Nebraska vs Texas Fan Approach: In Your Face or Subdued But Optimistic?
by Jon Johnston on Oct 11, 2010 1:40 PM CDT
in Nebraska Husker Football
Email
Print
An observation about the difference between the Nebraska and Texas fan bases -
When Texas is not doing well, their fans become highly critical of their coaching staff and players. If it were legal, Longhorn fans might just kill their coaching staff, barbecue them and eat them.
When Nebraska doesn't do well, Husker fans have a tendency to go around beating the hell out of any other Husker fan if they say anything bad about the coaches or the players all the while declaring themselves "true fans". Arguments ensue about how long each has had season tickets, attended games, or how many pieces of Husker fandom each owns and practically nothing is said about the coaches or the players and how lousy they're performing.
I'm not trying to say that one approach is necessarily better than the other (because it's not), I'm just pointing out the difference between the fans so that if you head over to BON this week to try and get a handle on Texas, you understand the mood they're in.
Clearly Nebraska isn't in the same position as we were last year - trying to figure how to win games with an offense that couldn't score to save it's life. That's Texas (ha!).
Things look pretty good heading into this game, and as we all know, all those Nebraska losses could be washed away if we win this one last* game because that's just the way it works. This perspective could lead many of you to the "In Your Face" approach this week, visiting every online forum you can find and giving it to Texas fans while they're in a sour mood.
On the other hand, should Texas win, they'll have destroyed a perfect season for our Huskers, and they will have bragging rights FOR ALL TIME, giving them the last laugh as we close the door on the Big 12 conference. It's that possibility that may lead some Husker fans to take a subdued but optimistic approach to this game.
Given those positions, I'm curious as to how Husker (and Texas, if you care to respond) fans are approaching this game.
Are you in the "In UR FACE!" camp, or are you the "subdued but optimistic" type?
*Forget the "we could meet them in the last Big 12 Championship game" stuff because you can't count on that.
50 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'm always in the subdued but optimistic camp
And the fact that I live in Austin and don’t want everyone around me pissed off at me has compounded that in this case.
Even if I wanted to get all “YOU’RE GOING DOWN!!!!” there’s no oomph in it anymore. Every Texas fan I know would just sigh and say, “Yup, we sure are.” But that’s not to say I won’t proudly wear a Nebraska shirt around UT on Monday if they win…
Count me in the "yup . . ." crowd
Even if we do pull off a win, it won’t be as satisfying as it should be. You guys will probably have to suck it up, and we’ll probably have to get pretty lucky. I’ll enjoy it, but it won’t be satisfying.
agreed
as a Horns fan, i think we are all disappointed that the game is not as big as it should be.
Of course all of the blame is on us ’cause we suck but you guys are looking great this year.
As of right now, i don’t think many of us give Texas a shot in this game but most importantly we just want to see improvement from our team and for them to stop making a gadzillion stupid mistakes that has occurred in the last 2 games.
A cunning strategy by Texas
Now they are in a “can’t lose” situation, as Nebraska is supposed to win now. But if Texas pulls the upset it’s a great under-dog story and they get to wreak our undefeated season.
Darn they are a tricky bunch.
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool.
~Wanko the Sane
Big Red Kool-aid Drinker @ Corn Nation
yep, they showed us. lol
I am in the subdued camp, I think we’ll win, but i’m not gonna go over there and raise hell about it, that’s just lame to do on someone else’s board…on the other hand I love discussing the ins and outs of what could happen this saturday, so I find myself over there alot..god i’m excited!
Neither
I’m in the petrified camp. Nebraska is Charlie Brown. Texas is Lucy. We’ve had the ball pulled out from under us so many times at the last instant. This year, Lucy is looking over her shoulder talking to a friend. It looks like we should easily kick that ball this time. But something is stopping me from any sort of real optimism.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
by jdhusker on Oct 11, 2010 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
That's where I'm at
It’s tough to put my finger on it, but I’m just too used to excruciating losses against Texas to be confident coming into this one. I’m optimistic, but there’s the nagging fear in the back of my mind…
by Cheeseandcorn on Oct 11, 2010 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions
That's one helluva way to look at it.
GBR!
throw dem bones!!!
by hskrntnfreak on Oct 11, 2010 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
We've won with great, good, and mediocre teams
Not sure we have won with a plain ol’ poor performing team. If you do find an optimistic Longhorn fan, consider them cautious as they are plainly not ready to deal with reality.
Personally speaking, I’m a hopeful fan. Hoping we see something different than we’ve trotted on the field season to date. The problem in a nutshell: We just don’t know what is going to show up.
However, I think to a person, we all know which Nebraska team is going to show up. And that scares the living bejezus out of Longhorn fan.
But trust me, there will be no let up for 60 minutes. I’ll be right there singing Eyes of Texas win or lose.
It's been a pretty nice ride these last few years
Longhorn fan has had it good. Great teams contending every year. Just like Husker fan enjoyed in the 90s.
I’m with TXStampede. Hopeful the team with world class talent can somehow find the right chemistry and give us one more surprise.
The only surprise I’ve seen this year is our ability to repeatedly shoot ourselves in the foot. The other surprise is seeing a Husker team find that key ingredient to make the offense potent.
Maybe…T.Mart is to NU:: VY is to UT
I call bullshit! Bevo size!
it's all that lone star beer they drink in texas
that gives them good luck, I plan on evening the odds on friday night so..no worries husker nation, i got this.
by Ceek on Oct 11, 2010 4:34 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Subdued optimism here.
We still haven’t really played anybody, but the sky’s the limit if we can beat Texas. GO BIG RED!
Hadoken!!
SOS
I find it ironic that Washington was a big game and SOS adder, BEFORE the game. So was KSU BEFORE the game. After we embarase these teams then, “We haven’t played anybody”. BS; we’ve shamed a couple proud programs, but that doesn’t make them awful.
by Corny on Oct 11, 2010 5:37 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
same thing
The same thing will be true about Texas. If we win big, it will just be because Texas had a down year and have nothing to do with Nebraska being any good.
by Aaron Musfeldt on Oct 11, 2010 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions
The fact remains
that this will be the best team we have played so far. We’ll know more after this game than we did after UW.
Hadoken!!
Big 10
I still wish we had the opportunity to even the record with Texas. Even if we beat them weekend, they will still just point to 2-8.
As for this game, everything points to a Nebraska win. Potentially a big win. It comes down to how well Taylor Martinez handles himself and if Texas can use the bye-week to make some improvements or add a few wrinkles that we haven’t seen yet.
If Nebraska wants to have a chance at the BCS title game this year, they need to pour it on Texas. But Texas always seems to find a way to break our hearts. Sooner Magic all over again, just the burnt orange kind. Washington was a big game. Kansas State was a big game. This is the big game. If they can handle Texas and make it through October undefeated, things will be looking good.
I'm not an in-your-face kinda guy, but
I will savor the win if we get it. I was at the 1996 “roll out game” and the 1998 Ricky Williams Halloween game. Those were tough losses. Texas was a nobody football team back then and losing to them was like losing to Iowa State.
by Aaron Musfeldt on Oct 11, 2010 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Texas was a nobody football team back then and losing to them was like losing to Iowa State.
That hurts. We were in the dark days, but we were never a nobody, just like Nebraska has never been a nobody. And Iowa State? Ouch.
Good luck, and Hook ’em.
Sorry man.
Growing up in the late 80’s early 90’s I never heard of Texas. A&M a few times because we played them. As a kid, they were just the same as anyone else you were suppose to beat. I hadn’t even heard of the Longhorns until the Big XII was organized. Obviously they were going through some tough times, but it was expected that we would beat Texas in the early years of the Big XII. I’m sure the kids growing up watching Texas this past decade have felt the same about Nebraska (and anyone else on their schedule). They just expected to beat anyone on their schedule too. All about perspective.
by Aaron Musfeldt on Oct 11, 2010 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't mean anything by it, but
I’m still surprised. In 1996, Texas was tied for the 3d most wins all time. Nebraska was in 5th. That’s not an “entitled” view. I’m just surprised. Even when Nebraska was tearing up the Big 8, I certainly knew who they were—and I wasn’t even a teenager then.
2-8?
We fumbled away three games and Solich lost one by refusing to kick field goals. This series is 4 plays away form being an even split.
by Morgan Sailors on Oct 11, 2010 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Still 1-8....
6 of those were by four points or less, but those are still losses. Funny thing is that if we were to somehow blow them out, the overall scoring in the Big 12 series would be very close to dead even.
I don’t make excuses for our lousy record against Texas although I would dispute that we’ve been “dominated.” Texas has been sickeningly lucky at times. Other times they just made the plays at the end of the game. Hopefully we get the last laugh…
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
I don't think any of us would say we've dominated you
Although I’d definitely say that’s what you guys did to us in the 1999 Big XII Championship Game.
Subdued but very optimistic
Call it what it is…..Texas is a GREAT program and it will be very difficult to beat them regardless. Keep in mind that even at 13-12 last year, the Husker offense didn’t score a touchdown. That will have to change in a big way this weekend. Every game is a big game for the Huskers from here on out. I’m more worried about beating Texas and then losing to Oklahoma State and Missouri.
subdued but confident
As most Nebraskans aren’t the “in your face” type, most of us fall in the subdued crowd. As with any fan base it’s the loudmouths that get the attention. That being said I would be shocked beyond belief if Tejas scores more than 17 pts, and that’s just not going to cut it. Mack Brown is a modern day version of Bobby Bowden, he doesn’t out-coach many people but he does out-talent quite a few. And one final thought, NEVER piss off Bo. Nebraska by 10, 24-14.
I was 12 in 1986.
Broderick Thomas. “Our House” Steve Taylor. OU 20, NU 17. I’ve tried to be as respectful as possible ever since.
I’m not afraid to say I think Nebraska is the better team this year, but a) as much as I love this game, it IS just a GAME, and b) I take that “Greatest Fans in College Football” moniker seriously. Win or lose, do it with class, IMO. I’m hopeful we roll, and for the love of Devaney, it would feel great to get the Longhorn off our backs on the way out, but whatever happens I’m not going to become a troll anytime soon.
"...when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to."
— Martin Luther
Subdued and apprehensive
I went to the NU-UT game in Austin in 2007 (we lost 28-25 as we all recall) and was a single dot of red in a sea of burnt orange in the upper decks. For the entire game (which was awfully played on both sides), not a single person would even make eye contact with me, but the minute the game was over, all the Texas fans were effusive about how NU deserved to win that game. It was like flipping a light switch.
I can’t say that I enjoyed the Bill Callahan era, and I will not claim that I supported him and his staff in the slightest. In my eyes, he was a really bad idea from day 1 and his dismantling of proud traditions was unforgivable.
Beat Down
I’m not nearly as reserved as a NU fan. That Texas has issues makes me happy, happy, happy. I expect NU to give them a beat down this weekend. For me, it just can’t happen soon enough. There are no more arrogant, obnoxious fans in football than those of UT. Thankfully no all Texans are not like that, neither are all the great universities of the state. So……..Go Big Red !
Subdued but confident
I don’t want a dark shadow cast on my weekend and on the season if we lose this game. Let’s say Nebraska loses, then just forget about Texas…we won’t have to play them for who knows how long or have to worry about Texas fans reminding us about the past because we’re moving to the Big 10.
Now I would love to see us win this game, a lot…but keep in mind that if Texas pulls out some of that burnt orange magic and wins somehow in heartbreak fashion, Nebraska will be 5-1 and still has the potential to be 11-1 going into the Big 12 championship game. I think all this success seems a little too good to be true, especially considering most of us predicted Nebraska would be 11-3 this season, maybe 12-2 at best.
I’m saying all these things just to prepare myself mentally for a heartbreaking loss. But I really think that the way things look this year’s Cornhusker team has such a great shot at winning this game, and I really think they will.
For myself...
I’m optimistic,but keeping my fingers x’ed. How many times has Texass bit us in ours and ruin a great season that was in the making. Realistically, I know we are the stronger team,the better team but just can’t shake that nagging feeling with this game. Secretly,I hope we hand them their worst loss in UT history…that will make up for that B12 record against us.
GBR!
throw dem bones!!!
Actually, technically
66-3 is just a bit worse. ;)
by Cheeseandcorn on Oct 12, 2010 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Cornhuskers have classy fans
I’ve always enjoyed talking to the Husker fans at the games we’ve played and they are nothing if not a classy fan base. I’m sure if they win, that may go out the window for a little while given the decade plus of frustration against Texas. I don’t think Texas fans are as emotionally invested in this game, especially with the troubles we’ve had this year. If Texas wins, it will be great, if not miraculous, but that may be asking too much. As always I will watch, complain, cheer and accept the outcome. It’s just too bad Nebraska is leaving just as this rivalry is heating up. I hear it’s pretty cold in Wisconsin in November, better you than us.
RAWR IN YOUR FACE
WE’RE TEXAS. WE’RE GONNA WIN. THEY WILL POST THE FINAL SCORE IN ALL CAPS LOCK ALL, ALSO.
Sigh… Just wait til you hear the podcast when your hosts ask me about our offense.
On the quarterback: “Uh… well… the thing is that, I mean, OH CHRIST OUR APPROACH IS SO BROKEN. COACHING FAIL MCSUPERFAIL.”
On the running backs: “Well, there are several guys… I mean, well, OH CHRIST HOW CAN YOU HAVE SEVERAL GUYS IN MID-OCTOBER FAIL FAIL FAIL.”
On the receivers: “There’s some talent, and I really like Mike Davis and Malcolm Williams, but how do you catch a big BUCKET OF FAIL.”
Seriously, that’s a pretty fair paraphrase. Of fail.
You ain't hurt...
LOL
What happened?
@GochFaceKiller on Twitter
by Screwface on Oct 12, 2010 12:15 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
you guys
are being really quiet over on BON……
wow.
This game has a high neurotic factor, doesn’t it?
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!
cornnation@gmail.com
by Jon Johnston on Oct 12, 2010 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
As for me...
I take the “greatest fans in college football” for what it’s worth…Nothing. It’s nothing but a self-indulgent title coated with a false sense of feel-good righteousness and I wish to hell that crap would go away. (I say this in reference to a comment above, which I didn’t necessarily want to quote)
That said, I am very cautiously optimistic about this one. Sure, all indications point to blow-out win for NU, but recent history will point otherwise.
This seems to be a very close games with the makings for an upset with Nebraska falling asleep at home, as they tend to do.
First time commenting on this site. I've been watching
the comments on the upcoming UT-NU game here and on BON. If I didn’t know better I’d say the UT fans are kinda sandbagging hoping for the upset. UT does have a pretty good defense and could pose some problems, but I think there is a bit of depth/size issue on the D-line NU could exploit. Their LB’s do run well to the ball and make plays. But what I’ve seen of Martinez shows me he can throw the crossing routes pretty well, which will probably keep the DB’s honest. UT’s best bet is the turnover game. Get some big hits on the QB & RB"s and hope for the short field. Maybe take some shots deep (Greg Davis not withstanding) and try to keep it close into the 4th qtr to give themselves a chance to win. I’d still have to go with Nebraska 24-13 though. See you guys in the CCG ….I hope.
Haha
its funny to see husker fans nervous about Texas…similar to u guys last yr our offense stinks and even worse they turn it over and place our defense in horrible situations.
I see us hanging around for awhile but defense can only take u so far and I think martinez finally breaks free for a couple of big td runs in the 2nd half.
I think Nebraska 27 Texas 10
by jtdiddy on Oct 12, 2010 5:55 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Texas Is More Confident Than You Think
I think the Huskers have a lot more to lose in this game and are likely to be far tighter than the Longhorns. The danger is probably in being too hyped up. Even with all of Nebraska’s storied history, it’s been a while now since we’ve had a really big win. This would count as one despite Texas being unranked and playing poorly so far this season.
As a Huskers fan I’d have to be in the confident but subdued crowd. I’m ready to get rowdy.. but this is likely to be one helluva tough game.
Given their recent success, the Horns are likely to be far more confident than what Huskers fans might expect. And PLEASE Huskers.. WIN this one because I have to live here amidst all this BO (Burnt Orange) dammit.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
SHOP THE CORN NATION STORE
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
