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Do you hear that?
It's the sound of critiques, complaints and vocal doubts re-emerging from fans for the first time since Nebraska lost its last game, a setback to Oklahoma State more than a month ago.
Already in the last 24 hours, I've heard many Cornhusker fans voice their opinions about issues thoroughly discussed well before Saturday's 21-7 loss to Oklahoma.
Among them: Nebraska's secondary is terrible. NU Coach Bill Callahan couldn't come up with a good game plan if his life depended on it. The Husker offensive line isn't good enough, and senior quarterback Zac Taylor holds on to the ball too long.
Granted, there were times when it seemed the Sooners had their way with Nebraska's defensive backs. Callahan made a questionable call or two (what coach doesn't?). Taylor should have gotten rid of the football sooner on at least a few occasions.
But that's not why the Huskers lost out on a chance to win their third Big 12 Conference title.
Take a long look at that other Big Red team. OU was the bigger and more athletic club; that much was obvious just watching the Sooners warm up (or try to) before the game.
Don't be fooled by the 11-2 record, either. People say this isn't one of Coach Bob Stoops's best teams? Baloney.
Oklahoma shouldn't have lost to Oregon in September, when it dropped a 34-33 game because of atrocious officiating late in the contest. And its loss to Texas? Tell me who would win if that game were played again next Saturday.
The way it was in Kansas City, the Sooners simply and obviously had more elite athletes on the field.
"The players out-performed us," Callahan said. "They out-coached us. They were just excellent in every capacity. We just didn't have enough."
Some wackos out there probably think this game is reason enough to fire Callahan. It's more reason to be excited about Nebraska's future.
First, despite being outmanned by Oklahoma overall, the Huskers were in the game until the final minutes.
How does the game change if NU junior receiver Maurice Purify doesn't fumble on the game's opening play, leading to an easy Sooner score? What would have happened if OU's 66-yard touchdown strike had been contained?
How about if the Sooners didn't complete a 35-yard pass from third-and-10 from their own one-yard line, leading to another long touchdown drive?
Three plays. Take those away, and we could be talking about Nebraska's chances in the Fiesta Bowl.
Also, remember this Husker program is still a work in progress. Stoops has been in Norman for eight years. Callahan is putting the finishing touches on just his third go-round in Lincoln. He is still a couple recruiting classes away from having the deep pool of athletes Stoops enjoys at OU.
Yes, losing the Big 12 title game should be disappointing for Husker fans. Heartbreaking, even. But it would be shortsighted to call for major changes to a program already in a transition phase.
Remember the 2004 season? For Nebraska to get this far as soon as it did is actually pretty amazing. It's also a tangible improvement over last season's 8-4 finish. Plus, NU is already assured of the Big 12's second-best postseason game in the Cotton Bowl, which will be a New Year's Day affair against Auburn.
If Nebraska is losing four games per season in two years, maybe it's time to look at a change. With all the resources and support the Husker football program has at its disposal, there's no reason it shouldn't be challenging for a national championship every year.
That is, when it's full of players whose skill sets match the coaching philosophy.
There's plenty of reason for disappointment right now. But the future doesn't look so shabby either.
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