Actually, it was some kind of year for the Big 8 as Oklahoma, who had narrowly lost what was called "The Game Of The Century" to NU in a shoot-out that featured Rodgers most exciting punt return, was number two and Colorado three in the nation's final rankings. The names were now familiar: Tagge, Brownson, Kinney, Rodgers, Olds, Harper, Jacobson, Glover, and the addition of middle guard and future Raider LB Monte Johnson. Devaney must have realized that it wouldn't and couldn't get any better but decided to come back for one final year and a try for a three-peat. His 9-2-1 finish kept the Huskers out of the throne room but Glover easily won the Outland Trophy and the defense was frightful, throwing four consecutive shutouts and insuring All America notice for Willie Harper and Glover of course, with John Dutton and safety Joe Blahak getting close. New QB David Humm earned Soph Of The Year honors and Rodgers was always dangerous. Falling short of three consecutive National Championships but walking away with a winning percentage of .829, Devany announced his intention to devote full attention to the AD's job. Tom Osborne now had the keys to this machine.
  
From 1973 through 1977, Osborne became one of college football's greatest coaches with his .836 winning percentage, 255-49-3 record, three consensus National Championships, six Outland and two Heisman Trophy winners, and thirty NFL first round selections. In short, as great as Devaney was, Osborne one-upped him and built an all-time dynasty. His 1973-77 teams were 9-2-1, 9-3, 10-2, 9-3, and 9-3. Every one of them went to a major bowl game and every year was a battle with Oklahoma for the Conference crown. The devastating I-Back Offense produced a series of great running backs in these years, establishing a pattern that followed for two decades. Tony Davis (Cincinnati, Tampa Bay), Rich Berns (Tampa Bay, Oakland), and Isaih Moses Walter "I.M." Hipp (Oakland) paved the way for Rozier, Roger Craig, and others. The first officially named strength coach in collegiate football, Boyd Epley, installed a program on September 15, 1969 that became a model for many schools, creating monstrous linemen on both sides of the ball, often out of in-state walk-ons that otherwise would have toiled at Hastings College, Coe College, or other lesser programs. Among the best known of the "road graders" and defenders from 1973-'77 were John Dutton (Colts, Cowboys), Rik Bonness (Oakland, Tampa Bay), Stan Waldemore (Jets), and long time collegiate coordinator Barney Cotton (Bears, Cardinals). Osborne's first teams, following in the footsteps of Devaney's squads established a run-oriented attack combined with a smothering "Blackshirt" monikered defense that dominated the collegiate game and forever made the red block N on their white helmet synonymous with excellence.