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There are specific story topics about Nebraska football that are certain to bring a response from Husker fans. If things are slow, you’re in a bind, or you just want something that will bring in the webhitz, you write about one of these topics.
Note that I’ve avoided lists, like “The Top Ten Greatest [Position] [Game] [Bowl Performances], etc. etc.”. Fans have a love-hate relationship with these types of articles. They get tiring, but they can’t help themselves but to click on them in hopes that they may get to feel internet fauxrage about a topic that has no real impact on their day-to-day lives.
Specific story topics are, but not limited to
- Lil’ Red
- Use (Or Not) Of The Fullback
- The Triple Option (Offensive Identity)
- Anything Involving Tom Osborne
- When They're Going to Hand Out Blackshirts
- The Sellout Streak (Especially in June)
And finally,
- Stories about Who Might Be Nebraska's rival.
The story about Nebraska and rivalry has been valid since the formation of the Big 12. For a lot of us Oklahoma (Okay, maybe JUST ME) ceased being Nebraska's rival at that point since they were in the Big 12 South and no longer played us on a yearly basis. That left Colorado, Kansas State, and Missouri as potential rivals. I don't know of any Nebraska fans that ever considered any of those teams as rivals, mostly because Nebraska fans considered themselves far superior to those teams. By recognizing them as rivals, it would've been an acceptance that they were on the same level as Nebraska.
Historical relationships were thrown to the wind when Nebraska joined the Big Ten conference. The rivalry story continues to be a somewhat controversial subject. It's controversial because, well, because it's necessary for the media to have it be controversial. We do better when there's controversy because it brings more attention.
So now it's Wisconsin week.
The Badgers are probably the one team that most Nebraska fans would consider a new rival in the Big Ten at this point, meaning that they are the team (of those we play on a yearly basis) that Husker fans want to beat the most. Given Wisconsin's recent history, one would assume that Nebraska and Wisconsin have the best chance of winning the Big Ten West most years.
It's obvious that Wisconsin is our rival, and then not so obvious because when it comes down to it we hate Iowa way more than Wisconsin. The Badgers have our respect – since Nebraska has joined the Big Ten, every trip to Madison has been an ass kicking. At least once a week my youngest son reminds me "Hey, remember that time Wisconsin scored a bazillion points on Nebraska?", and he will probably do that for the rest of my natural life. It'd be nice this weekend if the Huskers could come away with the win or at least play the game down to the wire and give us some semblance of hope that we can stay close in Madison.
That respect may be due to Barry Alvarez, his connection to Nebraska and the fact that he stole a lot of the things that made Nebraska great to make Wisconsin great. He stole the idea of Wisconsin's walk on program, which works well for them because there isn't any other FBS school in the state, and if you're a native Wisconsinite and want to compete at that level that's where you're going to school. He stole the idea of hard-nosed, physical play as well, because before Alvarez came along, the Badgers sucked hard at football.
But then again, with regards to rivalries, there's that hatred toward Iowa, which makes you think that Iowa really is our rival. You might not feel it as much because this is Wisconsin week, but trust me - save this article for Thanksgiving/Iowa week - and you know that you will be thinking of ways to piss off your neighborhood Iowa fan just because you can. That's not a rivalry?
You could add Minnesota in here as well since Nebraska has played them more over our history than any other Big Ten team. Plus there's that 5$ Bits of Broken Chair trophy that's really the only trophy created out of the beautiful stupidity of life. If you wanted to expand the debate further you might add Northwestern. Games against the Wildcats have been pretty close, much closer the Nebraskans would like to believe.
You could add those schools, but it would be a stretch. Instead, let's stick with Wisconsin and Iowa and add one more concept you need to accept. It is possible for Nebraska to have more than one rival. This isn't marriage, you dumb ass, it's sports. The reason Nebraska's had one rival for most of our lifetimes is because we crushed everybody else besides Oklahoma in the Big Eight Conference. (The other reason is because Nebraskans football is a religion, emotionally tying fans to sacraments, marriage being one of those sacraments, but that is a topic for another day.)
The days of us ripping through a conference with only one, big game a season are gone. They ain't coming back. Time to embrace a new reality. We can have both Wisconsin and Iowa as rivals. We could add in the Gophers just for fun because the more the merrier and they make some pretty decent beer in Minnesota.
It's possible. For some it might be radical, but you remember what I said about your neighbor during Iowa week, and then try to tell me I’m wrong.
NEWS
Amber Rolfzen Named espnW Player of the Week - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Amber Rolfzen was named the espnW National Player of the Week on Wednesday.
Roby making gains - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
True freshman wing is returning from pelvic injury with stronger upper body
Why Nebraska isn't a true College Football Playoff contender | FOX Sports
"Every year we have a college football program that whines and complains that ‘nobody respects us. Why doesn’t anybody respect us?’ Last year it was Iowa. This year, it’s Nebraska. And what happens every year is one team gets off to a 7-0, 8-0 start and the college fans are like ‘why don’t you love us?’ This year it’s Nebraska and their likeable coach Mike Riley.
This is about Colin Cowherd. First, I don’t know any Nebraska fans who are complaining about respect, but Cowherd might have had heard of or had a person call in on his show, giving him the excuse to use that guy as an example of an entire population.
Colin Cowherd is a shit for brains. He is a blowhard. There is absolutely no reason for you to spend your time listening to him - in fact, I would argue it makes you dumber. That, and you’re violating one of the top rules of media consumption:
JUST BECAUSE THEY’RE FEEDING YOU SHIT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO EAT IT.
Notes: Badgers must slow Nebraska's Armstrong Jr.
“I think Tommy Armstrong is really the wheels of the offense,” Biegel said. "We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Westerkamp feeling good, glad to be back - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Nebraska senior receiver returns against Wisconsin after missing two games with injury
UW running backs bolster passing game
As Wisconsin’s coaches look to expand and improve the offense, the running backs are becoming a more integral part of the passing game.
Big Ten
Kyle Schwarber still rakes, Cubs win World Series Game 2 - The Crimson Quarry
War Bear is back as he smashed RBI singles in the first and fifth innings to lead the Cubs to a win in game two.
Did you guys watch Schwarber play while he was in college. Good lord that man is a beast. His performance shouldn’t shock anyone.
ALL THEM COACHES AND MONEY
Jim Harbaugh is making $9 million this year from his unique Michigan deal - SBNation.com
There are now seven college football head coaches making $5 million or more.
NCAAF | Coaches | Salaries | USA TODAY Sports
Jim Harbaugh be making so much money it's dumb.
Hiring a college football coach is expensive. Firing one is, too.
USA TODAY study shows sums commanded in buyout language of FBS contracts are skyrocketing.
Elsewhere
Was the Oklahoma-Texas Tech offensive explosion good for college football? - CBSSports.com
Instead of getting all high and mighty about it ourselves, we reached out to trained football professionals for their opinions. What did they think of a game that featured 18 scores in 25 total possessions (not counting kneel downs)? There were all of four punts. That game alone raised the Big 12 scoring average 4 percent (to more than 37 points per game).
Big 12 commish shoots down $10M pro rata elimination report: TV talks 'active' - CBSSports.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby shot down a Monday report that ESPN had bought out the pro rata clause that would force the network to pay extra should the conference decide to expand.
Notre Dame, Michigan or Oregon biggest flop in college football? | SI.com
Notre Dame, Michigan State and Oregon all began the season with College Football Playoff aspirations yet sit at 2–5 right now. Whose collapse has been
There’s about a 40 percent chance a two-loss team will enter conference title weekend with a decent shot to make the Playoff. Let me explain.
Is it next Saturday yet?
Alabama fan and reverend threatens to brutalize reporter over innocuous story | FOX Sports
This guy takes his Crimson Tide football a little too seriously.
Then There's This
Immunizing children against deadly bullshit - HealthNewsReview.org
Most people don't understand why claims made in many health stories are unreliable. The Informed Health Choices project seeks to address this problem.
Why I Curse in Class - The Chronicle of Higher Education
That’s why I don’t encourage every teacher to let rip with the expletives. If you’re uncomfortable cursing in life, don’t do it in class. It’d be just as unnatural and stilted as my voice is when I try to avoid it.
My cursing in class also dispels the notion that obscenity is the tool of the inept, the uneducated, and the poor. Well, I’m an adjunct, so maybe that last one isn’t true, but there is no rule that says intelligent or educated people have to avoid strong language.
YEAH, SO SCREW YOU MOM.
(I really liked his example of “Eat shit and die.”)