Just based on what’s happened so far at Big Ten Media Days, it’s safe to say Nebraska will be on the of the more intriguing programs to watch in the conference this fall.

As the Huskers attempt to regain their footing as a college football powerhouse, there is still a long ways to go. Despite some shortfalls on the field, the fans have continued to show up. But Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts seems to realize that having a reliable fan base should not be taken for granted.

Alberts made a number of headlines speaking in Indianapolis on Thursday, including with his thoughts on the school’s sellout streak, which currently sits at 375 games.

“I think it’s really important because it’s reflective of our fans,” Alberts said on Thursday. “But I will tell you, too, I’m not really interested in perception. I’m interested in reality. Part of good organizations is having the courage to examine the blatant truths of your current reality.

“The reality is that part of growth is we need to be honest with ourselves, warts and all. There’s some really great things about our program. There’s some things that need some work. So let’s define them, understand them, and if at the end of the day the reality doesn’t match the perception, I’m not a guy that needs to keep perception going.

Some pretty telling stuff. Alberts went on to speak to how the fan base is currently feeling heading into the 2021 season.

“The reality is that our fan base has spoken very strongly, and our fans are the envy of a lot of these institutions,” Alberts added. “I hear that a lot, and I’m really proud of that.”

It’s a weird spot Nebraska finds itself in. The Huskers have one of their own leading the charge in Scott Frost. Expectations soared when he took the job after an unbeaten season at Central Florida. So far, Nebraska has sat in a mediocre abyss of sorts.

Based on what Alberts is saying, he gets the mood of the fan base as the folks in Lincoln grow impatient waiting for the team to return to top-dog status. The question remains how long Alberts will roll with Frost before deciding it’s time for a change.