No wonder the 2017 Nebraska football season's ongoing narrative feels awkward, often uncomfortable.
It's those darned large animals in the room.
Tony Davis is acutely familiar with the situation. His knowledge stems not from his time as a standout Nebraska running back (1973-75), but from his years in the NFL. We're talking about those seasons in which his team struggled mightily and the future became uncertain for the coaching staff and the entire organization.
Yes, it can affect players on game day.
"It's huge," Davis said Friday on "Early Break" (93.7 FM). "It's the giant elephant in the room all the time.