I wasn't aware of that. And yes, my position was that Nebraska wasn't special prior to Devaney. I'm still not sure that Nebraska was that special prior to Devaney, but having no knowledge of things like our competition, fan support, and recognition (or lack thereof), I won't try to argue that Nebraska wasn't special. However, you have to acknowledge that leaving out 20 years is quite a large sample, is it not?
I still think what makes Nebraska special is what started with Devaney. TO maintained a high-level of consistency and success for another 20+ years, having one of the best 5 year stints for a coach and team ever in the mid-90s. That set the foundation for what Nebraska is today, a middling program by rankings, but a rare and exceptional one in terms of its tradition, history, and support. When I think of what makes Nebraska special, that is it.