Bleacher Report - Articles by SportMonk

Nebraska—Va Tech: Is Darren Evans' Injury a Game-Changer?

SportMonk — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:56:09 -0400

Virginia Tech has stated that starting tailback Darren Evans tore his ACL in his left knee on Tuesday during practice, according to SI.com.

Evans led the team with 1,265 rushing yards and added 11 touchdowns for the Hokies last season. Virginia Tech has talented replacements waiting in the wings, but only one with any game experience.

So what will this mean for Nebraska's Sept. 19 date in Blacksburg?

Don't get me wrong: Virginia Tech is not getting any less daunting with this injury. However, it will allow Nebraska a chance to keep the Hokies more one-dimensional, putting Suh and the defensive line to work to shut down the run and force Virginia Tech to throw the ball.

Nebraska returns a few seasoned secondary players and could have an advantage if it removes the option to run.

If this injury does lead to a change in fate for the Huskers on the road, a win over Virginia Tech means Nebraska could very likely win 10 games—11 if it beats Texas Tech or Oklahoma (both home games). If everything goes right, Nebraska could finish among the country's elite in the top-10.

In case you haven't really noticed, this could potentially be very big.

However, Josh Oglesby, Ryan Williams, or David Wilson (or a combination of the three) could very well step up and restore Virginia Tech's running threat.

But until they're tested on the field, Nebraska will be forced to wait to see who it will face and what he will be.

Husker Fans Are the Best in the Country Because of Osborne

SportMonk — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:43:38 -0400

Jake Trotter of The Oklahoman talked with 29 players at the Big 12 Media Days and asked who the best and the worst fans in the Big 12 are. (Read it here.)

It's no surprise Nebraska came out on top.

Husker fans have long been regarded as the best in the conference and on many occasions the best in the country. Nebraska faithful have been known to give standing ovations to opponents leaving Memorial Stadium, whether they just beat Nebraska or not. They've been called courteous, respectful, helpful and kind.

But why?

It's not like there's something magical in the water in Lincoln, Neb. I lived there for three years—I would have noticed.

The overall general population isn't noticeably kinder in everyday situations than elsewhere in the Big 12. Husker fans aren't subjected to a "Fan Etiquette" class before being allowed season tickets (though schools like Colorado and Oklahoma State should require a class like that for theirs).

So what makes Husker fans so special?

In my opinion, the origin of the wonderful sportsmanship emanating from Memorial Stadium comes from the man who never won fewer than nine games in a season, grabbed three national championships (four if he'd have kicked the extra point) and now has an office in the north end zone: Tom Osborne.

Husker faithful know Dr. Tom well. Others around the conference and the country know him by reputation. The man is probably the kindest and most respectful human being I've ever had the extreme pleasure to meet.

And he is the mold that has shaped Nebraska fans for decades.

When Osborne took over coaching from Bob Devaney in 1973, the eyes of everyone in Nebraska were upon him. It's arguable that the head coach of Nebraska is more powerful in the state than the governor or the unicameral state legislature. Osborne took it in stride with a cool, calm and collected demeanor that was so contagious.

Osborne respected his opponents a great deal, a big contributing reason for his 255-49-3 record against them. Osborne was passionate, but retained his composure at all times.

I grew up watching and respecting Tom Osborne, and I wanted to be just like him. So did so many others. So when Nebraska fans give their opponents a standing ovation or help out a visiting team's fan, they're really only doing what Dr. Tom would do.

2009: The Season for "Things Are Looking Up" in the Big 12

SportMonk — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:33:16 -0400

More than any other time in history, 2009 seems to have far more "ups" than "downs" for the Big 12. The conference, entering its fourteenth season since that fateful day The Powers That Be chose to ruin what greatness we had by including four Texas teams, seems to have all the stars alined.

The big players, Oklahoma and Texas, return their offensive tandems, defensive powers and hard feelings. So much can be expected. But what's so surprising is the teams that hope to spoil the Red River hate-fest's parade.

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys have long been the forgotten Oklahoma child, always playing second fiddle to the squad out of Norman. But not this year.

Oklahoma State is receiving high praise and holds high expectations for the coming season, ranked in the top-10 in nearly every preseason mag and picked to win the South Division in a few places.

Quarterback Zac Robinson and standout wide receiver Dez Bryant have both been listed in Heisman watch-lists, and Kendall Hunter is expected to be one of the top backs in the country.

The Cowboy defense hasn't been talked up much and aren't expected to be spectacular, but coach Mike Gundy assured fans it will be improved from last year.

If the Cowboys come out strong in their opener against Georgia, finally finish a game against Texas and give Oklahoma a hard time, they could very well win the South--and maybe a conference title and BCS bowl.

Baylor

No conference championships or BCS bowls for the Bears, but a lot of excitement has been circling sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin. After making a big splash in the conference last year and nearly leading Baylor to a few key upsets of major players, Griffin is expected to bring even more to the table for the Bears this season.

It's strange for most to consider Baylor more than just a basement team or academic boost in the conference, but Griffin has made believers out of many. The Bears won't be a big Cinderella team, but they have a good chance to knock off two or three contenders in the South and maybe make light of how weak the North will be.

Nebraska

It warms my heart to consider the Huskers a program on the rise. Second-year coach Bo Pelini was heralded as the savior of the program and has a lot of ground left to cover before the Nebraska faithful will fully accept him in the fold.

The Cornhuskers lost a lot of offensive weapons (including the two best wideouts in Nebraska history, Todd Peterson and Nate Swift) and has some uncertainty at quarterback, but Nebraska has a lot of upside.

Tailback Roy Helu Jr. is the future of Nebraska football and will bring the future to the present this season. Coach Pelini has said time and again that successful teams are successful at running the ball, a BIG move from the Callahan-era failures. Helu gives Pelini the explosiveness from the backfield the coach needs to reignite a little classic Husker football in the program.

Let's not forget the return of everyone's favorite impossible-for-TV-announcers-to-ever-pronounce-right Ndamukong Suh. The defender will probably be in a close race with Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy for the key defensive player of the conference, and maybe of the country.

Quarterback Zac Lee is untested and largely unknown. There are a lot of questions surrounding him that leave Husker fans unsure what this season will hold. Even still, the co-North champs from last season are the favorites to win the division this year and will reserve the right to lose to Oklahoma/Texas/Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship.

Kansas State

Two words: Bill Snyder. Hey, it worked for Nebraska to bring coaching legend Tom Osborne back to the program. Why couldn't it work for K-State to attempt another go at the Manhattan Miracle?

As much as I despise the man for what his teams were able to accomplish against Nebraska, I still respect his ability to command a football team. Recently departed quarterback Josh Freeman has left a gaping hole in the Wildcats' offense, but Snyder will find a way around it.

The Wildcats may not be good enough to even contend for the North crown this season, but they'll be back soon enough under Snyder's wise direction.

Six down, six left. The two for-sures and the four upsides certainly provide the conference a lot of positives. However, three of the remaining six have the potential to add to the Big 12's strength, but could just as easily be huge busts.

The uncertains:

Missouri

Who knows how the Tigers will be this season? I'm willing to bet coach Gary Pinkel doesn't.

Missouri lost most of what it had going for itself from last season: quarterback Chase Daniel (good riddance), wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Chase Coffman, as well as a few defensive stars. The big question surrounding the Tigers is do they have the players to reload or will this be a rebuilding year?

One thing is certain, though: It will take a lot less to be successful in the North Division than the South Division this coming season. The Tigers will likely be in the hunt for the North crown whether they're reloading or rebuilding, but they may not have what it takes to best an impressive Nebraska team.

Kansas

The Jayhawks had so much going for them just a season or two ago, but where are they now? The team that surprised the country by breaking out of the Big 12 cellar and competing nationally has slipped back into mediocrity and obscurity. It will be difficult to tell what coach Mark Mangino will be able to bring out for the program this year. Kansas could either return to glory and take the North or continue to coast along and submit to the higher powers of Nebraska and Missouri.

Texas Tech

A lot could be said about what Mike Leech has built in Lubbock. Sure, they lost Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, but how many phenomenal quarterbacks and wide receivers have you seen flourish out of Leech's ridiculous offense at Texas Tech? There's little question in my mind Tech will be just as good as it has been in the past, but there's still a little question in my mind: Can Tech best Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State?

Finally, the basement. These teams have little hope of finding success against the rest of the conference and have been basement-dwellers for awhile now. Not much will change for them this season.

Texas A&M

At one point not long ago, the Aggies were the second-best team from south of the Red River in the Big 12, sometimes the lone best in the whole South Division. But not anymore.

If you can tell me what A&M's head coach's name is, you've impressed me. (Hint: It's not Dennis Franchione--see insider newsletter.)

The Aggies have a hopeless task of trying to be better than Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and now Baylor. The lowest of the South won't have what it takes to compete for at least three or four more years, if they ever get it back at all.

Colorado

What was once a powerhouse that annihilated my Huskers, knocked off the Longhorns, frustrated the Sooners and surprised the country is now led by coach Dan Hawkins. I could probably just end it there.

Sure, the Buffaloes are making slight improvements from season to season, but big changes have to be on the horizon before Colorado will have a chance to do more than compete for 11th in the conference.

Iowa State

Have you seen them the last couple of years? I'm not even going to write about it. Just go back and watch ANY team not named Texas A&M or Colorado play the Cyclones last season and you'll see what I mean.

Despite uncertainties and negatives, there's a lot going for the Big 12 this year. And that's something worth watching.

Still-To-Be-Named Nebraska Column: Uncertainty And... Softball?

SportMonk — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:04:38 -0400

97 days until Florida Atlantic.

What type of Nebraska team will show up to play? Can Bo whip the boys into shape to contend for a conference title so soon, or are we in for another rebuilding season to undo the damage Callahan/Pederson caused?

I just started my internship with The Oklahoman on Thursday and I've been covering the Women's College World Series here in Oklahoma City, so college football has been fairly removed from my mind.

GASP! I know. It's crazy to think that another sport would ever dominate my mind more than college football. Don't get me wrong–I can't get enough of college basketball, the NFL, the NBA, golf (only when Tiger is playing) and college baseball every once in a while, but college football was always there in the back of my mind.

Maybe this is what the rest of the world thinks like. Frankly, a mind not dominated by college football is a little scary to me. Maybe college football crazies are just the right amount of insane. Who knows.

Either way, I realized there is more to the world than college football. "Come on, now, women's softball? Are you serious?" Watch a few games. You'll be surprised how fun it is to watch. They got me hooked.

But back to the point. Football season is swiftly approaching and there are still too many unknowns for Nebraska. I'm not sure who our starting quarterback is even going to be. And for me, games at Memorial Stadium with Nate Swift not on the field is going to be unnerving too.

We're solid at running back. Between Helu and Castille, that should be a wrap. Until Bo really gets a choke-hold on things defensively, that's always a big question too.

In a time of such uncertainly, what can we grasp on to?

We've been in the preseason rankings anywhere from 24th to 28th, that I've seen. We're on the bubble because the rest of the country is unsure whether or not we'll be a bang or a bust. But we can hold on to the fact that 24th to 28th is as close to being ranked as we've been in what seems like forever.

So Husker fans, we've only got 97 games before we see the new Huskers on the field and only two weeks after that before we see them truly tested.

Sound off.

In other news, I need a name for my column series on Nebraska. Let's make it a contest. The person that suggests the winning name gets...

In other news, I need a reward for whoever names my column series on Nebraska.

Three Huskers Taken in NFL Draft, Six More Sign Contracts

SportMonk — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:08:24 -0400

Husker fans had to wait a bit before hearing their players' names in the NFL Draft over the weekend.

Cody Glenn, the I-back turned linebacker, was the first Nebraska player taken in the draft at 158th, fifth round by the Washington Redskins as a linebacker. After playing three years as an I-back at Nebraska, Glenn was converted to linebacker for his final season with the Huskers before being dismissed from the team with five games left in the season.

At any rate, the switch for Glenn appeared easy and his performance in the NFL combine showed his promise as a pro linebacker.

The second Husker taken was offensive lineman Matt Slauson, taken at 193rd by the New York Jets. Slauson will be rejoin former Nebraska head coach and current Jets offensive coordinator Bill Callahan in New York, protecting former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The last Husker taken in the 2009 NFL Draft was offensive lineman Lydon Murtha at 228th in the seventh round by the winless Detroit Lions. Detroit needs a new offensive line worse than Nebraska did a couple seasons ago during the Callahan reign of terror.

The trio of draftees made it 40 in a row that at least three Nebraska players were taken in the draft.

A few other Huskers signed free agent deals with NFL teams.

Former I-back Marlon Lucky and defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Defensive end Zach Potter will join Slauson and Callahan with the Jets.

Wide receiver Todd Peterson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and wide receiver Nate Swift signed with the Denver Broncos.

Finally, quarterback Joe Ganz will join Glenn in D.C. with the Redskins.

Nine more former Nebraska players will try to make their mark in the NFL while I wonder why I even watched the first day of the draft past the first 10 picks.

Sports Tweeting: Can Twitter Be Used in Sports Coverage?

SportMonk — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:19:38 -0400

Oprah has a twitter. Huge, right? Everyone's freaking out.

Wait a second....WHAT? Who cares? What is up with this whole "twitter" thing anyway?

Twitter is the next biggest and greatest thing on the Internet. Everyone from the aforementioned Oprah to Shaq to the NBA and ESPN are tweeting.

Basically, Twitter is Facebook stripped down to just the status updates. You update what you're doing and thinking, and then you find other people to follow their updates. It's simple, and big enough that everyone's buying into it.

I'm sorry to say that the Sport Monk has bought into it as well.

A big reason is my dream job paper, The Oklahoman, has been using Twitter and is looking to expand usage to its key journalists.

As someone worried about there even being journalism jobs open by the time I graduate, I had to jump on the Twitter bandwagon to make myself more marketable.

So this begs the question: How can Twitter be used to cover sports?

Of course, ESPN and other sports networks push news stories and coverage updates on Twitter, and athletes like the "Shaqtastic" O'Neal tweet about games, playoffs and everything else in between.

But sports journalists? How can we use it?

Ideas? Thoughts?

And while we're on it, follow my updates on Twitter (whenever I decide to start sport-tweeting) here.

Creating a Sports Fan 101

SportMonk — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:03:47 -0400

Hey there, Bleacher Report. I've missed you.

Lately I've been plagued with this odd problem: None of my friends from college like sports. It's not that they despise sports with every inch of their being, they just don't enjoy sports.

I'm a sports journalism major. For me, at this stage in my life, at the college of my boyhood sports dreams (God bless you, University of Nebraska), sports is near or at the top of my priorities list.

When other kids were partying Spring Break away, I was at home watching March Madness on my TV and computer (and sometimes iPhone) simultaneously.

Those on the outside (NSFs, non-sports fanatics) simply cannot understand what it is like to be a sports fanatic. But I'm here to reassure you all: They can be turned. All it takes is a little...manipulating.

Step One—Trick them into watching

"Hey guys, you should come over and we'll watch a movie and pop popcorn or something this Saturday night in October."

BOOM. They're at your house and you turn on your TV to the greatest American pastime at its peak. Maybe it's rivalry week, maybe not, but there's sure to be something awesome on.

They might resist. They might ask why you started watching football if you said you were going to hang out with them. If they're girls, they might insist that you turn it off and put in "Twilight" or something. I urge you not to give in.

This "first exposure" is vital for the next steps because it creates, in your friends' minds, a connection between you and sports that you will utilize later.

Step Two—Relate sports to something they care about

"You know, they played baseball in 'Twilight.' Baseball is pretty awesome in real life." (Sorry, I was tricked into watching "Twilight" recently. If you haven't seen it, don't.)

The connection of sports to you is not enough yet to make them want to like sports. You have to connect something else they like to sports.

In the state the NSFs are at this point, awards, trophies and titles do not matter to them. But drama, suspense, controversy, excitement, passion—these are all things they can attach to.

They may not care who Cleveland State is, but they might care the underdog No. 13 seed beat a No. 4 seed that you might have picked going deep into the bracket (stupid Wake Forest).

Because let's face it: When the underdog wins, everybody wins. It's human nature to cheer for the little guy.

If you make them realize sports is more than just scores, rules and the occasional street riot, you've opened the door for sports to step inside.

Step Three—Help them discover a favorite team

No, don't go buy them a BoSox hat. There's already too many of those around anyway.

Try to instill in them a sense of pride in a team. If they're in college, lead them to feeling proud of their sports program (unless they go to school in the state of Washington—ouch).

Because after all, if you go to the University of Wyoming, you're a Cowboy.

If you are lucky enough to be attending the University of Nebraska with me, you're a Husker.

And if you go to Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, Ga.), you're a Stormy Petrel.

Otherwise,

A. For male NSFs, try to use location to your advantage. If most of the guys at the bars you go to with your NSF friend are Phillies fans, try to get him to like the Phillies so he has an automatic connection. Or, in extreme cases, food can be the biggest motivating factor: "Hey man, lets roadtrip to Kansas City to eat great barbecue, then maybe catch the Chiefs game." (Tailgating might also be a successful inroad using food.)

B. For female NSFs, try to find a team's mascot they would think is "ridiculously cute" and use that. Or do your best (maybe with a sports girl's help) to find a team with a color set the NSF will find inviting. Or, as a last resort, ask your SF girl friends which team has really hot guys your NSF would like.

Having a team to follow and players to begin to care about means your NSF is close.

Step Four—Don't give up

Even if your friend is a bandwagon-esque sports fan, it has brought them closer to becoming an SF than ever before. Stick with it.

Listen to them talk about a team they barely know like they've been fans for years. Overlook the fact they forgot the team's most bitter rival. Be patient when they try to understand the difference between a fly pattern and an end-around.

Because your friend is slowly getting there. Like how OU may not have been able to win their bowl games in the last five seasons, but they will eventually (they hope). At least their men's and women's college hoops are great.

Your friend is developing what I call "fanliness," kind of like manliness but inclusive of the wonderful women who love sports as much if not more than guys. (Love you, ladies.) Like a plant, your friend's fanliness will continue to grow given time and encouragement from their sports connection (that's you).

The other side to not giving up is also knowing when to move on to the next project.

Some NSFs are hopelessly hopeless. They'll never like sports no matter what you do. These are the people you avoid, unless there is another overwhelming advantage to being their friend. (For instance, money does not buy happiness, but it DOES buy tickets.)

If your friend will not become an SF, recognize that and begin again with step one on someone else.

But, if all else fails and none of these steps have worked:

Step Five—Get new friends

Like I said in the beginning, none of my friends from college are sports fans. I was bored waiting for the Oklahoma-North Carolina game to start, so I made up this step-by-step list that has gone through absolutely ZERO field-testing.

If it works, great. If not, and you find you must have SF friends, ditch your current ones and make new friends.

In all seriousness, any suggestions you might have on how to turn my NSF friends into SFs would be very welcome.

Thanks for the read, and you have no idea how much I missed you, Bleacher Report.

A 2008 Big 12 Conference Performance Review

SportMonk — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:20:51 -0500

At any job, the employees have to sit down quarterly, biannually, or annually for a performance review. As a fan of the Big 12 Conference, it's high time I sit down to examine the highs and lows of each team, grading the regular season and post-season (where applicable) performances of the teams, from top to bottom. Fellow writers on the site have pegged me as a "Big 12 elitist," to which I say that's true. I can be blinded by my own conference's success, only to be let down when the teams fail me in December and January. So here's Monk's examination of the Big 12's season in 2008.

Begin Slideshow

Nebraska-Clemson: A Tale of Two Special Teams

SportMonk — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:37:14 -0500

It was the best of games, it was the worst of games.

Ultimately, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl was determined by special teams plays.

Nebraska started the game very slowly. Scratch that, immobile. The defense played well in the first half, but the offense was...well, where were they? The Huskers were right around a single positive yard of rushing in the first quarter because rush after rush by sophomore Roy Helu Jr. was stuffed at or behind the line by Clemson's tenacious defense.

The Huskers got the most out of senior punter Dan Titchener (thanks for four great years, Titch—you'll be missed) in the first quarter with punt after punt.

At the end of one, the score was tied, 0-0.

To open the second, the special teams plays began in high fashion.

After a solid red zone stand by Nebraska's Blackshirt defense, a 20-yard field goal attempt by Clemson was blocked by none other than defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh—just another spectacular play for the big boy who's done it all this season.

An unsuccessful Nebraska series led to another Titchener punt. It was returned back into Husker territory by spectacular return-man Jacoby Ford, who—with C.J. Spiller—consistently gave Clemson excellent field position on punt and kickoff returns all game.

After a couple more unsuccessful drives by Nebraska, Titchener punted back to Clemson. After a couple more unsuccessful drives by Clemson, Jimmy Maners showed his own talents with a couple of spectacular punts.

(The game was scoreless to this point. Not to take away from anything the punters accomplished, but I personally like scoring, so it feels strange that most of the highlights thus far have been punts. Yes, the game truly was that sad for a while.)

With about five minutes left in the quarter, Clemson got on the board first with a fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown. Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz was disheartened.

In an attempt to switch things up, Husker coach Bo Pelini stuck in running back Quentin Castille, a more powerful back than quick-and-dancy Helu. With a few solid runs from Castille, the Huskers had finally found some rushing success, ending with a 48-yard field goal from Alex Henery.

For Henery, and for fans, 48 yards was nothing after the 57-yarder to finish off Colorado on Black Friday.

The kickoff by Husker Adi Kunalic was one of several that was a touchback, effectively eliminating the return threat of Ford and Spiller.

The next Clemson pass was picked off, leaving Nebraska poised in the red zone to take the lead. But after a penalty, the next Nebraska pass was picked off and returned to the opposite red zone. Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz was very disheartened.

With under a minute on the clock, Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper completed an amazing touchdown pass to Aaron Kelly to put the Tigers up 14-3 at halftime.

Coach Pelini must have lit a fire under Nebraska because the Huskers came out ready to play in the second half. After a 31-yard kickoff return by Alfonzo Dennard, a confident Joe Ganz completed a long pass to senior wide receiver Todd Peterson and a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Nate Swift (the last TD catch I'll get to see Swift catch in a Nebraska uniform). The extra point was good, and the kickoff was a touchback.

Nebraska's defense, newly energized, held Clemson and forced a punt. The returner, Niles Paul, fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Clemson. If you're catching my drift, the special teams play by both teams played heavily into the success of the respective teams.

Clemson converted the turnover into a touchdown, their third off Nebraska turnovers in the game.

On the next series, Castille broke loose for a 58-yard scamper to the Clemson 17. Ganz found Peterson for a 19-yard touchdown to bring Nebraska within four, 21-17.

Another Cullen Harper pass was intercepted by Nebraska, leading to another Henery field goal, this one 28 yards, to bring the Huskers within one.

The next Maners punt for Clemson was blocked by Nebraska's Ricky Thenarse, giving Nebraska the ball within striking distance of the end zone. Another 28-yard field goal by Henery put the Huskers on top 23-21 to finish the third quarter.

A great return by Nebraska's Nate Swift to his own 48 on the next Clemson punt was erased by a costly special teams mistake, illegal block in the back, putting the Huskers back at their own 10.

Then Clemson punted to Nebraska, who punted back to Clemson, who punted back to Nebraska, who punted back to Clemson, who punted back to Nebraska.

Castille's 41-yard rush left Nebraska inside the 10 with a chance to seal the game away. The Huskers couldn't get a touchdown, but Henery kicked a fourth field goal from 22 yards out to give the Huskers a five-point advantage, 26-21.

Clemson drove the ball down to Nebraska's 10-yard line, but a nice sack by cornerback Eric Hagg left the Tigers 26 yards from the end zone. Nebraska held on third and fourth down to get the ball back.

The game was finished in the victory formation as Nebraska won, 26-21.

This Gator Bowl was truly decided by the play of both teams' special teams. The punters were impressive, and the return men set their teams up in great field position. Nebraska came up with a blocked field goal and a blocked punt to gain the second half advantage over Clemson, fueled by Henery's four field goals.

Henery, the unquestionable player of the game, is but a sophomore. And thank God.

It was everything I promised it would be: action, drama, suspense...and all with a happy ending.

Nebraska finishes the season 9-4 with the bowl victory, giving Bo & Co. plenty to build on for next season.

Ganz, Peterson, Swift, Titchener, Lucky, and the rest of the seniors, you will be missed. Oh, and Swift: Whichever NFL team drafts you is my new favorite team.

Thank you all for your support of Nebraska and my writing this season. And lest I forget, BOOMER SOONER on Jan. 8!

Creature vs. Creature: A Husker on the Gator Bowl (Nebraska-Clemson)

SportMonk — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:26:14 -0500

Game Preview

The Gator Bowl this season is a chance for one of two teams to prove what they're worth.

Nebraska (8-4) finished second in the Big 12 North and well above expectations. This will be the last game for a core group of seniors for the Huskers, including quarterback Joe Ganz and wide receivers Nate Swift and Todd Peterson.

Head coach Bo Pelini hopes to win his first bowl appearance in his first season at Nebraska.

Clemson (7-5) recovered from a tough start to win four of their last five games under interim (and now official) head coach Dabo Swinney.

The Tigers, under previous head coach Tommy Bowden, have struggled in recent years, but Swinney revitalized the program.

Clemson finished as one of an unprecedented 10 bowl-eligible teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The teams meet in Jacksonville, Fla., at 1 Eastern on New Year's Day.

Nebraska will win if...

Joe Ganz brings his A-game. The man is a talented quarterback when he wants to be. If he makes the throws to Swift and Peterson like he should, Nebraska will have no problem moving the ball.

Also, the coaches have to make smart play-calling decisions. True sophomore Roy Helu Jr. has been explosive toward the end of the season, beating out senior Marlon Lucky for the starting spot. The coaches have to know when to use him and when to throw the ball.

That goes for defense too. The last few games, the defense was very predictable. If Nebraska held a team to a third-and-long situation, the Huskers would bring everyone on a blitz to leave the secondary in single-coverage with holes everywhere for first downs. Smart play-calling on defense will mix up the looks Clemson's offense gets and will give Nebraska a better chance to succeed.

Nebraska will lose if...

The Huskers become one-dimensional. Predictable play-calling will broadcast to everyone (especially Clemson) what Nebraska plans to do.

If the run game fails or if Nebraska doesn't pass when they should, Clemson's defense should have no problem stopping the Huskers.

If Clemson gets Joe Ganz rattled, he'll make poor decisions like he does and throw the game away (Husker fans, remember the Texas Tech game?).

The X-Factor

Fan support. Nebraska's fans travel better than any other fans in the country. Even though Clemson is significantly closer to Florida than Nebraska, Husker fans will be at the game in massive support for the Huskers. If there's anything that's close to the Sea of Red in Memorial Stadium, it's the Sea of Red on the road.

Prediction

Nebraska comes to play because Pelini sparks them to bring it all. The seniors leave it all on the field, for the good of the program and to impress NFL scouts.

The defense plays well like it has consistently this season and the offense moves the ball. Though Clemson is favored in this game, Nebraska pulls off a Gator Bowl victory.

NEBRASKA 31, CLEMSON 27.

For a Tiger's take on the game, please read Trey Murphy's side of the story. Trey is a very talented writer and a dedicated Clemson fan with lots of ideas why he believes Clemson will beat Nebraska in the Gator Bowl Thursday.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers Deserve to be Ranked

SportMonk — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:43:12 -0500

Nebraska is just as deserving as any other 8-4 team to be ranked.

Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach ranked Nebraska 25th in the final USA Today Coaches' Poll, and Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini ranked his own Huskers 22nd.

Losses

Nebraska is 8-4, so let's look at the losses first. All rankings are from the latest BCS poll.

Sept. 27, No. 19 Virginia Tech (9-4, ACC champions), 35-30

Oct. 4, No. 21 Missouri (9-4, Big 12 North champions), 52-17

Oct. 11, No. 7 Texas Tech (11-1), 37-31 OT

Nov. 1, No. 1 Oklahoma (12-1, Big 12 champions), 62-28

All teams are ranked in the top-25. All but Texas Tech played for their conference championships. All but Virginia Tech have former or current Heisman trophy candidates leading the offense. Oklahoma is headed to the national championship. Nebraska played Texas Tech tighter than No. 3 Texas did.

Wins

Now let's look at the wins. The Huskers' non-conference schedule wins were against Western Michigan (9-3, MAC), San Jose State (6-6, WAC), and New Mexico State (3-9, WAC).

Nebraska's conference wins were against Iowa State (2-10), Baylor (4-8), Kansas (7-5), Kansas State (5-7), and Colorado (5-7) from the Big 12 North.

Nebraska's opponents are 82-65 combined, two of which are conference champions. Western Michigan finished 6-2 in conference behind only No. 22 Ball State.

Let's examine the competition, the six teams ranked 20 to 25, by the same format.

No. 20 Pittsburgh (9-3, 5-2 Big East)

The Panthers' losses came to Bowling Green (6-6), Rutgers (7-5), and No. 12 (11-2, Big East champion).

Pitt's signature wins came against Big East foes South Florida (7-5), West Virginia (8-4), Navy (8-4), Iowa (8-4), and MAC champion Buffalo (8-5).

Pittsburgh's key wins are slightly more impressive than Nebraska's, and they finished second in their conference and had a better record. But losses to unranked Bowling Green and Rutgers, along with the weaker Big East conference schedule, give Nebraska an edge. Pittsburgh does not deserve to be above Nebraska.

No. 21 Missouri (9-4, 5-3 Big 12)

Missouri's losses were to No. 13 Oklahoma State (9-3), No. 3 Texas (11-1), Kansas (7-5), and No. 1 Oklahoma (12-1).

Missouri's signature wins came against Nevada (7-5), Nebraska (8-4), Colorado (5-7), and MAC champion Buffalo (8-5).

Missouri lost every game but Baylor to the Big 12 South, like Nebraska, and tied Nebraska for the Big 12 North title (winning by head-to-head tie breaker).

Based on the head-to-head, Missouri deserves to be above Nebraska.

No. 22 Ball State (12-1, 8-1 MAC)

Ball State's only loss came in the MAC championship to Buffalo (8-5).

Ball State's signature wins came against Navy (8-4) and FCS opponents from the MAC.

Ball State nearly went undefeated in a non-BCS conference, but lost their conference championship to Turner Gill and Buffalo. Ball State's hopes at "busting" the BCS died with that loss.

Even though Ball State plays in an FCS, non-BCS conference, and Nebraska plays in the nation's (arguably) strongest conference, Ball State still deserves to be ranked above Nebraska because of what they've accomplished (in a weaker conference).

No. 23 Northwestern (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten)

Northwestern's losses came to conference foes No. 18 Michigan State (9-3), Indiana (3-9), and No. 10 Ohio State (10-2). Northwestern was lucky to have not played conference champion No. 8 Penn State.

Northwestern's signature wins came against conference foes Iowa (8-4), Minnesota (7-5), Michigan (3-9), and Illinois (5-7).

Northwestern's loss to pitiful Indiana, combined their weaker conference schedule against Big Ten opponents, does not deserve to be ranked above Nebraska, despite having a better record.

No. 24 Boston College (9-4, 5-3 ACC)

Boston College's losses came to conference opponents No. 14 Georgia Tech (9-3), North Carolina (8-4), Clemson (7-5), and No. 19 Virginia Tech (9-4) in the conference championship.

Boston College's signature wins came against NC State (6-6), No. 19 Virginia Tech (9-4) in the regular season, Notre Dame (6-6), Florida State (8-4), and Wake Forest (7-5).

Boston College played in the mediocre ACC conference and had soft non-conference wins over Kent State, UCF, Rhode Island, and Notre Dame (none of whom won more than four games this season). The weak conference, soft schedule, and loss to Clemson means Boston College does not deserve to be ranked above Nebraska.

No. 25 Mississippi (8-4, 5-3 SEC)

Ole Miss' losses came to Wake Forest (7-5), Vanderbilt (6-6), South Carolina (7-5), and No. 4 Alabama.

Ole Miss' signature wins came against No. 2 Florida (12-1), Arkansas (5-7), Auburn (5-7), LSU (5-7), and Mississippi State (4-8).

The voters have rewarded Ole Miss for the victory over Florida, but neglected the losses to mid-range SEC teams and a standard ACC team. No other Ole Miss victory is substantial enough to warrant it being ranked above Nebraska, so the Rebels do not deserve to be ranked above Nebraska.

In a perfect world, I would say I agree with Pelini that Nebraska should be ranked 22nd. In the unfair world we're in, I say we should be ranked 24th or 25th.

Nebraska's four losses were all to quality opponents. The Huskers got things done against everyone else they played, picking up a nice win over Kansas and tying Missouri for the North Division title. Nebraska played in the toughest conference in the country and took Texas Tech to overtime, as well as playing national championship-contending Oklahoma in Norman.

The Huskers are 8-4, well above expectation for coach Bo Pelini's first year, and deserve to be ranked.

Buffalo 42, Ball State 24: Turner Gill and the Bulls Win MAC Championship

SportMonk — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:48:40 -0500

Tears welled up in Buffalo Head Coach Turner Gill's eyes.

"I'm just proud of these guys," he said. "I'm proud of them."

The strong emotion could be heard in his voice. The University of Buffalo knocked off No. 12 Ball State, previously unbeaten, in the Mid-American Conference championship game Friday night, 42-24.

Third-year head coach Turner Gill, former stand-out quarterback and Heisman finalist at the University of Nebraska, had emotion painted all over his face in the post-game interview. Gill has much invested in his program and saw dividends of that Friday.

Before coming to Buffalo, Gill served as quarterbacks coach for Nebraska from 1992-2003 and was hired back on as wide receivers coach after the head coach transition in 2004. During that stretch, Nebraska won three national championships and Gill coached Husker legend Tommie Frazier and Heisman trophy winner Eric Crouch.

Gill was certainly no stranger to success. Buffalo was.

Before Gill arrived, Buffalo's program had a dismal stretch in which the Bulls only won 10 games in their first seven seasons after joining Division 1 in 1999.

Gill's first year, the Bulls went 2-10. Last year, the Bulls improved to 5-7. This season, Buffalo won its first conference championship to cap off a spectacular 8-5 season. The Bulls are bowl-eligible for the first time. Gill has instilled a confidence in his players that they can win football games and be successful.

"I talked about being champions, and they did it," Gill said.

On Friday night, No. 12 Ball State came into the conference championship repeating a familiar mantra: We're undefeated and we deserve a shot at the national championship. And Buffalo came in to finish the program's best season by winning a conference championship.

The Cardinals' quarterback Nate Davis had a hand in each of Ball State's four fumbles, turnovers that Buffalo capitalized on for points each time, and also threw an interception to close out the game.

The Bulls' quarterback Drew Willy threw to wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt 10 times for 116 yards and three touchdowns as Buffalo rolled to victory.

The game silenced Ball State and surprised the nation.

Where are coaches like Turner Gill anymore? When Nebraska fired Bill Callahan, Gill was a front-runner for the head coaching job, but Gill declined because he said his work in Buffalo wasn't finished.

Gill has something most coaches are missing: loyalty. He turned down a potentially huge contract with his alma matter to stay at the program that had given him his first head coaching chance. He knew the program would probably sink again if he left but was confident he could keep building the program up if he stayed.

Needless to say, with its first bowl trip, conference championship, and win over a top-15 program, Buffalo is happy he stayed.

As a Nebraska fan, it warms my heart to see Gill so successful. And as a college football fan, it gave me chills to see so clearly how much Gill cares about that program and his players.

See the interview for yourself. It starts about a minute and 48 seconds into the video.

Creature Vs Creature: Gridiron Gurus on Championship Weekend

SportMonk — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:31:33 -0500

**As part of a new series, a group of b/r writers make their picks on key college football and NFL matchups. Minus numbers in parentheses denote how much a team is favored to win by.

NCAA Football

No. 20 Missouri vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (-16); Big 12 Championship

Game Overview:

The attitude surrounding this game has changed much from the beginning of the season. Missouri has "fallen from favor," according to many accounts, and is seen as a heavy underdog to the Sooners' national championship contending team. Heisman favorite Sam Bradford leads the nation's most explosive offense against a struggling Tigers team led by struggling quarterback Chase Daniel. If Oklahoma wins this game, it solidifies its spot in the national championship against the winner of the SEC championship.

Keys to the Game:

Missouri has to be ready to play lights-out football and pull off a miracle. Oklahoma just has to do what its been doing well all season.

Point spread: Oklahoma will cover, in a big way.

Prediction: Oklahoma 65 Missouri 17

Confidence Meter: Five Stars

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Florida (-10); SEC Championship

Game Overview:

Alabama has been the top-ranked team for the better part of the season and has maintained its poise at the top. Florida is arguably the hottest up-and-coming team in the country, blazing their way to No. 4 (No. 2 in the AP poll) going into last week. The Gators hope to win a spot in the national championship, while the Crimson Tide hopes to finish a spectacular undefeated season strong.

Keys to the Game:

Alabama's defense has to matchup with Florida's offense. Tim Tebow and the Gators haven't had much trouble scoring, but Alabama hasn't allowed much scoring either. If Alabama controls Tebow, it will open the game for John Parker Wilson and the steady Crimson Tide offense to roll to victory.

Point spread: Florida will not cover.

Prediction: Alabama 45 Florida 42

Confidence Meter: Three Stars

No. 17 Boston College (-1 ½) vs. No. 25 Virginia Tech; ACC Championship

Game Preview:

The most mediocre conference in the country produces a mediocre, but still intriguing, conference championship game. Boston College has played great football down the stretch and Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech Hokies are always a force to reckon with.

Keys to the Game:

Virginia Tech has to play "Beamer Ball": produce turnovers and play outstanding special teams. Boston College has to roll offensively and protect the football.

Point spread: Boston College will over.

Prediction: Boston College 28 Virginia Tech 24

Confidence Meter: Four Stars

Navy (-11) vs. Army; Commander-in-Chief Trophy and Pride

Game Preview:

This game is always a classic and has consistently proven to be an exciting game. Navy runs the best triple-option offense in the country and has been a stand-out team for the Armed Forces this year.

Keys to the Game:

Army must find a way to stop Navy's triple-option threat and force passes to find success. Navy has to just run the ball like they do.

Point spread: Navy will cover.

Prediction: Navy 34 Army 14

Confidence Meter: Four Stars

NFL Quick Picks

(-7) PHI @ NYG The Giants, though I hate them, have played great football. Giants upset. No cover.

(-3) ATL @ NO Matt Ryan should win Rookie of the Year. I like the Falcons in this one. No cover.

(-1) MIA @ BUF Miami covers in a down-to-the-wire game in Buffalo.

(-3) DAL @ PITT Dallas rolls to victory, with cover.

WAS @ BAL (-5 ½) (Sunday Night) Baltimore covers and wins.

TB @ CAR (-3) (Monday Night) Tampa Bay wins the conference crown battle.

Checkout the picks from the other Gridiron Gurus:

Kristin Hamlin

Scott Rieger

Chaz Mattson

Happy Championship Weekend, everyone!

CFB Week 15 Notes: The BCS Just Punched Mack Brown Square in the Face? Nah

SportMonk — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:19:11 -0500

Now let's be clear, right off the bat. What happened, happened. Nothing we can say or do can change that.

Now that we're clear on that, let's begin.

Big 12 Mess

The biggest news from last week actually happened after everything was finished on the field. The BCS rankings decided the Big 12 South Division, putting Oklahoma in the Big 12 conference championship game and excluding Texas from it.

Numbers and phrases had been thrown around everywhere...45-35 (Texas over OU)...Neutral field...39-33 (Texas Tech over Texas) and 65-21 (OU over Texas Tech)...28-24 (Texas over OK State) and 61-41 (OU over OK State).

In the end, it all amounts to a fundamental problem with the system. Even though I'm happy with the outcome (I'm a native Oklahoman and a Nebraska fan; there's no love for Texas in there anywhere), I can still admit that something has to change.

Texas beat Texas A&M (4-7), and Oklahoma beat No. 12 Oklahoma State (9-2). As an admittedly-biased Nebraska fan, that speaks enough for me.

And the No. 1 team in the country is...

Though there's a struggle for No. 2, America's No. 1 team asserted its authority and made it clear it deserves that ranking (and earned them the picture for this article, for my friend Cameon).

Top-ranked Alabama shut out bitter rival Auburn, 36-0. The defense was stifling, forcing three turnovers and keeping the Tigers from evening finding the end zone with just 170 total yards allowed. The offense was consistent, led by senior quarterback John Parker Wilson and powerful runners Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram. The duo led the team to 234 total yards rushing, making things simple for Wilson, who was 8-of-16 for 134 yards and a touchdown.

The Tide controlled the ball, holding it for more than half the game, only getting one penalty for four yards, and not having any turnovers.

The game was thought to be a possible trap game for the Crimson Tide, but Alabama eliminated any doubt in voters' minds that it belongs at the top with a decisive victory. 'Bama showed why it's the only legitimate undefeated team in the country.

Bring on Florida.

Marketing schemes

Speaking of the Gators, they crushed cross-state rival No. 20 Florida State, 45-15.

Florida amassed 502 total yards of offense, crowned by Tim Tebow's performance of 260 total yards and four touchdowns (three through the air, one on the ground).

The Gators forced four turnovers and dominated the Seminoles the entire game, allowing Florida State to convert on only three of their 14 third-down situations.

Nevermind that most of Florida State's talented wide receivers were either in jail or on the way, the Gators did enough for the "unbiased" news media to fawn for another week as the Gators sustained their No. 2 spot in the AP poll (No. 4 in BCS).

Which begs the question: Why did the sportswriters vote Florida No. 2 in the first place? My thought: marketability.

How nice is it going to be for ESPN and the other various respected sports outlets to market a No. 1 versus No. 2 SEC championship game? It opens doors upon doors of possibilities for creativity.

They could talk about every other No. 1 vs. No. 2 game that's happened over the years (three of those belonging to Nebraska and Oklahoma). They could theorize how, if Oklahoma got beat by Missouri in the Big 12 championship and Florida beats Alabama in the SEC championship, the national championship could be an SEC title rematch game (because Texas likes to be forgotten, anyway). They could just make an ad that says: "NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO. SATURDAY." and everyone would watch it just because.

This love fest must stop. Yes, the Gators look great. Yes, they are a very deserving team because of what they've accomplished. But what about the Big 12 teams?

Boy, wouldn't things be nice for Florida and the media if those pesky Big 12 teams weren't there?

The "Sophomore Barrier" is already broken

With his performance against Oklahoma State Saturday (30-of-44 for 370 yards and four touchdowns, four carries for 16 yards and a touchdown), Sam Bradford is the favorite for the Heisman trophy. But wait, doesn't he play for one of those pesky Big 12 teams?

With his performance against Texas A&M Thursday (23-of-28 for 311 yards and two touchdowns, 11 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns), Colt McCoy is the favorite for the Heisman trophy. But wait, no, he also plays for one of those pesky Big 12 teams. And it played Texas A&M, so that can't even count.

With his performance against Florida State Saturday (12-for-21 for 185 yards and three touchdowns, 16 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown), Tim Tebow is the favorite for the Heisman trophy. But wait, isn't he just the biased media's favorite?

With his performance against Kansas Saturday (25-for-41 for 288 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions, 9 carries for 103 yards), Chase Daniel is the...but wait, nevermind; his team lost that game and now it's 9-3. He can't win the Heisman with a record like that, not even if Mizzou beats Oklahoma Saturday.

With his performance against Oregon Saturday (seven carries for 56 yards and no touchdowns), Jacquizz Rodgers...but wait, he was injured, so his team lost, 65-38, giving USC the lead in the Pac-10. Poor Beavers. I wanted you to win, too!

They won't ever go away

Which brings me to USC and the Pac-10.

Why can't the Trojans just go away for a while? Why must they continually pop up everywhere? They play Washington (0-11) and Washington State (2-11) every year and half of their conference is sub-.500; OF COURSE their defensive numbers will look awesome! Put Texas Tech in that conference and the Red Raiders would win the conference five times in a row, at least.

So tell me, why are the Trojans ranked fifth in the country? I guess for the same reason Utah (and probably Boise State) will get a shot at a BCS bowl.

All I know is that I'm a Bruins fan this week.

Nebraska won Friday

BOO YAH. My Huskers beat rival Colorado and only lost the Big 12 North Division title due to Missouri holding the tie-breaker. We finished 8-4 (5-3). Nice. Read it.

Mediocrity has become standard issue

What is up with the ACC? At least Boston College and Georgia Tech squeaked out wins this weekend to assure there won't be a four- or five-way tie (boy, wouldn't that make the Big 12's situation look easy).

In the end, the conference is the real loser. Of the 12 teams in the ACC, only four have winning records in conference play. Four. The Big 12 has that many that are ranked in the top-14 of the country and half of the 12 teams have winning records in conference.

The ACC is kind of like the SEC (only four of the SEC's teams have winning records in conference), except that the teams at the top of the SEC are at the top of the country and the teams at the top of the ACC have been consistently in trouble of dropping out of the rankings.

There has got to be a solution to the absolute mediocrity that's plaguing the ACC. When somebody figures it out, distribute it to Duke, Virginia, NC State, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, Wake Forest, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Clemson. Maybe they'll follow Georgia Tech and Boston College and be good enough to be ranked next season.

New coach

Speaking of Clemson, it's story has become the only bright one I can see from the ACC this year. Interim head coach Dabo Swinney has been offered (and has accepted) the head coaching job with the Tigers.

Swinney led Clemson to win four of their last five games, capped off by a victory over rival South Carolina, and the Tigers are bowl-eligible.

I didn't get a chance to catch Clemson play all season until Saturday, but I was impressed with what I saw of Swinney. He seemed like a logical fit for Clemson, and I'm sure Oklahoma is glad it gets to keep defensive coordinator Brent Venables for another season or so.

I'm glad Clemson made the right choice.

So much more to say, so little time. Actually, I've got all the time in the world, but this article is getting too long.

Thoughts? Comments? Anything else of note that should have been included with the week's notes?

Nebraska-Colorado: The Blackshirts Come Through on Black Friday

SportMonk — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:17:22 -0500

After an ugly performance by the Huskers, it was Alex Henery's 57-yard field goal that swung the game for Nebraska.

Another successful Thanksgiving feast packed me full of turkey, ham, stuffing, pie, and many other tasty delights. The next day, some people who are insane woke up early to go to stores to buy a bunch of stuff they didn't necessarily need at incredibly discounted prices. I sure didn't.

I woke up at a decent hour, turned on my HD TV to West Virginia and Pittsburgh, and prepared for my favorite Big 12 North Division rivalry game.

When I got into Memorial Stadium, I was ready to enjoy the only other thing I could think of that's better than turkey: college football.

The visiting Buffaloes were 5-6 and playing for a postseason bowl invite, but Nebraska wanted revenge for last year's showdown when Colorado eliminated the Huskers' chance at a bowl appearance.

The game started out exactly the opposite as I pictured. Colorado, fueled by a few long passes, had a couple of quick drives and held the Huskers' offense to jump up 14-0 after five minutes.

And I was angry.

Then Nebraska went on a 24-3 run over the next 23 minutes. The Huskers were running the ball fairly well (mostly running back Roy Helu Jr. was running well), opening up the defense for short, quick passes.

And I was happy.

Then, on a fourth and long, Nebraska lined up for a field goal. The holder, Jake Wesch, flipped the ball up for kicker Alex Henery on a fake as the Huskers attempted to grab a first down, but Colorado defender Jimmy Smith was all over it. Smith returned the "fumble" (more like an intercepted backwards pass) 58 yards for a touchdown, tying the game going into halftime and swinging momentum in the Buffaloes' favor.

And I was angry.

Then after a devastatingly boring performance by the Husker marching band (opera? really?), I watched a devastatingly bad performance by Nebraska. Every time the Blackshirts would get Colorado in a third-and-long situation, they'd all-out blitz the next play, which left the secondary wide open so Colorado could convert. Poor play-calling by Nebraska's offensive coordinator Shawn Watson only produced a lone field goal in the third quarter, leaving the Huskers down 31-27.

And I was angry.

In the fourth quarter, a few things clicked for Nebraska. The defense held pretty strong and kept Colorado from scoring, and Nebraska pulled to within one with about six minutes left in the game. Colorado bled some clock on their its possession, leaving Nebraska little time on the clock to work with.

A strong drive came to a driving halt after Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz was sacked by Patrick Mahnke for a 15-yard loss, leaving the Huskers in a third and 25 hole. The next play, a pass to tight end Mike McNeill, fell incomplete. Fourth and 25 on Colorado's 40 yard line.

And I was angry.

With 1 minute and 43 seconds left on the clock, Henery lined up for a 57-yard field goal attempt. O'Leary snapped the ball, Wesch held, Henery kicked, and Memorial Stadium held its breath. It sailed toward the uprights, threatening to be short...but it snuck in and the Husker Faithful went crazy. It was the longest field goal in Nebraska history, breaking the previous 55-yard record set nearly 20 years ago.

And I was ecstatic.

Colorado only needed a field goal to win and had about a minute and a half to get it. After converting on third down and missing on first down, Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins' pass was tipped by defensive end Zach Potter, intercepted and returned by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh ran over Hawkins on his way to the end zone, a place Suh is no stranger to this season (two interceptions for touchdowns and one catch for a touchdown).

And I was going crazy.

The final verdict: Nebraska 40, Colorado 31. Nebraska improved to 8-4, and Colorado was kept from the bowls this year.

I wasn't very happy with the performance of the Huskers. Not to take anything away from the Buffaloes--they played a great game and showed a lot of heart--but Nebraska didn't do much to help itself in this one.

Nebraska ran the ball when it should have been passing, Ganz passed to the short route when he should have looked deeper, and the Huskers tried trick plays that blew up in their faces when they should have just kicked the darn field goal.

A win is a win, but this was an ugly one.

Nate Swift had a touchdown catch, but he only saw the ball twice all game—a big problem, in my opinion. The game plan for the Huskers' probable appearance in the Gator Bowl should be to get Swift the ball some more.

Colorado played well and the Buffs gave their all, but it wasn't enough to beat Nebraska.

I'm proud of you, Huskers.

Creature Vs. Creature: A Husker on Those Dag-Gum Kids (Colorado-Nebraska)

SportMonk — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:01:39 -0500

Game Preview

This time last year Nebraska was 5-6 and looking for that crucial sixth win in Boulder for a bowl game. Fresh off a 73-31 win over Kansas State, the Huskers were confident in their new starter Joe Ganz and hoped to beat fellow 5-6 team Colorado.

However, the Buffaloes finished off the Huskers 65-51, eliminating Nebraska from the postseason and securing their own spot in a bowl. They also gave Nebraska what it needed to finally fire its moronic head coach Bill Callahan.

This year Nebraska is 7-4 and already has their ticket to the postseason punched. Colorado is in the same position it was last year, 5-6 and looking for that crucial sixth win (Friday, Nov. 28 at 2:30c on ABC—watch it!).

Joe Ganz has started a few more games since then and now sits at 14th on the passing efficiency list, completing nearly 69 percent of his passes this season.

The Huskers look to avenge last year's loss in Boulder with a similar season-ending situation in Lincoln to keep Colorado from the postseason.

But last year was certainly not the first time these teams met.

For Nebraska, Colorado is their rival in the North Division and has been all the way back to the good ol' Big 8 days. The actual "rivalry" has only existed since 1982, when Colorado head coach Bill McCartney decided Nebraska and Colorado should be rivals and publicized the game as such.

Nebraska leads the rivalry series 18-6-1 and leads overall 46-18-2 in the teams' meetings.

The most notable meeting of the two teams, in my mind, was in 2001. Nebraska was No. 2 in the country, and No. 14 Colorado was looking to change that. From the start, Colorado dominated Nebraska on both sides of the ball, capitalizing on a phenomenal performance on the ground from running tandem Chris Brown and Bobby Purify, and beat the Huskers 62-36.

The part that probably stings most for Colorado fans is what happens next.

With the win over Nebraska, Colorado clinched the Big 12 North and faced Texas. Colorado avenged a 41-7 loss to the Longhorns in the season with a 39-37 victory and conference championship. Colorado seemed all lined up to face Miami (Fl.) in the national championship game.

Then, in a series of strange (and fortuitous, for me anyway) events, Nebraska jumped ahead of Colorado in the final BCS rankings and went to the national championship instead. Colorado was stuck with a Fiesta Bowl appearance against high-powered Oregon and began complaints (with good reason, of course) against the BCS that still rage in some Buffaloes fans' minds.

I was just sad about losing to Colorado by 26.

Nebraska has the 10th-ranked offense in the country that generally defaults to airing it out, ranking 15th in passing offense. The traditionally great Nebraska rushing game is somewhat dormant as the Huskers rank 37th in rushing offense.

Colorado had a great start this season, beating West Virginia and playing Florida State very competitively in non-conference play. However, since then Colorado (particularly their offense) has seemed to sputter out. Colorado was shut out by Missouri earlier this season and is averaging under 20 points per game.

But whatever you do, don't discount Colorado in this game. The team that played well at the beginning of the year has shown up a few times since then, playing Oklahoma State tough in the Buffs' previous game, and could very well show up ready to play Friday.

Nebraska will win if...

They continue to play consistently.

Nebraska has no trouble scoring the ball, powered by the potent passing game that has them ranked 18th in scoring offense.

The running game has seen some success lately on the back of sophomore running back Roy Helu Jr., who finally got the nod over senior Marlon Lucky. Lucky had provided lackluster performances all season, and as Helu started to see more carries, it became apparent to the coaching staff that a change had to be made.

With 30 fewer carries than Lucky, Helu has 121 more yards and the same number of touchdowns while averaging 2.5 yards per carry better.

Obviously senior day in Memorial Stadium should have some grand performances from Nebraska's seniors as Ganz gets the ball to fellow seniors Nate Swift and Todd Peterson.

They play solid defense.

Nebraska's "Blackshirt" defense have been awarded their blackshirts again, and for good reason. The defense has proven it is a much better animal than last year's defense that allowed program-record numbers week in and week out.

The Blackshirts should have little problem stifling Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins, who has only completed 57 percent of his passes, and the Buffaloes offense, ranked 89th in total yards.

Nebraska will lose if...

The rumors floating around that Ganz has tweaked his shoulder are true.

Husker fans know all too well how Ganz plays when he's not comfortable. If Nebraska's offensive field general really is hurt, he'll make poor decisions and bad throws like he has when he's been rattled (anyone watch the first half of this year's Oklahoma game?).

If Nebraska's offensive line can't stop Colorado from getting in the backfield and messing with Ganz's head (not to mention putting him on the turf), he will implode, and so will Nebraska's chances of winning.

Nebraska allows Colorado to get into a rhythm.

The Buffs have every ability to play great football. Colorado is a very talented team that has a very smart coach in Dan Hawkins. And let's not forget that Colorado hates Nebraska.

The Buffaloes will come ready to play, and if Nebraska's defense can't disrupt Colorado's offense, Cody Hawkins will pick them apart and the Buffaloes' running backs could have a performance similar to the beatdown in 2001.

The X-Factor

It's a home game for Nebraska.

The Huskers are 5-2 at home with losses to Virginia Tech and Missouri. Memorial Stadium is always a tough place to play, and opposing teams have to worry about the crowd noise.

Colorado is 0-4 on the road this year, but two of those losses came to top-12 teams.

If the Sea of Red is out in full force and makes some noise, it could be a volatile situation for the visiting Buffaloes.

Prediction

Though I worry the Buffaloes will bring a strong attitude into Friday's game and play excellent football, I believe Nebraska will stay consistent and avenge last year's season-ending loss by handing Colorado one. Joe Ganz will top off a record-setting season with an impressive aerial display, and Memorial Stadium will bid fond farewells to our seniors with a win.

NEBRASKA 38, COLORADO 17.

For a Buffalo's take on the game, please read Chaz Mattson's side of the story. Chaz is a talented writer and a dedicated Colorado fan with thoughts aplenty on why his Buffaloes could grab a victory in Lincoln Friday.

America Just Punched Bob Stoops Square in the Face...Again

SportMonk — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:35:23 -0500

The BCS has yet to levy its verdict as I write this, but the sportswriters have chosen.

It is my personal opinion that sportswriters around the country just punched Bob Stoops square in the face.

But first, let's talk hypothetically for a few minutes to eliminate any inherent bias that may arise from conference or team allegiances so as to have an intelligent, reasoned discussion.

Let's say a team from a prestigious American Midwestern conference goes in front of a national television audience and handily disposes of the previously second-ranked team, which was led by a Heisman front-runner quarterback and was hyped as being the best team in the country. Let's say that "handily" means somewhere in the ballpark of 44 points.

Now let's take another team, let's say from a respected American Southeastern conference, that played an opponent that is not awful in the major football division of college football but is awful in the minor football division. Let's just say the opponent was something like 4-7 before they played the previously third-ranked team. And, as they should, the previously team destroys the awful D-II opponent.

Finally, let's say that sportswriters in America vote who they think the top 25 teams in the country should be every week. Let's say those sportswriters decided to award the previously third-ranked team for destroying an opponent they should have destroyed and gave the other team a stupid consolation prize for beating the second-ranked team by a huge margin...

...THEREBY PUNCHING BOB STOOPS SQUARE IN THE FACE.

Enough ambiguity. Florida played THE CITADEL. I had to look them up to make sure they even existed—and they're certainly not good. They're worse than most of the cupcake teams that fill other schedules around the country.

Oklahoma beat TEXAS TECH. This Red Raiders team had been touted by ESPN and other various respected sports outlets as being better than Alabama and Florida ever since they knocked off top-ranked Texas and handed Oklahoma State a hard loss.

Let's put you in the coach's seat. You have to choose: a 70-19 victory over a 4-7, D-II school that a majority of the country hasn't even heard of...

OR a 65-21 victory over an undefeated, second-ranked team that is playing in (arguably) the most difficult conference division in the country and has knocked off consecutive top-10 opponents the weeks prior to your matchup.

AMERICA'S SPORTSWRITERS PUNCHED BOB STOOPS SQUARE IN THE FACE.

By giving Florida the nod to be the nation's new No. 2, sportswriters told Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops that his team's decisive victory over previous No. 2 Texas Tech means little compared to Florida's fancy win over The Citadel.

Comparison time.

Both teams are 10-1. Florida was previously ranked No. 3 by the AP, while Oklahoma was previously ranked No. 5. Florida's only loss came to just-ranked-today Ole Miss, whereas Oklahoma's only loss came to fellow top-five team Texas.

Florida's marquee victories are over just-dropped-from-the-rankings LSU, current No. 13 Georgia, and, lest we forget, The Citadel.

Oklahoma's marquee victories are over current No. 16 Cincinnati, current No. 14 TCU, and, though it's apparently meaningless, current No. 7 Texas Tech.

I'm not an Oklahoma fan, per se. I'm a born and bred Nebraska fan who grew up in the heart of Sooner Country, so I feel for my fellow Big 12 brethren.

Oklahoma got robbed, and Bob Stoops got punched square in the face. America's sportswriters are embarking on a shameless attempt to set up a No. 1-No. 2 matchup in the SEC championship between Alabama and Florida because it would be fun to market.

Good grief—like the Big 12 hasn't given you enough fun the last four weeks with top-10 matchups Texas-Texas Tech, Texas Tech-Oklahoma State, Texas Tech-Oklahoma, and the upcoming Oklahoma-Oklahoma State.

Well, I frankly would love to see No. 23 Florida State blaze over Florida this weekend. That would show America's sportswriters for cheating the system for their own selfish gains. That would show them for giving a Citadel-dispatching team the nod over a national-championship-dreams-killing team.

That would show them for PUNCHING BOB STOOPS SQUARE IN THE FACE.

But if Florida State doesn't get it done, Alabama will, and we'll have ourselves a crimson championship between Oklahoma (if they beat Oklahoma State) and 'Bama. In my mind, that would be way more fun to market than some stupid ol' SEC championship.

An OKC Love Affair and Hornet Homecoming: New Orleans Returns to Oklahoma City

SportMonk — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:19:24 -0500

I usually write college football, but I couldn't resist.

The New Orleans Hornets return to Oklahoma City tonight for the first time since it got its own NBA team—to KEEP, this time!

As a native of Oklahoma City, I can't even tell you how stoked I was to have an NBA team coming to town when it was announced the Hornets would be coming for a couple seasons.

I got pumped up, went to as many games as I could, cheered my heart out and fell in love with the team. Oklahoma City, in my opinion, played a crucial role in the formation of CP3 becoming the All-Star that he is. Oklahoma City reminded the Hornets what it's like to have a fan base that actually cares and actually goes to games.

We provided a home-court advantage the Hornets hadn't seen in New Orleans and gave them all the tools to become the playoff performers they were last season.

But it wasn't a one-sided relationship. The Hornets gave a lot back to Oklahoma City.

The Hornets vitalized the City and united Sooner fans and Cowboy fans (and those silly Golden Hurricane fans) under one team. The Hornets gave us something we could truly care about and could truly call our own (for a couple seasons).

The Hornets put Oklahoma City on the map for professional teams, ensuring a successful SuperSonics move and setting up Oklahoma City nicely for an MLB or NFL expansion team down the road.

The Hornets validated the Ford Center, making it a must-stop for touring performers and leading to necessary improvements that have made it one of the better stadiums in the country.

And the Hornets made me actually start caring about the NBA for the first time since Jordan retired (the first time).

Then they went on back to New Orleans and broke my heart.

Now, after a scandalous acquiring of the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City has its own NBA team, the Thunder, led by Kevin Durant and fan-favorite, Oklahoma State grad (and former Hornet) Desmond Mason.

ESPN has been talking a lot about how the Hornets will respond to the homecoming, but what will Oklahoma City do?

I'd venture to say I'm not the only person from Oklahoma City that became a die-hard Hornets fan after going to two seasons of games, getting to know the players and cheering for victories (something New Orleans hadn't seen much of before coming to the City). Although I like the Thunder, I'll probably always be a bigger Hornets fan.

Many people in Oklahoma City still own OKC Hornets shirts and jerseys and still cheer for the Hornets. Because of that and what I've already mentioned, many people—including me—will be cheering against the home team.

So what does that do? Will it spark a Hornets-Thunder rivalry? And what if (by a miracle of heaven) the Thunder beat the Hornets? Are the fans in Oklahoma City happy? Sad? Confused?

Don't get me wrong—I love my hometown Thunder. But I loved the Hornets first.

For another native OKC fan's perspective, who will be cheering for the Thunder despite loving the Hornets, read this article.

The Bye Week Blues: What to Watch While You Wait

SportMonk — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:03:59 -0500

Well, college football fans, it's Rivalry Week. The matchups available to us will be some of the best of the year, all in one day. Many can't wait to pack the stadiums and cheer their team to victory.

Some of us will have to wait until next week.

Nebraska, whose most prized rivalry was heartlessly murdered by the addition of those silly Texas teams into the Big 8, is 7-4 and has an extra week to prepare for Colorado on the Friday after Turkey Day.

Most of us Nebraska fans wish we could be gearing up for OU-Nebraska with title hopes hanging in the balance, like the good ol' days, instead.

But we've got the bye week blues, and we're certainly not the only ones.

But college football fans, just because your team doesn't play for another notch in the win column Saturday doesn't mean college football doesn't go on happening.

Here are the five best games we should watch as we wait patiently for next week and the next chance to cheer on our own teams again. I'll even tell you who to root for.

5. No. 14 BYU at No. 7 Utah

Both teams fight to legitimize their claim to a BCS bowl. However, in my mind, no non-BCS team has a "legitimate" claim to playing in a top bowl until they line up to play the big boys for 12 games a year.

Utah could possibly be competitive in a conference like the SEC or the Big 12, but stick BYU in the Big 12 and they finish seventh or eighth.

The winner is essentially guaranteed a spot in an at-large bowl since everyone else they've played has been cupcakes.

I'll be rooting for both teams to lose. BCS busters annoy me.

4. Mississippi at No. 18 LSU

Houston Nutt has had immediate results with Ole Miss, and LSU is reeling from the loss to top-ranked Alabama last week.

This game will be exciting because the SEC has the best defenses in college football this year and is second only to the Big Ten in the potential for high-ranked teams to be knocked off by lowly, unranked ones.

Houston Nutt screwed over my good friend Dan Bailey, now the kicker at Oklahoma State, with his recruiting scandals at Arkansas. Nutt now coaches the school Eli Manning played for. Manning beat Nebraska in a bowl matchup in 2002 and then went to the pros and beat my Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. That means Ole Miss is evil (somehow).

Current Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini served as defensive coordinator for two years with the LSU Tigers, helping them win the national championship last year. But LSU head coach Les Miles screwed over Oklahoma State like a Southern Rich Rod, taking the LSU job after swearing allegiance to the Cowboys.

Still, cheer for LSU to win this one. Ole Miss has committed more evils.

3. Michigan at No. 10 Ohio State

"The Game" lacks its usual luster this year, as aforementioned Rich Rod guides this Wolverines team to their worst record in Michigan's rich history. I bet he's wishing Mike Hart hadn't graduated right about now.

Ohio State has been playing well the last couple of weeks and holds a four-game win streak over the Wolverines. Will they make it five?

However, Ohio State's Maurice Clarett in 2002 made me want to punch people in the face. He singlehandedly brought down any chance I would cheer for Ohio State to win a game.

In 1997, the Nebraska Cornhuskers should have been the undisputed best team in the country and taken home both national championship trophies. Instead, stupid ol' Michigan, with a weaker schedule and fewer displays of dominance, laid claim to a share of the title just because they're Michigan and the voters like them.

Nebraska got the last laugh, however, beating Michigan 32-28 in the 2005 Alamo Bowl, handing Michigan their first five-loss season in 21 years and beginning the decline of the program that has since culminated in Rich Rod's horrendous start with the Wolverines.

If they both could lose, I'd be happy. Still, Maurice Clarett was six years ago. I'll be cheering for the Buckeyes.

2. No. 15 Michigan State at No. 8 Penn State

The two teams will battle for control of their own destinies, a Big Ten title, and an automatic bid to a BCS bowl. If Michigan pulls a win over Ohio State out of nowhere, the winner of this matchup wins the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance.

If Ohio State wins and Penn State wins, Penn State takes the title and the bowl appearance.

I hold nothing against Michigan State. I have no reason to cheer against them. Their logo is pretty cool, and they've played great football.

Who can hold a candle to JoePa? The man's been coaching longer than my grandparents have been married. And he hasn't just trudged along (much like Bobby Bowden has the last few seasons 'til now). He's won games.

As for Penn State the team? I don't really have a feeling either way.

A USC/Oregon State against Michigan State/Penn State/Ohio State matchup would be pretty interesting to watch in the Rose Bowl, so whoever wins, wins.

1. No. 2 Texas Tech at No. 5 Oklahoma

This game excites me. Oklahoma has bounced back strong after the loss to Texas to dominate their opponents. Texas Tech beat Texas and Oklahoma State in back-to-back weeks and finishes the schedule from hell Saturday in Norman, Okla.

With three Big 12 teams in the Top Five, I don't have to worry about one knocking the whole conference out of national championship contention.

A Texas Tech win solidifies the Red Raiders atop the Big 12 South and sends them to Kansas City, where Missouri poses little threat along the path to the national championship.

An Oklahoma win throws a wrench in the system, but Oklahoma would still have to beat Oklahoma State next week to stay alive in contention.

Nebraska played Tech close and was an interception away from beating them in overtime. Nebraska was killed by Oklahoma, but I love Oklahoma fans.

This is no contest for me: I'll be cheering on Oklahoma.

Honorable mentions:

No. 20 Pittsburgh at No. 19 Cincinnati, Stanford at California

So watch and cheer and enjoy. Your bye week blues will be gone come Sunday morning.

Husker Athletics Make Academics Top Priority

SportMonk — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:06:50 -0500

*courtesy of the Daily Nebraskan

(Check out this article I co-wrote with another guy on the sports desk about the Nebraska athletic program's commitment to academics.)

From his first year on campus, Tom Osborne has made academics a major priority in Nebraska athletics.

In 1962, under the direction of legendary football coach Bob Devaney, NU's current athletic director was asked to oversee a "rowdy" group of football players and help them pass their classes, marking the beginning of an era that held academics a key priority.

...

Read the full article here.

Is Bo Pelini Nebraska's Bob Stoops?

SportMonk — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:12:32 -0500

Bob Stoops and Bo Pelini.

You have to admit, if you examine the similarities, it gets eerie.

But let me start from the beginning.

Both men grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from the same high school, Cardinal Mooney High (Stoops in 1978, Pelini in 1986).

Both men were defensive players in the secondary for Big Ten schools (Stoops at Iowa, Pelini at Ohio State), where both men got marketing degrees.

Both men began their coaching careers as graduate assistants at Iowa under Hayden Fry, several years apart.

After Iowa, Stoops coached in college football as a defensive coach under Bill Snyder at Kansas State and under Steve Spurrier at Florida. Then Stoops was hired as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma in 1999.

After Iowa, Pelini coached quarterbacks at Cardinal Mooney for a season, then started a successful coaching stint in the NFL with the 49ers (two years, and Super Bowl XXIX victory), Patriots (three years) and Packers (three years). Then Pelini was defensive coordinator under Frank Solich at Nebraska in 2003.

Solich was fired at the end of that season and most speculated Nebraska would offer the head coach job to Pelini. We should have, but at the time we had a moron as an athletic director who passed over Pelini and hired Bill Callahan.

So Pelini coached with Stoops at Oklahoma in 2004 as co-defensive coordinator. Then he spent two years as Les Miles' defensive coordinator at LSU. Nebraska cleaned house of Pederson (athletic director) and Callahan (head coach) and Tom Osborne, interim athletic director, offered him the head coach job.

Both men got their first head coaching jobs at Big 12 schools.

Oklahoma had endured the worst stretch in its storied history, going 12-22 in three consecutive losing seasons under John Blake, before hiring Stoops in 1999.

Nebraska had suffered through one of the most frustratingly bad stretches in its storied history, going a dismal 27-22 in four seasons (two losing seasons) under Bill Callahan (not to mention blatant murder of many traditions), before hiring Pelini in 2008.

Stoops used his younger brother, Mike, as co-defensive coordinator on his staff at Oklahoma. Pelini currently has his older brother, Carl, as the defensive coordinator on his staff at Nebraska.

Both men are defensive-minded and came into programs with defenses that had exceptional struggles.

Oklahoma went 7-5 under Stoops his first season with their first bowl appearance in four years, then won the National Championship the very next year in 2000.

Nebraska should finish 8-4 this year if nothing goes wrong the next couple of weeks. We're already bowl eligible after missing the cut two of the last four years.

With all of their similarities, could Pelini guide Nebraska back into the hunt for the National Championship next season like Stoops did at Oklahoma?

That Makes 20: Nebraska Extends Home Win Streak over Kansas

SportMonk — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:05:47 -0500

The Kansas Jayhawks still have not won at Memorial Stadium since 1968, as Nebraska extended its home win streak over Kansas to 20 games with a 45-35 win Saturday.

And now we're going bowling.

Nebraska nabbed its sixth win of the season, making the Huskers bowl eligible and propelling them to second in the Big 12 North race. Missouri would have to lose both of its remaining regular season games for Nebraska to make the conference championship, assuming Nebraska wins out, and I don't see Iowa State beating Missouri, but Kansas might.

Last week I outlined some pointers for success against Kansas, on offense and defense. Let's take a look at how it panned out.

Offense

*Bring Consistent Play

The Huskers showed up to play Saturday. They found a good rhythm and stuck to it.

When plagued with penalties or difficulties on offense, Nebraska has quit and refused to keep fighting in previous games, but didn't Saturday. They brushed it off and played for the next possession.

Consistency was a big part of the win. Nebraska held the ball for 34 minutes and 46 seconds, a vindicating number for the offense's consistent play.

*Protect Joe Ganz

Poor ol' Ganzy had been rattled pretty bad against Oklahoma the week before and needed some time to sit in the pocket and think things out.

Overall, the offensive line did a good job ensuring he had time. Ganz threw 324 yards—his eighth time throwing for over 300 yards in his 12 starts—along with three touchdowns and one interception.

He wasn't hurried too often and was able to make smart decisions and lead Nebraska to its highest scoring day since the first game of the season against Western Michigan.

*Capitalize on the Run Game

Boy, did they. The coaches finally figured out that Marlon Lucky doesn't have what it takes anymore (I'll later discuss why he could have made a decent quarterback) and put in Quentin Castille and Roy Helu, Jr.

The backfield managed 167 yards, fueled by Helu's 115 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries (7.2 yards per carry). The true sophomore leaped over defenders and wowed the crowd with a 52-yard burst for a touchdown near the beginning of the fourth.

Like I've been saying since last season, Helu is the future (and now, thank God, the present) of Nebraska's run game.

Defense

*Disrupt Kansas' Rhythm

Nebraska did a good job to shake up the Jayhawks. Kansas seemed pretty comfortable in the first half, taking Nebraska into halftime tied at 14.

In the second half, Nebraska stepped up to the plate and gave Kansas all they had. The defense frustrated and flustered Kansas' offense and Nebraska's scorers moved the ball methodically and intelligently down the field against Kansas' defense.

If Kansas was comfortable in the first two quarters, they were dazed and confused in the last two.

*Pressure Reesing

Nebraska's defense sacked Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing five times and would have had six if he hadn't grounded the ball intentionally at nose tackle Ndamukong Suh's feet.

Reesing completed only 50 percent of his passes (15-for-30) and usually had little time to let go of the ball before Nebraska's defensive line got to him. The defense did exactly what they had to do to slow Kansas' prolific offense and give Ganz and company a chance to get the win.

*Shut Down Kansas' Run Game

The Jayhawks only managed 118 yards rushing, forcing them to become a one-dimensional offense. This was exactly what Nebraska needed.

Granted, Kansas running back Jake Sharp had a couple of impressive runs, but Nebraska made sure the ball wound up in Reesing's hands much more often than Sharp's. This made Kansas beatable (when they weren't throwing to Nebraska corner Anthony West's side).

Much to my amazement, Nebraska did a couple of other things as well to secure a victory over Kansas that I feel warrant mentioning.

Explored the Playbook

To start off the scoring for the game, running back Marlon Lucky tossed his fourth career passing touchdown to tight end Mike McNeill. Lucky is 4-for-6, throwing 69 yards for four touchdowns. Impressive numbers if you ask me.

On 2nd-and-goal from the Kansas two-yard line in the fourth quarter, nose tackle Ndamukong Suh lined up at fullback and caught a wide-open touchdown pass from Ganz. It was Suh's second career touchdown after he returned an interception against San Diego State.

With less than five minutes to play, Nebraska faced 4th-and-8 at the Kansas 20 and lined up for a field goal. The place-kick holder flipped the ball back to kicker Alex Henry, who took off for a nine-yard gain and a first down that led to a crucial touchdown.

Used Nate Swift's play-making ability

He's the best wide receiver Nebraska has ever had in its history, and he hardly ever gets the ball. I can draw a clear connection between the number of touches Swift gets and a win or a loss accordingly.

This game, Swift caught the ball seven times and turned it into 111 yards and a touchdown. That's almost 16-yards per catch. Tell me again why we don't pass the ball to him more?

It was a great win for Nebraska and a huge step in the right direction to restoring the program to where it belongs: in the hunt for the national championship.

We're 6-4 and could very realistically finish 8-4, or 9-4 with a bowl victory. To me, that's not too shabby after Callahan's 27-22 four-year reign of terror.

Coach Bo Pelini, without a doubt, is the answer Nebraska needed.

Snow Games: THAT'S Where College Football Lives

SportMonk — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:54:42 -0500

Oct. 21, 2006: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 17 Nebraska at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.

The Huskers were playing the game of the season against the Longhorns in Colt McCoy's freshman year (he wasn't completing 78 percent of his passes yet) and Nebraska's offense was on a roll.

Texas led the game 19-14. Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor pitched the ball back to running back Marlon Lucky, who wound up and threw a 25-yard pass to wide receiver Nate Swift for a touchdown.

A two-point conversion attempt failed, but the Huskers led 20-19 with under five minutes left in the game.

The crowd was going absolutely crazy. We were beating Texas at home and held a very legitimate shot at taking the Big 12 North crown.

And the defense held. The Longhorns lost three net yards on their ensuing possession and punted back to Nebraska with two-and-a-half minutes left.

We were already plotting our path down to the field to storm when it was all over. Everyone was on their feet, cheering and going crazy. It was an amazing moment to be a Husker fan. It still gives me chills.

Then, just ever so slightly, it started. Then a little more came. Then it started to cover the field. It was the first snow of the year. At the peak moment of the game.

It was perfect.

Even though Texas got the ball back—on a fluke fumble—and kicked a field goal as the clock ran out to win the game, how can you beat snow games?

Aren't snow games what college football is all about? Here in the North, the last few games are always really cold and every once in a while you'll get lucky and get that one, beautiful snow game.

Emotions run higher. It's colder, so receivers have to work harder for catches, quarterbacks have to work harder for throws and running backs have to step up in the gap and make the plays to keep the offense rolling.

The snow brings out the very essence of college football. It separates the boys from the men.

The forecasts say it's supposed to snow at some point during Nebraska's game tomorrow against Kansas. The snow, along with weeding out the unworthy, also keeps fair-weather fans looking for fairer weather.

True Nebraska fans will show up to cheer on their teams with big, warm coats with big, red 'N's on them and blankets, scarves, hats, and gloves that all add to the Sea of Red.

I challenge you to tell me college football in the snow is not as good as it gets.

Nebraska-Kansas: A Look Ahead and a Look Behind

SportMonk — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:43:17 -0500

Husker fans don't want to look back on the Kansas game from last year. I sure don't. But I think it's important to see what we did wrong against Kansas last year so we can know what do right for Saturday's game.

Last season Kansas rolled over the Huskers, 76-39, as the Jayhawks marched to 9-0 and were ranked No. 8 in the country. It was the most points Nebraska's defense had ever allowed in 117 years of football.

Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing picked Nebraska's defense apart, completing 73 percent of his passes for 354 yards and six touchdowns (no interceptions).

On the other side of the coin, Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz, starting his first game for the Huskers after previous starter Sam Keller was injured against Texas, did not have a great day. He gained 405 passing yards and tossed four touchdowns, but he completed only 50 percent of his passes and threw four interceptions.

In short, the Huskers just looked bad. Nebraska would go on to shatter the record for points allowed in a season for the program, while Kansas broke several records and beat Nebraska for only the second time in 39 seasons.

...

Wow, that was depressing to drudge back up.

Fortunately, Nebraska is no longer the team from last season. We have a new coach, a new philosophy, and a new attitude.

Also fortunate is the fact that Kansas is not the same team either. The Jayhawks have struggled to continue their success after a brilliant season last year, and they are certainly beatable. South Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech laid out a sure game plan for Nebraska to beat Kansas.

The Huskers need this win. Victory makes them bowl-eligible and gives them momentum to finish 8-4 this season and set a solid foundation for Pelini to build on for next season.

Here are some keys for Nebraska to beat Kansas on Saturday.

Bring consistent play

The team that nearly beat Texas Tech in overtime was not the team I watched get embarrassed in Norman. Nebraska knows how to play to win but doesn't always do it. If the Huskers hope to beat the Jayhawks, their play has to be consistent.

Protect Joe Ganz

The Sooners showed us what happens when Ganz gets frazzled. The offensive line must protect Ganz so he has time to make intelligent throws and not make mistakes. Ganz played very poorly against Kansas last season, so he might have a slow start confidence-wise, but after he makes a few key plays he'll be back in the game.

Capitalize on the run game

Nebraska hasn't run the ball too well this season so far—not until last weekend. Roy Helu Jr. provided the Huskers with some needed offensive gains later in the game by breaking a few nice runs. It's something I'm not used to seeing from a Husker team since I came here to college.

The coaches need to realize that Lucky can no longer play at the level we need him to. Helu is our future, and we need to put the ball in his hands.

Taking pressure off Joe Ganz and the passing game is the best thing the play-callers can do to ensure Nebraska is successful. Let Helu run the ball and bench Lucky—and certainly don't put it in fumble-happy Quentin Castille's hands.

The defensive game plan is a flip of the offensive one.

Disrupt Kansas' rhythm

When Kansas hasn't been ready to play this season, they haven't played well. Nebraska has to keep Kansas from finding a rhythm on offense and defense. When Kansas is on the wrong foot, Nebraska will have better opportunities to score or stop the Jayhawks.

Pressure Reesing

Just like Ganz, Reesing seems to lock up when he's pressured. Tech did it, South Florida did it, and Oklahoma did it. So can we. If our boys on the D-line can rush Reesing, he'll make bad throws or, better yet, take a sack and give Nebraska's defense momentum.

Shut down Kansas' run game

Granted, it isn't too big this year, but the run game takes pressure off the passing game like in any other offense. If Nebraska keeps Kansas from being able to run effectively, they turn the Jayhawks into a one-dimensional team—and a one-dimensional team is much easier to stop than a two-dimensional team.

Nebraska has a very good chance to beat Kansas on Saturday and a great chance to make something great out of this season. Bo is doing good work, and a victory over Kansas would support that.

Nebraska really needs this win, and if they do those things Saturday, they'll get it.

Texas-Texas Tech, By the Numbers

SportMonk — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:55:58 -0500

In the most exciting college football game so far this season, Texas Tech shocked the top-ranked Longhorns. But the victory is no longer the big news.

The numbers are.

To those people who don't think the Big 12 is one of the most powerful conferences this year, simply examine Texas' numbers over the last four games: against then-No. 1 Oklahoma (now BCS No. 6), then-No. 11 Missouri (now BCS No. 14), then-No. 6 Oklahoma State (now BCS No. 9) and finally Saturday's matchup against then-No. 7 Texas Tech (now BCS No. 2).

If these numbers don't accurately show how tremendously impressive Tech's victory over the Longhorns was, there will be no convincing you.

Rushing

Over the previous three games, Texas had averaged 159 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. This average, I must remind you, was against three top-11 teams.

Over the first eight games, Texas averaged 183 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry.

Against Texas Tech, the Longhorns only managed 80 rushing yards and 2.9 yards per carry.

Defense

Over the previous three games, Texas' defense allowed right at 400 yards of total offense per game and 31.3 points per game. This includes the offense that put up 45, 58 and 62 in the three weeks since their meeting (Oklahoma); another offense that put up 58 the week after losing to Texas (Missouri); and the offense that put up 56, 28 (against then-No. 3 Missouri), 34 and 59 in the games surrounding their matchup with Texas (Oklahoma State). Texas snagged three interceptions and one fumble recovery against the previous three opponents.

Against Texas Tech, the Red Raiders put up 579 yards of total offense and scored 39 points. The Red Raiders only turned the ball over once on a fumble.

3rd down efficiency

Over the previous three games, Texas was 27-39 on third down, converting almost 70 percent of the time.

Against Texas Tech, Texas was 4-12, converting only 33 percent of third downs.

Sacks

Texas' defense had 29 sacks on the season, an average of 3.6 per game.

Against Texas Tech, the Longhorns managed to sack Harrell only once. Tech sacked McCoy four times and caused him to fumble eight yards behind the line of scrimmage, but Texas recovered for a 5-yard loss.

Points per game

Over the previous three games, Texas averaged 43 points per game and 45.6 points per game over the whole season.

Against Texas Tech, the Longhorns only managed 33 points after a scoreless first quarter for UT, the first time this season Texas didn't score in the first 15 minutes, and no touchdowns in the first half, the first time this season.

Colt McCoy

Over the previous three games, the former, nearly unanimous, Heisman favorite put up almost unprecedented numbers. McCoy was 95 of 112, completing nearly 85 percent of his passes. He averaged 335 passing yards per game and threw five touchdowns against only one interception in those previous three games. McCoy also averaged 31.7 rushing yards per game over that stretch.

Against Texas Tech, McCoy only completed 59 percent of his passes (20-34) and had only 294 yards passing, 16 yards rushing and two touchdowns against one interception that was returned for a Tech score.

The numbers don't lie. The previous three games for Texas were not powder-puff matchups like Washington State, Arizona and Washington (like overrated USC's schedule)—they were against elite teams with elite offenses in an elite conference.

And yes, it was an impressive display by Tech to beat Texas. But if you don't realize the impact the game had, based on these numbers, you don't fully realize how incredible Texas Tech really played.

If you're wondering how Tech jumped from No. 7 to No. 2, I just told you how.

Monk's Trip to Norman for Nebraska-Oklahoma: Thoughts on the Contending Sooners

SportMonk — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:52:48 -0500

As a Husker fan who grew up in Oklahoma, this game has a special place in my heart. OU is tied with Oklahoma State as my second-favorite team, so I can appreciate the Sooners doing well.

I went to the game with my parents (Dad's a Sooner, Mom's a Husker) and a good friend who's an OU fan. When Joe Ganz took that very first snap and looked to his left, I turned to my friend and said, "Pick Six." Then the Oklahoma defender intercepted the ball and brought it into the end zone to put the Sooners up big early.

Then Ganz gave up mentally. It wasn't until Nebraska found a little success in the running game (really? That's new) that Ganz showed up to make a couple throws again.

I knew the game was gonna be rough for me. Oklahoma is amazing this year and Nebraska has been struggling this season. It was still fun because of the rivalry history and my inner struggle between my home state and my favorite team.

Despite the loss to Texas in the Red River Shootout, I still think Oklahoma is a contender. Of course, much will have to be proven in a couple of weeks when OU has to play Texas Tech—and the Bedlam game in Stillwater will probably be the biggest game in the history of that rivalry.

Oklahoma's offense is amazing. Sam Bradford was completely protected behind Oklahoma's front seven and had all the time in the world to make throws. He continues to build a case for himself for Heisman.

The receivers he has to throw to are so quick, and the tandem of running backs really helps alleviate pressure from the passing game (not that it ever needs it).

Oklahoma's defense hasn't been talked about much this season, but they played extremely well Saturday. Granted, it was against Nebraska (I love my team, but I can admit when we play terribly), but the pressure they put on the Huskers showed some maturity and an ability to move on after Ryan Reynolds' injury.

The atmosphere at Owen Field is unique unto itself. Even though the "Boomer! Sooner!" can be annoying to fans not wearing crimson, one has to admire the fervor of the fans.

The fans are also extremely gracious. I haven't encountered any fans as sportsmanlike and hospitable (outside of Lincoln, of course) as the Sooner fans. The woman and her son that sat next to my friend and me were really funny and friendly.

I would say an overwhelming majority of Sooner fans were even supportive of Nebraska to some degree—or at least supportive of us visiting Husker fans.

During halftime, there was a special homecoming for the 1971 "Game of the Century" OU and Nebraska players and coaches. I was impressed that Johnny Rodgers and Tom Osborne were met by standing ovations from OU fans.

I love Oklahoma.

I think OU has a good chance to still do some great things this season. A rematch in a BCS bowl with Boise State is certainly a game I'm dying to see. Or some really crazy stuff could happen, and OU could make the trip to the Big 12 Championship. They just have to beat Tech in a couple of weeks and O-State after that.

Overall, I really enjoyed my trip to Norman. I might have liked it better if Nebraska had won, but you can't win them all, right Texas?

Oklahoma-Nebraska: The Greatest Rivalry Ever Forgotten

SportMonk — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:52:18 -0400

I contend that the great rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Nebraska Cornhuskers is the greatest in all of college football and one of the greatest in all of sports.

The great rivalry began Nov. 23, 1912. Saturday marks the 84th meeting of the teams in a series that OU leads, 43-37-3. However, the series has seen long streaks of dominance from both teams.

From the first in 1912 to 1942, Nebraska won or tied all but three games. From 1943 to 1958, the Sooners (under Bud Wilkinson) responded by winning every game. From 1971 to 1976, both teams were ranked in the top 10 before the matchup, and seven times during the 1980s the Big Eight Conference title was decided by the OU-Nebraska game.

Finally, from 1991-2000 (right before, during, and right after the formation of the Big 12 and the discontinuance of the annual series), Nebraska won seven straight meetings, capped by spectacular wins in 1996 (73-21) and 1997 (69-7).

The rivalry was a big part of my life, growing up. My mom grew up in Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska. My dad grew up in Oklahoma and went to OU for med school.

I remember watching bits and pieces of OU-Nebraska games as a child and wondering why sometimes Daddy was happy and Mommy was sad, and other times Mommy was happy and Daddy was sad.

In school, most of my friends were OU fans (but I love you, too, O-State fans) and I was one of a small handful of Husker fans in the state. When it came time to choosing colleges, I passed over OU and applied to OSU and Nebraska. I went with my heart and chose Nebraska. I'll probably end up going to OU for grad school, if I choose to do so, because its journalism building is like a goddess of beauty.

Those OU-Nebraska games' memories from my childhood never left. I understand the importance of a healthy rivalry and am amazed at the amount of respect both sides' fans hold for each other. When the teams would play, it was almost like a friendly (but warring) family reunion for the fans.

It is that lack of burning hatred for the other side that makes this rivalry different.

I respect Oklahoma fans, and I know they respect me. I respect the Sooners, and they respect my Huskers. I don't have a desire to run over Sooner fans with my car like some Wolverines wish they could run over Buckeyes. And, even though I understand Nebraska is likely to be murdered Saturday, I'm still looking forward to going because I love Norman and I love seeing the Sooners succeed (yes, even sometimes at the expense of my Huskers).

I present to you some of the top games from this series and a few that are personal favorites of mine.

OCT. 31, 1959: No. 19 Oklahoma at Nebraska

With just one win all season in 1957 and only three more in 1958, the Huskers (who started 2-4 in '59) seemed unlikely to defeat Wilkinson’s Sooners, who were going into the game with a 74-game conference winning streak.

Not surprisingly, OU took an early, 7-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, the Huskers scored on a fourth-down fake play and missed the extra point, drawing to within one. The Huskers scored again on a blocked field goal recovery to lead, 12-7. The Sooners responded to take a halftime lead of 14-12.

Nebraska quarterback Harry Tolly led the Huskers on a 13-7 run in the second half as the Huskers held off the powerhouse Sooners, 25-21.

Winner: Nebraska

"The Game of the Century"—NOV. 25, 1971: No. 1 Nebraska at No. 2 Oklahoma

On Thanksgiving Day, Johnny Rogers struck first on a 72-yard punt return to put the Huskers ahead early, 7-0. For most of the game, the teams scored back and forth. The Sooners scored midway through the fourth quarter to go up, 31-28.

An impressive five-and-a-half-minute, 74-yard drive by Nebraska to respond was capped off by the fourth rushing touchdown of the day for Huskers running back Jeff Kinney. Nebraska's "Blackshirts" defense went on to hold the Sooners and win, 35-31, taking the Big Eight title and the Huskers' 21st consecutive victory (30 without a loss) for Bob Devaney’s dynasty. Nebraska went on to win the national championship.

Dave Kindred of The Louisville Courier-Journal wrote of the epic tilt, "They can quit playing now—they have played the perfect game."

Winner: Nebraska

NOV. 11, 1978: No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 4 Nebraska

Nebraska scored on two Oklahoma fumbles, capped off by Billy Todd’s 34-yard field goal to close the game, 17-14, giving Tom Osborne his first victory over the Sooners as head coach. The Sooners fumbled nine times on the day and lost six, the last coming on the Nebraska 3-yard line at the very end of the game.

The Sooners went on to beat Nebraska, 31-10, in the rematch in the ’79 Orange Bowl that same season.

Winner: Nebraska

"The Game of the Century II"—NOV. 21, 1987: No. 1 Nebraska at No. 2 Oklahoma

The first OU-Nebraska contest in my lifetime (I was a day short of six months old) did not bode well for my Huskers. In Norman, the Sooners allowed Nebraska to cross midfield only three times during the game. OU’s tough defense held the nation’s leading scoring offense to only 235 total yards, very shy of Nebraska’s 524 average. OU won, 17-7.

Winner: Oklahoma

OCT. 28, 2000: No. 1 Nebraska at No. 2 Oklahoma

Nebraska was rolling and seemed unbeatable, led by future Heisman Trophy-winner Eric Crouch. Fans around the country were anticipating another classic No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup from the greatest rivalry in college football.

The Huskers traveled to Norman and scored on their first two possessions, causing many to think the game would be a runaway victory for the top-ranked Cornhuskers.

However, the Huskers did not score again as an impressive Sooner team, led by Heisman-should-have-been Josh Heupel, rolled to a 31-14 decisive victory that led to the Sooners' first national championship in 15 years.

Winner: Oklahoma

OCT. 27, 2001: No. 2 Oklahoma at No. 3 Nebraska

Nebraska was out for revenge for the loss in Norman the year before. The Sooners were seeking to repeat as national champions, but Nebraska was hoping to get there instead.

Nebraska head coach Frank Solich was looking to prove himself after taking control when coaching great Tom Osborne retired. The game proved to be a classic—and my personal favorite.

The Huskers defeated the Sooners at home, 20-10, capped by a trick pass from Mike Stuntz to Heisman-winner Eric Crouch for a touchdown—the same play OU had tried and failed with Nate Hybl.

Winner: Nebraska

OCT. 29, 2005: Oklahoma at Nebraska

My first experience in person with the OU-Nebraska rivalry was unfortunately the first time the Sooners won in Lincoln since the year I was born. It was also the first time in decades neither team was ranked.

Adrian Peterson carried the Sooners to a 24-3 lead, seemingly putting the game away. The Huskers responded by scoring three of the game's next four touchdowns, pulling to within one score at 31-24, but they could not overcome the superior Sooners team. My first time in historic Memorial Stadium, the Huskers fell by the 31-24 margin.

Winner: Oklahoma

Big 12 Championship—DEC. 2, 2006: No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 19 Nebraska

At the beginning of 2006, each team was favored to win its respective division and meet in the conference championship. Throughout the season, however, both teams seemed to falter, and it appeared neither would be going to Kansas City.

But, through a series of crazy events, both teams backed in to the game to meet in Arrowhead Stadium. Zac Taylor, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, played very poorly and Oklahoma's defense played solid all game, picking off Taylor three different times—two of which led to Oklahoma scores.

Oklahoma also forced Nebraska to fumble the ball twice, setting up the last Sooner touchdown to seal a 21-7 victory. Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly had 10 snags for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

Winner: Oklahoma

This Saturday's matchup is most likely not going to become one of the great OU-Nebraska games. The No. 4 Sooners host the unranked Huskers and, short of a miracle in which Nebraska's defense keeps Sam Bradford from ever throwing, will likely roll to a resounding victory.

But I'll still be at the game with my Nebraska-fan mom and Sooner-fan dad, cheering on my Huskers because there is no rivalry in college football like Oklahoma-Nebraska.

I invite comments from Huskers, Sooners, Michigan-Ohio State enthusiasts and anyone else that might think I'm dead wrong. I value your opinions!

Note: The history portion is touched-up from an article I wrote my freshman year of college as a preview for the Big 12 Championship matchup.

Error Free: Give Your Editors Some Love

SportMonk — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:31:16 -0400

Have you ever had one of those days? Your mind goes numb as you sit at the keyboard trying to figure out what to write. Your ideas are still flowing like they always do, but your fingers don't translate accurately.

Or maybe you just never did well with grammar and spelling in high school.

Either way, you write nonetheless, pouring out your heart for others to read and enjoy. Your team is the best in the country and you want everyone to know it, even if the team's record doesn't necessarily reflect their apparent dominance.

So you type and try to make sure you catch the inherent mistakes that come from writing. But you don't always catch everything.

Maybe it was a misplaced comma. Maybe you spelled "BCS" wrong. Maybe you left out a word so you accidentally said, "O.J. Found Guilty."

Who's always there, watching your back? Who moves that comma, who changes "BPS," who adds the "not" to make sure you're not libelous?

Editors.

They read the AP Stylebook (the most current edition, of course) every night before they go to bed. They walk around town with markers to correct grammatical mistakes on drive-thru signs and in store windows...or maybe not. But they fix things and improve writing, which makes them more important than we often realize.

We have a "Pick of the Day" and a five-star system to rate each other's writing. B/R, I want to know what we can do for our editors.

For now, I want to do my part to recognize the people behind the scenes that make everything we do here on B/R run a little more smoothly.

There's a specific editor I have in mind that has watched my back, cleaned up my writing, and made my stories flow better. He's always improved what I've written, but never failed to tell me what he liked or encourage me.

Mosang Miles edits college football and college basketball and does a darn good job at it. I'm sure I'm not the only one whose mistakes he's caught and writing he's improved.

Jeff Gorman has also edited a few of my articles—and a large portion of the entire site—and also deserves a big thank you.

So give a shout-out to your editors today. Tell them that you appreciate their hard work. Give them a pat on the back. Send them a handful of cash.

And oh yeah, bug B/R about making something up to honor or rate or appreciate our editors.

On behalf of writers everywhere: We love you, editors.

Monk Prophesies the Prayers for College Football Week Nine

SportMonk — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:42:37 -0400

(For additional background, please read my write-up on Sports as a Religion.)

As members of the Holy Church of College Football offer up their prayers to the Powers That Be for Saturday's games, our temples are being prepared for worship and our deities are readying themselves for most-honorable battle.

But alas, my children, not all the prayers that are offered up to the Powers That Be will be heard. They are very select with whom they choose to hear. Some will be rewarded with victory, while others face the shame of defeat.

As a humble monk of the Religion of Sport, I offer up to you my prophecy of which prayers will be heard and which are ignored.

Illinois at Wisconsin

One disappointment must beat the other disappointment. It's unfortunate that both couldn't lose together to continue their disappointing seasons, but Illinois will emerge victorious and possibly salvage something from a disappointing season.

Illinois: prayer heard.

No. 8 Texas Tech at No. 19 Kansas

A surprisingly intriguing matchup, to say the least. Texas Tech is (somehow) ranked in the top 10, where Kansas was thought to belong if they had found a way to beat South Florida. But Tech was nearly beaten by a rebuilding Nebraska team in overtime and went into halftime down to an awful Texas A&M team.

Kansas hasn't been overly impressive yet and can't seem to rediscover that magic from last season. But Kansas will pull off the "upset" only because they're the stronger team.

Texas Tech: prayer ignored.

Baylor at Nebraska

I'm assuming no one but me cares about this game. But I'll be there Saturday, cheering on my Huskers and seeing Baylor for the second week in a row (after my trip to Stillwater last week). Nebraska comes out on top and gains momentum for the rest of the season. Thanks again for the boost, Baylor.

Nebraska: prayer heard.

No. 4 Oklahoma at Kansas State

The Sooners are rolling after a tough loss to the top-ranked Longhorns, coming off a strong win over Kansas last weekend. Kansas State is...sub-par, to say the least. Some have called this a trap game, but Oklahoma keeps on rolling to another victory.

Kansas State: prayer ignored.

UCLA at California

Neither team has produced much this year as both programs hope to bounce back soon. UCLA is south of .500 but is past most of their largest obstacles. Cal is looking to break back into contention with a win but is on the verge of beginning a tough stretch against Oregon, USC, and Oregon State. California wins to gain necessary momentum.

UCLA: prayer ignored.

Virginia Tech at No. 24 Florida State

The Seminoles are showing signs of life as Beamer Ball appears to be sputtering out. Florida State has much to prove, and Va Tech just wants to get it over with. Florida State wins to stay in the top 25.

Florida State: prayer heard.

Michigan State at Michigan

Rich Rodriguez is still being punished for abandoning the state of West Virginia in such an unholy manner. Maybe the Michigan job isn't so glamorous after all. This one's a no-brainer. Home field advantage for Michigan is now nonexistent.

Michigan State: prayer heard.

Colorado at No. 16 Missouri

Reeling from consecutive losses to superior teams, the Tigers will be out for blood. A win for Colorado rejuvenates their season and throws the Big 12 North into a frenzy. Unfortunately for the Buffaloes, they haven't yet figured out their quarterback situation and are as vulnerable as ever to the fury of Chase Daniel and Missouri. The Buffs will get pounded in Columbia.

Colorado: prayer ignored.

Ole Miss at Arkansas

With several near-upsets following the big one over Florida, Ole Miss is looking to get a solid win. Arkansas is looking for a solid anything—but they won't find it against the Rebels.

Ole Miss: prayer heard.

Texas A&M at Iowa State

If you could offer up a worse game, I would reward you handsomely. The two scrapping for the bottom of America's strongest conference are equally faced with a must-win situation. Two first-year head coaches look to salvage something they can use to rebuild for next year. Unfortunately for the Aggies, Iowa State is a little less terrible.

Iowa State: prayer heard.

Oregon at Arizona State

The Ducks look to stay alive in the Pac-10 against an atrocious Sun Devils team. Even though the game is in Tempe, the Ducks roll to remain competitive in conference.

Arizona State: prayer ignored.

No. 9 Georgia at No. 11 LSU

The Tigers haven't done everything so far this season the way they would have wanted, but neither have the Bulldogs. In any battle of SEC powers, the outcome could go either way. This time fate swings in favor of the Tigers.

LSU: prayer heard.

No. 7 Oklahoma State at No. 1 Texas

A powerful Cowboys team surges into Austin to face the top-ranked Longhorns, led by one of the country's most efficient passers, Colt McCoy. Texas magic seems to be at an all-time high, but could this best-ever OSU team pull off a tremendous upset? In a shootout, Oklahoma State falls just short of victory but will not be docked too hard by the polls, so they stay in contention.

Oklahoma State: prayer ignored.

(but I still love you, Oklahoma State)

No. 3 Penn State at No. 10 Ohio State

In the most anticipated matchup of the weekend (for anyone not in America's strongest conference, the Big 12), a great Penn State team visits the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe. Both teams have something to prove to America, but Penn State has much more to lose. Though they appear to be stronger on paper, the field proves to be the best judge, and Penn State takes its first loss.

Ohio State: prayer heard.

And my stab-in-the-dark-attempt-to-interpret-the-Powers-That-Be pick...

No. 6 USC at Arizona

There are extreme situations where the PTB step in to dish out vindication for the people. Such is the case of the overrated Trojans. After a loss to an unranked (but talented) Oregon State team, USC still managed not to drop too far and hang around near the top five. Fair? No. Ohio State certainly thinks not.

If the PTB feels the time is right to strike down the abomination that is USC, Arizona takes the victory and the upset.

Arizona: pray hard Saturday.

USC: repent. Or else.

The big winner of the weekend: No. 22 Tulsa.

The Golden Hurricane (landlocked Oklahoma team has a "hurricane" as a mascot...interesting...) have the top-ranked offense in the country and look to go 8-0. There is little left to slow them down from going 12-0 and no indication that their offense will score less than their 56.6 ppg average. UCF certainly isn't going to stop them on Sunday.

Playing good football in a horrible conference gets a fairly talented team national recognition. But just put Tulsa in the Big 12 and see how long they last. Heck, stick 'em in the Pac-10 for a week, and they'll beat USC.

Comments? Alternative prophecies?

The Most-Honored Religion of Sports

SportMonk — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:44:59 -0400

This season, Westboro Baptist has been protesting Husker games outside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Their preview for Nov. 8's matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks: "Corn Hussies vs. Gay Hawks."

The church that has been protesting at soldiers' funerals and everywhere they can stick their little noses, yelling "God hates fags" and "God hates America," is now shouting "God hates Nebraska."

The reason? Westboro claims Memorial Stadium is a temple for the worship of false gods—the Cornhuskers—and a place of devilish reveling in the sins of the flesh.

"Dumb asses will be out in droves with their little red and blue/red outfits on. Puffing their little and/or sagging chests out as they drink up their 'courage' and paint up their ugly, fat faces and follow each other like good little lemmings into the stadium to sit and watch some turds in uniform wallow in the mud like the good little pigs they are. Drinking, burping and farting towards each other as part of their neanderthalesque mating rituals. A very sick scene indeed. God hates these brutes, and continues to send them on the very wide, straight path to hell." (from godhatesfags.com/schedule)

So, in light of these...shall I say...flattering observations about me and my fellow Nebraska fans, I've decided to take Westboro at their word and explore the possibility of sports as an effective religion.

I guess Saturdays would be our day of worship here in the Denomination of College Football. We wake up early to listen to our prophets (ESPN's College GameDay) declare the future and eagerly soak in all the events of the various worship services from around the country throughout the day.

Or we're out there, visiting our "Mecca" temples to see our gods in person. We're up at dawn, making our ritualistic sacrifices of cow or pig or chicken on our grills in parking lots to beg the Powers That Be to give victory to our god-heroes.

And some worshippers, when their gods consistently lose to other gods, switch congregations to a more successful group of gods and pretend to have been worshipping those new gods for their entire lives.

Ah, this is the College Football Church of Sports.

If sports is a religion, stadiums are our temples, and athletes are our gods, then I must be a monk to that religion. This is the reason for my recent name change to the moniker "SportMonk."

I'll reside here in my abbey with my big screen HDTV with the ESPN sports package and continue to study the intricacies of my religion year-round, writing what I learn so that others may follow the path to enlightenment I found.

My children, as you prepare spiritually for Saturday's day of worship, lift up your prayers to the Powers That Be for your gods—that they may have victory on the field of conquest and bring honor to your congregation.

And may the Sports be with you. Always.