Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Why Michigan cannot beat Ohio State, how Alabama missed the College Football Playoff and more

When you're better than just about everyone ... except your rival, your rival defines your perspective.

By December 1978, Tom Osborne had proven himself a worthy successor to Bob Devaney at Nebraska. In six seasons, he was 55-15-2 with four top-10 finishes. Against top-10 teams not named Oklahoma, he was 6-2. After reviving Devaney's tenure when he became offensive coordinator a decade earlier, Osborne had maintained a hold on the Huskers' elite status as head coach.

He lost his first five games to Oklahoma, though, and by an average of 20 points. OU found a new level of dominance with the installation of the Wishbone offense and the appointment of Barry Switzer as head coach.