Pelini has his work cut out for him as the new head coach of the Cornhuskers. AP

Pelini is retaining two members from the staff of Bill Callahan (who was fired after going 27-22 in four seasons) in recruiting coordinator Ted Gilmore, who will also coach receivers, and more important, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson.

The return of Watson, who will take over play-calling duties, means the Cornhuskers may be sticking with Callahan's West Coast offense, at least for now. The complicated, oft-criticized scheme had shown improvement in Callahan's last three seasons, going from 96th in total offense in '05 to 14th in '06 to 11th in '07. Pelini says scrapping the current system isn't necessary, though he could add some new wrinkles.

"I think there will be some elements that will stay in place and there will be some things that will change," he said. "Obviously you don't need to trash everything, they had some success on offense and I understand that and I'm smart enough to know there's some good things they did."

Like quarterback Joe Ganz's seven-touchdown performance in a 73-31 win over Kansas State, the most points the Huskers have scored in 10 years. "I think we'll get better," he said. "They had a rough season last year but they're really just one season off playing in the Big 12 title game."

Consider Pelini well-schooled in all things Nebraska. Credit his time as defensive coordinator and interim head coach in 2003 -- along with the influence of Osborne. The legendary coach who led the Huskers to three national titles in his 25 years was named interim athletic director after the firing of Steve Pedersen, but recently had the interim label removed after he signed on through 2010.

"It's unbelievable," Pelini said. "You have a guy who's a legend in the coaching business. He's right in the office right above me and he's there for me to bounce things off, to ask for advice."

On Pelini's second day on the job, he and Osborne hit the recruiting trail together. Osborne, who was named interim head coach before Pelini's hiring, was demoted to interim assistant coach to allow him to continue recruiting under NCAA regulations.

"We went out one or two whole days and that was a fun thing," Pelini said. "It's been fun just having him around and having him be a part of things and just getting his perspective and advice. There's no man that knows more about the University of Nebraska and its traditions and what makes it special."

Amid those recruiting trips, hiring his staff and finding some time to watch every play the Ohio State offense has run this season it wasn't all easy. Pelini spent his 40th birthday away from his wife and three children.

Now back in Baton Rouge his attention is squarely on LSU -- most of the time. "We're ready to go and my focus right now, about 95 percent of the time, is on playing a good team in the national championship game," Pelini said.

But after that, it's right back to that desk in Lincoln.