Vega$

November 9, 2006 by Steve Hanway

I'm headed to Sin City this weekend for a buddy's bachelor party. They say "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". In my case, it's been mostly money that I've left behind. But as a Husker fan, is there some way to turn my losing ways into a big win for the Huskers on Saturday?

I'm superstitious when it comes to Husker football, so my thought is if I bet against my beloved Huskers, it will spell victory for Nebraska. What's $100 if it means "buying" a victory for the Huskers at College Station? Perhaps it would take some of the sting out of loss #4, if the worst did happen.

I'm not in the camp that's happy just winning the North this season. Going 8-6 or even 9-5 would leave a bad taste in my mouth. Even 10-4 doesn't really feel like progress. But 11-3, which would mean a Big XII Championship, and a BCS bowl victory would sure make 2006 a season to remember. By any measure, it would be the best season since 2001 and arguably the best since 1999.

A lot would have to break right for 11-3 to happen. The Huskers didn't see the Longhorns best effort in October and a BCS bowl could mean the Huskers toughest game of the season. So with those two games lurking as possible losses, the Huskers can ill afford to drop another winnable game if they want to quiet the cynics who are lumping them together with the other woeful Big XII North teams. Plus, dropping a game in a stadium where the Huskers tasted victory in their last visit would be a step backward (even if this A&M team is better than the 2002 version).

So I want this one pretty bad, so bad I'm willing to drop a C-note to make it happen. Lest people question my motives, I actually like the Huskers to win the game. But just as I'll be wearing my lucky green T-shirt (that I didn't wear for USC or OSU), I'll bet the Aggies out of superstition. Either way, I lose. That's Vegas, baby.

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