Pelini Brothers Kick Off “Year Three” Tomorrow

In Bo Pelini’s third year as LSU’s Defensive Coordinator, the Tigers mauled the field and brought a national championship home to Baton Rouge. Bob Stoops won a national championship in his second season at Oklahoma, as did Jim Tressel at Ohio State and Urban Meyer at Florida. Nick Saban was in his third season when Alabama broke through last year.

Clearly great things happen when the program starts to hit on all cylinders.

“The more you have things running smoothly, the more time you can put into the football aspect of it,” Bo Pelini said. “You have a certain list of things you want to get done, and the smaller that list is — meaning there’s less things on the plate — then you can concentrate on certain things. That’s going to help everybody.”

“It’s an important year as a coach,” Carl Pelini said. “I think it’s a year where there should be certain expectations by fans and administrators, because it should be the year where your program becomes firmly established as to who you’re going to be.”

Oh, the expectations are there. Of that, the Brothers Pelini need not worry.

Sadly, some in the press think our expectations are to high. Detroit Free Press says we’re overrated.

Sorry, but the offense still lacks playmakers, and star defensive lineman Jared Crick will find the sledding a little tougher without Ndamukong Suh eating up blockers next to him.

Speaking as a fan, I think we’re underrated. We have a favorable schedule this fall and once some key players emerge and our O-line and D-line start to overpower people, I think Husker Nation is going to like the outcome. But one thing at a time. Tomorrow we face the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky. Time to lay the wood.

My prediction: Huskers 48 – Hilltoppers 10.