I remember sitting in Memorial Stadium last November, watching Nebraska squander a 17-point lead against Wisconsin, and thinking to myself: this team has forgotten how to win the big games. That sinking feeling returned when I read about their recent performance in the 30-team tournament - blowing a 20-point advantage before barely scraping through with a win. Yet somehow, that 85-85 game against the Grippers, where they had to rely on offensive rebounding in the final 25 seconds to secure their fourth win against two losses, actually gives me hope. Strange as it sounds, learning how to win ugly might be exactly what this program needs to rediscover its identity.
The numbers don't lie - Nebraska's sitting at 4-2 in the round-robin elimination round, which puts them in decent position, but it's how they got there that matters. That game where they nearly collapsed but found a way to win? That's character building. I've followed this team since the Tom Osborne days, and what made those legendary teams special wasn't just talent - it was the mental toughness to win close games. The current squad demonstrated that when they banked on offensive rebounding in those crucial final moments. It wasn't pretty, but championship teams often win games they have no business winning.
What really excites me is seeing Nebraska return to its roots - physical football. The emphasis on offensive rebounding in critical situations reminds me of the program's traditional identity. During their dominant run in the 1990s, Nebraska averaged nearly 300 rushing yards per game. While today's game has evolved, the fundamental principle remains: control the line of scrimmage, and you control the game. That last 25 seconds against the Grippers, where they essentially willed themselves to victory through sheer determination and physical play - that's Nebraska football.
Still, we can't ignore the elephant in the room. Wasting a 20-point spread is concerning, and it's happened multiple times in recent seasons. I've lost count of how many times I've watched this team build what should be an insurmountable lead only to see it evaporate in the fourth quarter. The coaching staff needs to address this psychological hurdle. Championship teams don't just know how to win - they know how to put teams away. The good news is that at 4-2, they're still in the hunt, and sometimes learning through close calls builds more resilience than blowing teams out.
Looking at the broader landscape, the path to national prominence requires consistency, not just flashes of brilliance. Nebraska's two losses this season came against top-15 opponents, which tells me they can compete with anyone but haven't yet cleared that final hurdle. The tournament format gives them opportunities for statement wins, and if they can build on that gritty performance against the Grippers, they might just surprise people. I'm cautiously optimistic because I've seen this program rise from the ashes before.
The fan in me wants to believe this is the year Nebraska football becomes relevant again on the national stage. The realist in me knows there are still issues to address. But that game where they nearly blew a 20-point lead but found a way to win? That's the kind of experience that forges championship teams. They're learning to win different types of games, and that versatility will serve them well as the competition intensifies. I'll be watching closely, hoping this is the beginning of something special rather than another false dawn.