This question could be asked about many programs like USC, Miami, or even Florida. But those three have several built in advantages and it's a matter of if not when imo. Like Michigan, Texas or Notre Dame.

But Nebraska has no home recruiting base, and the truth is kids nationwide have never known Nebraska to be what people over thirty have seen. The Huskers dominated with a mix of their weight program, walk on monsters and the ability to stack guys on the depth chart. Their option offense was also nearly impossible to stop with the monsters on their line. The defense was black shirt nasty and they rolled teams with more speed like Texas, Oklahoma or Florida. They ran Peyton Manning out during his last Volunteer start in the Orange Bowl, and to me they were the true 1997 champions.

Since they got blown out in consecutive games to end the 2001 season it seems like they've just lost their place. First they fired alum Frank Solich after 2003 and hired Bill Callahan. He completely changed the culture and it didn't work. After that it was hot head Pelini, but for all his negatives he did keep them at nine wins.

They tried going back to the Callihan system with longtime Oregon State coach Mike Riley and that started their ten year stretch of no bowl game participation. After that they tried to emulate Michigan and hire their golden boy Scott Frost. A guy who led UCF to their best two years ever. Nebraska fans were so happy, but then the games happened.... Frost is now a man seen as a lazy pariah.

Matt Rhule has been at the helm for three years now. If he fails by Nebraska standards this year, he might be on the hot seat.

My question is what should Nebraska be expected to achieve? Will they ever get into the B1G hierarchy? Can they make a playoff? Can they make a run like Notre Dame did last year?

I think the coaching staff and the athletic department needs to be able to answer one question when it comes to recruiting....

"Why Nebraska?" and they can't answer that question by pointing to anything they've done but what they are currently doing.

Their win last night over a Big 12 team was rather embarrassing as I think Cincinnati would like that deep shot that ended the game back. They didn't need to take that shot, they were gifted 10 yards and there was still plenty of time on the clock to take a couple more chunk plays. Yes, they were lacking timeouts but they were in their field goal kicker's range and they just needed to improve their odds.

Nebraska should have won that game by double digits but they won by 3.

You can't build a national title winning team without the best recruits and Nebraska isn't doing that. They aren't going to be bad, they'll be a dangerous B1G team, but until they can answer the "why Nebraska" question for recruits I think they'll continue to struggle.

16 minutes ago, GatOrlando said:

Matt Rhule has been at the helm for three years now.

I was surprised when he decided to take that job, because he does have a tougher job in Lincoln, than a ton of other places. To answer your question...no, I do not think Nebraska will come back, as there are too many more attractive options for a college player, IMHO.

BTW GatOrlando....you have been a fantastic poster here. Somebody suggested that you have been the OBD member of the month, and I say, "naw."

Best of the Summer!

Great topic Gat. I think Neb’s problem is that the more national college football has become the less regional relevance it’s become. Elite recruits have so many more options these days than just the conference super powers of yesterday year.

I think this is also the key issue for many other former top ten fixtures like SUC, LSU and the Florida schools. Before it’s resent resurgence, Texas also watched most of it’s in state players heading elsewhere

I’d expect this trend to continue and the Cornhuskers will have to look back at their faded glory like Minnesota, Harvard and Yale.

Never discount the Shucking Power beaming from a Hope Diamond-sized engagement ring.

Rumor has it that Swifty left early to beat the traffic, leading to a late miracle INT. 😁

Cincinnati will not be a B12 bottom feeder in 2025. Especially, with Don Corleone on the Bearcats defense. Cincy makes the list of CFB guru Phil Steele's 2025 (pleasant) Surprise Teams.

CFB fans overreacting to an opening game? Never happens, right 🤪?

However, until proven otherwise, all of the above questions and criticisms of Nebraska should be The Rhule.

AP News

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift attend Nebraska-Cincinnati...

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have made their first public appearance since announcing their engagement.

2 hours ago, The Kamikaze Kid said:

the Cornhuskers will have to look back at their faded glory

I remember OBD going to Nebraska in the 80's and just getting pounded, coming home battered, bruised and dejected. I'm sooo glad those days are over!

Nebraska's "slide" started with the final implementation of scholarship reductions in the mid-1990's. 1997 was their last National Championship. (And, coincides with the rise of programs like Oregon)

In earlier years, it was estimated they had as many as 150 on scholarship. Then, they shifted to a very active "walk-on" program as schollie reductions took hold. Kids were still interested in walking on due to then recent Nebraska history. As the W-L records waned, and recruiting became more national with other programs vying for players Nebraska had attracted, the Huskers began losing some built in advantages. Good players who previously were walk-on decisions, started being offered scholarships elsewhere.

Their only 10-win season in the Big Ten is 2012. They were 10-4 in their second B1G season. There is more than just Texas and Oklahoma to worry about now.

But, the REAL reason they have fallen is God's Punishment. In the 2001 season they were awarded the BCS national championship slot instead of Oregon, and were crushed by Miami in the Rose Bowl.

They have been .500 or less in 11 of the 24 seasons since. 4 times with 10 wins.

If you could build a winning program solely on community and financial support, Nebraska football would still be competing for Nattys.

In addition to scholarship limits and NIL’s effect on walk-ons, what also dried-up the top player market for them was losing their conference attraction for mid-southwest (Oklahoma and Texas) talent that no longer saw them as a competitive alternative once the three programs separated.

97 Nebraska would have steamrolled 97 Michigan. They were the real champions. Michigan had the Heismann and media darlings. If they did a plus-one game the next week, Nebraska would have dominated. Michigan's 97 "co-title" is no more legit than Washington's in '91 (who cheated). The BCMess started in 98.

Exiting the Big12, bad HC hires and bad recruiting post-Solich did them in.

If you hold onto a bad coach and bad recruiter for too long the results can bury a program for a long time. That’s why getting rid of Helfrich after his only losing season was so important.

The key is following up a firing with a good hire. Luckily, WT and Mario were great recruiters and they got good talent to come to Eugene. Nebraska just kept making bad hire after bad hire. Riley and Frost were not known for getting great talent to come play for them, so it’s no surprise that they didn’t work out.

Great responses!

I’d say the ship has sailed, especially with the expanded B1G. Are they hoping to crack the top-6 in the conference now? Oklahoma may be just behind them on the path of fallen powers.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by JabbaNoBargain

Attending Nebraska during winter term....

What's Not to Like?

It can snow during the football season...

Ever been to Nebraska?

I Hunted on a ranch near the Dismal River lodge in the Sand Hills years ago. Former NFL players Joe Jurevicius, and John Howell have land available, and run Dismal River outfitters. Mullen, Nebraska is the closest town, population 465.

Unique topography, but the phrase, let’s all go vacation in Nebraska isn’t something I hear very often.

It's a really tough place to recruit to in today's world. Oregon at least has natural beauty in addition to the world class facilities and the connection to Nike. Weather sucks, nightlife sucks, completely different culture compared to where most of the 4 and 5 star recruits are from, I think Rhule is at least a decent coach, but ultimately it's more about the Jimmies and the Joes than it is about coaching.

I think the best that Nebraska can get to in today's world is an Ole Miss or Indiana type program. Being around the outskirts of the playoff, making it in every 4-5 years. I do not think they are ever getting back to a consistent top-10 type program.