Posted: Monday, November 6, 2006 6:00 pm
In Year Three of the Bill Callahan era at Nebraska, we’ve heard spirited debate regarding which direction the football program is headed. It’s all a little tiring because there exists so many ways to spin “direction.”
At the moment, the pro-Steve Pederson crowd can form a convincing argument, as can the naysayers. It’s a fascinating period in program history.
So, on and on it goes, two sides bickering and sniping, as if they were political factions.
One can cut through the muck and size it up this way: five regular-season wins in 2004, seven in 2005 and most likely eight — and perhaps nine — in 2006. Seems like progress to me.
In addition, Nebraska winning the Big 12 North, which the Huskers would accomplish with either a win Saturday at Texas A&M or Nov. 24 against Colorado in Lincoln, clearly would represent progress, so long as the title is kept in proper perspective.
Yes, the Big 12 North is weak. Consequently, winning the division would cause barely a ripple nationally. Heck, winning the North is belittled even in these parts, by even the most loyal of Husker fans.
For Nebraska, however, such an accomplishment represents progress, plain and simple. A first step on a long road. Take over the North, and go from there, realizing much work remains.
Unless I’m mistaken, nobody in the Nebraska camp at North Stadium has said that winning the North Division would represent an end-all or be-all for the program. I’ve heard nobody — administrator, coach or player — blowing it out of proportion.
Indeed, in winning its division, Nebraska would be accomplishing only what it should in the first place. In fact, anything less would be considered a significant setback — which explains why Big Red fans seemed to regard beating Missouri last weekend as more of a reason to exhale than party.
So, Nebraska has seized control of its division. Now it must close the deal and take the trophy. Only then could the Huskers replace the ripple with a splash — that is, by toppling Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. If you don’t think that’s realistic, then you’re not paying attention to what’s taking place throughout college football. Or you weren’t in Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21.
Nebraska needs to take baby steps while simultaneously thinking big. As in “BCS” big. Yes, a BCS bowl is within reach, even for the up-and-down Huskers. Indeed, it’s easy to imagine a brisk Kansas City night, with Big Red playing fast and loose and Burnt Orange in a “been there, done that” mode.
The thing is, which Nebraska team will show up down the stretch? The one that had Texas on the ropes? Or the one that fell through the ropes in Stillwater? Inconsistency frustrates Big Red fans, who for so long could poke fun at teams that played like champions one week and chumps the next. Such mood swings are a sure sign of mediocrity, and we don’t have to tell you the significance of that m-word in these parts.
Meanwhile, Callahan and company continue a quest to improve credibility. The Huskers would snag a huge helping of it with a win this weekend, as Nebraska is yet to beat a South Division opponent beside Baylor during the Callahan era.
“I think we’re closing the gap (on the South),” Callahan said Tuesday, speaking for only his team. “I think this will be a good game to test that again, especially on the road.”
Callahan is 5-8 on the road at Nebraska, the losses by an average of 23.8 points.
But, hey, there are a million ways to crunch numbers in gauging whether the Huskers are indeed headed in the right direction, however you want to define “direction.”
The number that keeps flashing through my cranium is 23 — the number of freshmen and sophomores who contributed to Nebraska’s victory over Missouri. This is a relatively young Husker team, especially on offense. Such a large crop of youth helps explain the team’s inconsistency while also providing Big Red fans with ample hope for 2007 and beyond.
Whatever the case, Nebraska fans and pundits will continue their spirited debate.
May the best spin doctor win.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.