Would 8-4..

[keilwitzg]

Be good enough of an improvement for everyone? Given the road games this year I would be okay with 8-4. Here's an article that helps me think that the future is bright. Also, what are your thoughts?

http://247sports.com/Article/Nebraska-Cornhuskers-recruiting-and-building-a-contender-46713391

 

[NikkiSixx]

Mike is going to survive no matter what.. there are enough people riding the Riley Train that he could go win-less this year and still get a 3rd year. (he's not going win-less either)

 

[JohnRossEwing]

Mike is going to survive no matter what.. there are enough people riding the Riley Train that he could go win-less this year and still get a 3rd year. (he's not going win-less either)

No kidding and no kidding and no kidding.

 

[shine003]

Firing a well respected coach that left what many considered his last job after two years following a firing of a 9 win coach is such an absurd idea. I get it. We're Nebraska. We need to win and win now. But you can't fire a coach after two years without cause no matter what or who the school is.

 

[Cornicator]

Mike is going to survive no matter what.. there are enough people riding the Riley Train that he could go win-less this year and still get a 3rd year. (he's not going win-less either)

I know you're using hyperbole... lol. But no coach would ever survive going winless at Nebraska.

And FWIW, I don't believe he can survive a losing season in year two.

 

[Cornicator]

As for the original question, I would be ok with 8-4 if those 4 losses occur vs. the likes or Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Iowa.

If you're talking about losses to teams like Northwestern or Indiana or even to another team at home like Minnesota, that would be a step back IMO.

 

[chicolby]

Better win at least 9 games. I've got a lot of cash bet with a local sports bookie that they win over 8.5 this season.

 

[NikkiSixx]

I know you're using hyperbole... lol. But no coach would ever survive going winless at Nebraska.

And FWIW, I don't believe he can survive a losing season in year two.

haha, but I was being serious about that statement.

While the sample size is small, from what I have seen on this board, there are a lot of people that love that guy, even to the point that some might have trouble being objective about him. I think a big part of that is Mike's nice guy persona, and it makes him nearly invincible to being fired.

 

[schuele]

Hard to put a number on it, because no win or loss ever looks the same. Several of last year's losses didn't bother me at all, but the giveaway at Illinois and the Let's-see-if-there's-any-way-we-can-lose-this-one game plan at Purdue were maddening.

I'm generally in favor of keeping Riley long enough for him to get his recruits and system fully in place, but those are the types of fiascos he needs to avoid in 2016.

 

[tone1017]

No, there are lots of winnable games on the schedule. 8-4 would be pretty bad and really shouldn't be viewed as a successful season.

 

[MAG]

I'd be okay with a 8-4 record but since the offensive and defensive lines are works in progress and T.A.'s tendency to turn the ball over, I think the Huskers struggle to win 5 to 7 games again this season.

 

[nebcountry]

8-4 is tolerable, not successful in my opinion. It took BC 4 years to accumulate 2 losing seasons, and was summarily fired after the 2nd.

 

[Cornicator]

Hard to put a number on it, because no win or loss ever looks the same. Several of last year's losses didn't bother me at all, but the giveaway at Illinois and the Let's-see-if-there's-any-way-we-can-lose-this-one game plan at Purdue were maddening.

I'm generally in favor of keeping Riley long enough for him to get his recruits and system fully in place, but those are the types of fiascos he needs to avoid in 2016.

Whether you or me or any other fans on this board are in favor of keeping him is irrelevant.

There are still roughly a quarter of the big money folks who were content with Bo Pelini and were angered when he was let go. Many of those folks are just waiting to throw Eichorst to the Wolves. And I think another 6-6 or worse type season gets him on the chopping block. I think Riley can survive another 5 or 6 wins.... Anything worse, and I think he would be ran off.

And despite what many fans think about Nebraska, the Huskers are too damn good to be a sub .500 football team again. That reality is magnified when you consider Nebraska might only play 3 ranked teams all season.

 

[Cornicator]

Hard to put a number on it, because no win or loss ever looks the same. Several of last year's losses didn't bother me at all, but the giveaway at Illinois and the Let's-see-if-there's-any-way-we-can-lose-this-one game plan at Purdue were maddening.

I'm generally in favor of keeping Riley long enough for him to get his recruits and system fully in place, but those are the types of fiascos he needs to avoid in 2016.

I think there is an important sub text to your last point. If Riley were to follow up 2016 with another record similar to 2015, I don't believe he would be able to keep the recruiting momentum in place.

 

[schuele]

Whether you or me or any other fans on this board are in favor of keeping him is irrelevant.

Oh I completely agree with you about that. I'm just offering my thoughts on the direction of the program - not harboring any illusions about how much those thoughts matter.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

haha, but I was being serious about that statement.

While the sample size is small, from what I have seen on this board, there are a lot of people that love that guy, even to the point that some might have trouble being objective about him. I think a big part of that is Mike's nice guy persona, and it makes him nearly invincible to being fired.

Calling out others for their lack of objectivity.... I may as well join in to complete the circle of absurdity.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

It depends. Go 8-4 but have a good recruiting year, then I am satisfied. Go 8-4 and end up around 25-30 in recruiting, then I will grumble.

I think too that if Riley goes 5-7 again this year then there is a small chance he will be fired. Once again it all depends on how recruiting goes. If he has a very good recruiting year then even rabid fans like me will say "I hate the losses but the future looks better". But if he goes 5-7 and the bottom falls out in recruiting then I would say he is in a very hot seat. And rightly so. Our schedule, despite our toughest opponents being road games, is not that tough this year, but gets much worse in coming years. Go 7-5 or 8-4 with good recruiting and the Riley show will continue

 

[huskerfan1414]

No, it would not be okay, especially with this schedule.

If we got a 9th win in a bowl game I would feel much better, however.

 

[ElRoberson]

It would definitely be good enough!!! Riley is having to continue removing the virus from this team even now...

 

[Pennsyhusker]

I think there is an important sub text to your last point. If Riley were to follow up 2016 with another record similar to 2015, I don't believe he would be able to keep the recruiting momentum in place.

Exactly

 

[jteten]

haha, but I was being serious about that statement.

While the sample size is small, from what I have seen on this board, there are a lot of people that love that guy, even to the point that some might have trouble being objective about him. I think a big part of that is Mike's nice guy persona, and it makes him nearly invincible to being fired.

This comes off as bitter.

 

[NikkiSixx]

This comes off as bitter.

Not meant to be taken in that way. I never see it discussed in that light, but I think he's too nice to fire..

 

[mkbrkloster]

Not meant to be taken in that way. I never see it discussed in that light, but I think he's too nice to fire..

Which is similar to the feelings of many about our last coach who won "too many" games to fire, regardless of what he said/did.

 

[spinner4]

8-4 would be ok if the schedule was difficult. But it's not. Love him or hate him, TA is a sr. QB that won 9 games his first 2 years, no reason to go 8-4 other than bad coaching. We have talent. We should go 11-1 in my opinion this year but I know there will be a hiccup or 2 along the way and I can live with that. But I cant live with 3. tOSU is the only school with more talent then us.

 

[spinner4]

It would definitely be good enough!!! Riley is having to continue removing the virus from this team even now...

I don't believe the "virus" is deadly like it was last year. Those go Bo or go home players aren't really on the team anymore. These kids are way past it. The only ones not over and done with the whole Bo deal seem to be some fans that hated him a ton. They cant seem to let it go. Trust me, the players are over the coaching change. They are on the MR bus

 

[cubsker]

8 is the absolute minimum I could tolerate given how much more talented we are on offense than every team on our schedule that's not Oregon or Ohio State. Riley will be here next year either way, but if his ingame decisions cost us another 3 games, I think all hope of him turning us around will be gone.

 

[Husker Sledge]

I'd be okay with a 8-4 record but since the offensive and defensive lines are works in progress and T.A.'s tendency to turn the ball over, I think the Huskers struggle to win 5 to 7 games again this season.

Lol! That ain't gonna happen. 8 wins minimum this year. Probably 9

 

[HuskerO]

As for the original question, I would be ok with 8-4 if those 4 losses occur vs. the likes or Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Iowa.

To add onto this, for me, they would have to be close losses. Almost heart-breaking losses (BYU and Wisconsin 2015).

 

[OkeyDokeyNU]

As for the original question, I would be ok with 8-4 if those 4 losses occur vs. the likes or Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Iowa.

If you're talking about losses to teams like Northwestern or Indiana or even to another team at home like Minnesota, that would be a step back IMO.

Last season, we were only 30 seconds away from being 11-2, according to a certain poster. And many here defended him. Suffice to say, I think many regular posters would find a way to say a 2016 win-less season was only 6:45 minutes away from 11-2.

 

[vs540husker]

No. Only 2 acceptable losses would be Oregon and Ohio State.

 

[GaRed]

The future is looking bright ,but as of today the D line is a huge question mark. 8 wins could be a reach .

 

[big red22]

I'd be okay with a 8-4 record but since the offensive and defensive lines are works in progress and T.A.'s tendency to turn the ball over, I think the Huskers struggle to win 5 to 7 games again this season.

This is my exact thoughts

 

[mkbrkloster]

I'm expecting 8 wins, but I also will be disappointed with 8 wins.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Not meant to be taken in that way. I never see it discussed in that light, but I think he's too nice to fire..

Even more bitter. It's a sad argument from grown-ups that got their feelings hurt

 

[OmahaSker]

We do have talent but we also have a new system. 8-4 with a team not built to run Riley's system is acceptable considering we will get a crack at 9 wins against a good team. Next year will tell us more about where we are going but barring a losing season I don't think you can fire him until HIS QB has played 2 seasons

 

[GBRhuskers]

All depends how we got to 8-4.

 

[SnohomishRed]

Be good enough of an improvement for everyone? Given the road games this year I would be okay with 8-4. Here's an article that helps me think that the future is bright. Also, what are your thoughts?

http://247sports.com/Article/Nebraska-Cornhuskers-recruiting-and-building-a-contender-46713391

This whole thing reminds me of a politicians promises - Dont worry a monkey could win nine games - which of course is false. Then we heard we will not force players to do things they dont have the skill set for - again a big false on both sides of the ball

Now here we are wondering if we can even win eight games. Well I say we sure as heck should if not why did we change coaches. This thought that a coach gets 5-6 years to bring his own players in and then of course train them is a farce - only schools like Purdue or Indiana do that type of thing. NU you need to win and you need to win now

So I say anything less than nine wins and that includes beating Iowa is just not acceptable this year and trust me if we win less than that - recruiting will be crap anyhow

 

[GeauxBigRed]

Too many unknowns to answer this question. If we get hit with the Injury bug, especially at DL, all of this goes out the window anyways.

 

[Thor4NU]

If there's a total meltdown this season and we lose 5 or more games, I think Banker gets the boot.

 

[nebcountry]

This is my take on it.

The UCLA game is a double-edged sword for Mike Riley. We won the game, but we did it in a HIGHLY uncharacteristic way for a Mike Riley team. A Mike Riley team that is gonna run the ball 60 times in a game? That would be crazy talk prior to the UCLA game. TA completed 63% of his passes with ZERO interceptions. Ya, there are mitigating circumstances to justify 60 rushes, but they're not gonna matter. We ran the ball, we won the game, TA didn't make mistakes because TA was not put in a position to make mistakes. There are people that think we're gonna follow the UCLA game plan for this season.

I just hope we win games, the game plan doesn't matter to me in year 2. Anything else, I really don't want to think about it.