Nebraska Football: 5 reasons Scott Frost will bring Huskers back to greatness

3. Nebraska has the advantage of playing in the Big Ten West

Let’s face it. When Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011, they were expected to become one of the teams to rival storied programs like Michigan and Ohio State. The original configuration of the expanded two-division Big Ten put the Cornhuskers in the Legends division alongside the Wolverines, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Northwestern.

In that setup, Nebraska actually fared quite well. The Cornhuskers reached the Big Ten championship game in 2012, and were regular contenders in the league. Once the conference scrapped its much-mocked division format in favor of geographical designations, it seemed like the Huskers would fare even better in the West.

That hasn’t been the case, though, as instability at the coaching position has rendered that advantage moot. But even though Nebraska has failed to capitalize over the past four years, it is nevertheless at a distinct advantage in its current division. They are a sleeping giant that could quickly take charge of a division where Wisconsin and Iowa present the greatest challenges on an annual basis.

Frost could quickly turn around the Huskers’ fortunes in a division where he wouldn’t have to compete with the Buckeyes, Wolverines, Spartans, or Nittany Lions for a trip to Indianapolis. If Nebraska can begin to play up to its potential, it is the sort of powerhouse that could dominate a division that lacks another program with its level of historical cachet.