’Huskers’ Pelini focused on last Big 12 season

Everywhere he looked, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini was surrounded by the Big 12 logo.

On the microphone he spoke into. On the cup of water and nameplate in front of him. On the helmet in front of the moderator one seat over. And as he sat down and stood up, he couldn’t miss the dozens of logos on the dark blue screen behind him.

So what did Pelini do when given a series of league-branded footballs to sign? He spun each one so he was facing the logo and put his autograph right above the X in the Big XII brand.

“We’re excited about being in the Big 12 this season,” Pelini said. “All of our focus is on the Big 12 this season.”

His repeated use of the words “this season” are the key. This is the Cornhuskers’ last season in the Big 12. They are headed to the Big Ten next fall as part of an exodus that just six weeks ago threatened to make this league extinct.

The politics made for an obvious subplot to the start of the conference’s three days of preseason interviews with reporters. Almost as if by punishment, Pelini was the first to step onto the dais.

And he was ready for it.

Read the story in Tuesday’s Vindicator.