Chances that Pellini turns around Nebraska

I don't know dude. This isn't an original thought here (read it on the Rant somewhere from somebody) but when Neb. was in it's heyday, their players came from everywhere but Nebraska. I don't know how well they will be able to recruit on a national level now with so many other schools having better programs. I say give him 4 years to see where he can go.

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1- Reaches a higher BCS ranking than Saban or Petrino within the first 2 years

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Depends on how you count "higher BCS ranking." The BCS only ranks the top 25, and it's not very likely that any of the three will make that cut in the next two years. But if you expand the projected rankings out to include all three teams, then I would say very likely. Both of the other two have a lot more tough teams on their schedule and are likely to rack up more losses than Pelini will if he improves Nebraska any noticeable amount. And he is ideally suited to do so, since their most glaring flaw is an absolutely abysmal defense. He should be able to make it at least bad right off the bat, which would be a dramatic improvement.

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2- Stays at Nebraska longer than either Saban or Patrino stay at their jobs

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Has way too much to do with wins and losses to adequately predict now. I'd guess he will have more slack than either of them, but that's just a guess.

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3- Wins a National Championship at Nebraska within 5 years

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Highly doubtful. Though clearly not the SEC, the Big XII is a legit conference. And with both OU and Texas in the conference, getting over that hump and into the National Title game will take a lot of building and a lot of luck. It would be asking a LOT to get there in 5 years.

It wouldn't surprise me to see his team in the hunt late into the season 4 or 5 years from now. But future schedules (i.e., missing Texas and/or OU until a potential Big XII Championship Game matchup) will have a lot to do with that as well.

1.) Not a chance
2.) God only Knows
3.) Not a chance

Pellini's in a very difficult position. There is some strong momentum in the Big 12 North with the emergence of Missouri and Kansas. Also, I am a huge fan of Ron Prince and Dan Hawkins. For those intersted, watch Hawkins beat Saban with very similar talent situations.

I seem to remember back when Nebraska was really good and was thumping LSU in bowl games on a regular basis (82 Orange, 84 & 86 Sugar) that their O- and D-lines were all huge, corn-fed beasts from Nebraska, and most of their skill guys (Gill and Rozier come immediately to mind) were from out of state.

So if BP can recruit the state well, he should be able to build a good foundation. He'll need to win with this foundation to start getting the studs who are now going to the elite schools.

Just my $0.02.