College Football SMQ: Which fallen blue blood program will win a championship next?

Another former blue blood that could benefit greatly from a new hire is Nebraska. The Cornhuskers turned to a former national championship-winning quarterback in Lincoln to try to resurrect the team’s fortunes. Scott Frost arrives back at his alma mater after leading UCF to the only undefeated season in FBS football in 2017.

Nebraska has gone two decades without a national championship, after winning three in four years between 1994 and 1997. Frost was the man who quarterbacked the last title winner in Lincoln after transferring back to his home state following two years at Stanford. The Huskers remained relevant in both the Big 12 and the Big Ten after shifting conference affiliation, playing in conference title games in both leagues.

Back in 2001, the Cornhuskers controversially got the opportunity to play Miami for the BCS national championship despite failing to win the Big 12. Nebraska was trounced by the Hurricanes in that contest, and they have struggled to return to that level of prominence ever since.

Under Bo Pelini, the Huskers were good for four losses every year like clockwork. Their first attempt to shift fortunes for the better backfired, with Mike Riley causing the school to backslide among FBS programs. Frost understands the culture and knows what it will take to return Nebraska to the blue blood ranks.