A Rivalry Renewed?
24 comments so far
June 3, 2008 by
Most realistic Nebraska fans look at NU's scheduled meeting with the Oklahoma Sooners on November 1st, and see a likely loss. Who can blame them? Under Bob Stoops, the Sooners have been stout, especially in Norman. On the other hand, I look at that match up with great anticipation. It's not because I believe the Huskers will upset the Sooners, but because it might be the moment for fans on both sides to see a rivalry renewed. The renewal might carry some of the hallmarks of great NU-OU clashes of the past while including some updates that make it look a bit like another storied football rivalry.
The Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry was great, and I miss it. It was full of epic contests and great players. Yes, I mean to refer to it in the past tense. It has been missing for quite some time. That is partially because of the condition of the teams involve, but mostly due to schedule. To this day, my biggest bone to pick with the Big 12 is that they don’t allow NU and OU to play every year.
Still, it really was something. Sure, there were some bad feelings between fans over the years. But, it has grown to become a rivalry of respect. Personally, I think of OU as the "Crimson cousin" to the South. I think fans on both sides didn’t realize the respect until the other side was sort of missing. When NU was great in the 1990s, it didn't seem right if OU wasn't there as a counterbalance. And, I've talked to some OU fans who feel the same about the Sooners recent run of success sans a powerful Husker squad. Only a few times in the last six years have the two teams really met in fierce and meaningful contests. Too bad that could not be sustained.
The Cast Matters
When it comes to great college football rivalries, the cast of characters really matters. Fans of opposing teams can spout off the names of players from the other side, both out of disdain and respect. Nowhere does the cast matter more than at the top of the playbill - the head coaches. Many coaches have been involved in the NU-OU series. Some were great - like Bud Wilkinson and Bob Devaney - while others were less so. But, no two men better defined the NU vs. OU rivalry than Tom Osborne and Barry Switzer.
These men were both excellent on the field, and extremely different off of it. Switzer's swagger played perfectly against of Osborne's quiet stoicism, and it made for great theater. Regardless of outcome, the games were meaningful on a human level. The two men came to define and embody the programs they coached for. They both have buildings named in their honor. And, after more than a decade of rivalry, there is a certain kinship evident between them when they make joint public appearances. Their histories are forever intertwined.
No matter how unlikely it may seem, the mere chance for that sort of program-defining rivalry to rekindle is absolutely exciting to me. Does Bo Pelini's arrival at NU possibly signal such a renewal?
A New Chapter
As I said, there have been many coaches involved in the NU-OU rivalry. Some got it. Other's did not. Bill Callahan apparently fell in to the latter category. His "[explative] hillbillies" statement about OU fans following the 2004 loss in Norman was one of the ugliest moments of his tenure. NU fans certainly don't love OU. But, they certainly resemble them. And, disrespecting the rivalry like that created a lot of divisiveness.
Whether it is of his own experience with both schools involved or because of Osborne's influence, I think Pelini is much better equipped to appreciate what NU-OU means, and help re-ignite the rivalry. Unlike Osborne, Pelini is quite a bit like his counterpart at OU. And that might bring a whole new aspect to NU-OU.
Our own Ten-Year War?
Pelini and Stoops are cut from the same metaphorical cloth. They are both Youngstown Ohio raised, and when to the same high school. While Stoops played at Iowa and Pelini at Ohio State, their coaching paths have crossed several times. Pelini even served on Stoops' OU staff in 2004. They are both defensive minded coaches. And, like Stoops at OU, Pelini inherits a proud program in a down time.
To me, this new cast of characters more closely resembles the cast from the best days of the Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry. For those not familiar, I highly recommend watching HBO's special on the rivalry. It's an epic display, enough to make any sports fan envious of the battles and bile. At the center of it all were Ohio State’s Woody Hayes and Michigan’s Bo Schembeckler.
Like Pelini and Stoops, those two men were more similar than different. Schembeckler was a Hays assistant before his time at Michigan. His arrival started a string of contest commonly referred to as the Ten-Year War. The two coaches and teams played off of each other to drive their performance to a new level. It drove the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry to its place as the biggest in college football.
The Big 12 schedules would not permit for NU and OU to meet in the regular season for ten year's straight. So, the only way for the Huskers and Sooners to renew hostilities to this degree is for both teams to control their own destiny and regularly meet in the Big 12 Championship game. Let’s face it, a sense of nostalgia made that 2006 game so special for many. I would like nothing better than to see the Huskers set their sites on a regularly schedule collision with the Sooners in December. Maybe then, a new generation of Husker and Sooner fans could appreciate the rivalry, not as a piece of history but as a powerful part of the current college football landscape.
But back to this coming November... Michigan's Bo jump started his legend in the first year with an upset win over his biggest rival. Could NU get so lucky?
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Husker Mike Jun 03 08
I think the reaction from Husker fans to the death of former Sooner quarterback Jack Mildren says a lot about this whole rivalry. There is a respect between the two programs; it's not a hated rivalry anymore.
Don't get me wrong. Husker fans love few things more than a victory over the Sooners, but there isn't the hatred that permeates many of the other traditional rivalries (Alabama-Auburn, Tennessee-Florida, etc...)
wmdky Jun 03 08
I agree with Husker Mike.
What really got to us Sooner fans about Callahan's
"Hillbilly" statement the most was that it was so unlike the class act we have become accustomed to
seeing from the Huskers.
We Sooners are also looking forward to the renewal of the rivalry with the Huskers.
Sooner Janet Jun 03 08
I agree that the Sooner fans respect and enjoy the Nebraska games and fans. Too bad that this game isn't played every year but the Big12 Conference Championship game is a real possiblity. I just wish it was never played outdoors in Kansas City in the winter!!!
doombob Jun 03 08
December 2, 2006 was one of the most memorable games I've ever been at - just for the fact it was the coldest game I've ever actually sat through. I think what has been missing from pro and college football is championship games played in inclement weather. I can't remember how Super Bowl was won in 2001-2002, or very much of what happened in the game without looking it up, but I remember the Patriots v. Raider AFC Divisional aka "The Snow Bowl" very clearly.
Big Kat Jun 03 08
Is it possible to schedule a non-conference NU/OU game in off years?
Husker Mike Jun 03 08
Scheduling an NU/OU game as a "non-conference" game has been discussed in the past. There's nothing that prevents it, but I don't think it will ever happen. In the 90's, it's because the Sooners were down and they didn't want to get beat up by NU. And in recent years, the opposite.
If both get back to the top, they'll meet occasionally in the Big XII title game. And as far as setting themselves up to win a national title, beating an intersectional matchup against a Pac-10, SEC, or ACC team will probably mean more to BCS rankings than playing a conference foe in the non-conference.
ousooner919 Jun 03 08
I couldn't agree more with this. I was at the 2000 OU-Nebraska game in Norman, and I distinctly remember two things: 1) the incredible class and pride of the Husker fans, even after the loss; and 2) how nearly every one of them I spoke with had the same sentiment: "we're just glad you're back, so the game meant something again".
Living in Denver, I meet lots of Husker fans with regularity, and they all feel the same way. I think we all feel that way. We miss the incredible Osborne-vs-Switzer clash of titans we got for so many years. We miss the power of wishbone-vs-wishbone. We miss a game that was essentially the Big 8 Title game nearly every year it was played, and usually meant a shot at the National Championship. The very first OU game I ever went to, and the majority of games I went to as a kid, was the Thanksgiving cold-and-rainy OU-Nebraska game.
James Moore Jun 03 08
(I actually posted this a week ago
under a different article but a bit
ironic considering this article
posted today)
(the copied part from one week ago
post. . .)
I had an interesting discussion today with a Sooner fan and as we got to talking (I called Pelini our Stoops) about Husker/Sooner football. Well it seems that you guys got your Callahan (Blake, ironic how we got him too for a little bit) and subsequent dark period that followed. BUT he did leave with you a good bit of talent that Stoops enhanced and eventually won with (I think that Coach Pelini can do much the same with the Callahan recruits) all the way to a National Championship. . .
The measuring stick as to whether Sooner football was back was when you beat us in October 2000. Ironic how things have reversed and that the true measuring stick for us as to whether we have "Restored The Order" will be when we beat Oklahoma. This is only out of the deepest respect, and an acknowledgement of a consistently elite level success. After all does a Husker or Sooner fan care if he beats a once-in-a-lifetime or the occasional very good Colorado, Kansas State, Missouri or Kansas team?
(today's addition)
One of the things that I love the most about this rivalry is that EVERY Sooner fan the posts here ALWAYS does so with the greatest respect (OU7times comes to mind, hope to hear from you bro!). After all Foreman and Ali had sincere, mutual, and a deep long-lasting respect after their pow-wow's. Why? Because you cannot help but admire a competitor, that is equally talented, steeped in his own identity, will not fold no matter what, and willing to lay it all out to beat you but shake your hand at the end and say "That guy over there really brings it every time!"
It was AWFUL for me (yes I really mean this) to see Oklahoma stuggle in the mid-1990's and the 73-21 &
69-7 wins were simply odd to process when one considered the history between the two. Our mutual game's of the century were against whom? No matter what Oklahoma/Texas is to Longhorn fans it will never surpass Nebraska/Oklahoma!!! Never!!! Finally, that's one reason why I detest Colorado. What's our lifetime record against them? We get THEM as a substitute for Oklahoma? Give me my cold turkey and ham sandwiches, slices of pie submerged in inches deep Cool Whip, and Nebraska/Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, and now please!!! What made the Big 12 Championship Game in 2006 so awesome was, "man we get to play Oklahoma AGAIN in an important game!"
This is OUR conference!!! Only Nebraska or Oklahoma are the true kingpins of this conference. Texas, Colorado or anyone else will NEVER surplant either of us (when we're firing on all cylinders, which we are obviously not at the moment but Oklahoma is) as the original 1000-lb gorillas of the conference, and the TRUE inheritors of Big 12 supremacy. . .
Finally, we obviously weren't that good last year (boy did I go out on a limb there). Didn't stop Missouri from putting us as a night game, and feeling good about where they were going because they beat US!!! 5-7? Didn't matter, we beat NEBRASKA!!! Kansas? Man we scored 76 on The Blackshirts! Colorado? Well they felt good about themselves going into the offseason because they beat Nebraska! Texas? Well they target Oklahoma because they know in their heart-of-hearts that they will NEVER be the year-in-year-out titans of the Big 12 South. Texas Tech? They felt good about themselves last year because they beat Oklahoma (sans an injured Bradford). WE are the true TITANS of this conference! WE are the blueprint that other teams follow! WE are the measure of success that these obnoxious upstarts compare themselves to!
"we're just glad you're back, so the game meant something again".
OUSooner919 - EXACTLY my thought at
the time
but there isn't the hatred that permeates many of the other traditional rivalries (Alabama-Auburn, Tennessee-Florida, etc...)
Husker Mike, bang on the dot with that one. . .
Crimson Cousin? Could NOT have been said any better Darren. . .
Great article, and guys keep up the great work!!!
GO BIG RED!!!
ze bop Jun 03 08
Yup, yup, yup, I agree with all the commentary here. I remember the 69-7 game, but did we hang 73 on them also that decade? Hmmm, that just doesn't seem neighborly.
I think the Sooners pretty much had the better talent, well, since I can remember. Husker Fan just loved it when Greg Pruitt left only to be replaced by Joe Washington, who was replaced by Billy Sims, who was replaced by Marcus Dupree!!! DANG YOU SOONERS!! It's a miracle we were able to play above ourselves and beat those guys from time to time, but still, the bootlegger's son usually got the better of the Methodist preacher....ala 'Sooner Magic'.
Anyway, yes, Big Red and the Sooners should be the kingpins of the Big XII and if they were in every CC game from here to eternity I would be well pleased:)
We just cannot give up the conference to the likes of Mizzou, Puffs, Kitty Kats, Pokes, Raiders, or the Flying Manginos.....Husker and Sooner Nations RISE UP! "....we can taaaake it baaack....la la la"(pink floyd).
And that brings us to TX...gag, choke....
What I really can't stand about the Big XII is why the heck did they have to let TX in? This is another thing OU/NU fans share in common: a hatred for TX, but then again, who but TX fans doesn't hate TX? BO vs BOB has way more sex appeal than Mack vs BOB. I respect Mack Brown, I guess, but he always seems disingenuous to me, just a gut feeling, like I just don't believe all the nice guy/hospitality stuff he portrays on the surface.
I mean, after a few years when BO gets the Huskers back up to speed, it's just gonna be an all out war between him and Stoops, and the old time mutual respect will return!
Maybe "Sooner" than we think, should NE pull the big upset this year--that would be sweeeet!
Can't wait....!!!
zE out...
Jim Bob Jun 03 08
I love the fact that Stoops will use Bo as a punching ball for years to come. There is a lot of bad blood between the two and Stoops will stick it to Bo big time! If Nebraska wants the Sooners so bad, then tell the old man you want us every year. I would love to beat up the Buskers annually.
I see 5 to 7 losses this year for Nebraska. Then I want to hear how much you support Bo. You have a lot of talent on that team and Bo has acknowledged that. Now lets see what he does with all that talent! Also if you think he is an improvement over Callahan, the pic of him drunk an listening to him speak is not very impressive!
OU7times Jun 03 08
James Moore...I'm here and I'm listening. I respect NU fans...always have. The "hillbillies" comment got rehashed again,I see. I never ever once felt pissed at NU fans for that. That was a clear case of considering the source. I think anyone who ever hated OU or NU,over the years, didn't realize that the rival was why you couldn't wait for that game, or got sweaty palms just before the game or shortness of breath at times that you thought you might be having a medical problem. It's been quite a few years snce that has been the case. I just feel sorry for anyone who never experienced those "symptoms" and calls themselves a true fan. Just to hate a rival or their fans because they ARE the rival is just plain ignorant. No different than harbouring prejudice feelings just because of someone's skin color,really. I've gotten that only a couple of times on this website...and it was allowed, surprisingly. But their are tons of NU fans, on Big Red Network, who have been nothing short of awesome towards me from asking my opinion on an issue or game to offering to hand deliver me homemade Runzas (thanks buddy and you know who you are!). This is the real rivalry and what real rivals do,in my opinion. Back to football. Darren, I don't know how you figure an NU win against OU this season especially since Coach Pelini hasn't coached a game yet but I will be eager and willing to lay a wager when the time comes, heh,heh. Goodnight fans.
James Moore Jun 03 08
Jim Bob,
You just had to take a big swig of hatorade and throw some bombs into this respectful atmosphere. . .
Ze Bop,
Mizzou, Puffs, Kitty Kats, Pokes, Raiders, or the Flying Manginos.....
lol!!! Dude keep hittin us with the posts. Check out the Nas on the Ahman Green highlights. The world is yours bro!!!
Jim Bob Jun 03 08
It's not hate any more then Husker fans ripping every school in the Big 12 with their constant condescending comments and snipes! I will enjoy the failure of Tom and Bo because I feel Tom back-doored Callahan and company. Where was his support of the program the last four years if he cared so much for the team! No it was all about him and so I have no respect for him.What goes around comes around, and I think Tom's run for governor showed what TRUE Nebraskans really felt about him. That is except for Husker Lurkers on blogs and articles like this!
ze bop Jun 03 08
hmmmm, hmmmmm, last time I checked, Mr. Bo P has the most recent NC ring...3rd best D last yr, or something....yeah, he's gonna fail at NE.
Really, isn't it the underlying theme of this discussion that OU and NU have a god given right to dominate the conference and their fans to condescend to all other participants? Not only is that the natural order of things, it's alot of fun! yip yip!
Look, the only team I said I hate is TX, but I don't even completely hate them: in a very narrow and specialized context I might even root for them, like against the domerheads or the maize and watchamuhcallit...now those 2 teams I truly hate....Rudy or no Rudy...
James Moore---->respekt
ze bop Jun 03 08
Actually, I hate Rudy too....:)
Greg Morrow Jun 03 08
"We're trying to build a University the football team can be proud of."
That quote goes back to early '80's Okie, I think. So pure, so to the point.
Oklahoma remains interesting to me for one reason- the "Bootlegger's Boy." For him to get that Super Bowl ring, regardless of the fact he didn't build the team, was just too funny! And he didn't have to worry about the NCAA being there to pee on his parade, like his other titles.
The wishbone was interesting too, of course. When they seemed to gain 4 just by reaching the corner, even on a well defended play. It's probably because I was young, but I've never felt that feeling of when Nebraska played Okie, at anytime since, including the '84 Orange against Miami, whom I though Nebraska was going to light up.
'Cause, you knew, most likely, Barry's "Sooner Magic" was going to find a way against Nebraska's defense, which seemed to get tight, late in the game. Or, maybe that was just my chest...
It's different, way different now with Nebraska. This is a time when every team in the North thinks they can beat the Corn and 5/6'ths of the teams down south KNOW they can.
So yeah, I can chalk this one up as a loss, just like Missouri, T-Tech and maybe two more. I'm just looking for the physical dimension to emerge. Rivalrys can wait for another time.
'Cept for Buffy. Buffy must be punished severely!
Greg Morrow Jun 03 08
"Jim Bob"
Do you think Osborne felt welcomed around his former team? All the oil portraits of his academic all americans were taken down (you know, like all the academic all americans who played for Okie). There were other visible changes at the stadium, the last 4 years.
I'm a little surprised about your viewpoint towards Osborne, one of the kindest men ever, in an extremely competitive sport.
doombob Jun 04 08
The sign says "Don't Feed the Trolls."
bnahusker Jun 04 08
"Rogers deep for Nebraska. Here's Wiley's kick, its high, it holds up there, Rogers takes the ball, he's hit and gets away........He's all the way home! Holy moly, Man Woman & Child, did that put them in the isles?! Johnny "The Jet" Rogers, just tore 'em loose from their shoes!" Lyle Bremser 1971
Hold the "Haterade" & try to find joy in places other than the failure of others.
Go Bo & Bob!
Go Crimson Cousins! (Love that one!)
And as always...............
GO BIG RED!
Bob
ron corneau Jun 08 08
First of all, learn how to spell. Secondly, you're obviously one of those Cornhead, red-blinded fans that drinks his own Kool-Aid. You really think you've got a chance against Stoops? The only win you had was against him and won on a trick play against an inferior OU team in '01. Pelini probably will bring them back, but it's gonna take awhile. AND, don't forget, he can't coach offensive football which is what your corn-bred, cornheads crave more than anything. While Stoops is at OU, we OWN YOU! GOOD LUCK!
Greg Morrow Jun 08 08
ron corneau
Well, rupture my scrotal sac! An Okie trying to imply cultural superiority!
Isn't that rich?!
First of all, close the deal against Boise st. and headless West Virginia, before you try to teach. Oh and try not to get physically dominated by teams of equal talent (LSU, USC).
Secondly, have some dignity, stool spewing boy!
Rocky Boyd Jun 09 08
Anybody know What oklahoma football has in common with marijuana?
They both get smoked in Bowls...
Rocky Boyd Jun 09 08
How do you get on Oklahoma grad off of your porch?
Pay for the pizza.
ok, ok..I'm not being very nice. I had intended to post a buch of these.. In reality I'm glad to be rid of Callahan. Pelini will be more succesfull. And more personable. College football will be better when NU and OU are back soley on top of this conference.
Maybe one day, the stars will all align properly and the Texas schools will just go away. Then I can have my Big 8 conference back, with OU-NU on Thanksgiving Day every year again. Just the way God intended. I hope I live long enogh to see that happen. OU can beat every team they play (and I hope they do) except NU..
Ryan Jun 27 08
You hit in on the head with your comment of "Fans of opposing teams can spout off the names of players from the other side, both out of disdain and respect." Sure there was hatred during those days, but there was also an appreciation for the Sooners...they made us better. Nowadays, the only player from their team that I can talk about is Sam Bradford (just because of his remarkable year last year). Let's hope that the background of the coaches and their respect for the game make this a "circle the calendar" event for many years to come.