Husker Football: Wisconsin Report Card

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Things started off so promisingly…and then Melvin Gordon happened. Bo Pelini and his Husker football team took one on the chin on last Saturday and got knocked out of more than just the game. Division title aspirations likely went up in smoke, along with conference championship hopes.

An outside shot at the inaugural College Football Playoff? Not anymore.

No, this game served as the end of any of those talks. It was a disappointing finish for fans, and what I would assume was an embarrassment to the entire program, top to bottom.

Of course, in his post-game coach Pelini said:

“You know what? I don’t get into all these big-picture talks,” he said. “That’s one football game. This program has won a lot of football games.”

It’s absolutely true. Several of those were big games like this one. They all have a common theme. No. 5 Nebraska losing 20-13 at home to unranked Texas in 2010. 48-17 Wisconsin over Nebraska in 2011, NU’s first ever Big Ten game.

63-38 against Ohio State in 2012. 70-31 Wisconsin over NU in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game. 41-21 against UCLA and 41-28 against Michigan State in 2013 just last year.

It’s become a sad and disappointing trend under Pelini. Let’s see if any of the units kept their heads above water.

How would you grade the team? Let me know in the comments below.