• Video: See what Nebraska coach Bo Pelini had to say after the Huskers' 28-20 win over Colorado:



NINE IS FINE

This was a big win. Not 1995 in Boulder big, but big nevertheless. Here's why: nine wins. This is the first time NU has won nine games in consecutive seasons since 2000 and 2001 — and every year before that for about 30 years. The difference between nine and eight? Nine is closer to 10, and eight is closer to seven. Plus, if the Huskers had lost, then you face the possibility of losing to Texas and losing the bowl game — and then you're sitting there at 8-6 with a three-game losing string. What kind of season would you have then? Exactly. Nine wins has always been the standard at Nebraska. Good to have it back.

GOOD CALL, CU

I like Dan Hawkins getting a fifth year. Several in the CU press corps disagree. But here's my thinking: Until Colorado wants to act like a big-time program and go all in, like several of its Big 12 competitors, it shouldn't be firing coaches after four years. Has Hawkins been awful? Yes. But he's a good fit here. And who are you going to get to come to Boulder, in this league, with CU's academic standards, and say you get only four years? This may have been a stay of execution for one year, however. CU hosts Georgia and goes to Cal, while playing at NU, Missouri and Kansas, along with a South rotation of Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Baylor with Robert Griffin back.

PETE VS. PELINI

Are we headed for Nebraska vs. USC, Bo vs. Pete? It may happen. May. The Holiday Bowl was the only bowl attending Friday's game and is focused on the Huskers. The Cotton Bowl wants Oklahoma State and has all season. Would an OSU win at Oklahoma today put the Pokes in the Fiesta Bowl? Yes, possibly. And that would put NU in the Cotton on Jan. 2. Cotton Bowl officials aren't sure that Nebraska fans would travel back to the same city and stadium if the Huskers lose to Texas in Arlington next weekend. That's a valid concern. Even with all of the Husker fans in north Texas, those fans don't stay in hotels or spend money in the local watering holes. We'll know more after OSU-OU. Meanwhile, Holiday Bowl rep John Reid (the former executive director of the bowl) said Tom Osborne was pressing him before Friday's game on an opponent. If Oregon loses to Oregon State next weekend, it would be the Ducks. If Oregon wins, then the Holiday can pick from among Oregon State, Stanford, Arizona or USC. The Trojans would be first on that list.

• Postgame analysis with Rich Kaipust:

« Sports - Big Red Today

Share