The critical word is "road." With Kansas State and Iowa State in rebuilding mode, Nebraska's toughest competition in the North will almost certainly come from Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.

Trouble is, NU faces all three on the road.

The Huskers have lost three straight in Columbia, two straight in Lawrence and got beat 65-51 in Boulder in 2007. None of the six games were close.

Winning the North probably will require at least two wins in those three road trips.

Here's the history: A Big 12 division champion -- the title for which NU is vying -- has never faced the second-, third- and fourth-place divisional teams on the road in the same season.

2. Young gun

Just when Nebraska gets momentum rolling, Joe Ganz's eligibility expires. That could throw a monkey wrench in the quest for progress.

Pelini's options in 2009 include Patrick Witt, Zac Lee, Cody Green and Kody Spano, but all have one thing in common: inexperience under fire.

Witt, the backup quarterback in 2008, demonstrated his youth when, on his only snap of the Gator Bowl, he scrambled and nearly fumbled the ball.

Now the history: In 13 seasons of the Big 12 North, only two first-year quarterbacks starting the majority of his team's games have won a division title. Two of 13.

The last first-year starter to do it: Colorado's Robert Hodge in 2002. The other was Scott Frost in 1996. Hodge and Frost each lost in the Big 12 championship game.

3. Big games

Beating Kansas turned around Nebraska's season. Edging Colorado sustained momentum. Rallying to clip Clemson showed poise.

But none of those three opponents was anywhere near the top 25 when the Huskers beat them. And none will end the 2008 season in the poll.

What's the point? Nebraska still hasn't overcome its wretched record in big games. NU hasn't beaten a team ranked higher than 20th in the nation since Oct. 27, 2001.

That's a string of 20 losses.

We gave you three obstacles. Now the bright side:

REASONS TO HOPE

1. Battered Birds?

Though Nebraska plays the top three teams in the North on the road, the Huskers aren't likely to have the toughest schedule among North contenders. Kansas must again face Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

The Jayhawks went 0-3 against the same foes in 2008.

It means the Huskers conceivably could lose at KU on Nov. 14 and still have a good shot at winning the North.

Nebraska's South schedule includes Oklahoma and Texas Tech at home, and Baylor on the road.

2. Elite rules

Year Two is often when the magic happens. New coaches at traditional powerhouses have proven it over and over.

Bob Stoops and Jim Tressel each went 7-5 in their first seasons at Oklahoma and Ohio State. Then they went undefeated and won national titles.

In the second season, Urban Meyer won his championship at Florida. Pete Carroll jumped from 6-6 to 11-2. Nick Saban had Alabama on the brink of the BCS championship game.

The task won't be easy. No coach has won a Big 12 division crown in his first two seasons since Stoops in 2000.

But nobody outside of Oklahoma and Texas does football quite like Nebraska.

3. Elusive nine

Twenty-three head coaches have begun tenures at Big 12 schools since its inception in 1996.

Some, like Guy Morriss, Terry Allen and Bob Simmons, were forgettable. Others, like Bill Callahan, Dennis Franchione and Ron Prince, were busts.

Some, like Gary Pinkel, Mark Mangino and Mike Leach, jumpstarted programs. A few, like Stoops, even became legends.

But only three have won nine games in their first season: Mack Brown and Frank Solich in 1998.

And Bo Pelini in 2008.

Sometimes you've got to write your own history.

Contact the writer

679-9899, dirk.chatelain@owh.com

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