By what you just said, we are no longer Nebraska. If NU can't compare itself to the elite anymore or want to play with the elite, then it chooses not to play big boy football anymore. Iowa and Northwestern is where it's at now. Gotcha.
We didn't spend as much as Notre Dame or USC or Alabama back when we were sitting on top of the football world, so give me a break with your whining that we aren't trying. It's about recruiting, scheduling and luck. We are climbing back in the recruiting game, hoping to get some favorable schedules and needing some luck. The luck we need is that kids stay healthy, pan out, and get some opponents to stumble just enough to allow up to climb the polls. Thats not saying we can't play at a higher level, but with polls being facsinated by the SEC, we might need some help if we want to get to the top 8, which is needed to be in a position for the playoffs.