Coach Bo Pelini sees better days for the Nebraska football team in 2013.
 
The Cornhuskers (10-4) appeared on the verge of a breakthrough this season, winning six straight to take the Big Ten Legends Division. But the 39-point loss to Wisconsin in the conference championship game and the 45-31 Capital One Bowl loss to Georgia are fueling speculation about whether Pelini can return the program to elite status.
 
Pelini said he saw enough positives against Southeastern Conference runner-up Georgia to be optimistic about next season, when Nebraska's schedule gets considerably softer.
 
The No. 23 Huskers led the sixth-ranked Bulldogs 31-23 midway through the third quarter. Pelini said the Huskers aren't far from being able to compete for a national championship.