Bo Pelini Says Nebraska Football Is Back, but Do You Believe Him?

I have a lot of love and admiration for Bo Pelini for what he has done with Nebraska football over the past two years.

He took a team that had lost every bit of character and heart during their 2007 season, and instilled toughness in a group of players that, quite frankly, didn't have any a short three seasons ago.

Now our beloved Huskers are embarking on new ground in a new decade, their highest preseason ranking since the 2001 season that resulted in a disastrous finish at the hands of Colorado and Miami on national television for everyone to see.

A couple of poor coaches later and Bo is looking to bring Nebraska back to respectability...

But supposedly, we've already reached that earmark?

To quote Bo directly after the 2009 Holiday Bowl victory over Arizona, he distinctly said: "Nebraska's back and we're here to stay."

No offense, coach, but did you really have to say that in front of the entire college football world?

Sorry coach, but I simply disagree.

Nebraska football isn't about winning Holiday Bowls or beating a bunch of non-ranked teams to glorify a salty 19-8 start to your career at Nebraska.  While Nebraska finished strongly the last two seasons, they still haven't beaten anybody of note.  In fact, you might want to check out a little statistic that details Nebraska as the last BCS conference team to have defeated a top-19 ranked team at the time of kickoff.

Yes, that includes Vanderbilt, Baylor, Washington State, Iowa State, Indiana, Duke, Connecticut, Kansas State, Kansas, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Rutgers (seriously, no offense to any of these teams, because they have done something of note more recently than my beloved Huskers).

This comment from Bo is simply one of four that will be questioned and highlighted.

Incident No. 2

In a tightly contested 2008 game at home against Virginia Tech, the Hokies were on a reasonable drive in the fourth quarter to try and put the Huskers away in Lincoln, NE.  Favorite son Ndamukong Suh, had a questionable tackle on the sideline against Tyrod Taylor that received an instant flag from an official.

Bo went directly into a tirade that cost Nebraska another 15 yards on top of the 15-yard penalty that Suh received for the questionable (but likely) late hit on Taylor. 

The result?

Virginia Tech scored a game-sealing touchdown on a two-yard Taylor run with 2:28 left on the clock.  Not even a late score and late rush from the Huskers could overcome that particular blunder. 

Incident No. 3

Fast forward to the 2009 Big 12 Championship game.

With eight seconds on the clock, in yet another tightly contested game, the Husker defense had supposedly confused four-year starting QB Colt McCoy into a meaningless toss out of bounds that ran out the clock and secured a Husker victory.

Not so fast.

After a rightful review of the game clock and play that had occurred, the proper call was made to give Texas another second on the clock for kicker Hunter Lawrence to send through a game-winning, 46-yard field goal.

After the game, some remarks were audibly made from Pelini that detailed that particular call would not have been made if not for the BCS.  In the article tagged, you'll also see some unfriendly comments made by his brother, Carl, as well. 

Granted it was in the heat of the moment, but aren't coaches paid millions of dollars to keep their cool under these types of situations and represent their school to the highest of standards?  Aren't these "men" supposed to be teaching life lessons to their much younger players?  Call me crazy, but isn't complaining about the referees somewhat juvenile? 

Incident No. 4

This is one that happened recently.  No, I'm not talking about the recent "blackout" of media coverage due to information being leaked about a player who was injured well before his parents even knew, but this is about a "question" Bo received from a reporter after said media ban.

Asked for the umpteenth time as to who would be the starting QB come September 4 against Western Kentucky, Pelini responded with a solid answer of "10 guys might play."

Thanks, coach.  If you hit the link, be sure the scroll down to the "View From Tuesday's Practice" column and click on the Pelini press interview.  Heartwarming.

Now to be honest, I don't mind a coach being quick and witty with the media, but do you see any questions from the media as being hostile or negative in nature?  No.  Not a single one.  But Bo was trite, conceited, and arrogant in his approach to a bunch of guys who have basically treated him with the utmost respect since day one. 

In fact, you could call the calm and simple-minded Husker writers as being polite and servile to the Husker coach.  And what did he give them in reward?

Simply put, could you imagine Bo in front of tough media like Columbus or Los Angeles or even New York?  Simple questions?  No, not that easy, coach.  

Summary

When it all comes down to it, Coach Pelini has a few tricks to learn in dealing with the press.  And if he thinks the "media" in Nebraska is "tough," then he might want to think about what "tough" really is. 

For a guy who preaches toughness and attitude amongst his team and players, he must have the ability to shed a good light on his program amongst a bevy of reporters who want nothing more to do than massage his ego and write uplifting articles about Husker football.

Why?

Because there will come a time when you need the media to cover your arse when things aren't going so well.  And yes, those times will come, and you'll need those guys to cover your back. 

Speaking of "back."  Is Nebraska really back?

Or do we have another Iowa State in 2009, or a Missouri in 2008 waiting on our shelf?  If so, coach, you'll need those media guys on your side.