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One week: B1G football and College Football return starting in Champaign



This should be a great game, as Bret Bielema makes his return back in the Big Ten, as the Illini's new head coach. Scott Frost and Nebraska enter Year 4, after a 12-20 start for the former revered Husker quarterback.


Back in 2014, the World Herald was talking about both these guys in reference to Lincoln job and another previous coaching change. What would that have looked like had it happened?


Twenty years ago, Nebraska and Illinois were Top 20 teams. #12 Illinois finished 10-2, while #8 Nebraska was 11-2 finishing with back to back losses and their last Rose Bowl appearance.


Today, it is a battle between the #11 Nebraska (9-17) and #12 Illinois (8-18) Big Ten programs over the past 3 years.


Really, is anyone seriously a fan of all black uniforms being worn by the Huskers?


Last year's game in Lincoln, brought back memories of Iowa State’s wins over Nebraska under Dan McCarney.


So, Nebraska enters the fourth season for Scott Frost and building his own roster. Bill McCartney turned Colorado into a winning program by Year 4 at 7-5. They only had 7 wins over the first 3 seasons. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz was 11-23 over his first three seasons, Bielema was LB coach at his alma mater during those three seasons, and 0-2 mark against Nebraska.


Injuries have been a big part of the 2021 season, since January turned the page on the new season. For Illinois and Nebraska, it has been earlier than January based on the 2020 season.


Bob Devaney was the gold standard at Nebraska. He took over a 3-6-1 Nebraska team in 1962, scrapped the Wing T offense and went 9-2 the first season. The Huskers only played one ranked team all season, losing 34-6 in Norman that first season. Devaney did have back to back 6-4 seasons in Year 6 and Year 7.

Tom Osborne took over from Devaney after four seasons as his OC. He went 9-2-1 his first season in 1973. He was 9-3-1 by his fourth season.

We talked about Frank Solich's fourth season, back in 2001 already. His fifth season, he slipped to 7-7.

Bill Callahan was 5-7 in his fourth season. Bo Pelini arrived the next season in 2008 and finished 10-4. He was 9-4 his fourth season, which was ten years ago in the inaugural Big Ten season for the Huskers. 5-3 in the Legends division. It was the first season in the Big Ten for Nebraska. Bret Bielema was in his six season at Wisconsin, the Huskers Big Ten debut.

#7 Wisconsin 48
#8 Nebraska 17

Nebraska pulled the plug on Mike Riley, after a 4-8 third season. Scott Frost arrived in 2018, and as mentioned the Cornhuskers are 12-20 (8-18 in B1G, 2-1 vs. Illinois), second to last among B1G West programs, one game ahead of the Illini.

So, what gives with the 2021 Nebraska Cornhuskers?

What will Illinois be in 2021?



Is it really a must win for Nebraska, being that it is on the road, season opener and no one expects Illinois to be like Wisconsin in his sixth season? Bret Bielema did go 12-1 in his first season at Wisconsin, but Barry Alvarez was 10-3, when he retired to a full-time AD role there.



Keys to the Game:

1. Turnover margin
2. Explosive plays
3. Tackling - in my best PJ Fleck voice
4. Special teams
5. Line of scrimmage and running game

As an Iowan, one player looking forward to see in 2021.



RIP Larry Mims, former Nebraska middle infielder, CID native.

 
Last night, my pile of cole slaw oozed across the navy blue Fiestaware plate until it settled in the shape of Ontario.
 
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@9and4

It will be nice to see football start again. No delay this season, unlike last year's clustered decision.

Big Ten Conference opener, but Fordham too!

I am looking forward to Buffalo and at I Oklahoma.

Hopefully, the 50th anniversary game will be similar to the Field of Dreams Game recently.

Fox did a great job with that sporting event.
 
Can't wait for the season to start. Will be pulling for the Huskers. And getting info to pass to Riley.
 
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