Thank God for Nebraska

[DuffMan]

Seriously. For decades the B10 has relied on scUM and fOSU as the face of the conference. Traditionally these teams have been what B10 football is all about, and for the most part, they have represented the B10 well, accounting for two national titles in the last 15 years, and playing for a few others.

Like it or not the national perception of the B10’s strength is tied directly to that of fOSU and scUM. scUM’s decline has been well chronicled, and while they may have righted the ship with this last hire, I think they are at least a few years away. fOSU on the other hand I think is on the brink of a prolonged fall. I fully expect scholarship reductions, bowl bans, and perhaps entire seasons vacated. I don’t care who you are that type of punishment exacts a high toll on a program.

That’s why I thank God for Nebraska coming into the B10. They are still a heavyweight on the national scene. If they come into the B10 and win the conference title, or at least make the title game, the perception of the B10 will not suffer

 

[DwayneTwill]

"fOSU" and "scUM" are worse than "B1G". Otherwise, your point is a good one.

 

[74Hunter]

Seriously. For decades the B10 has relied on scUM and fOSU as the face of the conference. Traditionally these teams have been what B10 football is all about, and for the most part, they have represented the B10 well, accounting for two national titles in the last 15 years, and playing for a few others.

Like it or not the national perception of the B10’s strength is tied directly to that of fOSU and scUM. scUM’s decline has been well chronicled, and while they may have righted the ship with this last hire, I think they are at least a few years away. fOSU on the other hand I think is on the brink of a prolonged fall. I fully expect scholarship reductions, bowl bans, and perhaps entire seasons vacated. I don’t care who you are that type of punishment exacts a high toll on a program.

Great points, all. I don't expect tOSU to fall apart, more along the lines of a USC decline: 7 or 8 win season, still able to get talented players, just not as many of them. I guess the total ramifications of USC's and tOSU's offenses has yet to be seen, but I don't see either progam falling to the level of a Washington St or Indiana.

That’s why I thank God for Nebraska

The importance of this sentence cannot be stressed enough. Obey

(I may have to make it my sig)

They are still a heavyweight on the national scene. If they come into the B10 and win the conference title, or at least make the title game, the perception of the B10 will not suffer

Seriously though, I am hopeful that the Big Red will be able to step back up to that tier and take advantage of this opportunity. We are on the national radar and getting close to that level, now it's time to take the next step.

 

[CptPuertoRico]

Hah, you have no idea what comes along with Nebraska.

 

[DuffMan]

I just think it will be nice to have a third top tier team, scUM and fOSU have always been top tier, PSU has been sort of a 1A, and Iowa andv wisky have been a solid 2nd tier. I don't think a tier one team must win the title for the b10 to keep up appearances, but at least one must compete, and having a third tier one team really helps, especially this year.

 

[DuffMan]

Hah, you have no idea what comes along with Nebraska.

Welcome to the boards.

 

[74Hunter]

Hah, you have no idea what comes along with Nebraska.

Care to elaborate?

 

[OnLookin08]

Neb has had it's share of misteps in the past, it comes and goes. And they may have a tier 1 fan base, but they r far removed from tier 1 performance. Not to mention they have a new conference by which they will b judged. I agree they r good for the b10 and I think their timing has been beautiful given the state of b10 football as of late, I just wouldn't call them an auto tier 1...

 

[CyBroncos]

Neb has had it's share of misteps in the past, it comes and goes. And they may have a tier 1 fan base, but they r far removed from tier 1 performance. Not to mention they have a new conference by which they will b judged. I agree they r good for the b10 and I think their timing has been beautiful given the state of b10 football as of late, I just wouldn't call them an auto tier 1...

I think he means tradition and being a national name brand more than recent performance. In those areas they are a tier one program that brings something to the Big Ten. It hurt to to lose from the Big 12 in those areas.

 

[joshhawk]

I don't see a Nebraska team that hadn't won the Big 12 since 1999 automatically being a tier 1 team in the B1G.

 

[goods10]

Here you go conspiracy theorist. The B1G commish knew about this OSU issue so he added a national heavy weight to the B1G to lean on when OSU went down.

 

[DuffMan]

They are an automatic tier 1 due to thier tradition and national brand. They need to continute to win at, or above, the rate they have been under Bo in order for them to continue to be perceived as such, but they are as of today tier 1.

The fact of the matter is if both scUM and fOSU finish the year 4-4 or 5-3 in conference, and the B10 title game game features a 6-2 Nebraska versus a 6-2 Wisky, the national and media perception/headline will be Nebraska is a force to be reckoned with and the new B10 is stronger than ever.

However in that scenario, if you swap out 6-2 Nebraska and replace them with 6-2 NW the perception/headline will be NW takes advantage of a down B10 to play in the first B10 championship game.

The fact that the bugeaters are considered a national power is beneficial for the B10, and if they perform as expected they will lessen the blow the conferece would have received should scUM and fOSU turn in mediocre or bad seasons.

 

[kicker22]

I'm just not sold on the tier prospective. Given the nation is looking for name recognition, but all I really think is needed is for the Big Ten teams to start winning the big games that get the most attention. I'm not all about the conference, but if Northwestern wins a BCS game and the next year another Big Ten team wins a BCS game the conference will look better as a whole regardless of what OSU, Michigan or Nebraska do. If people are basing the success and stregth of the Big Ten conference based on the current state of the Michigan program, then they're simply idiots and nothing is going to change that.

 

[DuffMan]

I'm just not sold on the tier prospective. Given the nation is looking for name recognition, but all I really think is needed is for the Big Ten teams to start winning the big games that get the most attention. I'm not all about the conference, but if Northwestern wins a BCS game and the next year another Big Ten team wins a BCS game the conference will look better as a whole regardless of what OSU, Michigan or Nebraska do. If people are basing the success and stregth of the Big Ten conference based on the current state of the Michigan program, then they're simply idiots and nothing is going to change that.

That's the whole point, they are. Most people don't have time to get educated about the B10 program in depth. They take what they think they know (scUM and fOSU are good) apply that to the current state of things (both of them had a bad year) and come to the conclusion the B10 sucks this year.

People up here would do the same thing if South Carolina played Old Miss in the SEC title game. The headline around here would be the SEC sucks, look who's in the title game.

 

[lumuhawk]

Any post that starts with "Thank God for Nebraska" will end up being one that is regretted.

After reading your post, it only further verifies that belief. Not because you don't bring a plausible argument, but I think a) Nebraska has it's own share of reputation problems -- including thinking they are a bigger national program than the rest of the country believes they are -- and it appears you have bought in.

B) They were a powerhouse...but it was many years ago. They have never established the same national following and respect that Michigan and OSU -- even when wins should have dictated it. Probably the same problem Iowa will always have as a small market program.

Nebraska continues to demand to be on the same level as the Michigans and OSU, and basically every other national program in the country, but hasn't backed it up in years. Can't blame them for trying but too often it sounds like whining.

 

[hawkfan1319]

hmmmmmm yes I did enjoy being heckled by a bunch of 40 year old dudes at the Iowa State vs Nebraska game last year.....it was great. Kinda really showed the great fanbase they have ....

 

[DuffMan]

Any post that starts with "Thank God for Nebraska" will end up being one that is regretted.

After reading your post, it only further verifies that belief. Not because you don't bring a plausible argument, but I think a) Nebraska has it's own share of reputation problems -- including thinking they are a bigger national program than the rest of the country believes they are -- and it appears you have bought in.

B) They were a powerhouse...but it was many years ago. They have never established the same national following and respect that Michigan and OSU -- even when wins should have dictated it. Probably the same problem Iowa will always have as a small market program.

Nebraska continues to demand to be on the same level as the Michigans and OSU, and basically every other national program in the country, but hasn't backed it up in years. Can't blame them for trying but too often it sounds like whining.

You know what's worse than thinking your program is bigger than it is? Thinking one fanbase is fundamentally different than any other.

 

[kicker22]

You know what's worse than thinking your program is bigger than it is? Thinking one fanbase is fundamentally different than any other.

+1

All fan bases are essentially the same where there's a few idiot extremeists that ruin it for everyone and make themselves and the rest of the fanbase look like arrogant fools.