[Husker] Bashing Callahan and the Pederson haters

[rczeranko at juno.com]

OU fans bashing Coach Callahan just shows how fearful they are of the guy. OU suffered for about 10 years after Barry Switzer was fired, any one remember the Schnelleberger debacle? Coach Callahan has his ship pointed in the right direction. Regardless of this years Big-XII Championship (which I have stated is definitely winnable by Nebraska, and if they win, then NU beats Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. IF Nebraska does make it to the Fiesta Bowl and wins, the talking heads at ESPN/ABC will say that Boise State really isn't a 'BSC caliber team' so the win does really mean much. IF Nebraska does make it to the Fiesta Bowl and loses, then those same talking heads will say that Boise State has 'made it' by beating Nebraska. Go figure!) and possible Bowl game, the next two years will tell if Nebraska is on the rebound or not.
 
I know that Keller is heir apparent, but he's only a short term solution (which is why using him makes me a little nervous for the longevity of the program). Recruiting has gone well, if the players decide to stay long enough to actually make contributions. So it is another year or two, most likely two to see what direction NU football is truly headed.
 
Now, on to the Steve Pederson haters. We need to remember that under AD Bill Byrne and his pursuit of the Sears Cup that football facilities had become sub par. AD Byrne was putting more emphasis on the other sports and neglecting the football program. Nebraska football suffered from it. I had mixed emotions when Steve Pederson was named AD. I was a swimmer in the Men's program when Steve Pederson worked for Coach Osborne. He always seemed like a used car salesman to me. I believe he wanted to be a coach, but Coach Osborne liked the job Steve did a recruiting coordinator. Steve left the program in the mid-80's or so to pursue a job outside of the athletic department. Coach Osborne welcomed him back in the 90's (and Steve Pederson may have been a contributor to the stellar teams of Coach Osborne's last 5 years). Then Steve moved on to his various positions, eventually coming back to NU as AD.
 
He does love Nebraska Football and is doing what he felt is best for the program. From what information I have been able to glean together from list and other personal sources there were other issues that resulted in Coach Solich's firing. Steve Pederson made the decision and has taken the heat (and plenty of it) for his decisions. But he's not out to sink the program. And if one is objective, one has to give credit where credit is due.
 
I look at the new Memorial Stadium on TV and am very awe inspired. I cannot wait to get back to Lincoln to see it in person.
 
As an aside, using the side  by side stats comparison on Huskerpedia.com (no endorsement) shows that the offense is pretty highly rated nationally, while the defense is only middle of the road. OU matches up pretty well with Nebraska statically, so it should be a great game. I still think that NU is rolling and will win bigger than anyone is predicting.
 
NU 42 OU 10
 
I cannot wait for Saturday!
 
Go Big Red!
 
Rob Czeranko