[Husker] Winning the North

[3aoo-cvfd at dea.spamcon.org]

Bob Beach wrote:
>
> While winning the North may not be vital it is very important.  
> That goal is still within reach.

Not only is it within reach, we are still on track.  At 
the beginning of the season, many people predicted we'd
go 9-3 and win the North (with losses to USC, Texas and
one of the southern away games).  Well, that's precisely
where we are right now.  There's no need for a meltdown
every time we lose one of our predicted three games. 

> Just the fact we are challenging this late in the season 
> shows me improvement has been made.  

Improvement was apparent when we thrashed LA Tech, Troy
and Nicolls State (unlike the cupcake opponents in 2005).
Improvement was also apparent when we won our two consecutive 
away games (unlike in 2005 when we lost the two consecutive 
away games).

> I include myself, need to adjust our thinking to make the 
> main goal the Big 12 North every year.  

That should definitely be the primary goal every year.
That extra game is invaluable and it gives us a shot at
a BCS bowl.

> The days of NU being a perennial player in the top 10 are 
> probably over. 

Not necessarily.  We are still rebuilding.  The new wave
of recruits are still underclassmen.  They will be in their
prime in 2008 (with quality underclassmen behind them).  
The current team is a rough patchwork of old FS recruits, 
young BC recruits, and Jucos.  Give the pipeline a couple
of years and then we'll be able to assess whether Nebraska
will be a perennial top 10 team.

Cheers,
Steven