Nebraska comfortable with title talk

[ATX_Husker]

Nebraska comfortable with title talk

Every time Nebraska players enter the Osborne Athletic Complex, they see the display on the north-facing exterior of Memorial Stadium.

It lists Nebraska's national championship years: 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997.

The Huskers think they can add to the marquee this coming season. Quarterback Taylor Martinez might have started the title talk this spring, but he's not the only one openly discussing college football's ultimate prize.

Asked what would qualify as a successful season, safety P.J. Smith spells it out clearly.

"Win it all," he said. "First start off winning our first couple of games, winning the conference games, winning the Big Ten championship, winning the national championship. If we don't win that, it's a disappointing season."

Nebraska hasn't played for the national title since the 2001 season -- its last BCS bowl appearance -- and hasn't claimed an outright conference title since 1999. Would a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl championship truly be a disappointment?

Smith paused.

"It's still kind of disappointing," he said. "The Big Ten is our goal. The national championship is our goal. Those are our main two goals. So if we get one and don't get the other one, we're not going to be happy. We've got the Big Ten. Yeah, OK, fine. We want the national championship. We want it all."

Smith thinks Nebraska can get there, mainly because "everybody is finally in, 100 percent." Bo Pelini has recruited the entire roster, and players and coaches are sensing a stronger chemistry after a productive offseason based on details and accountability.

Still, Nebraska likely would have to skip several steps to reach the title game Jan. 7 in Miami. Pelini's teams have won nine or 10 games in each of the past four seasons, but they lack signature wins against top-10 opponents. The Huskers' path to the title game would be closer to Auburn's rapid rise in 2010 than, say, Alabama's run last year.

"It's a big jump to go from a 9-4 to a 13-1 or a 14-0 season," wide receiver Kenny Bell said. "But if you don't believe wholeheartedly in a goal, there's no point in trying to chase it. As a collective group, we're really starting to believe that we can win championships around here. We've got the talent. Now we've got to buckle in and finish.

"Last year, we absolutely beat ourselves out of a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl."

Pelini has no problem with his players talking national title, but only because of what he has seen during the winter and spring.

"Our expectations are high around here," Pelini said. "We want to win championships around here, a Big Ten championship. I always feel if you take care of that, you're going to at least be in the conversation for a national championship. But at the end of the day, I don't get caught up in all of that. Having those kinds of expectations, that's what you want. You want guys who want to compete against the best, who want to be the best.

"It's OK to want those things, but you've got to want to do the things that are lead you to what you want. That's what's most important."

[RedSnapper]

I'm glad they have high aspirations, but I prefer a team that talks less and produces more - especially when that team hasn't been close to NC material in well over a decade, and seemed to be going backward at the end of last season.  The last time I heard this much  arrogance coming out of Lincoln, it was from the mouth of a coach who got run out of town a short time later.  I'm glad its coming from the players this time, but there is a difference between confidence and delusion. 

The other thing is I think it is a mistake to assume a stance that you will be unhappy if you don't win a NC.  Too many things out of their control that determine that.  Winning the B1G and the Rose Bowl are goals completely within their control.  If they achieve those and they aren't happy, they've missed out on a legitimate opportunity to experience real happiness.  Those come too few and far between to be kicked to the curb to easily. 

If they back it up on the field next year, its all good.  But they'll have to take some gigantic leaps forward to do that.  I'll be happy if they make themselves proud every game out there, and all days inbetween.  If they maintian focus, intensity, and effort for 14 games next year, I'll be elated.

[Cdog923]

They're comfortable talking about winning a National Title like I'm comfortable talking about dating Kate Upton, both for the same reason.

[ramelm]

They're comfortable talking about winning a National Title like I'm comfortable talking about dating Kate Upton, both for the same reason.

Hold your horses.  I'm not done with Kate Upton yet.

[Cdog923]

They're comfortable talking about winning a National Title like I'm comfortable talking about dating Kate Upton, both for the same reason.

Hold your horses.  I'm not done with Kate Upton yet.

My point exactly!

[Big Sky Husker]

I'm glad they have high aspirations, but I prefer a team that talks less and produces more - especially when that team hasn't been close to NC material in well over a decade, and seemed to be going backward at the end of last season.  The last time I heard this much  arrogance coming out of Lincoln, it was from the mouth of a coach who got run out of town a short time later.  I'm glad its coming from the players this time, but there is a difference between confidence and delusion. 

The other thing is I think it is a mistake to assume a stance that you will be unhappy if you don't win a NC.  Too many things out of their control that determine that.  Winning the B1G and the Rose Bowl are goals completely within their control.  If they achieve those and they aren't happy, they've missed out on a legitimate opportunity to experience real happiness.  Those come too few and far between to be kicked to the curb to easily. 

If they back it up on the field next year, its all good.  But they'll have to take some gigantic leaps forward to do that.  I'll be happy if they make themselves proud every game out there, and all days inbetween.  If they maintian focus, intensity, and effort for 14 games next year, I'll be elated.

Well put.  They should start with winning their division in the Big 10.  Then... the Big 10.  Then their bowl game.  After last season's performance, talk of winning a national title this year is a little out there.

[UNK_LOPERS]

I like high expectations but......

Not sure I even have to say it. 

[Red Said Ted]

If you're goal isn't to win the championship you shouldn't even be on the team. 

[redfred]

If you're goal isn't to win the championship you shouldn't even be on the team. 

Gonna disagree with you here Ted. Imo, your goal should be to help the team be the best it can be. It will be the fastest way to win a championship.If the players focus internally on being their best, the externals will follow.......as always...... imo.

Also, always worrying about the "big" picture is allowing some teams that shouldn't beat us' to beat us (eg Northwestern). I want our team to smell blood every time they step on the field......not just against those they feel worthy or important.

Don';t get me wrong, I want our team to feel as though they are going to win every single game. I just want them to focus on every single game, and not just the pot at the end of the rainbow.

[HuskerVotary]

I'm' content to let the team & staff decide what their goals are each season.  That said, we've all seen teams that "believe wholeheartedly" in one given goal or another, and then, when the goal is missed, they collapse mentally.

If they set a goal of going undefeated, fine and well.  But if (when?) they lose a game at some point, I don't wanna see them tank.  Mental toughness is key, IMO, regardless of goals spoken or unspoken. 

[redfred]

I'm' content to let the team & staff decide what their goals are each season.  That said, we've all seen teams that "believe wholeheartedly" in one given goal or another, and then, when the goal is missed, they collapse mentally.

If they set a goal of going undefeated, fine and well.  But if (when?) they lose a game at some point, I don't wanna see them tank.  Mental toughness is key, IMO, regardless of goals spoken or unspoken. 

Good points!!!