Which D1 team's footsteps can we follow?

[BarnBoy]

I think it's fair to say that we are currently in program-building mode? Brick by brick, right?

Let's assume three years ago was the "before" and this year is the "during". I would hold that there are roughly three "after" outcomes, and the distribution of predictions is roughly this:

1. 20% of folks: Tough sledding. We'll always be the Goophers.
2. 60% of folks: Finish in the top half of the B1G just about every year. Contend for occasional B1G title.
3. 20% of folks: Skies the limit, baby. National championships.

Let's just assume for this thread that we are on track for "after #2":

Which D1 teams have a "before", "during" and "after" similar to our trajectory? (e.g. history, facilities, intangibles)

Whose had a "tough sledding" modern history, and has managed to turn things around?

Thoughts?

 

[husker70]

Look back at Nebraska. They had success under Dana X. Bible in the 1930's, and fell apart in the 40's and 50's. The Big 8 was known as Oklahoma and The Seven Dwarfs. Nebraska was Sleepy. The Stadium seated about 55,000 and was half empty for most games. In the 1950's the went threw 3 coaches. The choice in 1961 was Bob Devaney from Wyoming and the locals looked at him as what does he know about the Big 8? He was bringing his staff from Wyoming and that might help. But heck Pete Elliot couldn't get it done. The second game of the 1962 season they went on the road and beat Michigan. 25-13. Returning to Lincoln, on his TV Show Devaney pleaded with the fans to show up wearing Red, and support the team. They went 9-2. Gold's and Miller & Payne's Department stores could not keep red in stock. Blazers, pants. Jackets, Sweat Shirts. Cowboy Hats. A 1950's Legend Bobby Reynolds had opened a Travel Agency in Lincoln. He dealt in winter vacations, travel to Vegas. He parlayed a fan base that wanted to travel with a full service plan. Fans started planning their year around where the team might be in a bowl game. The Winner of the Big 8 was a automatic to the Orange Bowl. And fans planned for it. The base for this travel was farmers whose crops were in, and instead of Vegas it was Miami. The rest is history.

 

[die hard gopher]

MSU for D and Wisconsin on O is who we need to and are modeling our program after. Kill has explicitly stated his admiration of how Dantonio has built his defense and how he wishes to emulate it. And then on the O-line we are definitely recruiting Wisconsin type lineman that are no shorter than 6-4 for a guard and 6-6/6-7 minimal for tackles with 320 being the weight benchmark. I don't think we are "copying" them though as Limegrover has always like taller O-lineman.

 

[husker70]

Strange you would point to Wisconsin for Offense. It was brought to life by a former husker linebacker. Three players on the 1962 team who have Minnesota ties. Two high school players who went to Nebraska in 1961. Dennis Claridge of Robinsdale and Lloyd Voss of Magnolia. The third was a tackle who became a coach for Devaney and later is credited with an NFL defense known as the Tampa Two, Monte Kiffin. And another who was drafted by the Vikings, Mick Tinglehoff.