I have been mostly out of touch the past two days, driving to Nebraska and back to attend Brian’s funeral. It obviously wasn’t an entirely pleasant trip, but it was necessary to say goodbye to a guy I’d communicated with nearly daily every day for the past five years.

Watching Brian’s three-year old daughter Emerson trying to wake up her father so she could give him a stuffed animal just before his funeral service was one of most gut-wrenching things I’d ever seen. I am sure that Kelly had brought her over along with their son Brock so she could have one last look.

If that somehow sounds cruel, it is not. I am familiar with that concept. My father died in 1974 of pancreatic cancer. It was a Saturday morning, and I was playing at a close friend’s house. My brother Jerome showed up to get me, and it was clear he had been crying. I didn’t have to ask, I just went with him.

When I arrived at our house, I was told to go into Dad’s bedroom and take “one last look”. I sat in the chair where my sister was sitting when he died. He face was turned towards her, his eyes still open, lifeless, but still so full of love. It is an indelible image. It reminds me yet today of what I told Matt Brown, one of our college league managers, as Brian’s funeral service was ending.

“This is a reminder that we should get busy living”, I said.

This shouldn’t be a time at which we spend a lot of effort questioning our own mortality - it should be a time at which we realize what fate awaits all of us and to resolve ourselves to spending our time with each other in love, showing more mercy and compassion to those around us than we want sometimes because it can be a lot of work.

I don’t admire Kelly’s position of having to teach a three-year old about death. I can only pray for her, and I hope you do to.

The Wisconsin game approaches. The ego of the entire state of Nebraska is as stake this weekend because whether we like it or not, that’s the position in which we’ve placed our beloved football team.

Will Nebraska be up to the task of beating the Badgers?

When we (CN Staff) met at Blue Blood, the question was asked, and only two of us raised our hands. (I’m not telling the two.)

Is Wisconsin a rival?

Of course, if you think they are, they are. Stop being so damned picky.

What’s scary about Wisconsin?

Troy Fumagalli. He might play. I have grown tired of Wisconsin tight ends. I hope someone intercepts passes (multiple) intended for him and we make the Badgers pay for using him rather than the other way around.

NEWS

How the Huskers Beat the Badgers | Hail Varsity
It’s a tall task for Nebraska this week, even at home and even at night. But the last two Husker-Badger matchups have been decided by one score each time. Are the Huskers capable of getting over the hump this time as, yet again, an underdog?

Wisconsin football: Badgers look to bring the heat on Nebraska's passing game
Clayton Thorson concurs. UW sacked the Northwestern quarterback eight times last week in a 33-24 victory over the Wildcats and intercepted two of his passes. Nebraska coach Mike Riley, whose team hosts No. 8 UW (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at 7 p.m. Saturday, has seen the hit parade on video. He knows the Badgers enter the game No. 2 in the Big Ten in sacks with 16.

Tight end Troy Fumagalli back on the practice field for Badgers
University of Wisconsin senior tight end Troy Fumagalli, who was held out of the Northwestern game because of a left-leg injury, participated in practice Wednesday.

Day Explains Why Husker Fans in a League of Their Own - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Denise Day is so much more than what her bio says she is for several reasons. Day is, after all, a woman who was Nebraska's first All-American softball player and first two-time Academic All-American

College football coach buyouts: Agents fleecing ADs for millions - SBNation.com
When overestimating the odds of success and passing the buck come together.

College football: The Big Ten West is worse than the SEC - Bucky's 5th Quarter
I was perusing some post on /r/cfb two days ago and there were a number of Nebraska fans starting to puff out their chests in advance of our matchup on Saturday because they have won two games in a row ... against Rutgers and Illinois. Keep in mind, THEY ALMOST LOST TO RUTGERS

Minnesota at Purdue Preview - Hammer and Rails
The Gophers have won four straight against Purdue.

Minnesota Football vs Purdue - Week 6 Preview - The Daily Gopher
New head coach Jeff Brohm has given the Boilermaker faithful reason to hope with a strong start to his tenure

How Purdue Will Honor Joe Tiller on Saturday - Hammer and Rails
Both Purdue and their opponent, Minnesota, will honor to legendary head coach on Saturday.

Northwestern football is at a crossroads yet again and change is needed - Inside NU
Every year, after a disappointing Northwestern loss to a top Big Ten program, whether it be Ohio State, Wisconsin, or Michigan, we have this same discussion. Is putting up a fight enough? Have we become accustomed to mediocrity?

Northwestern vs. Penn State: 3 things to know about the Nittany Lions - Inside NU
Right now, Penn State is the best team in the Big Ten.

USC player's viral hit on Washington State fan being investigated - SBNation.com
Trojans coach Clay Helton said the unidentified player has been disciplined internally.