A Return to Relevance
15 comments so far
September 11, 2007 by
In today's world of sports media hype and hyperbole, some may say it is safer for a team's chances (and healthier to their psyche) to stay out of the hot light of public scrutiny. But, you can also argue that it is worse to be out of the national consciousness entirely. And, in the case of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the relative irrelevance of recent years has significant sting having been one of the most significant sports teams of the 1990s. In my mind, that is what makes Saturdays NU game against USC important regardless of the on-the-field outcome. Nebraska is relevant again. They are worth pointing the camera at. College Game Day is coming to our city. It is a time for the Huskers to start being a big part of the conversation for people living outside of just "Husker Nation".
Attention - The Scarcest Commodity
Oil is not the only scarce commodity in America these days. With the proliferation of information and options, attention is the scarcest commodity in the 21st century. That which is scarce is valuable. So grab it and hold it as long as you can. If it is hard to get somebody's attention, then it is even harder to keep it. The Huskers putting the pads on against the current college football big boy (USC) has got people's attention. Kirk and Coach are coming. So is "the Muss". What will it take to keep the attention? Well...I think you know.
Opinions Matter
The thing that makes college football both fantastic and maddening at the same time is that opinions regarding teams matter greatly in the final outcome. The polls are a matter of opinion. And, no matter how much we bemoan the use of math or computers, the polls still amount to a significant chunk of the metric that decides who gets to play in the big BCS games to end the year. You can't affect a person's opinion or public opinion if they don't see you and know you. Saturday's game is carried nationally. Media types from Washington DC to Los Angeles are getting their first real dose of what Nebraska has to offer in 2007. It is an important moment, if no other reason than people are watching.
This week's game also matters greatly in the minds of two other constituencies - recruits and boosters. No doubt, a game with and (crazy as it seems) a win over the Trojans would be an enormous boost to NU's already very solid recruiting class. It would also provide the all-so-important "signature win" for the Bill Callahan era of NU football. And, that would go a long way to getting some additional big money boosters to opening their wallets for Steve Pederson's fund raising staff.
It's Not JUST About the Trojans
Husker fans shouldn't kid themselves. A lot of the credit for the attention that will be paid to this game is due to the USC Trojans. Right now, they are the biggest show in college sports and they earned that spot. Respect that. But, that doesn't mean Huskers and their fans have to look down and kick the dirt with humble embarrassment like they don't belong or something.
Nebraska has done their job to be in this position. Based on a preseason ranking earned by the merit of last year's results and having taken care of their business, NU sits at 2-0 and is ranked #14 in the country. That's real, too. Some fans of this top-15 program need to stop acting like Nebraska is a 25-point underdog and act like their team belongs. Lincoln has always been a special place for college football, and it needs to be electric on Saturday.
Husker fans expect results, and that's fine. And many want to see a return to dominance akin to the mid-1990s. I don't know if any team can deliver that, honestly. But, I do know that the road to that place leads directly through a place called "Relevance". This week, "Relevance" has Population: You, Nebraska. And, arriving here is a vital first step on the way to potentially grander destinations.
Did you enjoy this article?
Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter
Related Stories: USC
Post a comment
Andrew Sep 11 07
Hears to hoping Memorial Stadium is rocking come Saturday! GO HUSKERS!
Dero Sep 11 07
I'm a Sooner fan and I'll be right behind the Huskers come Saturday night. Boomer Sooner and Go Big Red!
ze Sep 11 07
The rankings:
In my mind, as of today, it's LSU, SC, OK, FL as the best teams, and all the rest of the top 25 are in a 'muddle'(mud + puddle); that is, the rest appear pretty equal at this point.
Obviously, NE deserves to be in the spotlight this weekend with SC given the great accomplishments of the program over the last 30 years. The fact that Big Red has been making some noise last year and this also gives them a credential to be in the limelight. As Herbstreit recently said: 'Though NE has been down for a few years, they've never fallen off the map...'.
NE CAN win this game! But other 'upset' analogies don't accurately apply when you speak of Big Red, because nobody EVER looks past Big Red, so they always bring their 'A' game. Even when NE is the dawg, nobody is ever flabbergasted if they should pull out the 'W'. NE Fan may be in Corn Nirvana should we beat SC(I know I will be), but at the same time there is the feeling like, 'this is the way it's supposed to be...' On paper, we're not quite there yet in terms of talent, I still can't point to ANY real difference makers on our roster, but we do have enough talent 'cross the board to beat SC, especially if the players BELIEVE they can(as mentioned above. We need some breaks, and Calli has to git r dun like he hasn't up to this point.
BUT:
The real pathetic reality rgdg. CFB media hype--as it finally has been brought home this season--is that CFB is really mainly an ongoing saga about the gridiron fortunes of Meeeechi-goons and The Naughty Domers. It's not SC, it's not The Ohio State, LSU, OKLA, Jo-gia, 'Bama, NE, or EVEN that team who won the NC last season; who was that again?...oh, yeah, FL!
Even with the crap performances of the nation's two darling teams to start the season, they still dominate the media hype as if they were still goin' for the Gold this year. But, since in reality, neither is really a contender for even the new 'Misery Loves Company Bowl', and the fact that either team would lie prostrate at the feet of Touchdown Jesus should they finish the season above #30 in the rankings, the Story has switched to a sympathetic speculation on how and when each of the quasi aristocratic programs will get their collective sh*&T together and return to respectability!
Currently, there are numerous interesting stories to be told about the CFB scene: OR Quack Attack and Dennis Dixon; Clemson and their two headed rb monster led by CJ Spiller; the apparant juggernauts that are LSU and OU(and how do those guys do it anyway?); Longshore and DeSean Jackson of the Cal Bears; Harrison Beck looking pretty darn good vs BC, though a little green, Nick Satan anyone(?) etc. etc. Geez, even the Tebow-nator is nowhere in sight in the media, while we have to suffer through the likes of the completely overrated Mike Hart beating his chest about his team being 'ready' this weekend vs ND. He's such an inspirational leader! Wow, Hart, go out on a limb already.
What a fool!
As for ND, the only thing that interests me there is if and when Coach Turtleneck Pants will loosen his belt a few notches and give his gastric bypass a chance to function properly. The dude probably has a secret addiction to Krispy Kremes, which is also a side story that would interest me more than when he's going to learn how to coach and get his underachieving, pretty boy team back in the top 50.
So, Big Red Nation, take the media hype with a grain of salt. No matter what happens in the CFB world this year--or forever--it will always be a story about MI and ND, whether Big Red comes back out of nowhere and wins the next 3 out of four NCs, OU steamrolls everything in sight, or LSU blows all competition into the stratosphere, we'll still be subjected to little Leper-cons and gnarly ol' wolverines dominating our big screen HDTVs like the media ho's they are....
OUT!
ze Sep 11 07
Aaaanyway, there's a nice article about NE Fan on ESPN.com today: 'Big Red is Golden....'
Donfl Sep 11 07
You need to put a limit on the ramblings of someone like Ze. He could have said what he meant in a sentence or two. Must be a wannabe author. Having said that, the hype for this game is huge because no one knows for sure whether or not the skers are for real. The Keller story only adds to the drama leading up to this game. I fully expect Corso to don the Tojan helmet, my hope is that Herbie Husker knocks it off at the end of the game. GBR
brad Sep 11 07
I love the huskers, but we are going to get stomped. We just aren't playing that well under Callahan, and I'm beginning to doubt we ever will. We are committing the same mistakes over and over, and our players seem to be getting soft, especially on defense. We don't hit people like we used to. And have you seen our catching skills at te and wr? Yikes.
33-13, USC wins
OU7times Sep 11 07
I just can't help but think, here is NU at 2-0 and Husker fans are truly scared that they will lose the game. Granted, NU's opponents have not been household names but Wake was no slouch. USC has only played one game (and wouldn't you think they would have won by more) which could really be a plus for the Huskers. The team was really anticipating "MO's" return, and he was bound to be rusty, then factor in his mind might really not have been in the game with the death in the family. Maybe the team was looking for him to really step up in the game and the inspiration just wasn't there. Who knows? The Huskers may not win but it could be the only loss all season, too. It's really erie though because of the uninspired chat and you just don't hear this from you guys. Personally, I think that if NU had beaten Wake (a fine team) by 20-30 points, fans would not be so glum going into this game. For all that Nebraska Football has done for you folks, have some faith and leave this to them to decide on the field. GOOD LUCK Big Red, I'll pull for you.
ze Sep 12 07
I just don't see us winning this game, again, unless USC is just off their game for a day--that can happen. I'm actually worried about their defense more than their offense, since they're arguably the best defense in the land. Our receivers are no better than they were last year, not faster, that is, and that was the big issue against against the better defenses like OU and AU. You need to stretch the field to beat SC; does anybody see that happening?
I think we will have closed the gap some, our O line is better, Keller might be better than ZT, our running game is maybe a little better. Our D is better at LB and DB. So we score 17 or 21 this year.
SC 34, NE 21
Don't get me wrong, fans of Big Red, I am pulling for our team as much as anybody, and the "X" factor may be in our favor Sat. The best team doesn't always win the game....
ze Sep 12 07
OU7,
BTW, your encouragement does not go unnoticed here and I'm sure I speak for the other bloggers in expressing appreciation for you being in our camp.
I think this week BR Fan is just trying to 'keep it real', keep the emotions somewhat even, and not get set up for a big disappointment--downer--that will ruin our normally sunny dispositions for the entire following week.
On paper NE does not have the talent or SPEED to match SC(or any other top 5 team FTM); that's just reality. Right now, 4.4 is considered fast on NE(and most of those guys are on the defense), whereas the best teams have a surplus of 4.3 speed.
But like the TX game last year we do have a fighter's chance and, make no mistake, BR Fan is behind the team all the way. We create a few breaks, punch 'em in the mouth a bit, Keller catches fire, and we could come out of there with a W.
Recall OU in the '90s(pre Stoops): I think OU Fan was probably shaking in his shoes a good deal of that decade.
Anyway, your '07 version of the Sooners is looking great so far and I hope we meet them again in the CC game. But for now, just stomp down TX for us, we LOVE that!
YO!
doombob Sep 12 07
I can understand predicting a Nebraska Loss, but not even beating the spread? We will score more points this year, and hold them to about the same. We are a better team than we were last year, and we're playing at home! I mean the spread's only 10 points! Just to prove how reeediculus that sounds, here's my prediction: Nebraska 103 USC 8.5
Dr. Al Sep 12 07
There is no (or at least very little) question that USC has more raw talent on their team than just about anyone in the country. But...talent alone does predict success. Those who maximize the talent they have are the most successful. Look at Zac Taylor. He was not the quarterback in the Big 12 with the most talent, but he maximized the talent he had to the utmost, and was Big 12 Player of the Year. I believe the Huskers not only can but will will win this game -- if they maximize their talent and execute, execute, execute. This game ultimately comes down to fundamentals: blocking and tackling, tackling and blocking. If the Big Red blocks and tackles with focus, they will overcome the talent edge USC has on paper. And we at Memorial Stadium will make noise, noise, noise! Bring it on!
R Lammers Sep 12 07
I would rather you not call Brent Musberger, "the Mus". I would rather you call him "Musburgerandabeer".
People in Lincoln know what I'm talking about...
Grant Sep 12 07
I officially drank the "Kool-aid" about 3 months ago. NU 28 SC 21. And I'll be cheering real loud and pleased that "Muburgerandabeer" has to watch us WIN!! Here's to hoping he gets pulled over again!!
OU7times Sep 12 07
Dr. Al, I believe in the fundamental's aspect, but I feel it will come into play with the coaches. This is where I feel Pete will outdo Billy "C". DoomBob says that NU is a better team this year but USC's defense is supposed to be (one game in)very fast. Couple the fast "D" with superior receivers and the Grixby factor and that alone could be a big difference. Great defense will almost always prevail. I hope I'm wrong.
ze Sep 13 07
O.k., it's Thursday, I've got all the misgivings out of my system about this game, and am now full bore for a Big Red victory. The MC on CSTV's Crystal Ball is the only media guy picking NE--and that's good enough for me.
NE CAN DO IT!
Go Big Red!