Stewart is absolutely correct. Bill Callahan may be a top-notch recruiter, but he is a bust in utilizing that talent. And Kevin Cosgrove's "defense" was an embarassment. I was proud of how the Huskers did not toss it in late in the game, and showed gumption in using "garbage time" to fine-tune the team for the week's to come, but my Lord, those USC players made ours look like high schoolers on defense. Even so, if we keep improving, we have a 50/50 chance of beating the highly over-rated Texas Longhorns in October.

I don't understand all this hoopla about how Bill Callahan has lowered the expectations for the fan base. Expectations have been low in Lincoln for 10 years now. Yes, Frank Solich did go 58-16 but under him Nebraska was also pitiful against Top 10 (and ranked teams nonetheless), horrible on the road, and won the Big XII North title once in 6 years. He did win 10 games in 2003 but 3 of the teams, Penn State, Iowa State, and Colorado, all had losing records whereas the year before each of those teams were competing for conference titles. Nebraska finished THIRD in the North that year. Please don't even call our offense prior to Bill Callahan's arrival the option, the option died at Nebraska in 1997. Solich only knew how to run the single wing and it's apparent that's all he knows based on the wide open offense we're seeing at Ohio.

Let's not forget even the great Tom Osborne didn't beat Oklahoma until 5 years after he took over as head coach. In the 70's, Nebraska lost several times against Missouri and Iowa State, and could never seem to get past the Sooners, and this was fresh coming off of two straight national championships. Osborne also lost 9 straight bowl games, often by large margins, and had a losing record against Top 10 opponents as well.

Mandel, you're totally off base if you think Bill Callahan is going anywhere. People point to how Pete Carroll turned around USC in 2 years but his quarterback was Carson Palmer and a host of NFL caliber players on both sides of the ball. Callahan had...Joe Dailey, who isn't even a QB anymore. Name another traditional powerhouse school that is in as poor of a recruiting area as Nebraska is. People don't realize just how pitiful Nebraska became under Solich and how far recruiting had dropped. When you have 1 stars and walkons as starters, there might be a little bit of a problem, don't you think?

I'll agree with you that Nebraska does have a ways to go before they can go toe to toe with the USC's and LSU's but it's ridiculous to think that progress isn't being made. Just remember that 4 years ago the Nebraska fanbase thought Joe Dailey was the savior of the NU program. Nebraska fans haven't felt good about our chances against the good times for quite some time now.

I wonder if there's a secret clause in Weis's contract that states any loss to a service academy or Duke is grounds for immediate termination without a buyout.

As I was sitting in the Swamp watching Tebow shred the Volunteer defense, I began to wonder if this Gators team is better than last year's team. The offense is definitely upgraded with Tebow and endless weapons (Caldwell didn't even play). The defense really stepped up in this game. Tennessee only scored 1 offensive touchdown and could do nothing on the ground. Ainge did rack up a lot of receiving yards, but even last year the Gators played with a 'bend don't break' mentality.

LSU looks like the major obstacle right now. I think the Gators could score enough points to beat LSU. LSU has looked very impressive on defense, but they played 3 bad offenses. Miss St., Vtech and Middle Tennessee are ranked 106, 102, and 105 (of 119) in total offense.

If you are looking for impact freshman, check out Cal's Jahvid Best. He's turned in some great runs (the one against Colorado St was just plain silly) and looks dangerous every time he touches the ball. Everyone will be talking about this guy over the next couple of years.

I realize we're still in the 2007 season, and that basically the only thing standing between the Gators and a title defense is LSU.. but... consider this: This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Gators... anyone want to look forward to 2008? And can we now start mentioning Percy Harvin along with the word "Heisman"? He's obviously the best all-around player in college football today.....

That was some exciting football.

Alabama has more than just a great quarterback. The offensive line is much improved in pass protection. D.J. Hall had how many yards receiving?

Defensive-wise, they were on fire at the beginning and that stop at the end was cruicial to winning the game. What do coaches say? Start and End strong. I think they did that.

Besides the ending goofs (fumbled snap, and late interception - causing a short field for McFadden), they looked very good on both ends of the ball.

McFadden gets my Heisman vote just to be able to manage 195 yards against Bama.

We have seen enough to know that Stew is right about the SEC being #1. A mid-level SEC team beat one of the best of the Big East. In the meantime the Big Ten, Big East, Pac Ten and Big 12 each suffered three non-conference losses. Florida and LSU, assuming they continue as they are, must beat the other twice to go undefeated. West Virginia, with its much softer schedule, has the best chance to face USC.

How do you have a conversation about Joe McKnight, Noel Devine and how quick a spectacular freshman running back can make a real impact and not mention Cal's Jahvid Best? How?

Noel Devine has 256 yards on 17 carries for a 15.1 yard-per-carry average. Jahvid Best has 146 yards on 9 carries for a 16.2 yard-per-carry average.

Also, outside of the numbers, Best did something pretty amazing on the national stage against Tennessee. On one play he got hit HARD, flat-backed, by Tennessee's 270 pound senior DE... it was one of the hardest hits delivered that day (which was a day of many hard hits going both ways).

Once the big DE got off of him, Best stood up, shook it off, and ran for an amazing 34-yard scamper on the very next play. That was a statement: "Yeah, you can drill me into the ground if you get a hold of me, but look what I can do!"

That's heart - that's an intangible that cannot be coached. Nobody ever doubted Jahvid's speed (he broke the 100 meter California state record in high school with a 10.31), but his toughness (like that of any small back) was questioned. It's not questioned any more.

All I'm saying is that any discussion of phenomenal freshman running backs that doesn't include the name Jahvid Best is not a complete discussion.

As a fan of Nebraska for over 25 years it has been a steady decline since Solich was at the leadership. I knew the first year when he took over after Tom the play calling was way off compared to Dr Tom's. As I watch Red play highly rated other big 12 teams as well as others and watch Nebraska struggle to compete, I realize we do not have the high caliber players the Doctor was able to bring here to Cornland. When we hired Bill I knew right away in a gut feeling we hired him for a fast fix and I really felt sick of my stomach when I heard he asked to an extention and we gave it to him. Bill is a good coach but I feel he is better as an Off coach than anything else. Fans as one of the die hards Me, I hope we don't give him anymore than 3 more years for Bill is not the coach for the Big Red Machine. We just seen another glimps of the Colorado came of 2001 and we will be exposed to more punishment over the next few games until we step up and make major changes. The offense is fine the Defense needs to step up or lose the Black shirts. They looked as if they were wearing black skirts. Reno

Charles
"A mid-level SEC team beat one of the best of the Big East."
How then do you account for USF beating Auburn? And what game are you talking about that backs your comment? just wondering

Huskerjim, you are not a die hard fan because if you were you wouldn't be moaning and complaining like those other clueless "Husker fans" that filed out of Memorial Stadium last night. Most knowledgeable fans in America? Even as a Husker fan myself, that is one of the most misguided labels in all of college football. Most Husker fans don't know jack about football and are living in the past, where Tom Osborne always came out on top. That was rarely the case against good teams. For four years we were on top, meaning for the other 21 years we beat the average to mediocre teams, put up a good fight for a quarter or two against the good teams, and got blown out by the elite teams. Do you remember the bowl games against Miami, Florida State and Georgia Tech? How about that wonderful show against Washington in 1991? What was our record against OU?

Osborne was 49-40 against ranked opponents (55%). He was 16-33 against top ten teams (33%). He only suffered one loss to a team with a losing record (Iowa State 1992). If one examines Osborne's record from 1973-1992, his numbers look far worse. During this period he was 31-37 against ranked opponents (46%), but more importantly, he was a pathetic 7-30 against top ten ranked teams (19%). From 1988-1992 we faced 9 top ten opponents and lost to all of them.

For all the criticism you bring on Bill Callahan, it wasn't the offense that lost the game last night. The defense played poorly, but it was the third game of the season with some new guys. Bowman is playing in his third game since a devastating knee injury. Give the team time to gel before you get all huffy puffy like those clueless punks that call into the Big Show 590 and make Husker Nation look even dumber than it already is.

Ben, that would be Kentucky's thrilling victory over supposedly number 9 Louisville. Just another reason why rankings shouldn't come out till after Week 3 at least.

And in light of Auburn's loss to Mississippi State, that USF victory looks a lot less impressive. This is not going to be a good year for Auburn.

As a die hard Gator fan and sec fan, let me make a couple of things clear....I am not an SEC or Gator Homer!! That said, The SEC is one of the best conferences in America, but you could also make that argument for the Pac-10...I am not sure any other conference comes close yet this year. And can we just say that the Gators are much better so far than expected?? I was thinking 9 or 10 wins this year and a post New Yeas Bowl were about as far as this team would go, but boy oh boy I amy have been wrong. The only team that should be able to beat Florida at this point is LSU and if they do in 3 weeks my money is on Meyer making the adjustments and schemes to beat them the second time around in the SECCG, he is too good of a coach to get beat twice in the same year by the same opponent.

Say what you will through three games, but Tenn. dropped 31 on a top 10 team in Cal and was in that game until late. Georgia gets blasted by Ok. State last week and that supposed weak Troy team the gators played blasts Ok. State...so much for only facing one team to date. Tebow is the real deal, and I think one loss to LSU this year will be the only blemish for the Gators...heres hoping that comes in a few weeks and then it's revenge time in Atlanta!!!

Meanwhile, lurking out there in the shadows, from a conference with only 3 top 10 teams (yes, that big ugly slow Big 10) is a team much like the 2002 team. They have won 22 of their past 23 and are getting better each week. Fast smart defense,improving offense with a hard hitting power back, a set of smart fast wideouts, getting no respect due to one poorly executed game. Everyone wants them to go away, but they just will not leave the scene. Thats right folks, The Ohio State Buckeyes are still very much a part of the landscape. See you in New Orleans!

Ben: You may not have seen the Louisville/Kentucky score. But I agree that calling Kentucky mid-level was confusing as they generally finish next to last in the SEC East. I hope you're not suddenly disavowing Louisville as a top member of the Big East. But I couldn't blame you if you did.

Ben: Also check out the Auburn score. This may not be the best season to point to a victory over Auburn as significant.

Well, USC sure did make my Blackshirts into the Blackskirts last night. I completely agree that the motion left, off- right tackle run was very much like up the middle against Colorado.

Cosgrove was more concerned about a member of the New England Pats being in the stands to steal signs than he was getting the defense re-adjusted.

I hope they take the black skirts, I mean, shirts away tomorrow and start over on our defense, especially the line. He might consider a 2-5 configuration as our defensive ends are all but worthless and probably should be watching rather than playing.

Lsu has the best Defense in the land but as much as I hate to say this but the florida gators could very well destroy that Defense in baton rouge...it is gonna be a great game, a game for the ages

I feel I'll be the only one to comment on the 5th topic, but as a recent NU grad and die-hard wildcat fan, I must say listening to that game on the radio (because I can't watch...thanks BTN) all I could hope for was maybe CJ could muster some Brett Basanez and toss in one measly TD pass from the 7....*sigh* I guess we're cardiac cats for a reason, and having some college fb fame (biggest losing streak) is better than being completely unknown...

I honestly think that Duke should be in the Top 25. They beat an undefeated Northwestern team which is a high quality program.

Please feel free to argue with my opinion.

As a huge WVU fan and alumni, I truly believe the Mounties have some athletes (White, Slaton, Devine, Reynaud) that are almost once in a generation for Morgantown. Yet, I watched LSU last week, and USC and Florida this week, and even I hate to admit that I don't think WVU can be mentioned in the same sentence. I think WVU is very good...unfortunately, they picked a bad year to have a mediocre defense. The old Mounty teams relied on D to win a lot of games (especially when Miami, VA Tech and BC were in the Big East) but now we have to rely on outscoring everyone, and it is going to catch up. I'll be happy with a 10-1 year and a date with the ACC champ in the Orange Bowl...not sure I could handle watching them play USC, LSU or FLA in New Orleans. However, give us a date with anyone besides those three, and I think we have a heck of a good chance at a victory. LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!

@Steve
I absolutely agree. Nebraska is, ALL TIME, 1-10 against the #1 teams in America. Lets face it, its pretty hard to knock off a well ranked top 10 team (if you catch my drift by well ranked).
USC did nothing special on Saturday night. They simply watched the Wake Forest tape and saw that Cosgrove simply cannot make adjustments. After those first two gashers to start the 1st quarter, Cosgrove should have switched up his schemes. USC wasn't able to pass on Nebraska in any significant fashion all night. The long ball was nonexistent. Nebraska, on the other hand, even BEFORE garbage time, had 300 yards passing. As Mandel pointed out, it was not the offense, but rather the defense that is currently suffering (most notably the line). We knew it would be tough to replace Carriker and Moore, but this is painful.
That said, this season's goals are all still very much intact. Nebraska is still a very good team that lost to the NUMBER ONE team in the land. USC came out with something to prove and they did just that. Nebraska's goal this season, to my understanding, was to play for and win a Big 12 Championship. Just as Michigan could still win the Big 10, Nebraska is still very much a contender for the Big 12 crown. Look at it this way, fellow Husker fans, at least we don't cheer for Notre Dame. Now THAT'S pain.

Stewart, you're killing me with your continued misuse of the word "intact". For a Northwestern journalism school graduate, no less. Shame on you! By the way, great book!

haha i dont know how i forgot about the kentucky/louisville game. thanks

"Ben, that would be Kentucky's thrilling victory over supposedly number 9 Louisville. Just another reason why rankings shouldn't come out till after Week 3 at least.

And in light of Auburn's loss to Mississippi State, that USF victory looks a lot less impressive. This is not going to be a good year for Auburn."


I agree that preseason polls and polls from the first couple weeks are pretty much worthless, but your point about Louisville could apply to Auburn just as well. They were highly ranked to start the season and were still as high as thirteen after Kansas State.

Basically, it took longer to find out that Louisville isn't as good as they were ranked, whereas it was more apparent that Auburn was bad after just two games. You can't point to Auburn USF and say "it doesn't mean anything because Auburn isn't as good as people thought they would be" when the exact same thing could be said about Louisville and Kentucky.

Callahan should take the first flight to Baton Rouge and beg and plead at Bo Pelini's doorstep to have him come back to Lincoln. He is a top-notch defensive coordinator and one of the best at maximizing and motivating talent. Patrick Witt is the real deal and will move the offense next year. The defense needs help...Cos' couldn't even contain basic Big 10 offenses when he was at Wisconsin and isn't having any luck at NU either. Bring back Bo!

I have to agree with Steve and husker95. Nebraskans need to get out of the past and into the present. It is okay to remember Bob the Great and Dr. Tom and remember how they brought the Huskers into the world of college football. However, those times are just that in the past. It is now time to live in the present and the future. As for Bill it is only year four, so what if he hasn't had time to recreate a dynasty. When you start out with 1 stars and need to get to five stars it takes time. UNfortunately, here is the only real mistake Bill has made (and currently he in my thoughts is one of the top defensive coordinators in the country) was to send Bo Pelini packing. There was a reason that the state of Wisconsin was happy hen Coach Cos left. REmember Bo had a way of clicking with his D and this is where the magic of the BLackshirts has been lost. Bo was probably the only one who could have brought back the MYSTIC of the feared Blackshirts, but now will never know. It is hard to win ballgames when your offense has to play both offense and defense. Anyway give Bill time, let's see what happens and go from there. Maybe will get lucky and the light will click on with the DC. REmember you can win with the best players in the world or with 11 JOe's off the block as long as the man runnin it knows what he doing and can adjust or realign as needed. All the Husker fans out there, it you are a true Huskerbacker then it won't matter what happens with the team and Husker football. Remember there is a reason why numerous people say we are the classiest fans in football, let's not forget why that is. I was born in Huskerland, raised on Husker football, bled Husker red through the good times and bad, and I'll die a Husker fan.

Boll Callahan is a bust? What about the great pumpkin in Knoxville a.k.a Phil Fulmer. He has has top 10 recruiting classes 3 of the last 5 years. Talk about a guy who cannot work with talent.

When will Mike Hamilton recognize that Phil cannot produce anymore? Will it be thousands of empty seats?

I think it is time to bring in someone like Steve Spurrier or Bill Cowher to take the wheel. I think they could bring Tennessee back to being a respectable team.

I agree with the other Ohio State fan, we are very similar to the 2002 squad. And those of you who still want talk about the past, didn't Oklahoma get blasted in the BCS championship game, and guess what, they're back. Didn't Auburn lose this weekend and weren't they going to challenge for the SEC crown. Or was that Georgia? So SEC fans, don't be hatin', we give it to you that you had and have a great football team, BUT don't count us out yet!!

To bucks1967 -- SEC and Gator fans have consistently listened to Buckeye fans whine about how great the BIG10 is, so we took on your challenge last January. The result ... a 41-14 spanking.
With warm-up acts in your difficult schedule like Michigan and Notre Dame, no wonder you thought you were a decent team!

As emphatically shown by last year's BCS title game an undefeated Ohio State team would still not be worthy of playing a 2-loss UF, LSU, or USC team.

How could you not mention Jahvid Best in the same breath as Devine and McKnight? Best has been just as explosive and productive as behind and you better believe he wouldn't be caught from behind like Noel was this past week. Jahvid is bigger, faster, and a better overall back than Devine and leaving him out of this discussion of the top true freshmen backs is ludicrous.

While Steve makes a poignant and statistically abundant argument, this day in age, for better or worse, coaches don't get 20+ years to improve. The expectation to win and win immediately is ever increasing. I agree that the talent has vastly improved over the the days of Solich, and offensively it appears as though Callahan is making strides in the right direction, but defensively it appears as though we've lost ground under Cosgrove compared with the tenure of Bo Pelini. A team coached by Callahan and Pelini and I think we would see some very different outcomes, maybe not National Championships but certainly closer to it than we are now. Having said that i think it prudent to give Callahan a bit more time, he's a good recruiter and I think he's a smart enought coach to know when a personal change is in order, i.e. Cosgrove may have to go.
A side note to Steve, I am a diehard Husker fan, born and raised, but I have no qualms about offering particular criticisms if i feel my team is genuinely deficient in some area. True diehard fans aren't afaird to call out their team when necessary. As in any relationship, you support your love ones no matter what, but you also aren't afaird to call them on their mistakes or voice your concerns if need be. I still support the Huskers through good and bad, but if I feel a change should take place i'll voice that opinion.
Mandel, your articles are much appreciated. I'm serving overseas as a Peace Corp volunteer and as such do not have access to American TV, so your articles do an excellent job of keeping me abreast of the latest in college football. Thanks very much.

Callahan will never win a Big 12 Championship, he's simply not good enough at coaching and recruiting. He's in over his head. I became a Nebraska fan while attending Ok State, whom I cheer over any other team, when Dr. Tom was the coach. This guy isn't even in the same area code as Osborne. Wish you luck, Huskers, but you're in about the same boat as the Pickens State Cowboys, back to the drawing board.

Braigle - Not that it would have mattered, but OSU did not play ND last year. Beating the Commander-in-Chief's winner was Michigan's sole claim to fame. And Wisconsin played nobody outside the Big Ten. So the OSU victory over a struggling Texas was the measure for greatness. Had OSU played a stronger schedule they might have fared better against Florida.
Scheduling is a key. Washington beat Boise State & Syracuse this year leading many to say they were back. Yet between them Syr & BS have beaten one Top 25 team when they played these past three years. Not much of a resume. After OSU we see that Washington has a ways to go. Conferences need to stress strength of scheduling and the non-BCS schools need to stop whining and follow Utah's example.

Braigle & Kelvin - All conferences schedule good and bad out of conference. Schedules are done years in advance so there's no telling how good or bad teams will be. The whole Big Ten vs SEC thing is over the top. I agree that top to bottom the SEC is stronger right now. I see that, but the SEC fanboys have on the blinders and don't admit much about other conferences.

Fact - Big Ten was 2-1 vs SEC in bowls last year.
Fact - Big Ten is 8-6 over the last 5 years in bowl games.

The last 2 years, Florida has beat Big Ten teams in bowls... but the previous 3 games they lost to the Big Ten. Tells me they're good, but not dominant year after year compared to the Big Ten.

2005 Outback - Florida 31 Iowa 24
2003 Outback - Iowa 37 Florida 17
2002 Outback - Michigan 38, Florida 30
1999 Citrus - Michigan State 37, Florida 34

Ok, what's wrong with this statement: "Wildcats QB C.J. Bacher failed to complete four straight passes from inside the Duke 7 at the end of the game".
Now, I'll grant that I don't know how well NW was running the ball that day, but 4 straight passes from inside the 7 seems like horrendous play-calling to me. Can't anybody run the ball anymore?

I love how you SEC fans can pick and choose which games mean something. On the one hand you point to Auburn losing to USF (at Auburn by the way) as nothing special because Auburn isn't that good this year (they were ranked, even after they lost to USF). On the other hand, the Big East must suck because Kentucky beat Louisville (rivalry game played at Kentucky). Funny, how a middle of the pack SEC team (your words, not mine) can beat a ranked Big East team and it proves the SEC is stronger, but when a middle of the pack Big East team beats a ranked SEC team then you just quickly dismiss it as Auburn is down this year. Remind me again, isn't Auburn one of those teams that the SEC fans like to rattle off when they start talking about how tough the SEC schedule is?

Shookjr-
You present a very good arguement, and I can't argue with your logic over the past. I'm not one to say that the SEC is and has always been better than the Big 10 or anyone, these things change around "cyclically" as Mr. Mandel would say. However, after seeing the games so far last year and this year, can you possibly say that OSU (which dominated the Big 10 last year) is so much better this year (or that Florida is so much worse) that a head-to-head matchup today would be any different that the last one?

Agreed Kelvin.... So far this year, Florida certainly looks better. But, OSU finally showed something against a good Washington team, at Washington. Their first 2 games were average at best. On any given day, one team can beat the other. Florida and OSU could of played again last year with a different outcome. Turnover here or bad call there.... it could have been different. I watched a number of OSU games last year and they were a better team than everyone saw in the big game. I'm not saying they were better than Florida though.

Something missed in this is that OSU had 6 or 7 weeks between their last game and the BCS game. The Big Ten needs to get another team and start having a championship game every year. I think the extra couple of week sthat OSU had off compared to Florida didn't help any.

I'm a PSU fan and can't stand Ohio State.... and can't believe I'm spending this much time chatting about them.

To recap...
1. It's a toss up for the most exciting game played this past week - Arkansas vs Alabama or Kentucky vs Louisville.
2. Florida has a plethora of talent and offensive weapons. They can be beaten on the field of play. It remains to be seen if any team will do so.
3. Tennessee is not ready to play. Ainge's pinkie is a problem. Without throwing deep, the Vols offense cannot win the day. Bigger issues were evident last Saturday. Special teams play is scary. Coverage is giving up big, game-breaking plays. On the other hand, receiving isn't getting the yards. The Vols defense missed too many tackles. This year's Volunteers aren't executing as well as Fulmer-coached teams have in the past.
4. Mississippi State beat Auburn. Last year, they beat Alabama. Croom knows all about football in the state of Alabama. Offer congratulations to Sylvester. Draw any other inferences at your peril.
5. The smack talk between fans of the SEC and the Big 10 is beyond tired. That poor dead horse's bones are dust. Please, quit flailing the ground.

chris-Say what you will through three games, but Tenn. dropped 31 on a top 10 team in Cal and was in that game until late. Georgia gets blasted by Ok. State last week and that supposed weak Troy team the gators played blasts Ok. State...so much for only facing one team to date. Tebow is the real deal, and I think one loss to LSU this year will be the only blemish for the Gators...heres hoping that comes in a few weeks and then it's revenge time in Atlanta!!!


Where did you get "Georgia gets blasted by Ok. State" from? UGA stomped Ok. State...

While Bo Pelini is a good defensive coordinator, I'd stop short of calling him a magician. LSU had a top defense before he arrived. Check the defensive statistics for the past few years, LSU is always in the Top 5, and that's how they won their NC before Bo came to Baton Rouge--through defense.

His "magic" at Nebraska was largely due to a weak schedule and a previous coordinator that had no clue what he was doing. Against the weak to average teams (Utah State, Michigan State, 2003 Colorado & Iowa State) he did fine. But did you see what happened against Missouri, Kansas State, and Texas that year? Nebraska came within beating the Horns by a field goal the previous year to a 31-7 blowout that would have been much much worse if Mack Brown didn't put in Chance Mock in the middle of the game.

In addition, one of Oklahoma's worst losses in recent memory came against USC in the title game in 2004. Bo Pelini was the co-DC that year and the secondary for that OU team was attrocious. The final result against the Trojans says it all.

Bo Pelini wouldn't come back even if he wanted to. Callahan actually tried to get him to stay but Pelini was pissed that he didn't get the HC gig and left. Based on the number of coaching jobs he has applied for in the past few years, that may not change.

The jury is still out on Cosgrove but he put together a great plan last season against USC, Auburn, and OU. We'll see how it shakes out but he's got a really young team.

And rhymester, Callahan will never win a Big XII title? Funny, last year if Purify doesn't fumble at our own 10 yard line and our defense doesn't have a starting corner that stands 5'9" 165 lbs against one of the nation's top receivers that's a 7-7 ballgame. It's not Callahan's fault that the receivers decide not to hold onto the ball when it's thrown to them.

For another history lesson, Osborne didn't win his first outright Big 8 title until 1981.

Ohio State is not as good as Florida this year, however they are getting better. But, remember, in 2002 they went up against what was considered one of best teams ever put together in Miami. Miami came in with a 32 game winning streak, and were favored by 15 over Ohio State. Nobody thought it would be close and Ohio State shocked them. Then last year, Ohio State was the heavy favorite and Florida shocked them. It goes to show you never know what will happen.

I think we need to start saying it...Charlie Weis should be fired. Ty Willingham is having a much better season and should have remained the ND coach. Neutered Dame deserves what it gets...

Charlie Weis needs to be fired....Ty Willingham would have been sent packing by now. Oh that's right they already got rid of the better coach...Neutered Dame deserves what it gets.

As for Nebraska - it wasn't much of surprise to see the program struggle after Osborne's departure. As a fan for 35 years it's been tough to watch but the same thing that happen whenever a very good coach departs after 25 years. Alabama? Still looking post-Bryant; BYU post-Edwards; Penn St. and Florida St. will have the same problem;; Michigan post-Bo. There will be some success but it won't be long-term. Callahan doesn't yet have anything to hang his hat on and I don't think he ever will in Lincoln. His head coaching experience is only two years with he Raiders - one Super Bowl slaughter by the man who built that team, followed by a miserable 4-12 season. Osborne has a huge portion of his career where he lost to better teams, something that is often overlooked, especially the bowl record. The losing streak was 7 games: 4 to FSU, 2 to Miami, 1 to Ga. Tech. Four of the teams won the national title that year. It's a bit disingenuous to site that stretch without looking at the detials. I'm pretty sure Miami and Florida St. in the last 80s and early 90s were the best programs in the country. Osborne finished with a 60-3 record over his last five seasons, three national championships and three 13-0 seasons. But for a missed FG on the final play of the 1994 Orange Bowl vs. Florida St. it would have been four titles and four undefeated seasons over that stretch.

I learned that Howard Schnellenberger is alive and well down at Florida Atlantic. They beat a Big 10 team this week (Minnesota) and soph QB Rusty Smith threw for 463 yards and 5 TDS...wow!

Saint Ex, I'm sorry to say it but you're just another misinformed Husker fan. Osborne had no head coaching experience prior to taking over the reigns at Nebraska and he did just fine. It only took him 20 years to win his first national championship but lets not go there. Not to mention when Nebraska was winning their titles, they never beat Florida State, Miami was on their way down, Oklahoma was down, USC was down, and Texas was down. Remember that 18-0 blasting by ASU in 1996? What about the sudden collapse against a 5 loss Texas team in the 1996 CCG? Nebraska has also beaten the #1 team in the nation ONCE in its entire history.

You sound like one of those disgruntled "classy" Husker fans who thought everything was peachy before Callahan who thinks firing Solich was a mistake. There's a term for people like you and that's Solichista. Maybe Callahan has nothing to hang his hat on (near wins against Texas, Auburn, and our first Big 12 North title in 7 years but hey let's be the most knowledgable fans in America and ignore the facts) but Callahan also didn't have the luxury of playing with a team that was coming off of a national championship either. Callahan is rebuilding this program from the ground up. We were losing recruiting battles to TEMPLE of all teams just a few years ago. For such a longtime fan I'd hope that you would have kept up but I guess you didn't.

As for Callahan winning the Super Bowl with Gruden's players, that may be but how many times has Tampa Bay been to the playoffs, much less had a winning record to end the season since that Super Bowl win?

One more thing, for any of you long time Husker fans, can you guess who these scores were against? 12-13, 10-21, 24-34. That's right, Missouri. In the first few years of Tom Osborne's career, he lost to Missouri (which by the way never finished with a better record than Nebraska in any of those years). Oklahoma State tied Nebraska his first year, and Iowa State beat Nebraska in 1976 by the tune of 37-28. None of those teams finished with a better record than the Huskers either.

Husker fans only remember the last 4-5 years of Osborne's career. He was this close to bolting for Colorado in 1978 because you ungrateful "fans" said he could never win the big one. I suppose some things never change...

Two posts up I meant to say getting to the Super Bowl, not winning. My mistake.

Reading all these posts about Husker history this Sooner fan who saw his first OU-NU game in 1964 would like to add my 2 cents.

Bottom line, NU is a class program and Callaghan is a guy with no class, throat-slashing and "f*ing hillbillies" I'm amazed that people defend him.

Say what you will about Pelini, I will never forget the fire the team showed under him against MSU in 2003 (Alamo Bowl?). He would have been a better choice. Look at LSU's defense this year.

About time to build a team? Excuse me but Stoops and Meyer won NC's in their 2nd years with Blake and Zook's players. Callaghan and Pederson alway have an excuse, Meyer and Stoops NEVER make excuses.

NU fans need to stop accepting excuses and making excuses - don't give me cr*p about a 5'9" DB or fumble early in the game, it's a 60 minute game with breaks both ways. First OU game Callghan's excuse was the Rufneks shotguns. OU beat Nebraska last year because you couldn't score on our D and you couldn't stop us when we got it going, end of story.

Until Callaghan is gone NU will struggle in the North against Miizzou, CU, KState, and now KU, they won't dominate. IMHO>

I would love to see the other Big Red back in the top 10, but Dan McCarney could do a better job at NU than Callahghan.

I'm so FRIGGIN' sick of people on Bama's jock. They will get CREAMED by Georgia and probably lose to Miss St and Auburn, too. Oh yeah, and Tennessee, after getting SHALLACKED by the Gators, are gonna pound Saban into the turf at Bryant-Denny...

If Pelini was such a good choice why doesn't he have a head coaching job yet? Dan McCarney? Does he even coach anymore?

Yes, Meyer and Stoops both won NC's in year 2 with the previous regime's players. Both teams are also in recruiting hotbeds where All-American players are in their back yard. NU could have done better in that championship game but you're kidding me if we lost that game due to coaching. Our secondary was horrendous last year and Taylor, bless his heart, cracked against the better teams. However it's ridiculous to say Callahan will never win a Big XII title, especially when the game was close.

While we're talking about class, maybe you should let Stoops know that he should get the rest of his players off of Lexus of Norman's payroll. Oh, and our cheerleaders don't run around with toy guns heckling players while they are warming up. What a classy program you guys have down there. Can I ask one of your players for some free gas while I'm at it?

Is it just me or is anyone else concerned about McFadden's Pimped out Ride that he showed on ESPN Sat night during the Alabama game? I mean those were at least 25 inch rims, a DVD player in the car, and new Razorback red paint...Really? How did you pay for that McFadden? Where's hte NCAA on this one?

"While we're talking about class, maybe you should let Stoops know that he should get the rest of his players off of Lexus of Norman's payroll. Oh, and our cheerleaders don't run around with toy guns heckling players while they are warming up."

This just shows how little you understand about CFB and events in Norman and that you simply love to hate OU.

FYI, Stoops TURNED IN his players and kicked his starting QB off the team immediately, regardless of the consequences. OU has basically done the NCAA investigation for them. No other coach or program has EVER had the class to do something like that. A coach with no class would have let the players off with a game suspension or two and withheld records like USC's stonewalling on Reggie Bush. Why is Lucky on the team with a CRIMINAL record? How does that compare that with 2 players clocking in and not working and not telling anyone about it, the coach finding out and kicking them off the team and notifying the NCAA ASAP. You are so far off base it's not even funny.

As far as the shotguns, OU has been doing that since the 1920's, the Rufneks tradition goes back further than that. Osborne said it never bothered him and no other coach has EVER complained. Like I said, EXCUSES,and now let me add to that whining and hating, on your part and Callaghan's. Husker fans have always rated at the top with me, but your whiney, spiteful, ignorant post demonstrates where the program is headed unless there's a change.

My post original was intended not to bash NU but was filled with praise for things done well and a hope for NU's future success. The answer I get back is worthy of a troll, so why don't you go ahead and include remarks abouts trailers and incest and call us Chokelahoma like the other trolls?

I KNOW there are Husker fans who agree with everything I said and would not care to be associated with the disrespectful statements you made.

The throat-slashing was real and indefensible, and it shows you where Callaghan's head is, what kind of character he has.

I want NU back in the top 10 and I don't think keeping Callaghan or bashing OU will get you there.

Can we please shut up about Noel Devine? Wow, the guy posted two good runs through a hole that an 80 year old grandmother could run through. Oh yea, it was against Maryland's "GREAT" defense right? Why don't look to players who turned in great performances against teams who could actually beat a high school football team (Tebow OR Harvin against Tennessee, McFadden against Alabama, etc.). Lets face it, Devine is fast and he is talented, but all he is is a slightly above average freshman running back that got some playing time against a "practice squad".

LSU is #1 in Total Defense, Scoring Defense, and Pass Efficiency Defense.
Furthermore, LSU is #2 in Pass Defense, #3 in Rush Defense and Passes
Intercepted, and #9 in turnovers gained.

Juxtapose these stats with USC which is #41 in Total Defense, #45 Scoring
Defense, and #40 Pass Efficiency Defense. Furthermore, USC is #99 in Pass
Defense, #9 in Rush Defense, #65 in Passes Intercepted, and #95 in turnovers
gained.

LSU's offense is #18 in Total Offense. vs. USC's offense ranked at #33.

These are the stats as per the NCAA web site after week 3.

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?div=4&site=org

USC's defense has given up more total yards in 2 games than LSU's has in THREE
games. What gives with all these polls? Does the Media or Coaches even look at
the NCAA statistics web site?

Uh, please tell us why USC should