We won four games last year. An outsider would find it hard to believe that we had better talent than the teams that beat us. We often state we do as a "truth," but until a few of these "more talented" players block "less talented" players on other teams, or "more talented" DBs stop "less talented" receivers from catching pass, or "more talented" defensive players tackle "less talented players" from opposing teams etc., the "truth" is they are not more talented. They might have been rated as more talented coming out of high school, but that is yesterday's news.
So if you don't buy that we have more talented players (and most who are not Husker fans must not think so), why would you predict they would beat the teams that beat them last year, assuming those teams have not had major fall off among those who played for them last year? To a rational observer the ESPN predictions are eminently reasonable and not a form of hating on Nebraska.
So I'm not bothered by those kinds of predictions. I believe, however, that we will win more than they predict, probably 6 or 7, games on the basis of increased effort by our players and an adrenaline shot from a couple of our transfers and JC recruits. We might even win more based on our new systems and coaching - they will be new to the BIG this year and it will take others time to adjust.
But until our so-called talented players improve dramatically, we are underestimating the players on other teams and exaggerating our talent. They might make that kind of improvement and if they do the credit should go squarely to the new coaching staff. But based on last year, they will have to demonstrate it to convince most non-Husker fans, not just say it.
As for Devaney, that was one of the greatest turn arounds ever. Of course, he had partial qualifiers and no scholarship limitations and a cushy schedule in the Big Seven or Eight or whatever we were in at that time, schedules in which we generally had at most two or three teams that were as good as we were. so conditions were a bit different. But still... a great turnaround and establishment of a winning attitude. Maybe this new staff can duplicate that. Hope so.
