Northwestern vs Nebraska and the Most Embarrassing Losses of the 2011 Season

This year in college football has not been the upset-laden extravaganza that some thought it would be.  However, there have been several games that made us shake our heads in disbelief.  

Today we watched one of those games. 

Nebraska welcomed Northwestern into their stadium, and played like a team not worthy of a No. 10 BCS ranking. 

Let's take a closer look at this game and a few others that make you shake your head and say, "How embarrassing."

Washington at Stanford

This game was supposed to be a premier match-up of two top 25 BCS-ranked teams from the Pac-12.  What it ended up being was a huge embarrassment for the Huskies. 

No. 25 Washington went to play then-ranked No. 8 Stanford.  Looking back on it, it seems funny that some picked the Huskies in the upset. 

The game was never close; Stanford destroyed Washington.  The halftime score was 38-14, but it only got worse from there. 

Stanford went on to score 27 additional points and the game ended 65-21.  The Huskies were humiliated as the Cardinal racked up 615 yards of offense. 

Toledo at Syracuse

This game is not an embarrassment for either team involved.  It is an embarrassment because the officiating crew missed a simple point after touchdown call that literally stole the victory from Toledo. 

If it weren't embarrassing enough that the officials on the field missed the call, the replay booth did too.  Everyone watching the game clearly saw the ball swing in front of the goal post, not behind it.  However, some replay official forgot to push pause. 

It is always too bad when the officials turn a game on a bad call.  However, it is unforgivable for an official to steal a game from a team simply because they can't take the time to get a replay correct. 

Michigan State at Notre Dame

This was another one of those premier match-ups that everyone thought would be a great game.  Most people thought that the edge went to Michigan State, but in the end, it was a blowout by the Irish. 

At the time, Michigan State was ranked No. 15 in the nation and Notre Dame was unranked and winless on the year.   

Notre Dame went on to win despite the fact that the Spartans outgained and outplayed them in every statistical area. 

It was a embarrassing display of complacency on the Spartans' behalf. No one is sure how they gave it all away in such an embarrassing fashion. 

Final Score: Notre Dame 31 - Michigan State 13

LSU vs Oregon

The game so many were waiting for, and so many watched.  Many of the experts said Oregon would handle LSU.  The opposite became the truth.

No. 3 Oregon played No. 4 LSU on a neutral field at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  The game started well for Oregon, as they led 6-3 after the first quarter.  They would never lead again. 

LSU came back to take a halftime lead of 16-13.  In the second half, it became embarrassing for the Ducks. 

LSU went on to win 40-27, but the score is closer than the game would tell, especially the second half.  On that night in Texas, LSU showed that they were for real.  They have been proving it every week since.

To their credit, Oregon has bounced back, but they still have to be a bit embarrassed about the debacle in Texas. 

Oklahoma vs Texas

No. 3 Oklahoma vs No. 11 Texas in the Red River Rivalry.  It was supposed to be a clash of the Titans.  It ended up being a colossal blowout for the Sooners. 

Texas came into the game sporting a 4-0 record; Oklahoma was also undefeated.  Some predicted Texas, others Oklahoma.  In the end the former were proven crazy. 

This game was such a huge embarrassment for Texas.  They ended up losing 55-17, and you have to think they won't forget that red bottom whoopin' any time soon. 

Nothwestern at Nebraska

No. 10 Nebraska against lowly Northwestern.  This game should have been 42-17 in favor of Nebraska.  Instead, the Cornhuskers blew it, losing 28-25. 

It was a completely embarrassing performance for Nebraska, and a loss they won't soon live down.  They were outplayed by Northwestern in every area.  The Wildcats gained 468 yards of total offense and held the ball nearly 10 minutes longer than Nebraska. 

The game was 7-3 in favor of Northwestern at the half, and everyone assumed the Cornhuskers would finish strong.  They finished weak. 

Final score: Northwestern 28 - Nebraska 25

Texas Tech at Oklahoma

Oklahoma was on the giving end of one of the most embarrassing games of the year, but they were also on the receiving end. 

Texas Tech came into Norman and opened up a can of lightning.  That is, after an hour and a half lightning delay. 

To Oklahoma's credit, they did make the game close in the end, but at one point they trailed 31-7.

The loss took the Sooners from their No. 3 ranking, and stole a bit of their dignity. 

Oklahoma has since bounced back, but after key injuries two weeks in a row, only time will tell if they have more embarrassing moments this year.