Cornhusker Fans Need to Let Go of Bubba Starling Dreams

(Bubba Starling, drawing little stalking horses on Nebraska fans' signatures at Fan Day.)

Welcome to another edition of the Husker Hotwire, the sometimes-weekly, sometimes-funny look at Husker athletics!

The Hotwire staff awoke Tuesday morning in a very confused state. That's not unusual, as frequently, staff members find that it takes at least 48 hours for sleep and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals to remedy the damage done from the prior weekend.

However, this particular Tuesday's confusion was brought about by the hand-wringing stories about Nebraska "losing out" due to Bubba Starling choosing to play professional baseball rather than college football. Apparently, a number of news outlets that weren't the Hotwire stayed up until the midnight eastern deadline on Monday to break the news of Starling's decision.

Admittedly, the Hotwire isn't big on breaking news, as that's a lot of work. But was there anyone that thought Starling's decision was actually news? To put things in context, let's compare what baseball and football had to offer:

Signing Bonus

Baseball: Somewhere between $5 million and $9 million, eventually $7.5 million.

Football: Somewhere between $0 and $0.

Class Load In Addition to Sport

Baseball: None.

Football: Full-time University of Nebraska obligations.

Chances of 300-Pound Man Running Into You at Full Speed

Baseball: Almost none, unless David Ortiz signs a deal with the Royals. And even then, "full speed" for Ortiz isn't that dangerous.

Football: Almost assured.

Chances of Red-Faced Angry Coach Yelling at You on National TV

Baseball: Almost none.

Football: Apparently it happened already, except for the national TV part.

So, that's the end of the non-story about Starling playing football for Nebraska, right? Well, not according to Omaha World-Herald columnist Tom Shatel, who mused that Starling's three-year deal might mean that Starling is leaving the door open for a return to Nebraska. According to Shatel, Starling can use the leverage of going to Nebraska to force the Royals to do what he wants down the road.

Sure. Because the pay for a college athlete will be dramatically better in three years than it is now. Royals general manager Dayton Moore must be quaking in his boots. At the Hotwire, we've ran more than our share of Psycho Ex-Girlfriend Updates, as conditions warranted. We may have to keep an eye on Shatel.

BeeOneGee Conference Update

 At the Husker Hotwire, we are committed to provide you with ongoing coverage of Nebraska's new conference opponents in the B1G. Buckeye Hotwire reports that the NCAA is investigating former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's trip to Miami, possibly arranged and funded by a school booster. Buckeye Hotwire staff members denied reports that covering the story was just an excuse to use the word "Miami" in their articles as an attempt to gain more attention.

Around the Hotwire Network

 Hurricane Hotwire staff members are updating their resumes, as it appears possible there will be no Miami Hurricanes football program to cover after Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson reported on a cheating scandal of near-Biblical proportions, involving money, strip clubs, alcohol, clothes, prostitutes, abortions, and other "benefits" to Miami players. And no, Husker fans, this does not mean Nebraska gets the 2001 national title by default.

Aggie Hotwire reports that Texas A&M may be receiving a deadline from the Big XII Conference to determine whether or not they are leaving. Another great call from conference commissioner Dan Beebe, because the whole deadline thing worked perfectly last year to keep Nebraska in the Big XII Conference.

Duck Hotwire reports that Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas was in a car pulled over for driving 118 miles per hour, which is apparently illegal in Oregon. The officer asked a passenger "who's got the marijuana in the car" and was answered by the car's driver with "we smoked it all." The Oregon coaching staff announced the indefinite suspension of Thomas. The suspension was for incredibly poor decision-making in hanging out with a scholar who thought "we smoked it all" would be the way out of their legal dilemma, the coaching staff did not add.

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