Lets talk (a little) trash. Just like the old days.
We haven’t really been able to do that since we left the Big 12. When you look at the data, the Bill McCartney manufactured rivalry between NU and CU was never much of a rivalry really. Lifetime against the Buffaloes the Huskers lead the series 49-18-2. Even during Coach Mac’s hate-filled heyday (1982 to 1994) when he was all about circling Nebraska on the schedule, the Puffs could still only muster three wins and one tie over 13 seasons. All Bill McCartney really managed to create was some serious bad blood where there really didn’t need to be any. I can recall a few rather unpleasant trips to the planet of Boulder – where the student section took it upon themselves to regularly practice a level decorum that the even Raider Nation would shy away from. Win or lose, I remember batteries, cups, snow/ice balls being chucked at Nebraska fans during and after the game. Who can ever forget 1991, when our place kicker was forced to attempt (because officials refused to call an official’s time-out) a game-winning field goal in the midst of a barrage of snow and ice balls pelting the field and players as they awaited the snap. Nothing but class from Coach Mac and the Buffs over so many years.
But I digress. I do so to remind everyone what even a fake rivalry felt like – and how it was/is better than having no rivalry at all. I remember growing up with that one game every year that everyone in Nebraska looked forward to…NU vs. OU. The last game of the regular season that was ALWAYS held on the Friday after Thanksgiving – with the majority of the nation watching. Those were the days. Going forward, one thing that can’t be denied is that Nebraska desperately needs that bona fide rival that every fan anticipates every year. Evenly matched with a fairly even W/L record. Right now we have nobody. That rival could be Iowa (I wish it were Wisconsin), time will tell. Regardless who it is, we need to find our new “Oklahoma” in the Big Ten and pretty quick.
On to Saturday’s game.
With the home-opener being cancelled last week, the anticipation for the NU/CU game is growing daily. Yes, CU has a game under their belt and we don’t – some will view this as advantage for the Puffs. However, I would argue we have film on them, where they have nothing on us. Also – yes, CU looked pretty good last week. But lets be honest, they were playing CSU – and a really bad CSU team at that (I take great pleasure in saying that). Its hard to tell just how good Colorado is against such sub-par competition, but for all the obvious reasons, we don’t want to take the Puffs lightly.
This is in essence, the Scott Frost debut – Take Two. Coach Frost says the team had a tremendous week of practice and they are as ready as they can be for the contest. For the first time in over a decade, I actually believe the Husker head coach when he says things like that.
I think there will obviously be a ton of emotion to start the game, season, era. Some early mistakes might be made. The stadium should be unhinged – it’s old foe CU, it’s debut – take two, it’s not raining for first time in a week. But I think we all fully expect this team to settle down, and play sound, fundamental football – because that is what their head coach and this coaching staff will demand. That will be nice to see for a change.
It will be an exciting atmosphere no doubt. Honestly, I’m not crazy about the new tunnel walk song, but I will wait to pass judgement until I see it live on Saturday.
Although it might be a little light, I’m going with Naber’s prediction this week. I think he has it right-on, and frankly its the best that any of us have to go on.
Scott Frost’s Huskers – 31
Rocky Mtn High Buffs – 17
Go Big Red!
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