Husker Advantages

[NUinNC]

The competition is too intense to expect Rhule to be able to return the Cornhuskers to another run to glory without exclusive advantages.

What are our advantages?

Devaney had volume recruiting.
TO had inovation and partial qualifiers

What can Rhule do to create an edge?

 

[valiantsailor]

Drive to Omaha and get Buffet on board

 

[NUinNC]

Drive to Omaha and get Buffet on board

Excellent idea!! I like the way you think.

 

[Doc Fumble]

The competition is too intense to expect Rhule to be able to return the Cornhuskers to another run to glory without exclusive advantages.

What are our advantages? What can Rhule do to create an edge?

Interesting thread, NUinNU. Back in 2022, some CFB pundits thought Matt Rhule (a hot commodity on the CFB job market) would wait for an 'easier' recruiting job in the SEC. But Coach Rhule chose Nebraska because he saw unique advantages here that he was confident he could build upon. Like other programs, he's rebuilt our strength & conditioning program and rebuilt our culture. But here in Rhule Year 3, I would argue we already have an edge:

Financial Stability. Nebraska is one of a small handful of programs that is in the Black. That is a REALLY big deal. With revenue sharing coming ASAP, it is going to be a serious struggle for most CFB programs is pay their bills in the future. Fans of other teams around the country grouse that the B1G and the SEC are paving the way for their own playoff. IMO, that probability has less to do with the Big 2 trying to control things and more to do with seeing they are likely to be the only schools who will be able to fork out 20 million-plus every year starting now.

Injury Recovery. Under Rhule, Nebraska has become the nation's leader in developing its injury recovery program. That's a big deal for: 1) getting players back on the field ASAP; and 2) recruitment. Our move to grass fields will only enhance our standing.

Performance Nutrition. Like the old days, with Boyd Epley (weight-training) and Ursula Walsh (athletic counseling), Nebraska has become the nation's leader in performance nutrition under Kristin Coggin. When it comes to a recruit with aspirations of the NFL and his parents, it's hard not to see its value.

Fan Base. This has been our historical edge. Few schools (I would put four other schools in our elite company) can count on Nebraska's unique level of fan support. As CFB continues to go through change, that is another big deal. Think about it: the fans stayed loyal through the end of the Pelini years and then the Riley and Frost fiascos. What other programs could have kept their fans during such a run? Once we're back to playoff-level football, look out!

 

[Cigarman]

Good points DrF.

Rhule is selling NU as a prep for the NFL team. They have the coaches and facilities to develop a young man into a pro prospect. Rhule is a former pro HC, knows what is needed, knows what the Pros are looking for and has the contacts to help a player attain his dreams.

NU is one of the leaders in the NIL game. NU has the funding top talent is looking for.

While it may not be a major advantage. NU is playing the social media game very well. I just watched Rhule dance on a Tic-Toc video and have to admit it was entertaining. Things like this and peer recruiting help sell a program.

I will double down on the Fan Support part of Dr's post. NU fans are knowledgeable and classy. I have seen where several recruits said they were impressed by being recognized by fans on the streets and in restaurants.

 

[Doc Fumble]

I will double down on the Fan Support part of Dr's post. NU fans are knowledgeable and classy. I have seen where several recruits said they were impressed by being recognized by fans on the streets and in restaurants.

I've seen it countless times, Cigarman.

I usually get to the stadium when the doors open So I've been around when our gameday recruits walk on to the field. You will always hear fans calling them by name from the stands. It always generates a reaction from the recruit. Does it 'seal the deal'? Naw, I'm sure it doesn't---but on the other hand, it doesn't hurt!

One of the things that always burns my butt is when TV announcers or national pundits opine that Nebraska will never be 'back' because the University is located in the middle of nowhere. That's BS. If that were the case, Eugene Oregon is in the middle of nowhere. How do you explain the Ducks success? And with Nebraska, how do you explain a trophy case full of Natties? The bottom line is recruits are attracted to winners.

Besides, I would argue that NIL has dramatically changed the whole recruiting game. If your program has all the things that Nebraska has to offer along with NIL money, you're going to recruit well, whether you live in Lincoln Nebraska, Austin, Texas or Miami, Florida.

 

[Cigarman]

I've seen it countless times, Cigarman.

I usually get to the stadium when the doors open So I've been around when our gameday recruits walk on to the field. You will always hear fans calling them by name from the stands. It always generates a reaction from the recruit. Does it 'seal the deal'? Naw, I'm sure it doesn't---but on the other hand, it doesn't hurt!

One of the things that always burns my butt is when TV announcers or national pundits opine that Nebraska will never be 'back' because the University is located in the middle of nowhere. That's BS. If that were the case, Eugene Oregon is in the middle of nowhere. How do you explain the Ducks success? And with Nebraska, how do you explain a trophy case full of Natties? The bottom line is recruits are attracted to winners.

Besides, I would argue that NIL has dramatically changed the whole recruiting game. If your program has all the things that Nebraska has to offer along with NIL money, you're going to recruit well, whether you live in Lincoln Nebraska, Austin, Texas or Miami, Florida.

Yeah, It burns me too. If you have ever been to Tuscaloosa, Alabama you would truly know where the middle of nowhere is. It hasn't hurt them much either. Texas A&M, University of Oklahoma and many other places are no better. You also hear So Cal and Miami are in slums. Yet they still manage as well.

Nebraska has NCs in Football, Volleyball, Bowling, Women's Indoor Track, and Gymnastics. If I am counting right, it totals 29 NCs. Not bad for a place that no one would attend.

 

[NUinNC]

Excellent idea!! I like the way you think.

Maybe Buffett could make some recommendations on how to invest their NIL and revenue sharing.

He did that for Suh.

 

[Righteous Red]

One other advantage we possess is that the HUSKERS are the only game in town (state).
We don’t have to share with any other university programs or any NFL team. I guess that also ties along with our loyal fan base that Doc mentioned. I spend a lot of time in Wisconsin since daughter and family live there. There is such a parallel with Husker fans and Green Bay Packers fans with their rabid fan bases. On the downside of that, our players, coaches and program are put under the microscope on a constant basis. Their every move on and off the field is scrutinized, very much so like the Packers. This sometimes puts immense pressure on many of our players.

 

[Husker99]

The competition is too intense to expect Rhule to be able to return the Cornhuskers to another run to glory without exclusive advantages.

What are our advantages?

Devaney had volume recruiting.
TO had inovation and partial qualifiers

What can Rhule do to create an edge?

Buy the perfect roster.