[NU Sports] Big Ten losses and why I love them

[Mike Nolan]

> The rest of the league is a toss-up.  How can Michigan be that bad?!?

I see Michigan as a classic example of the round peg (players) and square 
hole (system) on offense.  I'm not sure what the problem is on defense, 
but it was questionable at times the last several years so this may just 
be a continuation of that.

The question will be whether Michigan can adjust the new system enough to
the existing personnel to win 7 games, which has to be about the minimum 
the fans will put up with.  (Right now I put that at about 50-50.)

Bill Callahan made a HUGE strategic blunder his first year at Nebraska 
and stuck with his new system even when it clearly wasn't working, and as 
a result he had the first losing season at Nebraska since JFK was president.  

Since he was the fair haired boy of the AD (who supported if not mandated 
the change in offensive system at Nebraska) he had no chance whatsoever 
of being fired for that, I don't know that Rich Rodriguez has that luxury.

BTW, I've seen at least one bowl prognosticator who thinks Nebraska and
Northwestern could meet in a bowl game again this year, though I think 
that's a big stretch.  I wonder if the NU players feel they owe Frank 
Solich a thumping?  I guess we'll find out on Saturday.
--
Mike Nolan