I have no inside information, but I'd have to think that it's coming. They are gaining trust in him and it's only a matter of time before BB and Lunney trust him to start.That’s why Valentine should be the starting running back. He’s bursts through the holes quicker. Use Feagin primarily as a fullback in short yardage situations.
It worked with the Jayhawks.I hereby declare this the Lucky Gif
I mean let's be real, we would build a statue of Bret Bielema for results that would get Matt Rhule fired.Friday Night’s Contest between the Illini and the Huskers is a way for both programs to take their temperature of how much each has come up the ladder of relevance and National standing.
Both programs found coaches who know how to build a program up from the bottom. Both programs have come a long way from where they have been over the years.
agree 100%Nebraska has the 3rd best defense by SP+
If you want optimism - Nebraska starting a true freshman QB and he's played against really poor defenses through three weeks. SP+ defensive ratings so far:
UTEP: 115
Colorado: 86
Northern Iowa: FCS
Illinois: 30
Slip-ups are going to happen. The script likely needs to follow the KU game where turnovers are needed to help out the offense.
To add, we’re 30th in defense overall.agree 100%
he hasn’t really been tested yet in game conditions
Reggie who? /sDo we miss Reggie Love? By the end of the season I think he will miss us.
Never heard of him.Reggie who? /s
I have no inside information, but I'd have to think that it's coming. They are gaining trust in him and it's only a matter of time before BB and Lunney trust him to start.
My wife is also from Omaha. She thinks most Nebby fans still think it's 1995 and Tom (Jesus H.) Osborne is still the coach. Just sayin......................Wife is from Omaha, FIL bleeds Husker red with the best of them. Personal for me. Business for us. Let’s go steal a win
I mean let's be real, we would build a statue of Bret Bielema for results that would get Matt Rhule fired.
The good news is that puts ALL the pressure on the Huskers, who have lost this kind of game over and over and over again in the past decade-plus.
This time feels different. But so did last time. And the time before that.
My business office is Omaha. I can tell you with confidence that no one in the state thinks they have been nationally relevant. Every year they drink the koolaid yes. But no, they are the ones cracking jokes about how horrible they have been the past 2 decades. Also their hatred of drunken Scott Frost is hilarious. What a disaster that guy was. Rhule is legit though.My wife is also from Omaha. She thinks most Nebby fans still think it's 1995 and Tom (Jesus H.) Osborne is still the coach. Just sayin......................
lol my father in law has been resigned to the awfulness of the last 10 years. Outside of the game this week I’m happy to see those fans have a decent team back. Good people, awesome atmosphere in Lincoln.My wife is also from Omaha. She thinks most Nebby fans still think it's 1995 and Tom (Jesus H.) Osborne is still the coach. Just sayin......................
Not sure you'll find many husker fans who'd agree with this...I think both fan bases feel differently right now (both more positive in their own different ways) these days.
We all know that Illini football since the ‘70s and Husker football since the ‘70s (at least) have had a far different levels of success. For many years there were few or no programs that matched up to where the Huskers were at those points in time. The only programs that could challenge them were Oklahoma and whoever Nebraska played in their bowl game. They rolled over just about everyone else for years.
And the Illini have been wanting to approach that elite level where the Huskers used to be for some time now.
A big difference between the two programs is how they relate to the State’s identity. The Husker football program is simply the biggest and most important thing that defines and unites the State and its people. This can’t be said for the Illini program as our State is so much bigger and diverse with so many other large institutions. So many Notre Dame fans around Chicago and NW fans around the area. Nebraska has no such in-State (or nearby) others to challenge their own fan base. Illini fans are many but the program does not dominate the State's identity like a Nebraska or Alabama or Oklahoma.
So the overall expectations are still different at this point – but the trajectory of both programs is on the upswing. A loss by either Nebraska or Illini will not be soul-crushing for either fan base. Disappointing yes, but there are some good vibrations going on with both programs that will survive and prosper.
Anything other than a really dominating win by Nebraska can be seen a building block for the future of the Illini program.
Where the Huskers will have a clear edge is at QB where they now have a true National elite QB.
We only got 21 rushing yards last year, and Luke put it up 47 times. If they stop our run game this year (likely), I strongly believe Luke can keep us in a good position with a much stronger performance than last year.