Here is a link to an article pertaining to an alleged Nebraska steroid scandal (
Huskers on steroid case witness list - Kearney Hub: Local Sports). Given the fact, however, that it references events in 2003 and 2004, I doubt seriously that it has any direct bearing on the powerhouse Nebraska teams of the mid 1990s. Personally, I see a couple of parallels between Nebraska teams of that era and the current Alabama run. Nebraska, then, was one of the last few true power running attacks in the country and presented a challenge that few teams outside of their conference regularly faced. Indeed, they had a 10- or 11-game winning streak against the SEC in bowls that spanned the years from 1969-1999 (see
Nebraska Historical Scores). They also led the way in terms of introducing structured weight training programs to college football. It was commonplace for them to have offensive lines composed of fifth-year seniors, who were absolute road-graders. Alabama has an equally physical style of play, one that SEC teams regularly contend with, albeit, for the most part, with lesser talent. Therefore, it is, for SEC opponents, less of a shock than Notre Dame experienced.
As for runs by Florida and Miami, they most definitely have been guilty of serious NCAA infractions (e.g. Charlie Pell scandal in the mid -80s). I have always contended, however, that a baboon could be reasonably successful at those programs, as well as USC, given their location in fertile recruiting grounds. In those cases, the simple recruiting strategy should be to walk over to the nearest palm tree, shake vigorously and watch Division-1 prospects fall from the sky. If I remember correctly, even Bear Bryant once said that, if Florida ever got the right coach, everybody else would be playing for second place in the SEC.
