SI: Nebraska shedding distractions, focusing on meeting expectations

[ATX_Husker]

Nebraska shedding distractions, focusing on meeting expectations

[Chaddyboxer]

Not a bad read. Now...enough talking and time to back it up.

[wilber24]

Been down this road before!

[Airbornehusker]

I'm starting to get tired of the talk.  Time to back it up.  I really do think this year is going to be Coach Pelini's best so far though.  In looking at some of the past few years, we've been literally single plays away from conference championships and BCS-bowl births.  On the flip side, I guess you could say that we've been single plays away from much worse records as well.  I'm just hoping for a return to the time when Nebraska didn't beat themselves....a time when the team wasn't so emotionally fragile.  If we lost, it was usually because we were legitimately out-played.  I think we're getting there.

[Big Sky Husker]

I'm starting to get tired of the talk.  Time to back it up.  I really do think this year is going to be Coach Pelini's best so far though.  In looking at some of the past few years, we've been literally single plays away from conference championships and BCS-bowl births.  On the flip side, I guess you could say that we've been single plays away from much worse records as well.  I'm just hoping for a return to the time when Nebraska didn't beat themselves....a time when the team wasn't so emotionally fragile.  If we lost, it was usually because we were legitimately out-played.  I think we're getting there.

Until I see a team that wins more than 9 or 10 games per year, it's simply talk.  Every year for the past 3 years, the talk is... we're almost there.  And the reality is... we had very good defenses in 2009 and 2010... and crappy offenses.  Last year, we had another round of new coaches, and some injuries.  And we didn't play good football several times.  Those observations mean we are not almost there, IMO.  We are not reloading... and there are several reasons for that.  Throw in several coaches learning more about their jobs, 9 or 10 wins per season is what you have.  I don't think we're really much better, talent-wise across the team, from where we were in 2009.  The longer we move away from the last time we played in a BCS bowl, the more doubt I have that we are going to get back.  Hate to think that way... but it's been 10 long years since that Rose Bowl in Jan 2002. 

[BigRedArmy]

NU is about 2 recruiting classes away from where we want them to be on the field.

The coaches realize they didnt do what needed to be done on the recruiting front early on when the new staff took over, but that is being remedied. However, NU is still in Big 12 mode as far as the current roster goes and will be for a couple more years.

Until the current incoming roster of freshmen get some PT under their belt, look for NU to miss the conference championship game.

Like I said though, its been noted and being taken care of, but takes time to show results.

[HuskerVotary]

Thanks for the link, ATX!

Liked the article.  Thought the salient point was that, for the first time in a coupla years, the added pressure and weight of (1) exiting the Big XII or (2) entering the BigTen are gone.  That makes sense to me, and I hope it helps. 

It does seem to me that the past two and a half years were filled with undue conference-related drama/crap.  Personally, I'm looking forward to a season where we can concentrate on things other than "good riddance" or "welcome to the big time."  And that's as a simple fan.   I have to think it's a much larger relief to the players.

[TheFightingFerrets]

I really hope that Martinez makes progress this year and am glad that he worked on his footwork...but, anyone else notice that the football he is throwing has the laces out.  That doesn't make me feel any better. 

[Red Said Ted]

I really hope that Martinez makes progress this year and am glad that he worked on his footwork...but, anyone else notice that the football he is throwing has the laces out.  That doesn't make me feel any better. 

Notice that is where the Adidas logo is located.  That is called product placement, my friend.  Pay it no mind...

[Big Sky Husker]

I really hope that Martinez makes progress this year and am glad that he worked on his footwork...but, anyone else notice that the football he is throwing has the laces out.  That doesn't make me feel any better. 

Notice that is where the Adidas logo is located.  That is called product placement, my friend.  Pay it no mind...

Hope you're right...

[OhioHusker43065]

Not to a negative Nancy, but the last few years have pushed me to a point of I'll believe it when I see it.  Spring talk means absolutely zero.