At the end of Unsportsmanlike Conduct today on 1620, they were talking about something I've felt for awhile. A certain percentage of Nebraska fans have become too political. Some fans have got to the point that it's more important that they be right than it is for them to support the team.
Right now the are a lot of divisions in the fan base:
Some wanted Bo retained, and never have and never will give Riley a chance.
Some wanted Bo gone, wanted someone else to be the HC, and never have and never will accept Riley.
Some wanted Bo gone, and we're skeptical about Riley but we're willing to give him a chance.
Some wanted Bo gone, followed college football enough that they had actually heard of Mike Riley, and we're somewhat familiar with his career, and supported him when he was announced.
You could divide the fan base further, but I hope you get my point. I know people who fit in all the groups.
There are people on this board who IMHO have given the impression that they never wanted Bo gone, or wanted Bo gone, but wanted someone else, who are so freaking hell bent on "They have to be right," that they appear to take joy in these painful losses, or at least use them to pound their chest and say, "See I was right."
So we have heard on this board Riley doesn't recruit any better than Bo did (which as I've pointed out, you can't crow about Bo's class rankings and neglect to point out how many high ranking recruits never panned out, left, or were shown the door).
We've heard Riley was a .500 coach. Yea, probably at a .250 or so program. He was also courted by Bama and USC in his career.
Now we are hearing Riley can't manage games (I'll admit, criticism is justified there).
So now we have calls for everyone and the janitor to be fired from the athletic program.
So now we have postings pointing out that not all is well on the Husker roster, which was met with some criticism and questioning.
The fanbase is divided (which I dont think anyone can argue) and some fans seem to act as if they are more concerned with being right, predict and practically root for failure, so they can hope brag later and be able to say, "See, I told you so."
If the fan base is acting this way, how can you deny the possibility if not likelihood that this division has infected the roster?
There are clearly fans who can't let go of Bo, so why wouldn't there be players who haven't been able to? There had to be players who never accepted Riley and never will for whatever reason just like some fans. The team is a microcosm of society.
I'm going to go with the assumption that there are roster problems, and that just as 3 excruciating losses have caused problems among the fans, it could have easily done worse to the team chemistry and unity.
Again, assuming it is true, as there is no reason to discount the possibility, I hope the potential "problem" players realize soon, that they WILL regret it later in life if it is effecting team performance.
Finally, I really don't see Riley going anywhere for at least a couple of years. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I want him to succeed, because that means the team succeeded. That's not to say I wont throw criticism out if I feel it's warranted. But all this doom and gloom, predicting or worse, flat out hoping for losses isn't healthy or helpful. But I know, to some it will still be more important to be right.
So I hope if you are going to the game on Saturday you are going to raise hell and give the team some energy, because this season is in the balance, and the team doesn't need a negative atmosphere, working it's way to the sidelines.
So if you are still more worried about being right, give you tickets to someone else.
Right now the are a lot of divisions in the fan base:
Some wanted Bo retained, and never have and never will give Riley a chance.
Some wanted Bo gone, wanted someone else to be the HC, and never have and never will accept Riley.
Some wanted Bo gone, and we're skeptical about Riley but we're willing to give him a chance.
Some wanted Bo gone, followed college football enough that they had actually heard of Mike Riley, and we're somewhat familiar with his career, and supported him when he was announced.
You could divide the fan base further, but I hope you get my point. I know people who fit in all the groups.
There are people on this board who IMHO have given the impression that they never wanted Bo gone, or wanted Bo gone, but wanted someone else, who are so freaking hell bent on "They have to be right," that they appear to take joy in these painful losses, or at least use them to pound their chest and say, "See I was right."
So we have heard on this board Riley doesn't recruit any better than Bo did (which as I've pointed out, you can't crow about Bo's class rankings and neglect to point out how many high ranking recruits never panned out, left, or were shown the door).
We've heard Riley was a .500 coach. Yea, probably at a .250 or so program. He was also courted by Bama and USC in his career.
Now we are hearing Riley can't manage games (I'll admit, criticism is justified there).
So now we have calls for everyone and the janitor to be fired from the athletic program.
So now we have postings pointing out that not all is well on the Husker roster, which was met with some criticism and questioning.
The fanbase is divided (which I dont think anyone can argue) and some fans seem to act as if they are more concerned with being right, predict and practically root for failure, so they can hope brag later and be able to say, "See, I told you so."
If the fan base is acting this way, how can you deny the possibility if not likelihood that this division has infected the roster?
There are clearly fans who can't let go of Bo, so why wouldn't there be players who haven't been able to? There had to be players who never accepted Riley and never will for whatever reason just like some fans. The team is a microcosm of society.
I'm going to go with the assumption that there are roster problems, and that just as 3 excruciating losses have caused problems among the fans, it could have easily done worse to the team chemistry and unity.
Again, assuming it is true, as there is no reason to discount the possibility, I hope the potential "problem" players realize soon, that they WILL regret it later in life if it is effecting team performance.
Finally, I really don't see Riley going anywhere for at least a couple of years. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I want him to succeed, because that means the team succeeded. That's not to say I wont throw criticism out if I feel it's warranted. But all this doom and gloom, predicting or worse, flat out hoping for losses isn't healthy or helpful. But I know, to some it will still be more important to be right.
So I hope if you are going to the game on Saturday you are going to raise hell and give the team some energy, because this season is in the balance, and the team doesn't need a negative atmosphere, working it's way to the sidelines.
So if you are still more worried about being right, give you tickets to someone else.
