Callahan’s ‘06 campaign promising, but Big 12 pressure looms

By Graham Schmidt  |   Wednesday, January 31, 2007  |  Comments( 12 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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A brisk Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Memorial Stadium packed with 80,000 fans clad in scarlet and cream. Seventy-five years of tradition. The loyalty of a state.

Bill Callahan took a promotion when he assumed the reins of the head coaching job at Nebraska three years ago, and now the pressure is really on. Sure, Callahan was on the verge of winning a Super Bowl during his tenure with the NFL's Oakland Raiders earlier this decade. At Nebraska, though, coaches become legends. Coaches become congressmen.

When Callahan arrived at Nebraska, the team was down on its luck. Since, he's gotten the Huskers to the Big 12 Championship game, respected again in college football circles. He's also begun the tough transition to a West Coast offense from one of the most heralded running games in college football history. However, Nebraska fans aren't an easily satisfied bunch. No, sir, they demand more. So what now?

Callahan is dealing with the same challenge that every coach, young or old, with or without experience, is facing in the 21st century of college football -- coordinating effective recruiting into a cohesive team that will win football games.

When Frank Solich took over for the legendary Tom Osborne in 1998, he was given a roster loaded with the best talent in the country. Promising to keep a rich tradition of smash-mouth defense and a grinding running game, Solich was doomed for failure when Big 12 teams like Oklahoma and Texas again rose to prominence with their newly modified offenses, heavily incorporating passing into their playbooks.

With the new look Big 12 and Solich's massive failure as a recruiter, it was time for a new guy in town. Enter Callahan in 2004. His roster wasn't blessed with the same talent that Solich's late '90s programs had, and the transition to a West Coast offense from a tough ground game is about as tricky as it gets in college football.

Nonetheless, Nebraska heads into the 2007 season with a promising 15th overall ranking, but the team has a challenging schedule that includes eight 2006 bowl teams. The '07 campaign is one Callahan must embrace. He has the opportunity to make a big-time stand and win the Big 12.

With Arizona State transfer Sam Keller helming the quarterback position, the Huskers' offense is primed to put up some huge numbers next season. The defense remains the enormous X-factor -- replacing future NFL DEs Adam Carriker and Jay Moore is no easy task -- and improvements in a spotty secondary are a must. However, if Callahan and the Huskers were to succeed next season in winning their conference, it would put the coach right on schedule with his contract and expectations.

Just as vivid as gameday red in Lincoln, Callahan's work will be cut out for him soon. The pressure to conquer the Big 12 is officially on.
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