Sandhusker
Well-known member
IRVING, Texas — Is Nebraska "back?"
That seemed to be the popular question for the Cornhuskers Monday as they were put through the paces at the Big 12 Conference's preseason football media days. And perhaps to the surprise of the national and regional reporters asking the questions, the answer was a resounding "no."
"You have to come out every year and then build on that year in and year out to say Nebraska's back," Nebraska junior I-back Roy Helu said.
"Our players don't feel like Nebraska's back," head coach Bo Pelini said, in case anyone needs a second opinion.
You see, while a 9-4 season that was capped with a Gator Bowl victory and being the media's selection to win the Big 12's North Division title might translate into "back" for some schools, that's not the case at Nebraska. For the Cornhuskers, "back" means contending for conference and national titles.
"Back" means it's not a matter of if Husker Nation will be traveling to a bowl game. Just let Nebraska fans know when and where.
Nebraska's current players were just youngsters when coach Tom Osborne was finishing his Hall of Fame career on a remarkable 60-3 run that included three national titles in four years. Still, they're observant enough of their surroundings in Lincoln to realize that saying the Huskers are "back" at this stage would border on sacrilegious.
"We embrace the tradition and there are ways to do that," Pelini said. "We celebrate the tradition of Nebraska football, but it's about putting on the pads and representing that 'N' the right way.
"The only way to do that is to go to work every day and do what you're supposed to do."
Indeed, to get Nebraska "back" to its former place among college football's heavy hitters is going to take some mighty hard work. Players and coaches quickly realize these things typically don't just happen overnight.
"I don't know how close we are, but we're definitely headed in the right direction," Nebraska senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. "We've got a lot of growth to make. We've taken some big steps."
Pelini agrees, but also expresses areas of concern.
"I believe our talent level is better than it was a year ago," Pelini said. "I think we're young in some spots. We're not as deep a football team as I'd like to be across the board."
As he's said numerous times before, Pelini won't be satisfied until Nebraska wins them all — or is at least playing for a national championship.
How close are they? Pelini claims not to know.
"I'm not into making predictions and saying we're going to do this and do that this coming year," Pelini said. "I believe we have enough resources, enough talent to compete with everybody on our schedule.
"I think we have a chance to be a better football team. I think we will be a better football team. How that plays into wins and losses? We'll see that in December."
No, Nebraska may not be "back" quite yet, but Pelini does seem confident about the Huskers' prospects in the big-picture view.
"I know this: I'm looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming year as is the rest of the football team," Pelini said. "If we do what we're supposed to do and we handle our business and we keep working the way we are, I think good things are ahead of us."
That seemed to be the popular question for the Cornhuskers Monday as they were put through the paces at the Big 12 Conference's preseason football media days. And perhaps to the surprise of the national and regional reporters asking the questions, the answer was a resounding "no."
"You have to come out every year and then build on that year in and year out to say Nebraska's back," Nebraska junior I-back Roy Helu said.
"Our players don't feel like Nebraska's back," head coach Bo Pelini said, in case anyone needs a second opinion.
You see, while a 9-4 season that was capped with a Gator Bowl victory and being the media's selection to win the Big 12's North Division title might translate into "back" for some schools, that's not the case at Nebraska. For the Cornhuskers, "back" means contending for conference and national titles.
"Back" means it's not a matter of if Husker Nation will be traveling to a bowl game. Just let Nebraska fans know when and where.
Nebraska's current players were just youngsters when coach Tom Osborne was finishing his Hall of Fame career on a remarkable 60-3 run that included three national titles in four years. Still, they're observant enough of their surroundings in Lincoln to realize that saying the Huskers are "back" at this stage would border on sacrilegious.
"We embrace the tradition and there are ways to do that," Pelini said. "We celebrate the tradition of Nebraska football, but it's about putting on the pads and representing that 'N' the right way.
"The only way to do that is to go to work every day and do what you're supposed to do."
Indeed, to get Nebraska "back" to its former place among college football's heavy hitters is going to take some mighty hard work. Players and coaches quickly realize these things typically don't just happen overnight.
"I don't know how close we are, but we're definitely headed in the right direction," Nebraska senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. "We've got a lot of growth to make. We've taken some big steps."
Pelini agrees, but also expresses areas of concern.
"I believe our talent level is better than it was a year ago," Pelini said. "I think we're young in some spots. We're not as deep a football team as I'd like to be across the board."
As he's said numerous times before, Pelini won't be satisfied until Nebraska wins them all — or is at least playing for a national championship.
How close are they? Pelini claims not to know.
"I'm not into making predictions and saying we're going to do this and do that this coming year," Pelini said. "I believe we have enough resources, enough talent to compete with everybody on our schedule.
"I think we have a chance to be a better football team. I think we will be a better football team. How that plays into wins and losses? We'll see that in December."
No, Nebraska may not be "back" quite yet, but Pelini does seem confident about the Huskers' prospects in the big-picture view.
"I know this: I'm looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming year as is the rest of the football team," Pelini said. "If we do what we're supposed to do and we handle our business and we keep working the way we are, I think good things are ahead of us."
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