Who's NU in the B1G?
by Husker Mike on Nov 2, 2011 11:36 PM CDT
in Husker Fans Guide to the Big Ten
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PrintI've followed college football in various online forums for over twenty years, starting with Usenet groups on rec.sport.football.college? Not familiar with it? Twenty years ago, it was the only way for college football fans to interact with each other. Sure, we could read national coverage in Sports Illustrated or the Sporting News, but with this newfangled invention called the internet, fans could actually read what other fans were thinking. And, of course, in the heat of a flame war, fans in these forums used shorthand and abbreviations to refer to teams..which inevitably lead to confusion and indignation. Was UT Texas or Tennessee? Is USC South Carolina or Southern Cal? And then there was my favorite: Ohio State, Oklahoma State, or Oregon State? That one got so silly when some Ohio State fans insisted that Ohio State was THE OSU that over time in response, Ohio State became known instead as tOSU. (Note the lowercase "t" for The.)
Twenty years ago in national college football forums, NU was Nebraska. Or at least that's the way it seemed. In Nebraska, it was NU. And online, nobody talked about any other schools that began with an N. But over time, Gary Barnett started working a miracle, and suddenly Northwestern football started to become relevant nationally. And suddenly, posts started appearing online that referenced NU that made absolutely no sense... until you realized that they were talking Northwestern football instead of Nebraska football.
But then a funny thing came about last year. Conference realignment started rearing it's ugly head, and suddenly the worlds began colliding. Suddenly, Husker fans had to start paying attention to the Big Ten, and suddenly context was out the window. Especially on Twitter, where 140 character limits make space a premium, references to NU seem ambiguous at best.
Each school rightfully claims "NU" as their own. This isn't to argue that one school has the rights to "NU". Some Northwestern fans want Nebraska to use UN for University of Nebraska. Only problem is that in football, it's always been NU. Look at the 1969 helmet. Look at the words to the school song, where it's Nebraska U:
There is no place like Nebraska,
Dear old Nebraska U.
Nebraska fans suggest that Northwestern should be NW. Makes sense to me; any compass or GPS uses NW, and it's crystal clear what it means. Some of Northwestern's earliest uniforms even used NWU. And guess what: both of Northwestern's school songs refer to "U Northwestern":
Go U Northwestern!
Break right through that line.
With our colors flying,
We will cheer you all the time,
U Rah! Rah!
Go! U Northwestern!
Varsity, varsity.
Hit 'em hard and low,
Varsity, varsity,
Go Northwestern Go!
U Rah! Rah! U Rah! Rah!
U Northwestern Rah.
With that, it probably makes more sense for Northwestern to use "UN" or "NW". (Or as Iowa fan likes to suggest, "jNWu" for "Just Northwestern U.")
But frankly, neither school or fan base is going to change their preferred abbreviation. There's tradition involved, and frankly, there isn't a pressing need to change it up. The trick is to revert back to context. One of the guidelines I've always followed when writing is that you never - ever - use an acronym until after you've defined what the acronym stands for. That means that a story about Northwestern football can't use "NU" until after the word "Northwestern" is used. (Wildcats doesn't work either, since it could refer to Kansas State or Arizona.) Nebraska stories can't use "NU" until after either "Nebraska", "Cornhuskers", or "Huskers" is referenced.
It's a simple rule, frankly. While some in the Big Ten have gotten used to using "NU" meaning Northwestern, the Big Ten has dealt with Minnesota/Michigan and Illinois/Indiana/Iowa. Nebraska/Northwestern shouldn't be difficult either.
Unless you are trying to be difficult.
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Big old can of worms
just reopened…Let the fightin’ and feudin’ begin! Should be a fun comment section as we head toward Saturday.
They're 18 to 22...how perfect were you at that age?
The Power of Red begins with the Passion of Walk-Ons.
N! Just N!
Like I posted elsewhere (OTE?), I always saw Nebraska as just N – like we have all seen on the helmets for years on end. Why can’t we somehow just start pushing N (even a BOLD RED N – can’ t do that here) here on Corn Nation. Look at the ads appearing on this page, with the t-shirt – you don’t see NU or UN, you see N!
N! Let us be N!
Well...
We can choose to ignore all the championships, national brand equity, and overall history of the program and say we can play for the designation each year… or…
we can just tell them to fuck off; we’re NU.
After all, they have earned their place in history, according to ESPN PENIS.
by SteveW0720 on Nov 3, 2011 1:23 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
This could be solved quite simply
by the addition of colored text. Sending a tweet or creating a comment/post with a purple NU when referencing Northwestern and a red NU when talking about Nebraska.
In the deed, the glory.
Corn Nation!
Follow @Aaron_Musfeldt
I don't think you can colorize a tweet.
But I know when I read a tweet from Teddy Greenstein from the Chicago Tribune that mentions “NU”…I know he’s talking the other one…
tOSU and tONU
“THE” Ohio State University and “the Other” NU?
Good article
After reading this there is no doubt in my mind that Nebraska is the real NU.
Look me up on youtube sometime...if you're really bored.
Huskers = NU
The huskers have been using NU for a hundred years, and if you ask a NW fan they will say that they just discovered football in the early nineties.
So I tried the Barbasol and Rotel dip and I was very dissapointed!
Counterpoint!
Northwestern University is actually Northwestern University. Nebraska is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Iowa fans over at BHGP refer to us as “UNL.” I guess my issue with that is that “UNL” refers to more the academic aspect of the school rather than our sports teams.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Let's put it this way...
….when the Huskers get back their AAU affiliation, they will then have the requisite letters to be either NebrAskA or NU.
Until then, you’re Nebr_sk_ or N_,
by Chadnudj on Nov 3, 2011 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Vowels are expensive.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
just because northwest is NW doesnt mean Northwestern should be
northwest is a direction, Northwestern is a university.
If you’re into the whole adding W’s that don’t belong, fine, you guys can be Nebwaska.
Alternatively
NB makes as much sense for Nebraska as NW for Northwestern.
by MountainTiger on Nov 3, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
NB is New Brunswick
Not anywhere close to Nebraska
Let's all just think of it this way...
It’s like food brand names. You have the leading brand, lets say “Kellog’s Rice Krispies”, but then you have the cheap “value” brand from Malt-o-Meal, “Crispy Rice”.
I think it’s obvious, and we can conclude from history, and mounds and mounds of statistical evidence, that Northwestern is in fact “Crispy Rice” from Malt-o-meal, making then UN.
On the other hand, Nebraska is in fact “Rice Krispies” from Kellog’s, thus, making us the original NU.
I trust that settles it.
by SteveW0720 on Nov 3, 2011 1:36 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
New kid on the block
doesn’t get to usurp NU from being NU.
that’s just my humble opinion
what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher
I'm not following.
“New kid on the block” in the conference, perhaps. But, in the interest of “unsurping”, let’s take this in a collectivce context and understand that Northwestern (NWU) is the new kid on the block in college football, as a whole, as compared to Nebraska.
That would be like my company hiring a new executive vice president, and our secretary telling him to park in the back because he’s “the new kid on the block”
(I hope everyone knows this is all in good fun, I couldn’t really give two shits what we are called, as long as we win)
Northwestern founded:1851
First Northwestern intercollegiate football game: 1882
Nebraska founded: 1869
First UNL intercollegiate football game: 1890
Looks like an open and shut case to me. Go ’Cats!
by MountainTiger on Nov 3, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Now I'm following
But you can’t exactly say you played “Football”.
I mean, you might have been there, with a couple footballs, some pads, and a few “players”, but it wasn’t football.
: )
by SteveW0720 on Nov 3, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Really? We're going to make this about cheerleader pictures?
Well, in that case, I better get a WIDE ANGLE LENS to capture the rotund glory of the UNL cheer squad….
(I figured, let’s screw it — time to create some hate. Plus, if we didn’t beat our normal corn-and-meth-economy foe — Iowa — it just stands to reason that we’re going to ruin your season as the Wizgerald feasts on the bountifully large asses in Lincoln….)
by Chadnudj on Nov 3, 2011 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Let's all just hate Iowa.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Good point...
….I’m pretty sure “Let’s all just hate Iowa” was the little-reported addendum to Rodney King’s “Can’t we all just get along”….
Nietzsche
He’s dead you know.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Follow @cornnation Twitter
cornnation@gmail.com
by Jon Johnston on Nov 3, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Northwesterns Helmet "N" is for "N"ot 'NU' :-)
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
"There is no place like Nebraska,"
indeed. other places have buildings and such.
BOOSH SON
for what it’s worth, I think we in the blogging world should make a pact that when referring to each other in NU-NU circles, the most recent victor should get rights to NU. But overall, we’re NU, suck it suck it suck it.
Can't spell Nebraska or NU....
….without AAU.
Suck it, academically inferior loser!
ehh
not a fan of this line of reasoning, but whatever.
by Rodger Sherman on Nov 3, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
We're nerds.
I own it……as well as factories employing Nebraska alums paid minimum wage with no healthcare benefits.
Wow! What Originality! Never Heard That One Before!
Freshman, are you?
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions
You're new here in the B1G....
….I figured we could recycle our old, tried and true material.
It's Worth a Try! "A" for Effort.
:-)
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
crap
I was hoping you’d give us an N for effort.
by Rodger Sherman on Nov 3, 2011 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
OHHHHHHHH!!!!
You guys grade on EFFORT! Now I understand all the Husker Academic All-Americans…..
Attendance is Diploma.
Doing your homework gets you Honors credentials!
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Just Visitors, When They Try So Hard
You’ll see – we do it in the stadium too. We’ll clap for you guys after you get your butts kicked.
(Here’s hoping you get your butts kicked.)
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions
We'll save this spot....
…for the video of Dan Persa, Kain Colter, Jeremy Ebert, Drake Dunsmore, and Venric Mark tearing apart the “blackshirt” defense in this Saturday’s upset win.
/That, or for multiple videos of Nebraska meth labs exploding after the Huskers run all over the Cats’ defense.
by Chadnudj on Nov 3, 2011 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good point....
…this game could easily become as entertaining (at least in terms of offense) as the classic Northwestern 54 – Michigan 51 game from 2000. (If you’ve never watched the highlights or read the box score, I HIGHLY recommend you check them out….best game I’ve ever seen, and nothing else even comes REMOTELY close.)
Shootout? I like our chances in the fourth quarter.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
True.
Our offense hasn’t been great in the 2nd half, overall..
Then again, if you’re going to pick the team more capable of a quick-strike, 2-minute type drill offense, isn’t it Northwestern?
(Admittedly, I could see this question going either way…Northwestern because Persa is so freakishly accurate at passing, or Nebraska because Northwestern’s defense cannot tackle/stop Nebraska from running over them).
If Persa is just passing, I take Nebraska.
Our secondary, when not being forced to account for the run, is quite good.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Only because they wouldn't let us in...
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
let us have this one
because the only thing that hurts more then losing by 60 is losing by 60 and then you read that NU dominated..
matthew0
Silly Person - Its "The" Northwestern University
Stop getting everyone confused.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Its "just" Northwestern University
So I tried the Barbasol and Rotel dip and I was very dissapointed!
Like Anything, You Have to Use Context - We're Talking About Football
And in the context of football, Nebraska owns “NU”. Go anywhere in the world, and ask any football fan (other than an NW student or alumni) what school is “NU” and the answer will be “Nebraska”.
Walk into any football gathering and say “Hey, I saw NU on TV the other day!” and they will know you are talking about Nebraska.
Or, “I think the NU-OK game is still the game of the century!”
Or, “How many NU Heisman winners have there been?”
Or, “NU has 5 national championships, right?”
…and they will know you are talking about Nebraska.
In the context of football, and that is what we are talking about here, Nebraska owns “NU”.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 3:45 PM CDT reply actions
answers
1. Which one – the 24-0 shutout in 1997? Didn’t see it, I was seven, but, damn, that sounds boring!
2. None! Darnell Autry got a bunch of votes though that one year.
3. That’s not true! We don’t have any!
by Rodger Sherman on Nov 3, 2011 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Rodger! You Didn't Read The Post!
I excluded NW students and alumni. :-)
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually, on #3...
….Northwestern has 6 national championships in just the past 7 years.
Wait, you guys WEREN’T discussing womens’ lacrosse during this football gathering? What’s wrong with you?
Northwestern Indeed Rules In Womens' Lacrosse
Can’t argue with that dynasty.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I've personally never heard NU. Always "Nebraska". ESPN has always had us listed as NEB.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually, You Are Right
They always say “Nebraska”. Almost everyone in the media says “Nebraska”.
But that’s no fun.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Does it really matter?
At the end of the day you still live in Nebraska.
Dikaia Upotheke - Justice Our Foundation
Finally
You guys made a good point. I was waiting, twiddling my thumbs, but you finally pulled it off.
Yes, And We Still Have a Nationally Respected Football Team
And we are employed. What’s the Illinois unemployment rate again? 10%? Ouch.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions
It Was
I am ashamed of myself. My apologies to anyone who has the bad luck to be one of the unemployed.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, but they're Northwestern
They’re the employable Illinois-ans (not sure the correct term here).
People with a theater degree and $100,000 of student loan debt are very employable
At restaurants in New York AND Los Angeles
Manager at BT Powerhouse a Big Ten basketball blog
@babaoreally
Actually, it IS "Illinoisians"
Huh. Interesting.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
At least it's not Iowa.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I WONDERED When Someone Was Going to Bring Iowa Into This!
Kudos!
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm always good for a good Iowa put-down.
All things in perspective.
/worst five hours of my life
/six times a year
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions
actually
I live in Minnesota
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Follow @cornnation Twitter
cornnation@gmail.com
Why do you think we wear red?
It’s not because it’s slimming.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Damn! I Lost My Little Red Book Again!
Anyone got a spare?
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Just. Stop.
Trying to be logical. Joykill. ;-)
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Forecast for Saturday's game
Just heard from Omaha KETV 7, they are forecasting winds upwards of 35-40mph. I don’t care what type of passing you do, short, long, or lateral, that is not good.
I liked NU’s chances before, now I love their chances.
Way to hedge your bets there.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Going to be at the game this Saturday! GO HUSKERS!
UN is kinda already taken by a rather well known world wide organization, which is loaded with meaning to billions of people across many cultures. Not a good abbreviation to have at the bottom of your screen in the score box.
Perhaps a compromise can be made where NU is something we can call ourselves for the whole year after our respective team wins. So if Nebraska wins this Saturday, we get to use NU for the whole next year and the cats get NW. It would be a fun tradition.
Our TV shorthand is already NEB.
But yes, I think the NU moniker would be a fun trophy for the game.
Kind of like renaming the stretch of I-80 between Iowa City and Lincoln after the winner of that game.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Guys
You’re not in the Big 8/12 anymore. You’re free. You don’t have to do the [x]U thing. It’s not required in your new conference. Now you’re somewhere where it’s safe to like book learnin’ and stuff.
Honestly, it just makes me think of the stupid University of Missouri fans who have morphed “University of Missouri – Columbia” into both “MU” and “Mizzou.” Another few decades in the Big 12, and you guys would’ve started calling yourselves Nebbou or something, and that would have been embarrassing for everyone.
WOOO INTERCONFERENCE HATE.
Hurrr hurr Big 12 schools DUMB.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like to troll
troll troll troll Northwestern is better troll troll we are the real NU troll troll troll troll
by nufandan on Nov 3, 2011 8:50 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
Rec'd
Made me laugh!
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
hmmmmmm
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Follow @cornnation Twitter
cornnation@gmail.com
Got a lot of good hate in this threat.
Fun times. Haven’t gotten to do much of this yet this year.
In the deed, the glory.
Corn Nation!
Follow @Aaron_Musfeldt
We're Not Hatin'
We’re just joshing around!
Now, wait until the Iowa game. That’ll be some hatin’.
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"
by UltimaRatioRegum on Nov 3, 2011 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Not worth the effort by then.
It’s just Iowa.
A Cornhusker through feast or famine. Get up, dust yourself off and run the ball. That's the Nebraska way.
by Salt Creek and Stadium on Nov 3, 2011 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
We'll do well
the rest of the season.
Michigan, Penn State. Bastrrds.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Follow @cornnation Twitter
cornnation@gmail.com
by Jon Johnston on Nov 3, 2011 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions
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