Frost knows the entire program largely rests on the shoulders of the O line, comprised of about 7-9 guys to play about 700 to 800 snaps over about 90 days. The schedule may not be quite as difficult as last year, but it’s still pretty challenging as it gets tougher as time passes.
In many ways, this season is make or break for Frost and some or perhaps all the players, his fb staff and even a number of administration people as well. Even Trev Alberts’s future is at risk if the whole thing goes bad in the wrong ways. The entire athletics Dept needs FB to survive. And survival requires some winning at least. Real, meaningful, eye test and some statistical supported evidence. A winning season, better overall play, positive publicity, continued fan base enthusiasm and financial support, University academic side support, etc etc.
Almost nobody wants Frost to fail. I’m sure he’s rubbed a few the wrong way but generally he has not alienated the powers that be or he’d be gone already.
All this and his family and career future on the line. He really needs a big turnaround season, not just a minimum score on a pass or fail. If he is correct, that the team is ‘close’ then he needs to find the recipe for it - now, and none of the ‘someday soon, maybe’.
The O line is the Achilles heel and he has to have them find the stamina, guts and endurance and conditioning to last the season.
I’m sure the O linemen themselves know this too. They feel the intense scrutiny and pressure. All eyes will be watching, something that does not normally happen. Most encouraging to me, is the intense effort and courage the O line guys have shown to not only stay positive and continue to work so hard, but do so in a positive way. The team is, from all appearances, unified. No linemen have quit, transferred or whatever. To work yourself to the point of exhaustion and nausea tells me the desire and effort is great. And getting in the best possible shape is the way these guys will succeed and not let themselves or their coach or teammates down. This is the very essence of what makes athletics great. These guys have tremendous character, mental and physical strength and pride. This indicates Husker heart imo. There is some real culture in Lincoln, beneath the surface, The teams haven’t quit and seem more determined than ever to get on a winning track. Frost, Raiola and Austin deserve credit but mostly that O line group! It didn’t happen over a single spring and summer.
How they play, we will see, but for me, I’ve already decided the 2021 O line will be one fans can be proud of. Don’t be too surprised if at the start of the 4th quarters, you see those 4 fingers raised up saying the tough get tougher. GBR!!