[Husker] Re: Status of the Huskers (My Opinion) (fwd)

[jonlists at cbsol.com]

husker-bounces at tssi.com wrote on 10/31/2005 11:57:37 AM:
[snip things not relevant to my reply]
> 
> There has been a lot of discussion about records and statitistical 
> streaks.  One poster indicated that he felt that this was not a 
> marker of quality.  I do not understand that statement.  In a world 
> where numbers mean everything, I do think that it is a marker. 
> There is, I believe, several exhibits in the College Football Hall 
> of Fame that reference such streaks, so I would think that the 
> curators there consider it a mark of quality.  Now please understand
> that I do not necessarily believe that numbers SHOULD mean 
> everything.  (If you want to read a great book on that subject, let 
> me suggest "The Sum of Our Discontent" by David Boyle)
> 
> To that end, please note that another streak may very well end this 
> coming Saturday; that being the continuous win streak v. Kansas.
> 
> Doug Martin, MD
> UNL 87
> UNMC 91

That "poster" was me. Having gone back and re-read my post, in which I 
stated: 'In terms of 
measuring the quality of a football team, they (streaks) are worthless, 
meaniningless." 

I was not as clear as I intended. I am talking about measuring a "team" as 
opposed to a "program". Streaks can be used to measure the quality of the 
program, but not a team. This is not the same team as it was last year. 
What's the point you ask? More explanation below. 

Others have commented (not on this list) regarding why Notre Dame is doing 
so well when Charlie Weis has just shown up. Why couldn't Nebraska do this 
when ND is supposedly doing it with someone else's players? The same 
reference is made to Pete Carroll. Those situations are much different 
than Nebraska with regards to the coaches those guys replaced. Charlie is 
coming to ND after a number of other coaches have failed to live up to 
expecations. Same with Pete Carroll. 

Bill Callahan comes into a situation where we've had pretty much the same 
coaches for what, nearly 40 years? That's a fairly unique position. He had 
players last year who clearly were not interested in playing for him. He 
has/had players who were brought in for a different kind of football. 
Asking him to pull off the same success that Weis had had at ND is 
unrealistic. Using the streaks that were established under the previous 
set of coaches to bludgeon this football team, or for that matter, the 
program we're trying to build is unfair to them. Other than for the sake 
of nostalgia, they should be thrown out and that's why, other than the 
sell-out streak, they are meaningless to me. Does that make more sense? 

Further, given Steve R's post about the sell-out streak and the additional 
6k seats opening up, I'd have to say I was wrong about it not being in 
trouble. I had completely forgotten about the additional seating. However, 
I still think it's up in the air to say that it'll end next year because 
of additional seating, or because of mediocrity. Gary Fead's post about 
it, though, sounds rather ominous. 
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: husker-bounces at tssi.com on behalf of Mike Nolan
> Sent: Mon 10/31/2005 11:41 AM
> To: husker at romaine.tssi.com
> Subject: [Husker] Re: Status of the Huskers (My Opinion) (fwd)
> 
> 
> 
> > > I hope that this team wins one more game to become bowl-eligible, 
and I am
> > > pretty confident they will.  Then, my "high" expectations for 
> them this year
> > > will be achieved.
> >
> > Agree. You're a true fan.
> 
> So you're only a 'true fan' if you only have positive feelings?  I think 
this
> year's team is playing WELL below what I consider acceptable levels of 
play.
> 
> That doesn't mean I'm not watching the games or not cheering for them to 
win,
> I just don't feel I have to be satisfied with what I'm seeing.
> 
> If a day comes when Husker fans are satisifed with a 6-5 record, if 
that's
> where they wind up in 2005, then Big Red is truly dead.
> --
> Mike Nolan
> 
[snip]
> 

Jon Johnston
Creative Business Solutions
IBM, Microsoft, Novell/Suse, Sophos Consultants
http://www.cbsol.com
blog:http://bingo.cbsol.com