Bleacher Report - Nebraska

The Eternal Optimist: Why Nebraska Has a Shot Against Texas

Josh Klein — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:52:32 -0500

There have been a myriad of articles and fan-posts stating the absolute impossibility of Nebraska beating Texas in the Big 12 championship game.

However, I'm forced to remind the so-called "realists" what that word actually means. A realist notices all possibilities. In fact, the very definition of a realist is: "One who is inclined to literal truth and pragmatism."

Practically speaking, it seems unlikely that Nebraska can pull off this momentous upset, but not impossible, as so many people seem to think.

You see, a realist would notice that the probability of a loss grows with each game played. That's why it is so hard to go 16-0 in the NFL and why it is so hard for teams to stay undefeated in the NCAA. The facts and the data state that it simply isn't normal.

Not that Texas is normal, but bear with me for a second.

For so-called "realists" that are supposedly supporting their team by calling them out in the most negative ways, there are just a few things to consider:

Who gave Appalachian State a shot to beat Michigan?

Who gave East Carolina a chance to pull of the upset against Virginia Tech?

Or better yet, who gave those 1996 Texas Longhorns a chance, even a shot, at beating the much more talented Nebraska Cornhuskers?

Any takers?

Didn't think so.

The real kicker is that this game would be less of an upset than any three of those previously mentioned games.

In 1996 the Nebraska Cornhuskers came into the Big 12 championship game ranked third in the nation with a shot at playing in the NCAA Championship game if they could get past an unranked Texas team in St. Louis.

The Cornhuskers were heavily favored, but a fateful play on a 4th-and-2 changed everything that day. Behind a backbreaking, unthinkable 66-yard pass and an outstanding effort by Priest Holmes, the Longhorns scored the final 14 points and iced a 37-27 shocking upset over the bowl-bound Huskers.

The good thing for the Huskers is that the game is played on the field, not on paper.

There are a few factors that work in Nebraska's favor going into this weekend, and even though they may not be glaring advantages, they should not be underestimated.

For those who like statistics, consider this: Nebraska has allowed teams to score only 31 percent of the time when entering Husker territory. Not red zone scoring, but only when teams get across the 50-yard line.

That means Nebraska surrenders 1.58 points on average every time a team crosses the 50-yard line. Oklahoma crossed the 50-yard line 11 times against the Huskers and scored only three points.

While Colt McCoy is no Landry Jones, this statistic should not be underrated. It's a defensive mindset, and as many teams know, that is half the battle.

There have also been rumblings of Nebraska's lack of depth in the defensive backfield, and the fact that they can't shut down a good passing team. However, Nebraska has faced some of the top offenses in the Big 12 this season, and is still ranked fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense.

Again, to put the statistic in perspective, Nebraska's defense has faced Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Missouri in Big 12 play. Those four teams all rank in the top 20 nationally in passing offense: Texas Tech (2), Kansas (7), Missouri (15), and Oklahoma (16).

There's a statistical advantage for Nebraska in pass defense. By the way, Texas is ranked 13th nationally in passing offense, that's worse than two Nebraska opponents this season, one of which Nebraska beat.

Obviously Texas' defense is better than Kansas'. In fact, Texas has the No. 1 ranked rushing defense in the nation, and the fifth ranked total defense, something Nebraska hasn't seen this year.

However, this article isn't about the impossibilities of a Husker win, but the possibilities. The defense of Nebraska is the possibility for this Husker squad.

Nebraska is the 11th ranked total defense in the nation, while Texas is the 11th ranked total offense.

The statistics show that Nebraska may not be as far off as some may think in making this a game.

Strength of schedule has been an argument delivered by some Husker-naysayers, and that is a question. Nebraska is ranked 51st in strength of schedule, and the Longhorns hold the 31st spot. However, did you know that only .033 points separate the Huskers from the Longhorns in this statistic?

Enough of the tangible stuff. Enough of the statistics that obviously mean nothing once a team is on the field, which goes twice for SOS statistics.

There is something besides statistics that gives Nebraska a chance in this one. Some place where paper meets physicality and mental toughness meets resiliency. I'm talking about the intangibles of this team.

Sure it hasn't been pretty at times. Any Husker fan will point to the 9-7 loss to Iowa State and agree. But it has been successful. There's really no arguing that.

Nebraska goes into the Big 12 championship game having already reached their preset goal of winning the Big 12 North. No one expected them to win the Big 12, and certainly no one expected them to go to a BCS bowl.

There is no pressure for Nebraska to win this game; there are no strings attached or coaching jobs hanging in the balance.

Believe it or not, there is no winning or losing of a Heisman trophy for the Huskers in this game or surviving yet another physical game in their grueling gauntlet.

The only pressure on this team is the pride of winning one more game. This team wasn't given a chance to even win the North after the epic collapse against Texas Tech and Iowa State, but they succeeded in that. Why then, is it impossible for the Huskers to win the Big 12 championship?

Besides the opportunity to go into the Big 12 championship game with no strings attached or expectations, Nebraska also boasts a variety of players that have been either rejected or otherwise simply not pursued by the Longhorns in recruiting.

Nebraska fans saw what this sort of chip on the shoulder can do if it is handled in the right way, like earlier this season in the game against Iowa State. Iowa knows how it feels too, as they almost experienced a season-crippling loss to the University of Northern Iowa earlier in the year.

Some people may see this as a bad thing.

However, with this type of talent in the right hands, that aspect can make a team like Nebraska downright dangerous and inspired for football games such as this.

In the end though, it's finished on the field. But hold fast Husker nation, lest we forget the unpredictability of college football. There is a chance, and it is held in the belief that we can survive the battle and come away with a win.

Have faith Husker Nation, it can be done.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

Big 12 Powers That Be Will Serve Up 13-0 Longhorns to BCS Title Game

A P — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:25:31 -0500

Take the title for what it is worth.

Honestly, I don't know why we are bothering to play the Big 12 title game next Saturday night.

The outcome is a foregone conclusion, regardless of what sort of chance Nebraska may or may not actually have on the playing field when they face the Longhorns.

What makes me say this?

Reference an earlier article of mine, "Big 12 Office: Offensive linemen holding is ignored by Big 12 referees."

The University of Texas with its big money, deep pocket donors runs and owns the Big 12 conference and when they don't get their way or something doesn't work out, like the 2008 BCS title game, they whine like a small child.

This is the sort of spoiled child behavior that we can trace all the way back to before the inception of the Big 12 conference.

When it came to policy making, establishing rules and guidelines for the conference, if the University of Texas didn't get their way on every vote, they threatened to take their ball (all the TV viewers and dollars) and leave.

Remind me. What team needed a conference to join and who are they to dictate or make demands?

Tom Osborne was right about these people.

So, how does this relate to the outcome of the Big 12 title game?

Back to last year.

Remember how upset and angry the University of Texas and its fans were over missing the BCS title game in 2008?

Well, the Big 12 office will be all too happy to acquiesce to the Longhorns and serve up an undefeated Big 12 team to the BCS title game.

And it's not just about getting Texas back to the BCS Title game. This is about the Big 12 wanting to keep the conferences highest profile university with the golden boy quarterback in the national spotlight.

It's about keeping the University of Texas in the national championship picture and Colt McCoy in the Heisman race.

It's about the money that goes into the Big 12 coffers and the prestige of having its most high-profile team competing for the national championship.

How can the Big 12 office get this accomplished within the normal constraints of a supposedly fair football game?

Well, back to my earlier article.

You think the holding that you have witnessed Big 12 referees ignore for many years in offensive lines like Texas is something?

You haven't seen nothing yet.

With the University of Texas having a shot at the BCS title game being led by a quarterback in the midst of a tight Heisman Trophy race.

Just watch.

The Texas offensive line will be able to wrangle, strangle, and go WWE on the Nebraska defensive line all night long without penalty.

Oh, and if a Nebraska defender does happen to make contact with Golden Boy, out will come a personal foul flag.

Golden Boy McCoy and his Heisman race will be protected by the Big 12 office and its team of officials. They won't let a big, bad Cornhusker defensive line get in the way of McCoy, his Heisman, or the University of Texas getting to the BCS Title game.

What was a one step rule after the quarterback throws the ball, will suddenly be enforced to the degree that the Nebraska defense can hardly touch McCoy without drawing a personal foul flag for roughing the passer.

Those type of penalties are so big because they extend drives with 15 yards and a first down. They are usually back breakers. There will be a time or two, or more, when McCoy is hit in what looks like a legal manner or barely touched, and out will come a flag.

I have seen it numerous times this year and Nebraska wasn't playing an undefeated team and Heisman candidate quarterback.

It will happen. Count on it, and don't count on a Nebraska victory.

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A Boy Named (Ndamukong) Suh Should Get His Due

Tyler Dale — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:54:15 -0500

I thought that with the college football awards show coming up, it would be fitting to hype up Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh, given that he is the most dominant player in the country and yet somehow isn't getting the publicity he deserves.

And what better way to do that than by putting it to the tune of Johnny Cash's classic song, "A Boy Named Suh". And yes, I've actually been practicing this on my guitar to play for my Husker-hating friends.

Deep in the middle of the nation's heartland
stands a massive mountain of a man
it takes three men just to make him move.
He leaves lines and QBs terrified
offensive coordinators can't help but cry
When they try to stop the Boy Named Suh

Across the Big 12 they run in fear
from the man who's name means House of Spears
and the fun part is there's not a damn thing they can do.
With a wingspan that measures three miles wide
and a tenacity that never subsides
There ain't no way of stopping the Boy Named Suh

He came to Lincoln from way out west
there ain't no doubt that he's the nation's best
and I'm talking bout the boys in Florida and Texas too
he may not carry or throw the ball
but come April he'll go trump 'em all
when the draft 'rolls round they'll all want the Boy Named Suh

It's a shame the media loves the O
because every opposing coach knows
the best player in the land's helmet bears an "N"
he carries a whole state on his back
batting down passes and racking up sacks
and if he doesn't get a Heisman invite, it's a sin

the tragedy is we know he won't
because the writers are nothing but dolts
who never gives the defensive guys their due.
but the talking heads can say what they want
and when I say this I don't mean to be blunt
but the best damn player in the country is Ndamukong Suh!

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Against Texas for the Big 12 Title, The Huskers Are in Trouble

Scott Hansen — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:42:28 -0500

Nebraska fans need to be realistic. Those heading down to Arlington, Texas next weekend for the Big 12 Championship to encounter unbeaten Texas are in for a rude awakening.

Of course, a Husker shocker would be fantastic. A Husker win would make the Big 12 look more pathetic than it already is in the national frame of mind, but Nebraska beating the Longhorns on the Big 12’s grandest stage is nothing more than a long shot at best.

Nebraska’s defense, at times, has been great. Holding Oklahoma to three points in over 100 offensive snaps is admirable. But this is Texas.

Texas has the most experienced quarterback in the country in potential Heisman Trophy winner Colt McCoy.

Nebraska has faced a plethora of non-experienced signal callers the entire season. Texas has second- and third-teamers the Huskers would love to get their hands on.

Nebraska has two key true freshmen from Texas in backup quarterback Cody Green and surging running back Rex Burkhead, players that Texas didn’t want. That’s the difference in 2009 between Lincoln and Austin.

Instead of recruiting against Texas and Oklahoma for the best The Lone Star State has to offer, Nebraska gets the players Texas and Oklahoma doesn't want.

Texas is miles ahead of Nebraska. Even Oklahoma is miles ahead of the Huskers despite its 6-5 record this season, and anybody else in the Big 12 North for that matter. The Big 12 North, quite frankly, is a joke.

Nebraska’s offense is paltry. Zac Lee—another player local press such as the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star overhyped before the season even started—is not even the best quarterback in the Big 12 North.

In fact, Nebraska would have a better chance to beat Texas if Green were to get the start next Saturday due to his running ability.

True, Texas A&M scored 39 points and found some holes in the Texas defense. But the Aggies have a far better offense than Nebraska’s one-dimensional three-times-up-the-gut-and-punt attack.

If Nebraska struggles to run the football against lowly Colorado, what do you think will happen against the athletes Texas has on defense?

When kicker/punter Alex Henery is one of your best offensive weapons, Nebraska doesn’t belong on the same field as Texas.

Everybody with eyes knows Nebraska’s defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is the best defensive player in college football. Suh may even be the best Nebraska defensive player since Rich Glover, but Suh is just one man.

For as good as he is, Suh can be stopped. And if there is an offensive line in college football that would be able to handle Suh one-on-one, it’s the one that belongs to Texas. Texas is a different element Nebraska has not seen this season.

McCoy is great, giving the Longhorns a probable Heisman winner despite his numbers being drastically down from 2008 when McCoy finished second in the race behind Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford.

Nebraska doesn’t have a defensive back in its arsenal that can stop either Jordan Shipley or James Kirkendoll.

Shipley should be a Heisman candidate in his own right, catching 99 passes in 12 games this season for 1,292 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Kirkendoll has reeled in four of his six touchdown grabs in the past two games for Texas. It’s a bad matchup for the Nebraska defense.

Nebraska should be able to make Texas’ running game non-existent. Tre Newton leads the Longhorns with 477 rushing yards this season, but averages 5.7 yards per carry.

McCoy is second on the team with 368 yards thanks to his near 200-yard effort against A&M.

But that’s the problem. Texas can survive solely through the air and force as many mismatches at Texas Tech did against Nebraska in a 31-10 victory in Lincoln earlier this season. McCoy and all of his weapons in the passing game will likely pummel Nebraska’s secondary.

There is more to Texas’ receiving corps than just Shipley and Kirkendoll. Malcolm Williams, Dan Buckner, John Chiles, and Marquise Goodwin have combined for 135 catches and 10 touchdowns.

Nebraska’s secondary is not that deep and it is where Texas’ advantage over the Huskers goes off the charts. Nebraska's defense has feasted off playing poor offensive units, with the exception of Texas Tech.

Texas has the ability to hit the home run with no less than six different options in the passing game. Nebraska’s best defensive back is a heavy hitter in Larry Asante.

Nebraska is susceptible deep, which the Blackshirts have proven time and time again against Virginia Tech, Missouri, and even in the last play of Friday’s 28-20 victory over Colorado.

Nebraska earned the Big 12 North title and should be happy with that and a possible trip to either the Cotton Bowl or the Holiday Bowl. If Nebraska goes to the Holiday Bowl and faces a program like Stanford, it is a game Nebraska should have no problem winning.

There are three good teams in 2009 in BCS conferences, those are Alabama, Florida, and Texas. After those three, everything else is up for debate and is nothing more than a jumbled mess.

When programs such as TCU, Boise State, and Cincinnati all have valid arguments to get into a BCS game, it shows you how screwed up college football has been this season.

Give Nebraska coach Bo Pelini and his staff a lot of credit for turning the fortunes around following losses at home to Texas Tech and Iowa State.

The season could have spiraled out of control in Lincoln, but Pelini righted the ship quickly to win a watered-down Big 12 North.

Nebraska could be good enough in 2010 to win the entire Big 12. But not in 2009 against this Texas team with one of the better quarterbacks ever to come out of the Big 12 in McCoy.

It’s just a bad matchup for the Huskers. Texas should win this game by at least two touchdowns and storm into the BCS National Championship Game with a good chance to win it.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

Black Friday Escape: Huskers Win, But Questions Remain

Josh Klein — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:27:20 -0500

It was not pretty.

In fact it may have been downright ugly. Bo Pelini must have thought so.

"It was probably our worst effort of the season," Pelini said shortly following the 28-20 victory in Boulder.

Really?

I remember a 9-7 loss to Iowa State that seemed to look like the worst performance of the season, but maybe Pelini was talking about the 400+ yards the Buffaloes racked up on a Husker defense that looked just downright tired at times.

It was ugly, but it was an ugly win—something Husker fans have become accustomed to when visiting the Buffs in Boulder. A win is a win though, and Nebraska will take their fifth straight win to propel themselves to a 9-3 regular season record.

Barring a punt return for a touchdown by Niles Paul and an interception return for a touchdown by Matt O'Hanlon, Nebraska was downright outplayed by the Buffaloes for most of the game.

Rex Burkhead may have been the best player on the field today, amassing exactly one hundred yards rushing, culminating with a seven-yard touchdown run to ice the game late in the fourth quarter.

Like I said before, a win is a win. And on Black Friday we can't take anything for granted. Nebraska won today, and that's about all we can say about that.

But with the win comes a myriad of different questions, all pertaining to a certain championship game that Nebraska will be playing a week and a day from now.

Can Nebraska hang with Texas?

Tyler Hansen isn't Colt McCoy, but he sure looked about like it in the second half. He ran for first downs and threw incredible completions, including a 56-yard strike to Scotty McKnight at the end of the game.

McCoy is hitting his stride at the right time for the Longhorns. His performance against Texas A&M last night was something to be remembered, and if Nebraska plays like they did against Hansen in the second half, Husker nation better be prepared for a show.

The questions that we thought had been answered rise again out of the dust and aftermath of this game.

Can Zac Lee be a championship quarterback?

Is Roy Helu's shoulder still a problem?

And where is the double move offense of Mike McNeill?

Hopefully Watson was just hiding things against Texas, hoping that they could keep a few wrinkles tucked away for that season defining game against the Longhorns next week.

Watching Jerrod Johnson tear apart the vaunted Longhorn defense made me wonder what it would look like if Cody Green was ready for the limelight. He obviously isn't and it makes Nebraska fans worry.

But if Nebraska's defense gets a few more days of rest this week, and uses those extra days to prepare, they can still make a game of it.

There are positives to take away from this game too, if we look past some of the glaring problems.

One: Rex Burkhead can carry a load when Helu is tired or hurt. The kid is Superman and one has to wonder what this season would have looked like had he been healthy the entire year.

Two: Ndamukong Suh gets better in the fourth quarter, or when he is needed most to make a play. Colorado triple-teamed him most of the game today with a tackle, guard, and tight end or running back and he still affected the game.

Three: The future looks bright on defense. Baker Steinkuhler, Jared Crick, and Cameron Meredith show what talent can get you under Pelini's coaching. PJ Smith and Prince Amukamara make it seem like this defense may not lose too much in their placing without Suh, Asante, and Dillard.

Four: This team has the character of the head coach. They never stop playing and they always try harder. Nothing is ever good enough for them and that's a good thing, because this was definitely a sub-par performance for the Huskers.

In the end, once again, Nebraska goes into the Big 12 Championship game with more questions than answers.

There is one answer though, and it's that this team is definitely moving in the right direction under Pelini. From 5-7 to 8-4 to 9-3, this program is on the rise and the next unlikely stop is in Dallas, where Nebraska will have a chance to make a name for itself in the biggest game of Pelini's young career.

If defense wins championships, then Nebraska better come out firing on all cylinders against the Longhorns next week.

Even if this win wasn't pretty, it's the character of the team that makes it important. Now Nebraska goes into the next game with zero chance according to most people. That seems to be exactly where Pelini likes to be.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

Things I Am Thankful For As a Husker Fan

Tyler Dale — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:34:12 -0500

I'm sorry for my lack of writing as of late, but that will tend to happen when you go from being unemployed and having all the time in the world to working 60 hours a week and being too exhausted to do anything when you get home.

That said, in times like these, I'm just thankful to have a reason to get out of bed in the morning, considering there are so many people who wake up and wonder if they are going to be able to find a job that day. I'm especially fortunate because I only have myself to support. My heart aches for the man who has three kids and a wife and doesn't know how he's going to feed them that night.

We as a populace are extremely fortunate to live in the United States, even if we aren't kicking ass and taking names like we have in the past. Times are tough, but even through the darkest of hours, there are silver linings to be found.

Which is why I'm going to move on to a brighter subject. I started thinking, after the Callahan years, there is so much going on in Nebraska football right now that we are fortunate to be witnessing. So why not compile an impromptu list of things that we, as Husker fans, can say thanks for this week?

The Huskers Play in The Big 12 North

The North has long been the whipping boy of the conference, the ugly sister to the glamourous and star-studded Southern division.

They have Bob Stoops and Mack Brown. We have guys who resemble the Goodyear blimp (Mangino) and a humanized version of Lord Voldemort (Bo Pelini).

They have Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford, we have Joe Ganz and Todd Reesing. And it's not just recently, this goes back through pretty much the entire decade of the 2000's.

But this year, the North went from putrid to downright offensive. The lack of good or even decent teams is appalling, especially considering how good Kansas and Missouri were just two seasons ago.

So while I really do believe Nebraska is a very good team, there's no doubt they've benefited from playing in the local intramurals division .

Ndamukong Suh

He's changed the way I watch football. I've always appreciated good defensive line play, but never in my life have I seen someone single-handedly take over a game from the defensive tackle position.

He won't win college football's glamour award, but if the man doesn't get an invite to the Heisman Trophy presentation, you can tell the voters and the Downtown Athletic Club to stop giving out the trophy. It'd be an outright crime if the most dominant player in college football doesn't get to sit at the ceremony.

Healthy Running Backs

This cost us dearly in the Texas Tech and Iowa State losses, but with Roy Helu finally back to strength and the return of Rex Burkhead, the Husker's stable of running backs is again deep enough to harbor hope of knocking off Texas.

Bo Pelini

I thought Nebraska's defense would jump from 55th into the mid-30's range this year. Instead, Pelini molded the Blackshirts into an aggressive, attacking unit that is lethal, particularly when the opposing offense is threatening to score.

It's refreshing to watch, since for most of the Kevin Cosgrove era I was watching the defense play the catch-and-release method of tackling.

Notre Dame Sucks

What's that? Oh, yea, I know this isn't Nebraska-related. But surely all college football fans are reveling in watching as the Golden Domers are relegated to another crappy bowl and a coaching change.

So much for Lou Holtz's prediction of 12-0 and a loss in the national title game, eh?

Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone!

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

Nebraska-Colorado: A Rivalry That Never Really Happened

Bugeatersteve Stuchlik — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:11:06 -0500

Oh, the hopes were there.

Shortly after the Big 12 conference was established, the powers that be decided that the Thanksgiving game, which had long since been reserved for Oklahoma as the Big 8 conference, would be switched to Colorado in 1996.

So let’s review to see how the series has gone over the past 13 years, shall we?

Heading into tomorrow’s game, Nebraska leads the series nine wins to four. This is a bit deceiving as the combined score for the series is 385 to 363 in favor of the Huskers, which would lead one to conclude that the games have been tight contests.

Of the Huskers' nine wins, seven of them have been by nine or fewer points, including the first five being five points or less. However, Colorado’s four wins have been by margins of 14, 15, 26, and six points, which is why the overall scoring is so close.

Also during this period, the Huskers have won or shared the Big 12 North eight times, and Colorado has won it four, not counting this season.

Coming into this year’s contest, to say that Colorado has had a down year in 2009 might be understating the facts. It appears on the surface that head coach Dan Hawkins is fighting for his job. Hawkins brings a record of 3-8 (2-5) into Friday’s matchup.

Hawkins' football program actually is backsliding, with season records of 2-10 in 2006 followed by 6-7, 5-7, and the current 3-8. That computes to a record of 16-32, including 2-20 on the road. Not exactly the type of résumé that gets you and your staff a raise after the season, now is it?

Based on recent history, Hawkins would not be sticking around Lincoln with that record, now would he folks?

Looking at this year's matchup on paper, it appears to be very one-sided in the Huskers' favor. Colorado’s offense ranks 108th nationally in total offense. However, sophomore running back Rodney Stewart has rushed for 100 yards or more four times this season but is only averaging 3.9 yards per carry.

Colorado is also among the nation's five worst teams in punting and punt returns. Playing smart has not been the Buffaloes' strongest area either. They're 118th out of 120 in penalties and 117th in penalty yards. Combine that with the fact that they're 82nd in turnover margin and 117th in sacks allowed, and it is easy to see why they are 3-8 this season.

Baring food poisoning from a bad turkey or a simple case of “I don’t care,” it would be a tremendous upset were the Huskers to lose this Friday. Colorado will, of course, bring its “A” game against the Huskers, that is for certain—they do it practically every single year.

However, that being said, I don’t believe for a minute that the Buffaloes have enough offensive talent or strength to put pressure on the Blackshirt defense for more than 10 points.

So unless we have a return of the Iowa State game, I see the Huskers winning the contest by the score of 23 to 10. Ndamukong Suh and company dominates the line of scrimmage, and Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead move the ball enough to make it a good Thanksgiving weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving and GBR!

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

Nebraska-USC Basketball: More Than Just a Game

Josh Klein — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:56:26 -0500

Remember a few years back, Husker fans? A few years ago when Nebraska fans thought their football team was on the rise and USC came to town?

No, this isn't an article about football. This is a plea for a big win early in the season from a Husker basketball fan. Nebraska looks like they pulled a little something together in games against TCU and UMKC.

Who?

Exactly.

This Sunday, Nebraska is going to play a real team from a real conference. The question Husker fans are asking themselves is: Is this going to be the Husker team that got trounced by St. Louis, or the team that ran away from TCU?

The good thing about this game isn't that the players get to spend a weekend in California, but that it comes against a team that has been to the big dance the past two seasons.

Sure, this may be a down year for the Trojans, but a win by this Husker squad could propel this young team into decency.

I say decency, because no matter what happens on Sunday there are still too many unknowns. Can this team win on the road? We'll find out Sunday. But beyond that, it's hard to tell.

Is Sek Henry the team leader? Or is it Brandon Richardson or Brian Diaz? Could it be Lance Jeter or Ryan Anderson? No one knows, but this team soon needs to find out.

Henry has stepped up as of late, and seems to want that leadership role. I say to Doc, let him have it.

USC isn't the team they have been the last few years. A baffling loss to Loyola Marymount is proof enough of that, but they are still the Trojans and they are still from a big-time conference.

If Nebraska wants to earn any sort of credibility, it starts with Sunday evening.

Because they sure won't get any from beating teams like Texas-Pan American or Chicago State.

Sunday it's more than a game, it's respect, it's relevance and it's revenge for the two times the Trojans hammered Nebraska in football a few years ago. A win here, and this team may just start to believe in itself.

And with young players this talented, that's a scary thought for the Big 12.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

A Letter To The Nation: Bo Pelini Is Not Far Off

Josh Klein — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:04:08 -0500

Amidst the rumors surrounding high profile coaches such as Les Miles and Charlie Weis there is one coach silently making strides to greatness.

His name is Bo Pelini.

Now hold on a minute before you accuse me of wearing scarlet colored glasses.

This has nothing to do with being a Nebraska homer, but it does have everything to do with a renewed tradition and expectation. One that Bob Devaney started and Tom Osborne continued shortly thereafter.

From 1962 to 2001, every single Nebraska team that took the field under three different coaches, Devaney, Osborne and Frank Solich, won at least nine games.

That's still an NCAA record. Then Bill Callahan came to town and gave Nebraska their first losing season in forty-four years. Not only that, Callahan never had a nine-win season with the Huskers.

That's something that changed under the first year of Bo Pelini. A win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl gave Nebraska its first nine-win season since 2004, when the Huskers won their ninth game under interim-head coach Bo Pelini in the Alamo bowl against Michigan State.

Then Pelini was run out of town, thought to never return. Until last year, when he took the Huskers to the Gator bowl. It was a much improved season from the 5-7 Huskers a year before.

On Friday, Pelini looks to do one better; he looks to gain his ninth victory in regular season play against Colorado.

Bo Pelini has studied under some of the most intelligent men in college football. Men like Bob Stoops, Les Miles and now Tom Osborne have mentored this up and coming football coach.

But he may not be up and coming anymore. The knock on Bo is that he hasn't won that big game that would make you say, "Okay, this guy has what it takes."

All that could change next Saturday. I know, we can't look forward. Colorado is this weekend; they could lose, and then what?

For the sake of argument let's assume that the 8-3 Huskers beat the 3-8 Buffaloes this Friday and head to a Big 12 Championship game in Dallas next week.

They would most likely be ranked in the Top 25 of both polls; they would be 9-3. The best thing of all? No one expects them to win! In fact, most sane Husker fans wouldn't even be too angry at a loss. As long as it's not of the 62-28 variety.

Therein lies the problem for Texas. With last year on their mind, a national championship on the horizon and a possible Heisman in the works, they have everything to lose. Nebraska, at most, loses...just as expected.

If Bo Pelini wants to get the "wow" votes about his coaching ability it all starts with this Big 12 Championship game. If he can somehow pull off the biggest win in recent Nebraska history and send the Huskers to a BCS bowl for the first time since Solich's team got spanked in the National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes in 2001.

Don't look now but Pelini is turning into a great coach. He is turning this Nebraska program into something special. It's not a Weis quick fix, or a Saban miracle, but it has been a steady flow of improvement. Look at the numbers; they speak for themselves.

In 2007 Nebraska finished the season 5-7 allowing over 39 points per game. Callahan got canned and in came Pelini.

Faced with the same players and a better strength of schedule, Pelini led the Huskers to a revamped style of defense that saw them drop the points per game margin by ten and increase the winning output of the team by three wins in the regular season.

I remember watching the Nebraska-Texas Tech game on Fox Sports Net. Prior to the game the analyst was asked if Nebraska would make a bowl game that season. His answer: No. They aren't talented enough and Bo Pelini hasn't shown that he can compete in the North.

That analyst was most likely surprised when the Huskers tied for the lead in the North and won a Gator Bowl bid against the Tigers of Clemson. What Pelini has done is impressive to say the least, and he won't stop here.

In 2009 Nebraska's season looked all but over after a pathetic 9-7 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones at the midway mark. Instead, Pelini rallied his troops and rattled off four straight wins including one over Oklahoma, the first win against that squad since the 2001 season.

I'm not saying Nebraska will compete for National Championship next year; I'm just here to warn the nation. Watch out, Bo Pelini is coming, and it's starting to look like a good thing for Husker nation.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

Bo Pelini's Defensive Turnaround Will Be Key If Huskers Upset Longhorns

Michael Huckstep — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:01:39 -0500

Yes, I know that Maurice Purify (pictured) no longer plays for Nebraska. So save your emails.

Yes, I know the Huskers lost the game shown in the above photo.

And yes, I know that Nebraska still has one more important game before the Huskers play in the Big XII Championship. Bo Pelini has been quick to point that out to everyone who's shoved a microphone in his face. The Huskers don't need to get ahead of themselves.

After the division-clinching victory over Kansas State, Pelini said as much. This week's priority is Colorado.

But what else is Pelini supposed to say? Whether you believe that he and his coaching staff have looked ahead to Texas or not, he gave the right answer. It's called "coachspeak." While it's sometimes maddening, it's uniformly consistent.

"We need to take one game at a time."

"We can't look past anyone on our schedule."

And so forth and so on, ad nauseam.

But we sportswriters are not bound by the same rules. We can write about anything we want, whenever we want, and run the risk of looking foolish later.

So, do I think that a Nebraska victory this Friday is a given?

Absolutely not.

Colorado, whose season began circling the drain almost as soon as it started, would love nothing more to beat the North Division Champion Cornhuskers. It would be like Bactine on the skinned hides of the Buffaloes, taking some of the sting out of their disastrous 2009 campaign.

But it's been that way ever since former Colorado coach Bill McCartney made the Buffaloes' annual contest against the Huskers their "red letter game."

Throw out the records; this is for more than just bragging rights. There is actual hatred involved in this "rivalry," which puzzles many Nebraska fans who, hearkening back to the heyday of the Big Eight, always thought that Oklahoma was their biggest rival.

While I'm on the subject, thanks Big XII. Thanks for removing the annual clash between Nebraska and Oklahoma. One of those games is only considered to be the "Game of the Century," even to this day. No need to keep that yearly battle alive.

No, sir.

OK. Sarcasm mode off. I digress.

The intent of this article is to address some of the impatient Nebraska fans, those I've seen on this website and others, and their assertion that Husker Nation has settled for mediocrity.

There have been many that have called for Shawn Watson's head. While I may not agree, I can see how some of the frustrations surrounding the Nebraska offense might manifest themselves that way.

What I really have an issue with is the segment of supposed Nebraska backers who no longer believe that Bo Pelini is the coach to lead the Huskers back to national prominence. That segment is out there, believe me. I've seen them.

I attribute this mainly to two things.

First off, a sizable portion of Husker fans grew up in the '90s, when the Huskers were routinely pummeling their opposition. They're not used to seeing the Big Red struggle against teams they used to dominate. When Frank Solich's record was less than stellar (for reasons we can debate from now until Judgment Day), the university brass panicked and made a coaching hire that easily set the program back five to ten years.

Nebraska fans who grew up in the '70s and '80s were used to several cruel setbacks during the period between the Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne Championships.

In short, they had weathered a long stretch of Nebraska near-misses and Husker heartbreaks. They're from a generation that is less demanding and perhaps more appreciative of the incredible run that the Big Red enjoyed in the 1990s.

Secondly, I believe that some fans are losing sight of the big picture.

Pelini is in only his second full season. How many years did it take the great Dr. Tom Osborne to win his first national championship?

I'm not necessarily advocating that we give Pelini 20 years to work things out, but let's tap the brake a little, shall we?

Why, you ask? Read on Husker Nation.

Although I'm not a "stats guy," as I believe that they can be manipulated to bolster practically any argument, a cursory look at some very simple stats shows that Pelini has made great strides toward improving this team.

True, the improvement has come defensively, and the offense is still woefully inadequate, but it's been the Pelini defense that has put the Huskers back into the Big XII title game in his second season.

Let's look at those stats, shall we?

In 2007, the Nebraska defense surrendered an average of 37.9 pts/gm and 476.8 yds/gm.

In 2008, Pelini's first year, the defense improved, giving up 28.5 pts/gm and 349.9 yds/gm.

So far this year?

The Blackshirts have further improved, allowing only 10.3 pts/gm and 281.3 yds/gm.

To put it in further perspective, Nebraska ranks third nationally in pass efficiency defense, third in scoring defense (behind only Florida and Alabama), and eighth in total defense.

The improvement doesn't end there either. The Huskers rank 14th nationally in rushing defense, 14th in sacks, and 17th in pass defense.

Does this mean that Nebraska will crush Colorado? No.

Does this mean that the Huskers will win the Big XII? Again, no.

But what it does mean is that Pelini is doing what he knows best—which is build a championship-caliber defense. Additionally, I have faith that if the administration thinks that Watson is not the OC to get the offense running on all cylinders, Bo & T.O. will make the necessary changes. The program is in good hands.

To bail out on Pelini in hopes of luring a "marquee" coach to Lincoln (an unrealistic prospect, at best) would only create more instability in a program that has had more than its fair share this decade.

Besides, it would be a waste of Pelini's defensive accomplishments thus far—which, barring some incredible offensive explosion, are Nebraska's only hope of upsetting Texas.

So, whether you care to admit it or not, Pelini's transformation of the Blackshirts into one of the best defensive units in the country is the primary reason that the Huskers find themselves vying for a Big XII title (regardless of the outcome).

And it's the only reason this debate is even possible.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

A Husker Thanksgiving: Give Thanks Thursday, but Remember Black Friday.

Josh Klein — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:26 -0500

There are plenty things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend. Not only as a person but as a Husker fan.

We can be thankful for a myriad of things, from rebounding after a heartbreaking loss to Iowa State to take four straight games, to the fact that Ndamukong Suh came back his senior season to prove that he is the best defensive lineman in the game.

Yes there are things that might garner some criticism this year, the play-calling, lack of offense, defensive busts at inopportune times etc. But why focus on these things when we have so much to be thankful for?

For starters, Nebraska has beaten two of its three Big 12 South opponents, not something many North teams can say they have done.

Also, Nebraska has improved so remarkably defensively that people across the nation, and yes, even on ESPN are starting to take notice.

The list does go on, from starting off a paltry 4-3 to getting to an 8-3 record and asserting themselves as the team to beat in the Big 12 North once again.

We can give thanks for the return to Northern aggression as a whole or to the Blackshirts rise to dominance, not only in the Big 12 but in the nation.

We can, and should give thanks for all of these things this Thursday, but we mustn't look past Friday.

It's known as Black Friday a reason. Oh you thought I was talking about shopping? No I'm talking about the Colorado Buffaloes.

As any Husker fan knows, come Friday, you can throw out the records because it doesn't matter if Colorado is 11-0 or 0-11 at this time in the year, you can bet on one thing: They will come to play against Nebraska.

Last year the Buffaloes were heavy underdogs again in Lincoln, but that all changed on the first possession of the game. Nebraska was handed one of their most difficult tests of the season that day, and barring a 57-yard miracle of a field goal from the always clutch Alex Henery the Huskers may have been looking at a 7-5 season instead of 8-4.

What difference does a game make? Try thousands of dollars. Instead of going to the Capitol One or Insight.com bowl Nebraska got the invite to the Gator Bowl, in January.

This year the Huskers are guaranteed at least an eight-win season, they are also guaranteed the title of Big 12 North champion, but Friday holds a bigger prize for Husker nation.

What could a game against a 3-7 Colorado team possibly offer? Nebraska has clinched the North no matter what and will be playing Texas in the Big 12 championship game no matter what, so what does Friday have to do with anything?

I would argue that this Friday may be the next most important game on the schedule. From recruiting potential to national recognition. But most importantly Bo Pelini's second nine-win season.

If Nebraska can beat the pesky Buffaloes this Friday, they will move to 9-3 on the season and 6-2 in the Big 12. We could play the what-ifs for ages and state that Nebraska could be 11-1 and in the middle of National Title talks, but that's crazy.

If you are who your record says you are, then I want to be that 9-3 team with a shot at Texas. A win against Colorado all but hands Nebraska a national ranking in both the Coaches and the AP Polls.

Going into that Big 12 championship game as a ranked team may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Because when you are ranked, everyone is forced to recognize that you have a chance.

So yes, let us be thankful for all the things this season has brought us. For the ups and downs and for the winning of the North. But let us not forget or overlook Black Friday, because Colorado is where the next win lies.

9-3 sure does sound better than 8-4, it's time to send Dan Hawkins out the way he came in. Give us one more thing to be thankful for this weekend Nebraska. Give us a win over the Buffaloes going into the Big 12 Championship game.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

The Greatest Games Ever On Nov. 27th

Stuart Whitehair — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:16:51 -0500

This Day in History —November 27th

Colorado record on November 27th 1 —3

1913 Oklahoma L 14—3;

1930 Denver W 27—7;

1947 Denver L 26—20;

1998 Nebraska L 16—14.

November 27 —Colorado —best game on this date

Colorado at #14 Nebraska November 27, 1998

The Buffs came into the 1998 matchup with Nebraska with a 7-3 record. Nebraska, under new head coach Frank Solich, was 8-3, and had just lost to Kansas State for the first time since 1968, clinching the Big 12 North title for the Wildcats. Still, both teams had plenty to play for—Nebraska was ranked 14th , and had top ten aspirations. The Buffs were playing for second in the North, a better bowl, and, unbeknownst to the players, for one last chance to beat the Cornhuskers in the Neuheisal era.

#14 Nebraska 16, Colorado 14

"General” Robert Neyland, longtime head coach at the University of Tennessee, is a legendary name in the annals of college football. In leading the Volunteers to over 160 wins in 20 seasons, the College Football Hall of Fame coach was used to winning. “Almost all games,” Neyland pointed out, “are lost by the losers, not won by the winners.”

Such was the case in Memorial Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend, 1998.

The Buffs, despite facing a Nebraska team equally riddled with injuries and self-doubt, came out playing like an intimidated team. Early mistakes proved to be the difference in a frustrating 16—14 defeat, giving Nebraska a seven game winning streak over the Buffs.

Just as was the case in 1995, when the Buffs allowed Ahman Green to score on a 57—yard run less than two minutes into the game, (on the way to a 44—21 loss) and in 1992, when an interception led to a three—yard scoring run by Derek Brown with only 1:14 off of the first quarter clock (en route to a 52—7 rout), Colorado played early like a team destined to lose.

After a touchback on the opening kickoff, the Buffs set up shop at their own 20—yard line. On Colorado’s second play from scrimmage, quarterback Mike Moschetti fumbled. The ball squirted loose, finally recovered by the Buffs back on their own one—yard line. Two plays later, a shanked punt by Nick Pietsch gave the ball to the Cornhuskers on the CU 30—yard line. Nationwide, Buff faithful uttered: “Here we go again”. The Buff defense held, however, and after Kris Brown missed a field goal attempt, Colorado had new life. Perhaps this would be the year that the Buffs would overcome the first quarter blahs and carry the day!

Nah.

Mike Moschetti’s first pass attempt after the missed field goal attempt brought the Buffs back to reality. Moschetti, harried by defensive lineman Jeremy Slechta, was intercepted by free safety Clint Finley, who returned the pick 42 yards for a touchdown. That gave Nebraska the first score of the game with 11:09 still to play in the first quarter. The missed field goal had been a ruse. Colorado was back to playing like Colorado. Even worse, Colorado was making Nebraska look like Nebraska again.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the rout. The Buffs didn’t fold. In fact, the Buff defense played brilliantly, holding Nebraska out of the end zone for the remainder of the game. Three field goals and 254 yards of total offense were all the Cornhuskers could muster. For the second time in 1998, the CU defense had held a top ten offense to 16 points.

And, for a second time, CU lost.

Colorado did put together decent drives, tying the score on a 17—yard pass from Moschetti to Javon Green midway through the first quarter. Colorado took the lead, 14—13, on a 13—yard pitch and catch from Moschetti to freshman fullback Andy Peeke in the third. Colorado even had a chance to put the game away late in the third quarter. After taking the lead, the Buffs’ defense forced a Nebraska punt. On a nifty reverse punt return, freshman John Minardi took a pitch from Ben Kelly, following a convoy 39 yards, all the way to the Nebraska 22-yard line. Already up 14—13, the Buffs seemed poised to deliver a knock-out punch and pull out a win in Lincoln for only the second time since 1967.

Destiny, though, took a hand. Penalties, missed assignments, and turnovers sealed the Buffs’ fate. Colorado did not even get a field goal attempt out of their great field position. Given ample chances by their defensive teammates, the Colorado offense just could not put together that one drive which would have righted so many wrongs.

Cornhusker Kris Brown connected on a 25—yard field goal with 8:48 remaining to give Nebraska a 16—14 lead. The Buffs had several opportunities in the waning moments to put together a final drive to pull of the upset, but it wasn’t meant to be. An offensive pass interference call against senior wide receiver Darrin Chivarrini (held without a catch for the first time all season) put an end to the Buffs’ final chance.

"When you do a post-mortem on a two-point loss,” said a disconsolate Rick Neuheisal after the game, “it’s the most sickening thing. It’s hard for me to stay upbeat.” Neuheisal would have to, though, as the 1999 season would begin with the preparation for CU’s upcoming bowl game, announced a week later to be Oregon in the Aloha Bowl.

Interpretation

So much in college football rides on perception. A team in the preseason top ten will be given much more leeway with a loss than a pretender which does not have the history or the hype. Coming into the game against Colorado, much of the talk was of the end of the Nebraska dynasty. The Cornhuskers in 1998 had lost to Kansas State for the first time in 29 years, had lost at home for the first time in six years, and had been saddled with three conference defeats for the first time since 1976. First-year head coach Frank Solich, while not on the hot seat for his job, was certainly subject of much discussion amongst the Nebraska faithful.

One win later—never mind that his team had been outplayed in many facets of the game—Solich and Nebraska were back amongst the elite. 9—3 (the 12th game courtesy of a set up game with Louisiana Tech to start the season), Nebraska now had nine wins for the 30th consecutive year. The 47—game home winning streak and 19—game winning streak overall had been lost earlier in the season, but the beat went on. Nebraska edged closer to the top ten in the next poll, rising to 13th.

For Colorado, though, coming on the heels of a 5—6 year, there was only mild consolation in a 7—4 campaign. The Buffs had been 5—0, but had stumbled mightily down the stretch. Those who saw the glass as half empty noted that head coach Rick Neuheisal, who had posted a 20—4 record in his first two seasons utilizing primarily Bill McCartney’s recruits, had gone only 12—10 since with his own recruits in the leadership positions. Those who saw the glass as half full noted that many young players had been forced into duty due to injury, and saw the winning campaign as a sign that the ship had been righted.

In either event, Colorado’s win early in November against Iowa State had assured the Buffs of a bowl game, which Neuheisal recognized as vital to the advancement of his young team due to the extra practices a bowl game provided. Colorado would have to wait, though, until after the conference championship games to find out where and when they would be playing.

Duck Soup

A game against the 6—5 Washington Huskies (how’s that for irony, considering what transpired a month later) seemed the most likely scenario for the Buffs as the Conference Championship games were being played. Along with the title games, though, was a make-up game between Miami and UCLA. The game, originally scheduled for September 26th, had been re—scheduled to December 5th due to fears that a hurricane would hit the Miami area the last weekend in September. For UCLA, the later game proved disastrous, as the 3rd—ranked Bruins fell to the Hurricanes, 49—45. The loss eliminated UCLA from consideration for the National Championship game (once beaten Florida State being chosen to face undefeated and top-ranked Tennessee), with the Rose Bowl being the Bruins’ consolation prize. This move set off a chain reaction, as Arizona, which had hoped to head to Pasadena for the first time in school history, was now relegated to the Holiday Bowl and a match-up with Nebraska. Oregon, in turn, which had anticipated a trip to San Diego to face the Cornhuskers, was now in line for a Christmas Day bowl game with Colorado. Oregon’s loss was Colorado’s gain, as the Buffs were now facing a ranked (21st) opponent with an 8-3 record rather than a 6-5 unranked opponent.

There should have been little reason for animosity between the two schools. The teams had only met 13 times, with Colorado maintaining a 7—6 edge. In fact, there had been a bond between the schools since 1984, when tight end Ed Reinhardt nearly lost his life playing against the Ducks in Eugene. Reinhardt suffered a near fatal head injury during the game, but was saved with the quick aide of Oregon doctors. Head coach Bill McCartney made a special point after Reinhardt’s recovery to thank the people of Eugene and the University of Oregon.

That was in 1984; this was 1998. The teams’ most recent meeting, in the 1996 Cotton Bowl, had left the Oregon coaching staff and some players with a bad taste in their mouths. Colorado won the game, 38—6, but it was the final touchdown which irked head coach Mike Bellotti. The score, a five—yard run by Ayyub Abdul-Rahmaan, came as a direct result of a fake punt run by the Buffs with only a few minutes left on the clock and the game well in hand. Bellotti had first stated “no comment” after the game when asked about the play, later sarcastically calling the play “good coaching”.

Neuheisal, for his part, apologized after the Cotton Bowl about the play, explaining that he was simply trying to avoid Colorado’s sixth blocked punt of the season. The animus was hard to miss though, as many pre—game stories in the media centered on the controversial call. Neuheisal continued to apologize, but acknowledged that the play, along with the final score, would probably be used as a motivational tool by the Oregon coaching staff.

At the conclusion of the Aloha Bowl, though, the coaches for both teams were not in need of motivational tools—they needed oxygen.

The Buffs would go on to defeat the Oregon Ducks, 51-43, in the Aloha Bowl. The Christmas Day game would prove to be the last game for CU head coach Rick Neuheisal, who left for the Washington Huskies just a few weeks after the win over the Ducks.

Best Games in College Football History November 27th

1976 —#3 USC 17, #13 Notre Dame 13 —The 50th game in the rivalry went to USC, as running back Ricky Bell, hobbled by an ankle injury, still posted 75 yards in his final regular season game to lead the Trojans to victory. Bell went on to finish second in the Heisman balloting to running back Tony Dorsett of Pittsburgh. Both USC and Notre Dame won their bowl games, with USC taking care of Michigan, 14—6, in the Rose Bowl to finish second in the polls, while Notre Dame handled Penn State, 20—9, in the Gator Bowl to bring the 1976 season to a 9—3, 12th—ranked conclusion.

1982 — Auburn 23, Alabama 22 —For a change, neither team was ranked coming into the Iron Bowl, but that did not mean that the game lacked drama. Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant lost his final regular season game as Alabama head coach. The 23-22 setback was the Crimson Tide’s first loss after nine straight wins in the series. Auburn was led by freshman halfback Bo Jackson (who would go on to win the Heisman trophy as a senior in 1985), who had 114 yards and two touchdowns. The win was the first for Auburn head coach Pat Dye over Alabama, and represented the first time in 30 tries since 1970 that a Bear Bryant disciple had defeated his mentor. Alabama recovered to defeat Illinois, 21—15, in the Liberty Bowl, to sent Bryant out a winner in his final game as head coach. Auburn also won its bowl game, defeating Boston College, 33—26, in the Tangerine Bowl. The Tigers, who finished 9—3, were rewarded with a #14 final ranking, while Alabama, at 8—4, ended the 1982 season unranked.

1993 —#1 Florida State 33, #7 Florida 21 —Hated rival Florida was 9—2 on the 1993 season, and had won 23 straight games in the Swamp, but the #1 Seminoles were not intimidated. Quarterback Charlie Ward, who would be awarded the Heisman trophy a few weeks later, passed for 446 yards and four touchdowns in the FSU win. Ward’s counterpart, freshman Danny Wuerffel (who would win the Heisman trophy himself in 1996), was ineffective, and was yanked by Florida head coach Steve Spurrier in favor of backup Terry Dean. #1 Florida State went on to defeat #2 Nebraska, 18-16, in the Orange Bowl, to claim the national championship. Florida, for its part, recovered to dominate #3 West Virginia, 41—7, in the Sugar Bowl. The big win boosted Florida to #5 in the final poll.

1998 — Texas 26, #6 Texas A&M 24 —Texas came into the game 7—3 and unranked; Texas A&M 10—1 and ranked 6th . Of course, the Longhorns prevailed, and did so in record—setting fashion. With NCAA career rushing record holder Tony Dorsett looking on, Texas running back Ricky Williams became the all-time rushing leader, doing so on a 60—yard run in the first quarter. On the day, Williams ran for 259 yards, giving him 2,124 for the 1998 season and 6,279 for his career. Still, Texas A&M was 10—1 for a reason, and rallied from a 16—7 deficit to take a 24—23 lead late, but a Kris Stockon 24—yard field goal with four seconds remaining gave the Longhorns the upset. Texas A&M rebounded from the disappointing loss to their chief rival to upset Kansas State in the Big 12 title game, but could not sustain the success, falling to Ohio State, 24—14, in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11—3 and ranked 11^th . Texas, meanwhile finished 9—3 after a 38-11 win over Mississippi State in the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns, unranked for much of the season, finished with a #15 final ranking.

2004 — Missouri 17, Iowa State 14 (OT) —Missouri was 4—6, and had lost five games in a row. Iowa State was 6—5, but controlled its own fate in the race for the Big 12 North title. In a season tainted by mediocrity in the Big 12 North, the Cyclones, on the heels of a four-game winning streak, were poised to win their first football title since 1912. Iowa State tied the game at 14 midway through the fourth quarter, and was in position to win the game late, but Cyclone kicker Bret Culbertson shanked a 24—yard field goal attempt with 1:05 to go in the game (Missouri quarterback Brad Smith saved the day for the Tigers—after he threw an interception near midfield, he ran down Iowa State safety Steve Paris at the Missouri 15—yard line, preventing a game—winning touchdown). In overtime, Missouri kicked a short field goal to take the lead, and the game ended when Iowa State quarterback Bret Meyer threw an interception in the endzone. The loss by Iowa State allowed Colorado to claim the 2004 Big 12 North title. Iowa State did gain some measure of consolation in defeating Miami (Ohio), 17—13, in the Independence Bowl to conclude the 2004 season with a 7—5 record.

Read more Nebraska news on BleacherReport.com

A Cup of Coffee and...The Joys of Senior Day

Chris Wilkinson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:51:22 -0500

This has to be the best time of year. I love Thanksgiving week, the joys of college and pro football, NASCAR just wrapped up and the seasons just started for the NBA, NHL, and college basketball. But, late November brings a pain to my collegiate heart. Why, you may ask? Quite simple, and it's wrapped up in two words: Senior Day.

My college football love, Nebraska, will participate in three Senior Days before the year is up (at Kansas, vs. Kansas St, at Colorado). Nebraska this year was led out onto Memorial Stadium's turf by 13 deserving seniors led by Ndamukong Suh and Barry Turner. Immediately, I was taken back some, remembering when those guys first stepped foot onto the turf.

The beginning of their collegiate careers mirrors the beginning of college football every April when spring ball kicks off. The fans have the joy that winter is now over—time to see what the ole ball team has in store for the year. The papers have updates every day talking about the new starters and starting spot battles.

There are the early arrivals, those high school seniors that graduated school early to enroll in January. It's the type of stuff that makes every fan go, "this is the year."

At the beginning of Suh's career, he was part of what was supposed to be the Nebraska rebirth under Coach "Wild" Bill Calahan. Well, he is a member of a rebirth alright, the rebirth under Coach Bo Pelini. A part of a defensive transformation that has put the Big 12 and most of the rest of the nation on notice.

When Pelini took over in December of 2007, Nebraska football and its fans were at a low point which had not been seen since the 1960s. Suh's career was at the same point, all hype, not much substance. The same could be said about the Big Red.

Things had to be torn down and rebuilt in the old image. What a difference two years under the guidance of Coach Bo Pelini have made.

As we watched Nebraska and what was the junior class last year learn and grow, there was a beauty to it, even in the losses. The close call vs. Texas Tech, the Virginia Tech game, the beauty that was the kick and the pick vs. Colorado (which on the pick, the tip was made by a senior, Zach Potter). Last year's senior day was won with the help of some fine seniors.

We now are nearing the finish line on this college football season. The Big Red have Colorado on Friday, Texas in the Big 12 title game, and a bowl game left. This year has brought more learning and growth. We have seen this group of seniors fight, scrap, and win during a year that most viewed as a rebuilding year.

Remember the talk in March; wait 'til the 2010 college football season. Well, Suh and the rest of the seniors wanted to make this year the year.

They fought hard each game. They won the "coveted" Sun Belt early year title. There were two losses, Virginia Tech and Iowa St, that very well could have been wins. There was the unmistakable hope against hope, you have got to believe win against Oklahoma.

They clinched the Big 12 title with a dominate defense and a offense that is learning to find its way through this torrential college football storm. They have made Husker Nation proud. As the prayer goes, "day by day, we get better and better 'til we can't be beat, won't be beat."

Now, as the lights have dimmed at Memorial Stadium for the last time in 2009, that group of fine seniors trek on towards bigger goals. Three more wins is what they ask.

Three more chances to prove they have learned and grown during their careers, as has the rest of the team this year.

Three more opportunities to cement their place in Husker lore.

To the big seniors, Suh, Turner, Lawrence, Asante, Holt, Brooks, Meyer, Hickman, Christensen, Cammack, Dillard, Koehler, and O'Hanlon, thank you for the memories.

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