, and he'll be run out of town like every other coach.

Based upon the fact he already "gets it" more than Frost did in 5 seasons? Frost couldn't recruit well and was stubborn about his system. What makes you think Mickey couldn't bring in the right players and coaches to get NU back into wining seasons?

nebport5, let me clarify that I think Mickey Joseph is a great recruiter. The kids like him, I like him. But we're only talking about a short period of time. Everybody in the state is giving him the benefit of doubt right now. If he were to have a 4-8 season next year (which I think is possible, we've seen it all), then what do you think? And let me clarify again, I like Mickey Joseph, and I want the job to be his. But so far given his resume, and especially his performance as interim HC, I don't believe he'll be able to beat out the other potential candidates... As lame as I think they might be.

[nebport5]

If he's kept on as HC all I really see happening is a couple more seasons of 4-8, and he'll be run out of town like every other coach.

Based upon the fact he already "gets it" more than Frost did in 5 seasons? Frost couldn't recruit well and was stubborn about his system. What makes you think Mickey couldn't bring in the right players and coaches to get NU back into wining seasons?

nebport5, let me clarify that I think Mickey Joseph is a great recruiter. The kids like him, I like him. But we're only talking about a short period of time. Everybody in the state is giving him the benefit of doubt right now. If he were to have a 4-8 season next year (which I think is possible, we've seen it all), then what do you think? And let me clarify again, I like Mickey Joseph, and I want the job to be his. But so far given his resume, and especially his performance as interim HC, I don't believe he'll be able to beat out the other potential candidates... As lame as I think they might be.

I hear what you're saying. In terms of an on paper head coaching resume, yes, that'll be hard to overcome. But does that even matter vs making a risky "splash" hire? Frost sounded like a sure bet on paper but he only had one good season as a head coach. One great season out of just under 6.5 years as a head coach and the rest were losing seasons. Frost was a hot coordinator that like many before him meant he was a ripe candidate for a HC job. Callahan was a hot NFL head coach and how did that translate at Nebraska? Is there too much emphasis on head coaching experience and does Alberts see it that way? Remember too, Mike Riley was heavily recruited by USC and Alabama years before agreeing to come to Nebraska.

I really believe Joseph would do much better than 4-8 next year. Compete for the Big 10 title? Probably not. Compete for the Big Ten West next year? Absolutely. I believe Joseph can be successful enough in recruiting(including the portal) along with bringing in his assistants to think a 6 plus win season is reasonable. I think Mickey would have a leg up next year over any coach coming in fresh to the program and completely starting over again. I know what the media is saying, but they've got stories to sell. Should Alberts be selling the same story to Husker Nation?

[Busguy2010]

What I'm really saying is I want it to be a slam dunk, or Mickey. If there's not really an exciting connection, i.e. the guy isn't fired up to be the Husker coach, he comes here for the money, Nebraska wasn't his first choice, he couldn't do any better than Nebraska, etc, then I'd want to keep Mickey in the spot.

I think my main point got lost somewhere in the discussion today, so I'll quote it.

[nebport5]

What I'm really saying is I want it to be a slam dunk, or Mickey. If there's not really an exciting connection, i.e. the guy isn't fired up to be the Husker coach, he comes here for the money, Nebraska wasn't his first choice, he couldn't do any better than Nebraska, etc, then I'd want to keep Mickey in the spot.

I think my main point got lost somewhere in the discussion today, so I'll quote it.

So that eliminates the Urban Meyers and money/ego grifters which I sincerely hope Alberts would see through. All of Husker Nation wants a slam dunk but what does that really constitute on paper?

[Busguy2010]

I dont really think there is a slam dunk out there per se. There's definitely solid coaches out there. I just have flashbacks of Bill Callahan when I think of the other coaches being talked about. He wasnt very good, and he had no Nebraska soul. I feel like that's how they will all turn out. Except Brett Bielema, I think he'd get them back to more of a Bo Pelini vibe. All those things considered has me thinking Mickey Joseph has a decent shot regardless of his resume.

[Coyote]

Sam McKewon's Three Keys for Nebraska against Minnesota

[Bobcat]

I dont really think there is a slam dunk out there per se. There's definitely solid coaches out there. I just have flashbacks of Bill Callahan when I think of the other coaches being talked about. He wasnt very good, and he had no Nebraska soul. I feel like that's how they will all turn out. Except Brett Bielema, I think he'd get them back to more of a Bo Pelini vibe. All those things considered has me thinking Mickey Joseph has a decent shot regardless of his resume.

Monte Kiffin has Nebraska soul. Played for the Huskers. He's a "Defensive Consultant" for his son Lane who has been outstanding at Ole Miss.

If Mickey doesn't get the job I would love to see the Kiffins in Lincoln.

[Busguy2010]

Monte Kiffin has Nebraska soul. Played for the Huskers. He's a "Defensive Consultant" for his son Lane who has been outstanding at Ole Miss.

If Mickey doesn't get the job I would love to see the Kiffins in Lincoln.

Okay, I like that... Honestly he's the best candidate, but I don't think he'd want to leave. Having that much success at Ole Miss, to come here for a reclamation project. I just don't see it. But I'd be happiest with that.

[nebport5]

Monte Kiffin has Nebraska soul. Played for the Huskers. He's a "Defensive Consultant" for his son Lane who has been outstanding at Ole Miss.

If Mickey doesn't get the job I would love to see the Kiffins in Lincoln.

Okay, I like that... Honestly he's the best candidate, but I don't think he'd want to leave. Having that much success at Ole Miss, to come here for a reclamation project. I just don't see it. But I'd be happiest with that.

The best candidate doesn't always have Nebraska ties. I could see Kiffin at Auburn. It would be more rolling the dice for Alberts to pursue him over other candidates like Aranda or O'Brein.

[Uffda]

I dont really think there is a slam dunk out there per se. There's definitely solid coaches out there. I just have flashbacks of Bill Callahan when I think of the other coaches being talked about. He wasnt very good, and he had no Nebraska soul. I feel like that's how they will all turn out. Except Brett Bielema, I think he'd get them back to more of a Bo Pelini vibe. All those things considered has me thinking Mickey Joseph has a decent shot regardless of his resume.

Monte Kiffin has Nebraska soul. Played for the Huskers. He's a "Defensive Consultant" for his son Lane who has been outstanding at Ole Miss.

If Mickey doesn't get the job I would love to see the Kiffins in Lincoln.

Monte Kiffin is 82 - Nebraska needs someone much younger than that to have continuity

[Louie]

I dont really think there is a slam dunk out there per se. There's definitely solid coaches out there. I just have flashbacks of Bill Callahan when I think of the other coaches being talked about. He wasnt very good, and he had no Nebraska soul. I feel like that's how they will all turn out. Except Brett Bielema, I think he'd get them back to more of a Bo Pelini vibe. All those things considered has me thinking Mickey Joseph has a decent shot regardless of his resume.

Monte Kiffin has Nebraska soul. Played for the Huskers. He's a "Defensive Consultant" for his son Lane who has been outstanding at Ole Miss.

If Mickey doesn't get the job I would love to see the Kiffins in Lincoln.

Monte Kiffin is 82 - Nebraska needs someone much younger than that to have continuity

Yes, Monte would be a terrible hire, unless he brought a DC/OC that was going to be Head Coach material soon. But that's a huge stretch.

[Busguy2010]

No we meant hire Lane kiffin and you get the benefit of Monte being there for support. And there would be a Nebraska connection in a small capacity.

[Busguy2010]

At halftime, I'll say I'm surprised... I'm not impressed, but I'm surprised. Well, I guess I am a little impressed how the game management has gone. Mickey and Whipple know they don't have a passing game (and that is a massive understatement), but they are somehow managing a decent run game... How? I don't know. What I do know, is I definitely get a free Big Mac on Monday. They already have 3 or 4 sacks.

[Coyote]

Minnesota has two many 5th and 6th year defenders.

[mrsticka]

Game's over. Nebraska lost 20-13.

[Coyote]

Minnesota was 15 point favorites, at 13-20 Memorial Stadium.

[Coyote]

Huskers fight hard in loss to Gophers
Anthony Grant rumbled for 115 yards on 21 carries, but the Nebraska football team could not maintain a 10-0 halftime lead in a 20-13 loss to visiting Minnesota on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Anthony Grant rumbled for 115 yards on 21 carries, but the Nebraska football team could not maintain a 10-0 halftime lead in a 20-13 loss to visiting Minnesota on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska's back-up quarterbacks Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers, along with a hard-hitting Husker defense, kept the Huskers within striking distance to the final possession, but they were unable to notch a victory. NU slipped to 3-6 on the season and 2-4 in the Big Ten, while Minnesota improved to 6-3 and 3-3 in the conference.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not surprised at all by the Husker loss.. I guess it was inevitable..

One comment I will make, is Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim is a grown a$$ man, plays like it and looks like he’s 30 years old…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Cermak]

Not surprised at all by the Husker loss.. I guess it was inevitable..

One comment I will make, is Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim is a grown a$$ man, plays like it and looks like he’s 30 years old…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Pretty much the way I think most people feel, they will sometimes find different ways to lose, the lead at halftime was a new twist. But you knew Minnesota would wake up and eventually win.

[nativeomahan]

Is a 4-8 or 5-7 or 6-6 season good enough to keep putting 80,000+ butts in seats, TV money flowing and having the cash registers ka-ching in Lincoln bars, restaurants and shops? If those numbers are good enough then it really doesn’t matter who the next coach is or how well he performs. Those numbers have worked amazingly well for a decade. Why should the next 5 years be any different? Alberts could save himself and everyone else a lot of grief and at the same time save quite a few million dollars by keeping Joseph in place.

[Busguy2010]

I'll say this about today's game. No matter how utterly disappointing the outcome was, somehow the boys gave me enough to be hopeful for at the half. And I really didn't expect that. I mean, heck, I was so apathetic about this game that I didn't even predict the score (in the back of my mind I was thinking Minnesota 42-10, but didn't want to say it). They're just heartbreaking to watch... I Pray to god that Casey Thompson is good enough to go so that the Huskers have a little bit of hope in breaking 100 yards of offense and maybe get a field goal next week.

[Cermak]

Is a 4-8 or 5-7 or 6-6 season good enough to keep putting 80,000+ butts in seats, TV money flowing and having the cash registers ka-ching in Lincoln bars, restaurants and shops? If those numbers are good enough then it really doesn’t matter who the next coach is or how well he performs. Those numbers have worked amazingly well for a decade. Why should the next 5 years be any different? Alberts could save himself and everyone else a lot of grief and at the same time save quite a few million dollars by keeping Joseph in place.

I would think putting 80,000 in the stadium is going to be increasingly difficult if not impossible soon. I live in Omaha by the time you drive over to Lincoln find a parking spot go to the game and drive home your talking a full day 7-8 hrs. I don't think people are willing to do that to watch a team that almost always loses. Maybe the people in Lincoln will continue to go it's not as big of a hassle or time commitment for them. But for Omaha people most won't want to waste their Saturday to be disappointed when they can just watch them lose on TV in a little over 3 hrs. I haven't been to a game in years and don't plan to go anytime soon. I would just keep Mickey for a few more years give him a shot. But pay him less since he doesn't have a lot of head coaching experience.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I would think putting 80,000 in the stadium is going to be increasingly difficult if not impossible soon. I live in Omaha by the time you drive over to Lincoln find a parking spot go to the game and drive home you’re talking a full day 7-8 hrs. I haven't been to a game in years and don't plan to go anytime soon. I would just keep Mickey for a few more years give him a shot. But pay him less since he doesn't have a lot of head coaching experience.

2 points-

#1) I agree with your assessment of the sell out streak staying alive for the near future. That’s the final record which will eventually fall if the Huskers continue with 3 to 5 win non bowl eligible seasons. In fact, if it wasn’t for one of the Doners buying up all of the tickets, that streak would have ended this season; and eventually it will. Most of the 80+k who attend these games in Lincoln are from Omaha- I’d venture to say 65-75%..so your point is valid- Why drive to Lincoln and and up spending basically an entire 7-8 hour day just to see NU lose again and again?..

#2) I like Mickey Joseph, and I do see merit in offering him the permanent head coaching position. But I just don’t see that happening now. The audition, especially the last 2 losses at home, have likely sealed the deal. If Mickey could pull off a miracle and win in Ann Arbor next Saturday then win out, then he’s back in the running.. But we know that scenario is as likely to happen as any of us hitting the winning Lotto ticket. This Husker team is much more likely to lose their last 3 games; at most, winning one of the last three…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nativeomahan]

I’m old enough to recall just about everyone from outside of Nebraska making fun of the Huskers selling out the stadium each home game back when the team regularly won 9 or more games, and NU fans following the team to bowl games in droves. The semi humorous criticism went along the lines of “Well, if you lived in Nebraska with no professional level sports, there would be absolutely nothing else to do once you picked your corn than to follow a college football team.”
Of course most of us who live here roll their eyes at such comments. Most of us actually do have lives, and plenty of other interests besides sitting in an often cold football stadium or parked on the sofa in front of the TV each autumn Saturday. But…apparently enough Nebraskans don’t care how good or bad the team plays, or who the head coach is. They’ll continue to sit glued at home or in the stadium watching the team lose week after week, year after year. Rather like Cubs fans who regularly sold out Wrigley field when the Cubs were so bad they never even competed for a playoff spot.
People go to games in person as much or more for the social aspect of the day. Tailgating and seeing old friends, then maybe off for drinks and dinner in Lincoln after the game. Out of state people spend the night in Lincoln and make a weekend adventure out of the game. For some people it is a ritual, and the actual game is basically irrelevant. Sure they would rather notch a win, but they will still party one way or the other.
Trev Alberts really shouldn’t be concerned about the opinions of the die hard Husker fan when he makes his selection. They’ll follow the team over the cliff if that’s where they go. Rather, Alberts ought to be most concerned with the desires of the “fair weather fan”. They will only follow the team when they are on a hot streak, and move on to the next shiny red ball when the magic disappears on the field. And of course the national sports media falls into this latter category.

[nebport5]

The discourse of the last handful of posts is exactly why Frost was fired. Alberts delaying his fate last year along with relatively cushy metrics similarly would not suffice with the fan base this season. Alberts wisely acted accordingly. Diehard fans or not, the collective of Husker Nation is much more likely to give a new guy a chance to fuel a fettered fanaticism. This partially informs the enthusiasm of Mickey Joseph in spite of more losses. It also informs the desperate calls for Urban. Consider the root of "fan" too in fathoming what puts butts in seats. For us addicts, the drug in question is wins or at this point the promise of such. While I agree that removing "interim" from Joseph's title isn't likely, he's yet given Husker Nation more legitimate enthusiasm in the last five games than the last two head coaches in the last eight years. Jospeh has at least earned the million dollar assistant/recruiting guru role. The pressure is now on Alberts to complement him with a H.C. that recognizes the resources regardless of recent histories or records.

[Cermak]

Mich 35 NU 24
A closer game than we expect, at the Big House.

[Louie]

Lol, I'll go 41-17 Michigan wins.

[Coyote]

It's a 31-point spread, so if Chubby starts then 17-34, if Logan starts then 10-38.

[nebport5]

It's a 31-point spread, so if Chubby starts then 17-34, if Logan starts then 10-38.

Both are a big drop off from Thompson but at this point I hope Logan starts. Chubby looked awful the last two games with terrible throws and bad decisions. But apparently he practices well. At this point, if the young guys aren't ready they need to get them ready. Haarberg and Torres are tall enough and have the arms to actually throw the ball down field. We need something in the passing game to help open up the run game.

[Busguy2010]

21-0 end of first, 35-0 at the half. Michigan sits starters after going up 42-0. Nebraska musters up a touchdown against the twos.

Michigan 49-7