It’s Texas Week

 

Former Texas QB Colt McCoy hoists the Big XII trophy. /Photo Jaime Squire Getty Images

 

Do you know how to spot a fair weather Nebraska fan?  Well, after the last decade or so they are hard to find to begin with.  You might have to start looking at sports pundits or writers or even Vegas odds makers who have this game set as the Huskers being -8.5 point favorites.

Yes, the game is in Lincoln this weekend and fans have been salivating since December 5, but it is still a game that should concern every fan who has been paying attention since the Longhorns and a young Ricky Williams ended the Huskers 47 game winning streak in 1998.  Or even going back to 1996 in the inaugural Big 12 championship where it was all but a done deal Nebraska would take the first title.

The players and circumstances are different, however the aura of Texas owning Nebraska’s number throughout the years of the Big 12 are no secret to long time fans of the team.

What I like about this game is the match up between Nebraska’s defense and the Texas offense, specifically Garret Gilbert.  Although, I have had nightmares about someone emerging and having a coming out party against the Huskers a la 1998.  But in reality Gilbert is going to have to beat Nebraska.  The Blackshirts showed they have the ability to stop big play threats out of the backfield with Lavonte David, who picked up Big 12 Defensive player of the week for stopping Kansas State’s Daniel Thomas almost single handedly.  Thomas, who was averaging over 150 yards per game was shut down to under half that total last Thursday night.  The match up between Texas receivers and Nebraska’s secondary also seems to favor the Huskers, which could be said of Nebraska versus any team in college football this season.

What is true for Texas is also true for Nebraska, however.  The likelihood of redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez running 80 yards untouched by the Longhorn defense is not quite as plausible as it was last week against the Wildcats.  Martinez may have to throw the ball between 15-20 times in this game without many mistakes to keep Texas honest and to open up the ground game.  I fully expect Texas and Will Muschamp, the Horns, um, charismatic defensive coordinator, to be dialed in on the zone read option come Saturday and give the Husker line some looks they haven’t seen yet this year from a defense.  What fans I’ve spoken to online and in person feel could be a new wrinkle with Martinez and the line is rolling the pocket to create options in a new way.  Also, something fans have seen little of is use of the wildcat offense, which was shown in a couple of offensive drives last year in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona with surprisingly effective results.

A couple of things the Huskers need to be mindful of is their special teams, which has not been exposed as the sub par until it is when returning punts and covering kickoffs.  Also, the Husker receivers will be tested against a very good and talented Horns secondary.  Not much has been made of it since they started losing, but trust me, it is fast, athletic and physical.

If the Huskers can control the line of scrimmage and throw in a few new looks for their running game and pounce on Texas early, it could be a long afternoon for the Horns.  If Texas hangs around, it’s anyones ballgame.  The fans have been waiting, and I expect the atmosphere to be similar to that of the Oklahoma game last season despite it starting at 2:30 p.m.  And while this game may not be quite as attractive to the rest of the world with Texas being at their worst in over a decade, you can rest assured the :01 arm bands some players wear as a reminder of last year’s loss in Dallas are just some of the small things done around the locker room to get ready for this game.

I like Nebraska to win, but I don’t believe it will be easy.  No matter how bad one team has been, it’s always close.  With all the bad luck moments that have held the Huskers winless against the Horns since 1999, you would think with this much stacked in the favor of the home team would allow for a sure win and that the Huskers are due.  All I know is this Saturday can’t get here soon enough.

Gearing Up For Fall

Bo Pelini will lead the Huskers in their final Big 12 campaign this fall.

I don’t know how many times I have issued a disclaimer about my inconsistent writing.  But this time, I am going to avoid it.  Much has happened in the last few months with Nebraska, San Francisco, Boston, Manchester United and the various other teams or sports I follow.  Rather than taking on the burden of playing catch up, we’ll jump in like we never parted…

Nebraska is less than 30 days away from playing their final season in the Big 12.  The Huskers have played in some form of this conference with the likes of Missouri and Kansas for over a century.  While the mood in Kansas City is that of a scorned lover, it will be interesting to get my finger on the pulse Labor Day weekend in Lincoln.

Bo Pelini and his staff have always publicly stated their ethos of one game at a time.  However, it will be a challenge traveling to Manhattan, Ames, Stillwater and so on this fall without some hint of looking toward the future and looking over their shoulder with a sizable target on their back.

In the past, teams gave Nebraska their best shot because they were Nebraska.  The name was synonymous with success in college football.  I have questioned that teams may not “get up” like they used to after the past decade.  This of course because of a period of mediocrity and, as some might say, disaster.  This season might change that.  Every coach Nebraska plays in conference will no doubt use the motivation of taking one last victory from the Huskers as they depart for the Big 10.

Whether fans of teams in the Big 12 North would like to admit it or not, it is once again a team they hate being picked instead of them.  Today, fans in the area talk about how much better the Big 12 will be with Nebraska gone.  However, local sports talk radio and fans went on and on how attractive the Big 10 is and how they long to join a conference not dominated by the other division.  Nebraska moving on is one more reminder that in a region where schools like Kansas and Missouri should be better programs based on location, in state talent and potential fan bases, that they simply are not.  I’ve been involved and witness to many conversations held by fans of these schools, openly questioning how a state like Nebraska could possibly house one of the winningest programs in college football.

I expect Pelini to have his team focused on the goal at hand, and close out some unfinished business in Dallas this December.  I am also expecting the eight conference games to be contentious, intense and at times, even filled with bad blood and ill will.  A lot of pundits and Husker faithful are over the moon and have a sense their team is a serious contender for a conference title for the first time (realistically) in years.  I’ll remain cautiously optimistic.

Let’s Call It a Weekend

Gabbert versus Suh in the rain.

Normally, I wouldn’t post a picture like I did in this post, however it’s too good to pass up.  You see, Missouri Tiger quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was once committed to Nebraska, said he would not turn on the Huskers like current backup Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman did several years ago.  Well, he did and plays for the last team most Nebraska fans would want to see him go to.  So now, injured ankle and all, Gabbert is 0-1 against the team he spited.  Anyway, on to my weekend picks.

#20 Oklahoma Sooners vs. #3 Texas Longhorns – 11 a.m. Saturday, October 17th on ABC

Can we please go back to calling this game the Red River Shootout?  It sounds cool, and not lame like Red River Rivalry.  Boring.  We’ll get to see who the class of the South is this year, and by tomorrow we’ll know who will play in the Big 12 Championship game.  Wait, we won’t?  Last year’s winner, Texas, did not make the title game despite defeating OU.  My guess is Texas wins again and the Horns will be in Arlington to try and take the conference in December.  Big Game Bob (Stoops) has lost the last three of four to Mack Brown.  Texas 38 – Oklahoma 30

Colorado Buffalos vs. #17 Kansas Jayhawks – 6 p.m. Saturday, October 17th

Jayhawk fans are anticipating a Big 12 North title.  Their first as a matter of fact.  However, with defensive performances like last week at home against Iowa State might not get them past Nebraska and Missouri in the North.  Colorado is a wounded team right now, and could be capable of pulling an upset at home in Boulder, Co.  Trust me, it’s been known to happen.  However, I think Kansas wins again and this time a little easier than the previous week against the Cyclones.  Kansas 45 – Colorado 24

Baylor Bears at Iowa State Cyclones – 6 p.m. Saturday, October 17th

While the two best programs will square off to much national attention, arguably the bottom two programs will do so without much fanfare, even from their own fanbases.  Baylor played Oklahoma pretty tough for a half down in Norman, Ok. last week even without their star quarterback who is out for the rest of the season.  They looked tough on the road, and I think it translates to a win in Ames, Ia.  Baylor 24 – Iowa State 17

Texas A&M Aggies at Kansas State Wildcats – 6 p.m. Saturday, October 17th

Kansas State took it on the chin in one of Bill Snyder’s worst losses as coach of the Cats last weekend in Lubbock, Tx.  Texas A&M under coach Mike Sherman has been one of the worst Big 12 teams in quite some time.  It’s tough to call, but even in Manhattan, Ks. I think the Aggies can pull this one out because of the Wildcat turmoil.  Although it is hard to pick based on how bad each of these teams are.  Texas A&M 30 – Kansas State 24

#16 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Missouri Tigers – 8:15 p.m. Saturday, October 17th on ESPN2

Last year before this contest the Tigers came off their biggest win over their rival Nebraska in Lincoln.  They were number three in the country and assured a shot a the Big 12 and possibly the BCS Title.  Then the Pokes came to town and spoiled the party of Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and company.  This year the Tigers travel to Stillwater, Ok. and face the very real possibility of staring 0-2 in the conference after dropping their opener to Nebraska in a rain soaked Columbia, Mo.  It’s not like Mike Gundy’s squad has been setting the world on fire after their top five start and loss to Houston in week two.  However, they are good enough to beat the Tigers.  Oklahoma State 42 – Missouri 28

#15 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Huskers can exorcise some more conference demons by beating a Red Raiders team in transition.  Mike Leech’s offense typically doesn’t travel well (with the exception of last year in Kansas) and the last time they were in Lincoln, they escaped with a win over a Nebraska team that was not as good as this current version.  Injuries at running back are big questions marks for the Huskers, and the defense will face another test against this high powered offense, yet I remain optimistic on their chances to win and keep rolling in the conference.  Nebraska 37 – Texas Tech 32

National Picks

#25 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #6 Southern Cal Trojans – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 17th on NBC

I’ve never cheered for USC, although they do have awesome road uniforms.  Never have I wanted it team I could care less about beat a team I care even less for.  I’m tired of the ESPN love affair with an overstocked, underperforming and underachieving Notre Dame.  I don’t just want the Trojan defense to hold the Irish to zero points, I want them to intercept Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen 13 times and sack him on every other play.  The Clausen for Heisman talk is old already.  USC 28 – Notre Dame 7

#19 Georgia Tech vs. #4 Virginia Tech – 5 p.m. October 17th on ESPN2

It’s hard to look at Virginia Tech and not think about what could have been for the Huskers.  Without that one play at the end of the game, and a win for Nebraska, the Huskers would be in the top 10.  Ugh, anyway.  If Tech, oh, Virginia Tech wins this game they’ll hold all the major tiebreakers in the conference.  Georgia Tech needs this win to stay alive to try to get to the ACC Championship game.  I’m not to impressed with how the Hokies have traveled this season, losing to Alabama (who wouldn’t?) and struggling with Duke in Durham N.C.  I like Paul Johnson’s squad to play keep away with the ball an control the clock.  The Hokie D is tough, but the Yellow Jackets come out on top in a low scoring struggle.  GT 21 – VT 17