The Bone Yard

Taylor Martinez is Big Ten's most dangerous -- to opponents and Bo Pelini's health

Bo Pelini is one of those dramatic coaches always seemingly on the verge of a blown artery. I can't remember seeing him smile. I know it's happened because there's photographic evidence but I just haven't seen it. He doesn't even attempt a smile for his official Nebraska photo. Instead, it's the expression of the guy at the bar looking for a fistfight: Whatta you lookin' at? But considering the personal DNA of this rusted rod of rebar from Youngstown and that of his Los Angeles-born quarterback of the last three years, I guess I understand. Taylor Martinez must be driving him nuts. Pelini is an adamant perfectionist whose personal drive is legendary. He didn't get where he is by being some supergenius strategist. He was a mutt safety on a couple of ordinary John Cooper-coached Ohio State teams and ground his way up to captain his senior year. Then he did the same in the coaching biz by first working as a DB assistant under George Seifert, then Pete Carroll and then as a linebacker coach for Mike Sherman all in the NFL. Then, he made the transition to college and worked for fellow Youngstowner Bob Stoops, then...