I see your point, but at this point we are not trying to be competitive with Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. We just need to be competitive with Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Nebraska. Then we can worry about being competitive with better teams.
I agree to an extent. The Big 12 North is simply not going to be nearly as good in '09 as it was in '07 and to an extent '08.
IMO, right now the thing is Nebraska's to lose - but still pretty wide open. Do I think ISU has enough talent on the team now to win the North next year? Close. If either we can add some defensive linemen or current guys really step up - possibilities are there. Non-conference schedule is setup for wins - generating momentum.
But, we played the same damn conference schedule this year and lost all of them.
If Fulmer is interested and if the guy comes here - I'd feel damn good about it. Not just his ability to coach and track record (hello, my name is Phillip Fulmer and I have a national title...anyone still wanna leave?) - but also I'd think the guy aught to bring in some nifty assistants.
If we can still pay 'em by giving a contract to Fulmer.
I'd have to think boosters would put more zeros on those checks for this guy.