Yes, but Oct 06 07

True, but (barring some miracle) we get to keep these coaches all season... yay.

People complain about motivation - coaches need to bust some butts and get some people moving, on both sides of the ball.

Bugeater Oct 06 07

Steve,

Optimism is great, but it needs to be based in reality. Husker fans have every reason to be outraged right now, and very few reasons to be hopeful.

Personally, I think we'll be lucky to go 4 - 4 in conference play. And we could easily do much worse.

snakeoil Oct 06 07

That all sounds good but the reality of the situation is that this team is in big trouble. Look at the stats from all the games. We are lucky to have the record we have. They may be lucky to end confrence play with a record of 2-5. I love the huskers but we have gone from average to poor.

Ignignokt Oct 06 07

Here's my major concern: What do we do well? Who are we as a team? When things get really, really tough, what are we going to lean on as our identity? That we're halfway through the season and don't know that is really quite scary.

The season isn't over. Next weekend OU beats Mizzou, K-State beats CU, we take care of OSU and everything atop the North resets. Lot of ifs, but definitely possible.

Keep your chin-up, Husker Nation. Whining is for the off-season.

snakeoil Oct 06 07

Sorry not 2-5 but 2-6.

Jim Oct 06 07

Sounds good and I never give up on the Huskers, but I've watched this team do nothing but go backwards since the Big twelve championship. Callahan has gotten out coached in every big game to date. What's his record against top 20 teams! Since the Big 12 title game he is 4 and 4! Those four wins over power houses like Iowa State, Nevada, Wake forest and a nail biter to national power house Ball State. I have stuck by this guy and said he needs time, well this team is regressing and I am losing patience fast. The defense should not be aloud to be called blackshirts, they have not earned that right! I hope they can turn this thing around, but looking at the schedule and the way the defense has looked to this point and the offense not exactley lighting it up, I'm struggling to find more then 1 or 2 wins on the remainding schedule.

Husker Mike Oct 06 07

It may be only one loss. But it's the fifth week in a row of sub-par performances. I would agree that we can't hit the panic button, but let's be quite honest, this season appears to be spiraling out of control.

OU7times Oct 07 07

A lesson in humility. It's time to reflect if you are a Husker fan. Look at what all has been covered in the last week on BRN. Missouri as a "verb"? People posting messages about "Pig Brown" actually having the nerve to predict winning big against the "Big Red", Nebraska not even scoring a single touchdown against a 90+ ranked total defensive team, not to mention contract extensions for both the coach and the athletic director, etc. WOW! I believe I remember a post about "Missouri being so pathetic..." The worm has definitely turned. Nebraska is actually being mentioned as the next best thing to a sure win along with lowly Baylor. Speaking of pathetic, pathetic was the nearly lifeless "performance" of NU tonight. This is the 4th year of coach's regime and not only is it not progressing but it is regressing and I mean BIG. What happens next? Matt Davidson was a guest in the booth tonight and pretty much was appaled with this team almost to the point of being appologetic. Is this the new Nebraska? Who would have thought that mediocrity would be an improvement right now?

Mase Oct 07 07

I've been wearing rose colored glasses all season...until now. I was upset about Solich but I worked to get over it. The wound was gashed with the 70-10 drubbing we took in Lubbock. I let it go, the Alamo bowl helped heal the wound. However, it's clear I should have smashed the glasses back then. Now, I have officially retired them, and have decided that I will not take being embarrassed anymore. At least when Colorado beat the crud out of us in 2001, Crouch and a lot of players played hard and made plays. Name me one good play (other than a kick-off or punt) that we made tonight! We are a laughing stock...coaches, players, and fans around the nation, especially in our conference, are laughing at us! I will not accept that! I do not tolerate this! I will call for jobs until this group is out! They've had time, they've made zero progress! 10-2? Are you kidding me? You think we're going to make a Michigan sized turn-around? Show me our Mike Hart, show me any heart from this team...then, maybe I'll believe...then maybe I'll put the glasses back on. Until then, I'm wearing my sunglasses on Saturday... while I'm outside, not watching or listening to Nebraska football...Sad that my passion since being a young kid has been spoiled by these "outsiders". Get rid of all of them!!!!

Scott Oct 07 07

Did I see officiating as part of the reason we lost?? Save that for another day. We were outcoached, outplayed and outhustled by a better, more talented team.

It's nice to have optimism but let's face it--this was week 6 not week 3. Most people thought things were fine in Huskerland after the "big" win against Iowa St. Whose defense wouldn't look good against them?

This season was summed up in one play last night. For those that have the game on DVR, go look at Marlon Lucky's first reception. Marlon caught the ball and when he turned upfield instead of lowering his shoulder to initiate contact he stops dead in his tracks and it looked like he was afraid of getting hit. This team has NO identity and in my opinion has little to no leadership. Instead of breaking the huddle and saying "National Championship" maybe they should consider "Bowl Eligible".

That being said, I hope they prove me wrong. Doubtful, but I'm still hanging on by a thread that they can get this ship turned around.

jon johnston Oct 07 07

steve...

we have no heart. we will lose more games, even to Oklahoma State at home, perhaps. This is a team without a soul.

God help those kids when the rest of the season happens.

Dwayne Oct 07 07

The strange thing is that I wasn't suprised to see the game play out the way it did. I figured Daniel would have a field day with our defense. MU's defense was playing with a lot of energy but I'm a bit surprised that we couldn't find the end zone. I feel really bad for the players. They have put a lot of time and effort into this thing called football and I feel that they deserve more of a chance when they go out there to perform. Our problems in my mind start and end with that defense. I don't blame the players either because how can a Stanford team on the road do that to USC? NU has just as much or more than the Cardinal. And then take all the other match ups for comparison. Coaching in part is about a philosophy, sort of like parenting. It's about teaching people what is and what isn't acceptable with energy, execution, DISCIPLINE and performance. These are the cornerstones and fundamentals of sound football teams. Some teams have it and some do not. The Blackshirts have not at any point had much at all. That starts with coaching. I have no idea what I would do at this point, I'll leave that up to the staff. One thing is for certain however, it is becoming more and more difficult to support a team whose staff you don't fully support. I'll be wearing my red sunglasses today.

Andrew Oct 07 07

No touchdowns against the 90 ranked defense in the nation. There offensive players looked so why open the play by play guys were saying it looked easy. Just sad....

ze Oct 07 07

I appreciate the sentiment of the article, but in case you haven't noticed: our defense is ATROCIOUS! They can't rush, they can't tackle, they're 'out of position', they can't cover--have I left anything out? They've been 'fixing' things for weeks now and guess what, things aren't fixed, which just means they haven't the ability to fix it.

The O line is sketchy at best. MO's ends were beating our tackles all night long. And how is it that every other team in the country can complete slants, short posts, bubble screens, etc., at will, and our O struggles to do so when it's supposed to be a WCO?!!!

I don't mind a loss here and there, as long as the team is competing and making a good game of it. Losing 6-41 against any team, let alone Missouri, is just unacceptable. Our defense hasn't contested for the last 4 games. Worst defense I've seen anywhere, anytime.

With this defense we will not win any more games this year, period. The offense will have to carry the team, which is 50/50 and, other than that, they'll have to hope the other team beats themselves.

There's no way with the athletes we have on this team that they should be playing so poorly.

Sure, MAYBE we win a few more games, but that display last night all but ruined the season for me. Finishing 5-6, 6-6 will not bode well for the coaches' return. I like Calli alright, but something's WRONG--maybe he just isn't a great head coach.

The defensive coaching staff is a lost 'COZ'.

snakeoil Oct 07 07

Guy's

It's time that everyone realizes that Callahan is a poser. He can say the right things when the camera is on but he has no idea what to do when the bell rings. He and his staff are great actors. Hey theres an idea, why don't they go to Hollywood, thier performance out there might make them more than 1.5m a year. I am tired of the excuses and the finger pointing by these people. It's time that we stand up and say we won't take it any more!! The big losers aren't the coaches or the fans, it is the players and they desrve better. It's time we give it to them.

NCTuarus Oct 07 07

Steve...ARE YOU HIGH? Put down the crack pipe, or needle, or shot glass, or what ever the paraphernalia you use for your drug of choice.

alex Oct 07 07

i agree with snakeoil. this coaching staff (and as result the team) just seems to be going through the motions. how badly do you have to get embarrased before you show some emotion?

Bill in Iowa Oct 07 07

Steve, I think you should give this pep talk to the team...cause it made me beleive...maybe they will start believing too! However, then I read all the posts, and the cold hard facts have been stated pretty well by everyone. It's so hard to believe when we have been expecting another team comparable or even better than last years...when what we have is a team more comparable to Callahan's first or second year. Maybe a big twelve north championship is still in the cards...but as we drop out of the top 25...does any of us beleive this team deserves a top 25 ranking?

Dee Oct 07 07

Steve if you think that OSU and A&M aren't licking their chops right now about coming into Lincoln and beating NU on their home turf then you need to share whatever drugs you are taking right now.

NEVER IN MY LIFE have I see Big Red Nation leaving a game early in the 3rd quarter! NEVER! Even if they were behind they have stayed until the end. By the middle of the 4th quarter last night almost ALL of BIG RED LAND had left for their cars, leaving only the band behind to support the Huskers. Also I have NEVER BEFORE ever seen Husker fans refuse to do a "Go Big Red" cheer with the band.

I will appologize to the Husker fans that were at the game last night for being "Booed" because you wouldn't participate in the "wave" with the rest of the 700,49 in attendance. That was a little over the top by our student section -- but you could have at least attempted to keep yourselves entertained since the game was well decided by that point.

Nick Oct 07 07

The cold, hard fact I want everyone to remember here is that this team was going nowhere fast under Solich. Blowout losses to all the powerhouse teams and difficulties with the 'mediocre' ones were commonplace. I couldn't stand watching how painfully one-dimensional and predictable and pedestrian that option had become. And yet, I still read posts where people are talking about these "Outsiders" coming in and ruining the program. Kindly ask yourself, "Were there any 'Insiders' left whom I believed in?" Osborne LEFT. He RETIRED and with him went the identity and soul of this program. Yes he left behind his assistants, but after six years it was evident that a greater change was absolutely necessary. When faced with that fact -- where do you turn, and who do you hire? No one else in the country is running the option...

Like some others who have posted, I've supported Callahan's hire from the beginning, with serious reservations about his choice of Coz. In retrospect now it would have been nice to see if Pelini could have made the jump to head coach then, but at the time I clearly stood on the side that it was too big a risk and I still feel that way today. He's still not a head coach -- he will be someday soon, but I believe he needed time to grow into that role. Which brings us back to this -- where do you turn?

Callahan was a big splash hire. He was an NFL guy who had had offensive success as a coordinator long before he was a head coach. He was going to be sexy for recruits (which he has been). He was savvy and headstrong and willing to take on the very serious and unenviable task of dealing with a Husker Nation that was down and out and impatient. He was a professional, and thats why he was a good hire. And hey, who didn't think that maybe he was going to do what Pete Carroll did? This was the idea, and had it worked out more swimmingly immediately none of us would be talking about this or the past right now.

I'm heartbroken and embarrassed and confused about this team's performance too. I don't understand how this could be happening either. But look, we had to start over and give SOMEONE a chance. This is a bad year, no question. Callahan is on the hot seat, no doubt. But I still don't think he's gotten the full fair shake yet. Four years is not enough time to fairly evaluate a coach when the repercussions of an impulsive firing could make the situation so much worse.

I think he should get two more full years, no matter what happens this year and next. I want to see what he does with Witt and Gabbert and this crazy new O-line coming in and all these young skill players and if in two years we still don't see any progress, then Callahan won't be able to make any excuses. Everyone will know he fell short, and we'll feel confident knowing that moving somewhere else was the right choice.

Dwayne Oct 07 07

Nick,
I whole-heartedly agree with what you wrote. Solich was not the answer then and if you doubt that just go back and listen to some of his responses to questions during media day. The guy had no clue. There are questions that I have concerning Callahan but that would probably happen with any and every coach. There is so much pressure on our offense to score that it becomes difficult to try and do what you've initially intended to do. I like our offense. MU played a really great game and were ready for this. Sadly I can't say the same for the Huskers. That's what is so frustrating. And this talk about an "outsider" taking over? I have no clue what the hell that even means. Stoops was an "outsider" with OU and he seems to be doing fine. Why? Because he understands the tradition, but the bottom line, he understands the fundamentals of football and he knows how to teach his players and they all buy into what he's teaching them.
Scott,
I understand your frustration with the Lucky catch but the db made a good break on the ball and a great hit. That is not Lucky's fault for not having the time to turn and lower his pads. His body isn't even turned upfield so how can a rb deliver a hit in that situation? I give Lucky credit for catching and then holding onto that ball.

brad Oct 07 07

OU6Probations,

You are aware that the Sooners took a 12 year absence from college football that was much worse than ours when the NCAA shut down you payment networks to players and recruits for the 5th time (6th overall)?

You have nothing to add here.

OU7times Oct 07 07

"Check out the big brain on Brad", We're not talking about OU. We are talking about the "Callahan Experiment" (gone wrong). You're response is typical of someone in TOTAL denial. Only because of my screen name do you have angst. If my screen name was "Lovey day in Huskerland" then you wouldn't have anything to say about my posts. Your team is sucking wind right now and you can't stand it. Maybe you've forgotten about the NU player in the '80's that tried to kill a police officer or the hair dragging incident by Sir Lawrence Phillips, etc. Yea, your memory is short when it comes to dirtbags at your university, huh? I have said before, the Big 12 deserves the best and BC doesn't cut it. Your serve, big boy!

Dwayne Oct 07 07

How does the saying go? True character is revealed and not built in times of adversity. I know it is difficult right now; but some how, some way, this thing will get turned around. Even Os may have had his difficulties in this new age of college football. I'm almost certain behind those gray overcast skies, the sun came up this morning. There is nothing better than Memorial Stadium on a football Saturday. OSU is coming to town. Some day Sammy you will see this and become one of the greatest fans in college football.

Mase Oct 07 07

Nick and Dwayne,
Points taken...but you can't really have been paying attention lately and not be upset. I know there are players playing hard and making some plays, but you have to agree that we are often ill prepared and lacking gameday attitude and focus. We've been behind in every game so far this season! That's the definition of being unprepared at the opening kickoff. That is poor coaching, I'm sorry. I mean, fine, Nebraska wasn't great under Solich, but what did he do? He made changes, he brought in fresh, talented coaches who made improvements. Ok fine, so I'll wait and see what BC does after the season, but if he can't even do what Solich did and make some...what's the word, oh yeah, adjustments, then he's a laughable coach. I will still support this team, but I can be critical too. My parents love me, but that doesn't mean they didn't spank my butt when I did bad. These coaches have shown me minimal to be optimistic about. The facts are plain, 40+ points and 600 plus yards to opponent after opponent...give me a break!

When I talk about "outsiders", it's because it makes me angry that ex-players are turned away so much. It used to make us proud to have those guys around and giving the players advice and sharing the bonds of playing for NU. Now we have players like Tommie Frazier who says he hardly even pays attention anymore because how bad he's been treated. I know, boo hoo for those players right, but c'mon, these are the guys who bled husker red for this team and our athletic department treats them like dirt. I'm not saying get out the red carpet and kiss their butt, but a little love would be nice. And blackshirts should not be given out like candy and made a mockery of...if you are not going to keep honor with the tradition, put it on the shelf for now. We have been made fun of by everyone in the country about our beloved "blackshirts", or "pink shirts", or "black skirts" or, the latest, "pastel shirts". Again, if that crap doesn't get your blood boiling, what does? You have to admit that a lot has changed for little to no improvement, or gotten worse since these guys took over, both on the field and off. I hope I can eat my words by the end of the season, but after 3+, there is little to be hopeful for...pretty much 0 and whatever against ranked opponents, 0 and whatever after trailing at halftime...they have chairs in the locker room, obviously they need to start being broken. Preferably to get these coaches to wake up!!!

Brad Oct 07 07

OU6Probations,

The guy who attacked a police officer had schizophrenia. Besides, I don't think you want to open the player conduct can of worms. Switzer tipped off his players that the FBI was about to break up their drug-dealing ring, so they had to end their investigation prematurely.

No matter how many times you change the subject, your program has never had any success without paying recruits. It's fact. Check the NCAA records.

We're all happy that you got your payment networks going again and are having success. However, since you guys have always paid your players and you still took a twelve year absence, you have nothing to add to a talk about our coaches trying to build a team within NCAA rules.

BRADSMOKESTREE Oct 07 07

What an insider you are, Brad. Simply amazing! Did you get your stats from Sports Illustrated, by chance? You really are a bitter soul. So, how long have you worked for NASA? Heh, heh. You believe your "information" because you want to believe it, not because you did any in depth research, I'll bet. Brad, if you are saying that NU has not had it's share of problems then you are brainwashed. All universities do. WAKE UP! You are a finger pointer and you have an unhealthy life position, which is "I'm OK-You're not OK". Evedently you think all you or your university does is great and everyone else and their universities are CRAP. How could anyone that supports another team have any value to add? When you get over getting your wittle fewuns hurt, then maybe you can be part of a social group that is objective. I've been part of rooting this team on but you couldn't see it. I call 'em like I see 'em. It's the same way I treat my team. Try being objective once.

Greg Morrow Oct 07 07

Couldn't agree with Steve more.
Since this is my only team, the only team I could possibly care about, (my hometown team) once again, I go with what I got.
Now, admittedly, my gaudy 11-3 season prediction is officially dangling at the precipice, since 14 games entail a Big XII championship game. Even 13 requires a bowl to go along with.
But where else am I gonna go?
If I was born in a bandwagon, does that make me bandwagon? It's all I know, sports wise. I gave up may childhood favorites many, many a moon ago. Even when they got good again, like Dallas in the '90's.
Nebraska stays and I stay.

"We" continue to march. Lose too many, changes will be made. I won't be making the changes, or suffer the consequences, I just continue to pull for "my" team.

ze Oct 07 07

Steve,
In rgd. to your last remark: I'm just not drinking that kool-aid. There are fans that have hated Cozahan from the start--whining and moaning all along. I'm not talking about them. But we fans who have backed these coaches really do deserve far better than what's being put on the field thus far this year, especially on the defensive side. I like the WCO, I like Callahan, but I'm not going to sit around quietly acquiesing last night's display of 'football'.
My day job is in carpentry and so watching a defense that cannot, say, tackle, is like watching someone try to build a wall w/o any nails. It's just an insult to my intelligence.

So, I will always stand by the Huskers, but it doesn't mean I'm going to watch them if they're not even going to show up to play. I can't take the mental strife.

Coz has been coaching for what, 30 years or something? Well, I know many carpenters who have been in the trade for 30 years, and believe me, it doesn't mean they're any good at it. To me, it looks like Coz falls into a similar category as a DC. Calli, the jury's still out, I suppose.

So, when Calli want's to put a team on the field that is going to put up a fight, like I said, I don't mind some losses. But losing by 20, 30, 40 points to any team--short of the Patriots--just isn't going to cut it.

P.S. to steve underwood(Mizzou fan guy): Pig Brown's shot to MO Purify's head was definitely a cheap and viscious one, one which nearly and should have resulted in his ejection from the game. I won't indict all of Tigger Nation as failing to recognize that. Perhaps it's just YOU. The good news there is that what goes around comes around and a guy like that will get his soon enough. 'Pig' is an apropo nickname.

Al B Watchin Oct 08 07

According to what we have seen this year it has been a disspointment in all circles. Has anyone asked the Athletic Director where is Bo Pelini? We had our chance.

TulsaHusker Oct 09 07

I agree with Mase. This current coaching staff and AD do not embrase the passion of Husker Nation. When a coach says after his 1st season, "It is just one Season" or "just one game" - he doesn't understand. Living in the land down under in sooner land, I saw 1st had why Stoops succeeded - he not only knows how to make adjustments, he believed in the sooner tradition and didn't run from it. His 1st play as a sooner was from the wishbone set. Peterson was so wanting to bring the Huskers into the 'modern' offensive era, that it seems he is willing to accept subpar performances from this coaching staff with the hope that one day we may be like Florida, USC, LSU and now even Kansas it appears. Nebraska tradition is a brusing rushing game and a gang tackling in your face defense (not a reaction defense that reacts after the opponent gains massive yardage on each play). In our desire to be like the other guys, we have lost our identity and therefore our passion. Callahan and staff never embraced the past and therefore cannot spark the fire and the pride. Solich was taking us nowhere, but I think this coaching staff is already there - nowhere. Some would say "Hey we were in the Big 12 championship game last year - that isn't nowhere." Frankie had us in the Nat'l Championship game and then we went 7-7 the next year. I think it is time for us to find a coach & AD who can reconnect us to Husker Pride (he doesn't have to run the option to reconnect us.)

TulsaHusker Oct 09 07

One more comment. After watching the LSU/Florida game - I saw something that I haven't seen in a while. A coaching staff with passion. How many times did Les Miles risk it in the 4th quarter? He risked it because he belived in his team and his system. He knew he could pick up 4th and 2 on 2 different occassions. He didn't kick a field goal to tie the game, he went for the win. Pelini's defense, while being pushed by Florida, still played with great passion and attacked. Miles playbook isn't 2 inches thick - he has a balanced attack and it works. I think we have gotten too fancy wt the WCO and too "safe" (react don't attack) on defense that the kids aren't having fun - therefore no passion. Cali may say the kids practice with passion and have passion in the game, but it isn't Husker Pride passion.

ze Oct 09 07

H Tulsa,
I think the only teams I know of that still are doing things the same ol' way are TN and aTm. I loved watching TN over the weekend exhibit an emphasis on smash mouth running--but they have the athletes to pull it off for the most part. aTm's offense I hate.

Almost every other team in the U.S. & A. is throwing the ball all over the place. The spread/spread option is taking over. Still the only way to stop THAT is to have a D line that can blow up the O line and get in the qb's face real fast. On the average, though, that's pretty hard to do; most of these spread offenses are piling up the yards and points.

Even the Sooners pass it nearly as much as they run, even though they probably wouldn't have to.

Calli has tried to impliment a power running game in his version of the WCO, but this year the OUR defense requires that we pass it alot more.

OU7times Oct 11 07

Steve, I know you are'nt POKING fun at OSU's coach, right? Heh, heh. Let's wait til after the game because of the last incident where "booger eater" met "bug eaters", with not so good results. I'll say 28-24 OSU.