Filed by Rich Kaipust at 10:01 a.m.

Ron Brown spoke glowingly of Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne this morning at the Big Red Breakfast. It's obvious the Husker assistant coach likes working for Osborne again, although now in a different capacity than when Brown was an assistant for Osborne from 1987 through 1997.

Brown made light of the recent frenzy regarding Osborne's input with the football staff. Yes, Osborne has talked with offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and the staff about some elements of the option, but Brown said that's not his most valuable input with the team.

"The reality of it is, his influence on our football team has a lot to do with character,'' Brown said.

Forget about the X's and O's, Brown said, and tapes that found their way into Watson's hands. It's more about what Osborne has started at the top and let trickle down the ladder.

"We have a lot of athletic staff meetings where Tom gets the entire athletic department together - coaches and everybody,'' Brown said. "And he talks a lot about of treatment of people. How you treat people. And how do you respond to rules and regulations. And he talks a lot about attitude and resiliency.

"That's his influence.''

Brown followed NU coach Bo Pelini's lead and kept the focus on Colorado instead of the Big 12 championship game, set for next week. Brown said somebody asked him when the team leaves for Texas and that he responded by saying he doesn't know when it leaves for Boulder.

The answer is Thursday afternoon. The Huskers play Colorado Friday at 2:30 p.m.

The Big 12 title game is Dec. 5 in Arlington, Texas.

Stick with the Big Red Today blog for more on Brown at the Big Red Breakfast.