So let's say you have a college football coach who, in six years, guides his team to a 58-19 record, with a 9-3 mark this year in what is probably the toughest conference in the country. How do reward such performance? You fire your head coach.

That's what Nebraska did to Frank Solich today, ending his run as the 'Huskers head coach effective immediately. The assistant coaches will apparently run the team for their bowl appearance (expected to be the Holiday Bowl).

Granted, it's not all been pretty in the land of corn. Nebraska didn't look particularly great in its losses, and you can argue that the team's been inconsistent under Solich, going from a national title run in 2001 to a 7-7 finish in 2002, the team's first non-winning season in over 40 years.

But it strikes me that the biggest problem Solich had, and the one he could never overcome, is that he's not Tom Osborne. Given that, it's probably a near miracle that he lasted six years.

The real question now is who will want to follow Solich? While the Nebraska AD claims that he never consulted boosters regarding Solich, other reports suggest otherwise. Even if the AD is telling the truth, the timing of the Solich firing wouldn't make me very comfortable in taking over. But there'll be someone out there who'll want the job, and good luck to them. Don't be surprised if whoever it is gets the hook after a 10-2 season.

In other college football news, Syracuse lost to Rutgers today, bringing their record to 5-6. Next week they get to face Notre Dame, who has the same record but has won three straight. Paul Pasqueloni should start getting his resume in order. Maybe he'll want to go out to Lincoln?

And in early bowl news, Kansas will play NC State in the Tangerine Bowl. Kansas is 6-6, with wins over UNLV, Wyoming, Iowa State, Baylor, and 1-AA Jacksonville State (the only team with a winning record in this bunch). They did beat Missouri, but then went 2-5 down the stretch. Anyone who can explain why this team is bowl worthy should drop me a line.