Mike Riley said

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

in an interview today that Nebraska has the resources and fan base to return to glory, to be an elite team. But... he says it takes time.

Ok. I absolutely agree it takes time and a lot of hard work and patience to hang with the big boys again. I agree with that and I am not being sarcastic.

But I have one question for coach Riley: how many years will it take us to be better than NIU, Oregon and Wisconsin?

 

[dinglefritz]

in an interview today that Nebraska has the resources and fan base to return to glory, to be an elite team. But... he says it takes time.

Ok. I absolutely agree it takes time and a lot of hard work and patience to hang with the big boys again. I agree with that and I am not being sarcastic.

But I have one question for coach Riley: how many years will it take us to be better than NIU, Oregon and Wisconsin?

I would bet that IF we got to play NIU this weekend again we would beat them by 3 TDs at least. I would bet that IF we got to play Oregon again, we would beat them. Our D has progressed and Lee is making fewer mistakes with the ball. We were right there with Wisconsin until the 4th quarter and Morgan's giveaway made that final score look worse than it was. We aren't that far off IMO. Can Riley get us over the hump? That's the debate. Some say no way. Some of us say maybe. IF we fire Riley and hire somebody else, the answer for the next guy is still MAYBE.

 

[jeans15]

I will take play for a conference title every 3 years , a NC every 5 to 6 and Top 25 every year

You know like between 1969 to 2014.

 

[saluno22]

in an interview today that Nebraska has the resources and fan base to return to glory, to be an elite team. But... he says it takes time.

Ok. I absolutely agree it takes time and a lot of hard work and patience to hang with the big boys again. I agree with that and I am not being sarcastic.

But I have one question for coach Riley: how many years will it take us to be better than NIU, Oregon and Wisconsin?

This season is an entirely new offense and defense, and a restructured approach to special teams. Credit to make changes where they're necessary. Plus a young team. One could argue this is similar to 2005. We struggled against Maine that year, just like we struggled in our opener this year.

I said in another thread: What are we doing differently than other programs to give us an edge? I will give credit for the move to the 3-4. Throw in the Performance Lab and the advanced statistics/analysis they have going on, but that is essentially "proprietary" and we won't know its direct impact.

I don't disagree with Riley, but I'm not convinced he's going to get us there either. And as others have pointed out, next year is a gauntlet.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I would bet that IF we got to play NIU this weekend again we would beat them by 3 TDs at least. I would bet that IF we got to play Oregon again, we would beat them. Our D has progressed and Lee is making fewer mistakes with the ball. We were right there with Wisconsin until the 4th quarter and Morgan's giveaway made that final score look worse than it was. We aren't that far off IMO. Can Riley get us over the hump? That's the debate. Some say no way. Some of us say maybe. IF we fire Riley and hire somebody else, the answer for the next guy is still MAYBE.

I don't necessarily disagree. But you play teams when you play them. This isn't pro football where you get a preseason. Early games count too. And the NIU game was inexcusable. Spin it all you want but Nebraska should NEVER lose to NIU.
And I think you are sugar coating the Oregon and Wisconsin games. The first half against Oregon was some of the worst defense I have ever seen us play. And first halves, like early games in the season, count.
After our pic 6 to tie the game early in the third, Wisconsin got the ball and shoved it down our throays for 93 yards. In front of a wild crowd. At night. In Lincoln. Against a defense that should have had blood in their eyes and a killer instinct in them. We were TOTALLY dominated from that point on. It was no fluke

 

[saluno22]

I would bet that IF we got to play Oregon again, we would beat them.

I disagree with this part. I think Oregon would learn to not take their foot off the gas. Same could be said about the Miami game in 2015.

 

[coachDubs]

Maybe, just maybe, we are better than NIU and just lost the game. It happens. See LSU a week or so ago. See Baylor earlier in the year. See Oklahoma last Saturday. There are many more recent examples.

It. Sucks. But. It. Happens.

As far as Wisconsin and Ohio State, who knows. Wisconsin has a system in place. One that's been their for years. Are we closer to them (2015, 2016 or first 3 quarters 2017) or further away (4th quarter 2017)? OSU is stockpiling talent and has 1 of the top 4 or 5 coaches in all of football.

 

[Toms Wife]

Plus a young team.

Young compared to who? Wisky and OSU start more underclassmen than we do. Illinois started waaaaaaayyyyyy more underclassmen. How do you figure we are so young?

 

[CC_Lemming]

This season is an entirely new offense and defense, and a restructured approach to special teams. Credit to make changes where they're necessary. Plus a young team. One could argue this is similar to 2005. We struggled against Maine that year, just like we struggled in our opener this year.

I said in another thread: What are we doing differently than other programs to give us an edge? I will give credit for the move to the 3-4. Throw in the Performance Lab and the advanced statistics/analysis they have going on, but that is essentially "proprietary" and we won't know its direct impact.

I don't disagree with Riley, but I'm not convinced he's going to get us there either. And as others have pointed out, next year is a gauntlet.

Agree with everything you said. I'll just add: another advantage we have under this staff is the benefit of running a pro style system, which is a little more rare this day and age and becoming more rare, making it a potential boon to recruiting. Of course, the staff needs to be able to capitalize on that advantage by winning and proving competent at developing players.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I would bet that IF we got to play NIU this weekend again we would beat them by 3 TDs at least. I would bet that IF we got to play Oregon again, we would beat them. Our D has progressed and Lee is making fewer mistakes with the ball. We were right there with Wisconsin until the 4th quarter and Morgan's giveaway made that final score look worse than it was. We aren't that far off IMO. Can Riley get us over the hump? That's the debate. Some say no way. Some of us say maybe. IF we fire Riley and hire somebody else, the answer for the next guy is still MAYBE.

But at the end of the day dingle I sure as hell hope you are right.
I have zero desire to fire Riley and start again. But damn it... he has to start winning games at some point. And he has to field a better team than what he has so far this year.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

I will take play for a conference title every 3 years , a NC every 5 to 6 and Top 25 every year

You know like between 1969 to 2014.

Lol. 2014. That's a riot.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Young compared to who? Wisky and OSU start more underclassmen than we do. Illinois started waaaaaaayyyyyy more underclassmen. How do you figure we are so young?

Still waiting for you to break down our career offensive starts from Wisconsin's o-line compared to ours. But of course you won't because once again you are a lying pos.

 

[genetics56]

What that quote means is that he has not been told he is fired but is desperate not to get fired.

It does not take time to make an impact that shows improvement in play. That can be done immediately or even year 2.

Year 3 without improvement never ends well.

When Nick Saban was at Michigan State his team's were better than the previous guy and it showed year 1.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Maybe, just maybe, we are better than NIU and just lost the game. It happens. See LSU a week or so ago. See Baylor earlier in the year. See Oklahoma last Saturday. There are many more recent examples.

It. Sucks. But. It. Happens.

As far as Wisconsin and Ohio State, who knows. Wisconsin has a system in place. One that's been their for years. Are we closer to them (2015, 2016 or first 3 quarters 2017) or further away (4th quarter 2017)? OSU is stockpiling talent and has 1 of the top 4 or 5 coaches in all of football.

You raise solid points. I get it. And as I told dingle (and I mean it), I am not part of the pitchfork brigade screaming for Riley's head. But I am also a rabid fan who isn't an idiot either. And you have to admit, this year's team, so far, has not looked good. Or maybe you think they do, but just haven't quite put it all together yet. I don't know. But personally, I was disgusted watching Wisconsin make our defense look like rag dolls

 

[coachDubs]

I disagree with this part. I think Oregon would learn to not take their foot off the gas.

How did Oregon do that? Your words couldn't be more false...

Oregon, in the 3Q, ran the ball less times than they did in the 1Q or 2Q. They also threw the ball less, thanks to Nebraska running more plays in the very same 3Q than we did the previous 2 quarters. Add in the interception and Nebraska cutting it to 14 with 1.5 quarters remaining in the game.

From that point, Oregon still tried to move the ball. They struggled. Not because they took their foot off the gas but because Nebraska had seized momentum from halftime adjustments.

At some point, when ya shut a team out while closing the deficit, you have to credit the team closing the gap instead of saying the other took off the gas pedal.

We can discuss the Oregon play calling as well, but you don't like that discussion as it tears apart your inaccurate opinion.

 

[Toms Wife]

Still waiting for you to break down our career offensive starts from Wisconsin's o-line compared to ours. But of course you won't because once again you are a lying pos.

65 to 75. That means after this Saturday's game our oline will have had the same experience as Wisky's line had before our game last Saturday. What is your point? Wisky guys are still younger than us.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

65 to 75. That means after this Saturday's game our oline will have had the same experience as Wisky's line had before our game last Saturday. What is your point?

Lol. Wayyy off. Try again, lying preacher.

 

[dinglefritz]

Lol. Wayyy off. Try again, lying preacher.

Makin up stuff again thinking nobody will fact check him?

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Makin up stuff again thinking nobody will fact check him?

She has absolutely zero credibility. As bitter as Osborne when Callahan asked him to visit his team, and when he abandoned Riley. 2 peas in a pod.

 

[jeans15]

Lol. 2014. That's a riot.

Well we played for the conference championship in 2012..3 years from there is 2015.

Please continue though.

 

[Toms Wife]

Lol. Wayyy off. Try again, lying preacher.

Wisky: 2 Jrs., 2 Soph. 1 Fr.
Nebraska: 3 Jrs. 1 Soph. 1 Fr.

 

[Phillipe]

in an interview today that Nebraska has the resources and fan base to return to glory, to be an elite team. But... he says it takes time.

Ok. I absolutely agree it takes time and a lot of hard work and patience to hang with the big boys again. I agree with that and I am not being sarcastic.

But I have one question for coach Riley: how many years will it take us to be better than NIU, Oregon and Wisconsin?

He mentioned fanbase because he is not stupid. The fans love to hear how WE are such an important ingredient. This is why Riley has supporters at this point.

But, did anybody mention we had those things before he got here. And now we are drifting even farther away. I am pretty sure we have the resources to beat NIU.

 

[genetics56]

When Barry took over at WI his teams were immediately better than the other guy.

Great coaches don't take 3 years to show improvement in play. Bad coaches don't even show improvement within 3 years.

Look at Bowden when he took over at FSU. His teams were immediately better. Same with Spurrier at Florida.

Herman is starting to get Texas to play a lot better and it is his first year there.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Look, all you guys calling for restraint and for everyone to calm down and let things play out and give Riley time make solid arguments. You sound like the reasonable adults in a room of panicked children who are all throwing **** at each other. And those of us who keep pointing out how crappy this season is can come across as the typical "fire all those bastards" fans who are all emotion and no reason.

But... I know that what I am watching, and have been watching for years now (not just Riley), is NOT where I want NU to be. And those of us watching this year's team are not just raving nutjobs for raising very serious questions about Riley. I admit it. I ain't sold on the dude. And this year's team, no matter how you spin it, is just not very good.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Wisky: 2 Jrs., 2 Soph. 1 Fr.
Nebraska: 3 Jrs. 1 Soph. 1 Fr.

Career starts please. Also please break down the system time coaches at the respective schools have. Quit chasing your tail.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Well we played for the conference championship in 2012..3 years from there is 2015.

Please continue though.

If you consider getting boatraced by a basically .500 team "played"... then go ahead. It's as cool as being the tallest midget. You can pine for those results.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

He mentioned fanbase because he is not stupid. The fans love to hear how WE are such an important ingredient. This is why Riley has supporters at this point.

But, did anybody mention we had those things before he got here. And now we are drifting even farther away. I am pretty sure we have the resources to beat NIU.

Wasn't the fanbase out to get Bo? Osborne kept him on after his hissy fits because he is bitter.

 

[jeans15]

If you consider getting boatraced by a basically .500 team "played"... then go ahead. It's as cool as being the tallest midget. You can pine for those results.

We got boat raced by Purdue...please.

Yeah we still went 7-1 in conference and participated in the championship game that's a fact.

Then you should be calling for Riley to be fired immediately. Based upon your own expectations in your post.

 

[coachDubs]

You raise solid points. I get it. And as I told dingle (and I mean it), I am not part of the pitchfork brigade screaming for Riley's head. But I am also a rabid fan who isn't an idiot either. And you have to admit, this year's team, so far, has not looked good. Or maybe you think they do, but just haven't quite put it all together yet. I don't know. But personally, I was disgusted watching Wisconsin make our defense look like rag dolls

I felt we'd be 4-2 at this point, 4-3 after Ohio State. The only difference is NIU, and that sucks ***. 7-5/8-4 is where I had this team and pending an upset this weekend or at Penn State, looks like the prediction will be short 1 or 2 wins.

The 9-win crowd wants something to hold on to, and that's 9 wins. That's their Nebraska, I read it from 2003-2014 on this very forum for weeks. They're afraid of inconsistent seasons for the greater good of the program, long term, because they won't be able to say, "9 WINS, Tom Osborne!!!"

Look at this year's senior class, disgusting for a program like Nebraska.

2010 seniors (year 3 of Pelini, recruited by Callahan)
Allen, Amukamara, Hagg, Henery, Henry, Jones, Kunalic, Jones, McNeill, Paul, Smith, Thenarse, West & Williams

2017 is as bad as 2006, difference is - Callahan went and got JUCO's to help that third season while Riley chose not to. And we're now seeing how big of a mistake that was. Cough, cough, someone called this in 2015....

 

[Phillipe]

Wasn't the fanbase out to get Bo? Osborne kept him on after his hissy fits because he is bitter.

God, you are incoherent.

Then again, you have to work hard as the PR man for a failing coach.

 

[SoFL Husker]

in an interview today that Nebraska has the resources and fan base to return to glory, to be an elite team. But... he says it takes time.

Ok. I absolutely agree it takes time and a lot of hard work and patience to hang with the big boys again. I agree with that and I am not being sarcastic.

But I have one question for coach Riley: how many years will it take us to be better than NIU, Oregon and Wisconsin?

Never

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

God, you are incoherent.

Then again, you have to work hard as the PR man for a failing coach.

He is failing. I said to fire him and hire Frost. Is that wrong?

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

We got boat raced by Purdue...please.

Yeah we still went 7-1 in conference and participated in the championship game that's a fact.

Then you should be calling for Riley to be fired immediately. Based upon your own expectations in your post.

I have try and keep up.

 

[saluno22]

Young compared to who? Wisky and OSU start more underclassmen than we do. Illinois started waaaaaaayyyyyy more underclassmen. How do you figure we are so young?

I should have stated "the talent is young". I was basing it on the OP in this thread...
https://nebraska.forums.rivals.com/threads/blinded-by-our-guys.188664/#post-3780330

The OP makes very good points that the younger players on our roster were much more sought-after recruits than the players who are seeing playing time. The systems we are running aren't exactly "plug and play" for most young players.

To your point, Illinois is a much younger team (9 seniors and 50-some freshmen I believe is what was displayed during our game with them).

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I felt we'd be 4-2 at this point, 4-3 after Ohio State. The only difference is NIU, and that sucks ***. 7-5/8-4 is where I had this team and pending an upset this weekend or at Penn State, looks like the prediction will be short 1 or 2 wins.

The 9-win crowd wants something to hold on to, and that's 9 wins. That's their Nebraska, I read it from 2003-2014 on this very forum for weeks. They're afraid of inconsistent seasons for the greater good of the program, long term, because they won't be able to say, "9 WINS, Tom Osborne!!!"

Look at this year's senior class, disgusting for a program like Nebraska.

2010 seniors (year 3 of Pelini, recruited by Callahan)
Allen, Amukamara, Hagg, Henery, Henry, Jones, Kunalic, Jones, McNeill, Paul, Smith, Thenarse, West & Williams

2017 is as bad as 2006, difference is - Callahan went and got JUCO's to help that third season while Riley chose not to. And we're now seeing how big of a mistake that was. Cough, cough, someone called this in 2015....

About to board my plane home to PA. So I will lose the wifi.
But I appreciate your thoughtful responses. As you know from my posting history... I can be rational and a solid poster. I can also veer towards the cliff and need to be talked off the ledge.
This thing with Riley vexes me. I hated Pelini and I love Riley. Dont want him fired. But I also long to see a much better product on the field.
I gather from your posts you do not support firing Riley. At least, not as things stand now. I can respect that.
But I have serious doubts he can turn this around.
Thanks. Gotta board

 

[coachDubs]

When Barry took over at WI his teams were immediately better than the other guy.

STFU you high school stalking hack.

Barry was 1-10 his first year.

Wisconsin was 2-9 the year before.

 

[SoFL Husker]

I should have stated "the talent is young". I was basing it on the OP in this thread...
https://nebraska.forums.rivals.com/threads/blinded-by-our-guys.188664/#post-3780330

The OP makes very good points that the younger players on our roster were much more sought-after recruits than the players who are seeing playing time. The systems we are running aren't exactly "plug and play" for most young players.

To your point, Illinois is a much younger team (9 seniors and 50-some freshmen I believe is what was displayed during our game with them).

So why can't the young guys excel and the recruits we have stay on board, sans the statue QBs and the OL who can't move???

Mike Riley is a scheme that doesn't work anymore

Bottom friggin line

GBR

 

[genetics56]

STFU you high school stalking hack.

Barry was 1-10 his first year.

Wisconsin was 2-9 the year before.

You are wrong. His teams were a lot more sound. That is why they broke through in 93'. The development was already taking place.

Next time you try to insult you should get a clue what you are talking about.

 

[saluno22]

How did Oregon do that? Your words couldn't be more false...

Oregon, in the 3Q, ran the ball less times than they did in the 1Q or 2Q. They also threw the ball less, thanks to Nebraska running more plays in the very same 3Q than we did the previous 2 quarters. Add in the interception and Nebraska cutting it to 14 with 1.5 quarters remaining in the game.

From that point, Oregon still tried to move the ball. They struggled. Not because they took their foot off the gas but because Nebraska had seized momentum from halftime adjustments.

At some point, when ya shut a team out while closing the deficit, you have to credit the team closing the gap instead of saying the other took off the gas pedal.

We can discuss the Oregon play calling as well, but you don't like that discussion as it tears apart your inaccurate opinion.

I concur with your assessment. Mine is incorrect.

 

[coachDubs]

I gather from your posts you do not support firing Riley.

Same as every Husker football coach, I prefer to give 4 years and evaluate from there. I did it on this very forum with Callahan and Pelini, there's no reason not to give Riley the same time frame. And it'll happen again whomever the next head coach is.

If he's fired, he's fired. If he's retained, he's retained. Nothing I, or anyone else on this forum, can do about it