He was always at his best in these situations. The clock ticking. The pressure dripping. The moment collapsing on him. But Tom Osborne never blinked. That trait defined his greatness.
Those who would play college expansion poker with Osborne should remember that this was the man who went for two with the national championship in the balance — and didn’t hesitate for a second. They should recall that he stood by the troubled Lawrence Phillips, even with the media labels flying and his legacy on the line. Again, no hesitation.
Now, here he is again, and the stakes have never been higher for him. We’ll measure the man by his body of work when the time comes, but his legacy will begin with this moment.
Can Osborne take Nebraska to a 21st century frontier in the Big Ten?
Or will he stay in the Big 12, to joust with Texas and risk an uncertain future with expansion issues certain to reappear down the line?
This story is moving faster by the day and Sunday it picked up steam:
• CBSsports.com quotes Big 12 sources that say Texas will stay in the Big 12 if Nebraska stays in the Big 12. And NU reportedly has two weeks to decide.
• Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott was given authority on Sunday by the Pac-10 presidents to pursue expansion. And Scott has said he favors a 16-team model that would include the Big 12 South.
• Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, speaking at that conference’s presidents’ meeting, said that the Big Ten timeline for expansion could change. Delany has previously said the league could take another 12 months to decide.
• Multiple media outlets are now saying Notre Dame is first on the Big Ten’s list and the Big Ten would just add one school if the Irish agree. Notre Dame has not officially said anything about the Big Ten.
So, Coach Osborne, what’s it going to be?
Do you have a Big Ten offer in hand? Promised under the table?
Can you coax Delany into expediting the process with Notre Dame and Nebraska — like in the next week or so?
Could Nebraska — and more specifically Osborne — stomach a return to the dysfunctional Big 12? NU would be hailed a hero for saving the day and could possibly pick up some concessions from Texas. Possibly. And don’t forget, the Big 12 figures to bank a huge TV contract next spring.
Again, I think what NU — and Osborne — is looking for from Texas is a chance to get in on the power-brokering in the league. NU lost the identity it had as a Big Cheese in the Big Eight. If Texas could find it within itself to bring NU into the fold, so to speak, and give some love up north, you never know what Osborne might do.
(If the Big 12 stays together, with duct tape, future votes, politics and rivalries will be interesting. For instance, the Texas legislature is trying to convince the Pac-10 to replace Colorado with Baylor in the 16-team model.)
Of course, if the Big Ten offers, well, that’s prestige and academic standing that Texas can’t offer to NU. You have to take that offer.
But will that offer ever come? What if the Big Ten can’t make that offer within two weeks?
Do you risk telling the Big 12 “sorry, we can’t commit’’ and put all the chips on the possibility that the Big Ten might call? What if the Big Ten never calls and the Texas train leaves the station for the Pac-10?
I mean, the Mountain West is going to add Boise State this week and probably will join the BCS lineup one day. But Nebraska in the Mountain West? Yikes.
Here’s a thought: Why not commit to the Big 12 and then bolt with no remorse when Delany figures it out? Well, because in the spirit of John Wooden, that’s not Osborne’s style. The word “commitment” means something to the man. It has to do with honor. Smirk if you want, but that’s why Tom is Tom. And we’d have it no other way.
No, if Osborne commits to the Big 12, you can take it to the bank — and any bank in Texas will do.
The guess here is, Osborne will try to get Delany to move up the process. The Pac-10 and Texas have forced the issue. This is getting serious. Very serious. The Big Ten owes NU that much. No, Delany never said NU or anyone was a target. But the Big Ten started this domino effect when it announced expansion. Delany can stop it by saying the Big Ten isn’t going to expand — or just get on with expansion. Please.
We’ve always trusted Osborne to be stoic, cool and smart under pressure. He needs to deliver again. The only thing riding on it is the future of Nebraska football.
Contact the writer:
444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com
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