At Last - Nebraska Vs. Oklahoma
16 comments so far
November 25, 2006 by
Many - myself included - have bemoaned the loss of the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma series that defined college football for so many people. When the Big 12 powers-that-be ended the NU-OU series, they only left the door open a crack. If those schools could qualify for the title game by winning their respective divisions, they could meet for all the marbles at the end of the season. Well, that will happen for the first time on December 2nd. A game 10 years in the making is sure to be filled with interesting storylines, physical football, and a true conference champion.
Storylines Abound
Nebraska versus Oklahoma. Sooners against Huskers. Just saying it envokes history and storylines. Here is what I think we can expect to hear over and over from the media this week.
"The Good Old Days"
You can expect them to roll footage from the Osborne-Switzer games, and from the 2001 clash of top-5 teams. I'd bet they interview former players, coaches, water boys...anybody associated with the "good old days." Hey, people love nostolgia.
"Taylor is from Norman"
For about the 1000th time, we'll hear how NU quaterback Zach Taylor is from Norman and how his father played for the Sooners. It's a nice story. But, it is more played out than Kelly Clarkson on your local pop music radio station.
"Huskers vs. Hillbillies"
Think anyone will have the guts to ask Coach Callahan about his infamous "f-ing hillbillies" line from the horrible 2004 game in Norman? I do. And, he won't give them a very good answer.
Physical, Running Teams
I find it amazing that in a conference full of big-play wide receivers and shotgun spread offenses, that the two teams that best run the ball are in the title game. Just a little reality check for every person that rolled their eyes a little with Coach Callahan talked about the importance of "pounding the rock" or discounted OU when they lost their quarterback at the start of the year. Football is a physical game by design. The teams that play the most physically tend to do the best. The matchup of OU versus NU affirms that. Watch, both teams will come out throwing on Saturday and make me look like an idiot. But these teams ran to win and get in this game.
To Be The Best...
Say it with me - to BE the best, you have to BEAT the best.
That looks like Oklahoma in the South. Yes, I know that Texas beat OU earlier this season, but OU is the better team right now. Oklahoma has won six straight, and if it weren't for a screw job out in Oregon, would be jockeying for position in the BCS title game. Overcoming the loss of their quarterback and running back this year has solidified and unified their offense, particularly the line. And, Bob Stoops has one mean defensive unit going right now.
On the NU side, you have a team that is cleary better than the rest of the North. The Huskers look comparable to the Sooners with a close win over A&M and an extremely close loss to UT. Yeah, there is that ugly loss to OSU in mid-season. But, NU was up by 16 at one point in that game. And OSU gave OU a tussle too. NU has an offense that is very tough to stop and a defense that plays physical up front. NU deserves to be on that field and can play with anyone you put in front of them right now.
Sure it makes a lot of sense for Husker fans to prefer a rematch with a UT team that appears to be limping down the stretch. But the chance to see two teams with momentum colliding in Kansas City really gets your blood pumping, doesn't it? So, let's do this!
See you in Kansas City, Sooners.
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HOOK'EM Nov 26 06
It's a SAD day when the Big VII has two teams that were handled by TEXAS (both on the road) in the Championship game. Dosen't look good for our conference.
Kia Sooners and Go Callahuskers!
darren Nov 26 06
Hi Hook'em,
Try beating Kansas State and Texas A&M before you come over here running your mouth.
And I wouldn't say you "handled" NU. The Huskers litterally had that game in hand. Lots of ... good fortune... involved in that one. And, your win over OU was on the road. It was in Dallas, a neutral site at worst.
What a great day for the Big 12 when the teams participating in the title game are the ones playing the best over the *entire* conference schedule...and playing the best at the end, instead of limping down the home stretch.
Katie Nov 26 06
Hook'em:
You sound like you were in some way "wronged". You earned your extra week off..
Beat Kansas State and we aren't in this situation. You knew the stakes going into the Texas A&M game and did not answer the annoying cowbell.. (IN AUSTIN)!
Need I remind you that Nebraska beat both Kansas State and Texas A&M ON THE ROAD!
To commment on your "embarassement to the Big 12 conference"...how do you figure? One team will win and go onto the BCS title game with a good chance of winning... THE SAME storyline if Texas was in the game. You're mad because there won't be any burnt orange in arrowhead on December 2nd. Don't try spinning it any other way.
I think that the college football fan base will be excited to see NU play OU.
I leave you with a comment I once heard from one of your fellow Texas fans: " Don't get bitter, get better..."
GO BIG RED~!
DeAndra Nov 26 06
Hook'em -
Big VII? Which 5 teams dropped out of the Big XII in the past 24 hours?
JP Nov 26 06
WELL I'M A DIE HARD SOONER FAN AND YES THE LONGHORNS BEAT US THIS IS TRUE, BUT IN ORDER TO BE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME YOU MUST BE ABLE TO FINISH...YOU GUYS SEEM TO HAVE QB PROBLEMS TO AND FELL APART WHEN IT GOT A LITTLE STRESSFUL,DON'T BE MAD AT US WE ACCEPTED OUR ISSUES AND LOSSES AND GREW FROM THEM YOU GUYS PUT US IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND YOU DID IT ON YOUR HOME FIELD. WE HAD TO BEAT A@M AT HOME.IF YOUR GONNA BE MAD BE MAD AT YOURSELF.
Brad Nov 27 06
I remember when the Horns did the same thing a couple of years ago. Too bad Chrissy couldn't beat the buffs. I remember your backup came in and nearly won it in the end. G0 MAJOR.
Brian Nov 27 06
Nice work "hook em." I like playing in the big 7. I am a Sooner fan, yes we lost to Texas, but isn't this what the Longhorn fans had to pray for the last 5 years (2000-2005)? You had to hope OU stumbled so you could sneak into the game. Deja Vu is weired since OU won the title in 2000 and the following year lost to OSU so Texas could go to the Big 12 Championship, and now the shoe is on the other foot.
I have to say I like the fact that Nebraska is getting back to their winning ways and hopefully back to being a powerhouse. I look forward to this weekend in KC with the Nebraska fans. By far Nebraska fans are the classiest in the Big 12 and are great to tailgate with. Good luck to the Huskers and BOOMER SOONER!
Tavo Nov 27 06
That's right, GO BIG RED!! I don't know about you guys, but you guys, talk about who will win the Big 12 Championship, this and that... bla bla bla. We already know who will win!! Nebraska, get that thru your heads.
Robin Nov 27 06
It has been a crazy missed-up year for the conference, that's for sure. I'm an old-time Sooner (from Texas) who sorely misses the OU-Nebraska games; still misses the Big 8. I'm so happy NU is becoming a force to be reckoned with again. How can we claim be be a great conference without you? Good luck and Boomer Sooner!
IZCRMAN Nov 27 06
I'm sure NU would have loved to drill the Horns in KC, but the rivalry, press, quality of a championship level game with OU vs. NU is beyond belief. I can just see all of those burnt orange backers watching the Sooners the entire game ...and best of all, the last 5 seconds hoping for a miracle!! It's justice for NU & OU...the best rivalry ever...Go Sooners.
mark Nov 27 06
texas had a chance and blew it,so they beat the sooners twice in six years,you have to keep winning,to win the big 12 and oklahoma and nebraska did.texas didnt and now there cring about it.texas s_ _ks and alaways will they have the worst fans i have ever been around.glad to see a ou-nu game for the championship again .good luck to nu,but go sooners.sooner fan all the way.boomer sooner
JohnnyRingo Nov 28 06
This group of Sooners will have a place in my heart right next to the 2000 team. God bless Paul Thompson. He has played a great season with poise and class. The Sooners are playing tough down the stretch and are peaking at just the right time. With AP healthy, AD possible, and Brown lighting it up at times, this ought to be a great game. The Huskers are one of the classiest teams in the league (except for that f-ing hillbillies thing) and their fans are great. This is gonna be a game for the ages!!! BOOOOOOOOOOMER!!!!!!! SOOOOOOOOOONER!!!!!!!!
DeroSooner Nov 28 06
I don't know why Husker fans would rather have a rematch vs Texas. Who cares about stupid Texas...any true Oklahoma Fan or Nebraska Fan would rather have this legenary matchup anyday. I can't wait for the teams to play, it's going to give me goosebumps. This traditional rivalry is based on mutual respect and top-notch football. Rivalries with Texas are based on HATRED. It will be a great game on Saturday. Boomer Sooner!!!!
darren Nov 28 06
Wow, it's great to see all of the enthusiastic and respect-filled comments from Sooner fans.
But, that is a lot of "Boomer Sooner" ("BS")for a Husker site to take. ;-)
So, I've got to drop one of these in...
GOOOOOOOO BIIIIIIIIG REEEEEEEEED. GO! BIG! RED!
Brent Nov 28 06
There is no doubt that this game was a long time coming. Hopefully there is more in store because I can't stand Texas. The only down side to this game is that the winner gets to pound on a crappy Boise St team and won't get any respect for it.
GO BIG RED!!!!!
leeman_07 Dec 01 06
on saturday nite, oklahoma is going to be wishing they would of recuited in state for taylor cause he is going to tear them up