Mickey Joseph appears the half. First off the bus, strolling briskly in an all black swimsuit with purple tie. That’s a boss.

Mickey Joseph acts the half. See him buzzing up and down the Husker sideline. Cheering and inspiring. Demanding battle. Counting the lads on a punt formation.

Completely engaged in his soccer staff and the soccer recreation.

Sure, Joseph appears and acts the half of a faculty head coach.

I’m not ruling it out. Oh certain, he’s an extended shot after NU’s 43-37 loss to Purdue on Saturday evening.

You figured it was an enormous evening for Joseph’s bid to win the Trev Alberts Sweepstakes.

Win a fourth recreation, on the street in a hostile stadium, and it’s recreation on.

Lose, and the bandwagon slows its roll and the main focus strikes on to different candidates.

However after this gutsy efficiency and knockdown drag-out recreation, I feel Joseph could be on this factor to the top.

The extra I watched Joseph’s staff claw and battle and drag Purdue right into a four-quarter scrum, the extra I stored questioning if one thing has crossed Alberts’ thoughts.

What if Joseph had time to construct an offensive line? And a totally loaded protection?

What would a Joseph-led Husker staff seem like then?

As a result of we see what he is doing with out it.

What unfolded Saturday evening at Ross-Ade Stadium was spectacular.

Purdue coach Jeff Brohm appeared impressed. Heck, Brohm and his coaches appeared exhausted on the finish of the sport.

Form of like Apollo Creed on the finish of “Rocky.”

Nebraska, with a patchwork offensive line filled with holes, and a protection lacking two key linebackers, stored coming. And coming.

Joseph used a one-two punch of Casey Thompson and Trey Palmer. It turned sort of goofy how typically Palmer was open.

I do know Purdue followers weren’t amused. NU’s offense was relentless. The Boilers needed to be considering, simply go away. You have got an interim coach. You’re not going wherever.

However that’s not how Mickey’s Huskers roll.

And in a press release recreation for Joseph, I feel he nonetheless made a press release.

However was Alberts’ impressed?

And at what level within the search is the athletic director?

Does Joseph should make a bowl recreation to earn the job?

These are all good questions. And we gained’t know the reply till Thanksgiving weekend — or simply after.

With a lot time to conduct a search, Alberts ought to have issues wrapped up by then. It’s crucial.

The earlier a brand new coach is introduced, the earlier he can leap on the switch portal — which will likely be a crowded prepare station after the final weekend of regular-season video games.

And there’s that Dec. 21 early signing date.

Alberts would doubtless need to have secured his man by Thanksgiving weekend.

That doesn’t imply negotiations with coaches’ brokers are happening now and thru Thanksgiving. That doesn’t imply they aren’t, both.

Now enter the Mickey Issue.

Joseph isn’t out of a bowl recreation but. There are 5 video games left, and three are at dwelling.

And if Nebraska can push Purdue into going for fourth-and-one to forestall NU from getting the ball again, who’s to say Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium are inconceivable goals.

Alberts’ search will go on. However will he have to attend and see what Joseph does?

Will Mickey make Alberts’ job more durable?

There’s no cause to get giddy after a loss. Joseph gained’t need anybody happy.

However there’s a lot to love about this staff’s effort and the way in which Joseph has flipped the way in which this staff performs soccer in only a month’s time.

Nebraska has recruited good gamers. Nebraska has not developed properly. There are too many points to rely during the last 5 years.

However typically the toughest factor to teach is effort and caring and the way you go about your small business.

Watching Joseph already change that, you’ll be able to’t assist however surprise what he may do along with his workers and time to construct a program his manner.

So does he actually should win six video games to get this job?

Or possibly steal a pair extra and present this sort of effort and tradition change all the way in which to the top?

From what we’ve seen of Joseph up to now, you understand he’s going to go the gap.

The pool of high quality coaches who’ve developed good soccer applications is deeper than it’s ever been throughout a Nebraska soccer search.

However goodness, whereas Alberts is enjoying the faculty soccer model of “The Bachelor,” he has to surprise if he’s received the coach already.

No, it gained’t be simple. Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin all run the ball higher than the Boilers, who ran roughshod over the NU protection all evening.

However these three — and Iowa — have to have a look at Mickey’s Huskers with greater than a contact of nervousness. Particularly once you throw in a house NU crowd able to get together.

It’s been stated that the following Nebraska coach should begin from scratch, should construct one thing out of the grime.

However that will not be totally true. As a result of Joseph appears to be putting in a will to play and a fighter’s edge on this staff.

The following coach could have Joseph to thank for that.

Possibly Mickey can thank himself.