So we've talked about the 4 teams that figure to be fighting it out for 3rd place in the weak Big XII north this season. Now we're going to talk about the team that was at the absolute top during old Big 8 days as far as football goes. Yes, they proceeded to drop off after the merger, mainly due to scholarship limits and their inability to take prop 48 kids anymore. Some boobs named Steve Pederson and Bill Callahan also played their part but football has always been the straw that stirs the drink in Lincoln and that has never changed, and probably never will.
In an effort to return to their glory days, corn nation sent former athletic director packing along with Callahan and brought in former head coach, former house representative, former savior and emeritus for life Tom Osbourne to bring back their lost sparkle and really, their only reason to keep breathing. Dr. Tom, making sure he didn't repeat Pederson's miscue when he hired Cally as his 5th choice kept things close to the vest before hiring LSU and former hick defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. He allowed Bo to hire his brother and give him the title of defensive coordinator but pretty much brought in his old cronies to act as the remainder of his coaching staff. At the time I thought it was possibly a recipe for disaster but I underestimated Dr. Tom and Bo for that matter as they have struggled to score but have built one of the best defenses in the country out of the players that Cally and company were unable to do anything with.
Nebraska will do whatever it takes to return to what they consider to be their birthright, among the elite of college football. They'll be happy to do it whether it tanks the rest of the athletic department or not. I mean really, in their opinion who cares about college basketball anyway? It's just a way to kill time until spring practice begins. Their fans have been trolling national message boards for months proclaiming they are back and that at long last, order is being restored. Nebraska fans are something of an odd lot, but I have to admit they've come up with some of the greatest, (or corniest, if you prefer) photoshop work to promote their team. They are indeed rabid, if somewhat weird fans who'll show up 85,000 strong to watch their spring game and they aren't afraid to take out a 2nd mortgage on the combine if they think the huskers could use some new equipment for their weight room.
I think most people believe that it's going to come down to Nebraska and Missouri fighting it out for the north crown this year and they're probably right. Both have dumped a huge amount of dollars into facilities and both were in the top 25 in recruiting last year compared to the rest of the division who were in the 60's. Both are also going to have to deal with the speculation that they'll be moving on to the Big Ten within a couple of years so I expect neither to be welcomed warmly when they go on the road. They've chosen to do things differently as Mizzou has concentrated on offensive playmakers who can win a track meet while Nebraska wants to grind it out and win games 17-13. Last year it worked out for Nebraska, but 4 of the last 7 have gone to Missouri. Frankly, at this time it could all come down to the head coach and his ability to deal with adversity. So what could go wrong when you've got Bo Pelini roaming the sidelines?
Have a great weekend folks. I'm not going to talk about Missouri's prospects for the season yet, so I think that next week we may just try to condense some of the Big Ten expansion talk. Of course, I'm still wanting to get into my photo tribute to Jennifer Love Hewitt so I may do that instead.
No comments:
Post a Comment