Friends of Nebraska
24 comments so far
August 15, 2008 by
We're barely more than two weeks away, so let's have some fun on a Friday...
I met a man from Wisconsin yesterday. Thankfully, we didn't talk about Brett Favre.
No, as two Midwestern expats living in the pro football military state known as the northeastern United States our conversation turned to college football. How do you think the Badgers will be? Is Nebraska going to be back this year? Shouldn't you be wearing cheese on your head? Shouldn't you be wearing corn on yours? Etc., etc.
But when I told the Wisconsin man that, in my experience, Cornhuskers felt a sort of kinship with Wisconsin because of Barry Alvarez he seemed altogether shocked. Why was it such a surprise that a fanbase would be happy with the coaching success of a former player, especially when it didn't come directly at the expense of their own team?
Because college football is all about hate, that's why. Really. I love to hate teams and the only thing better than hating teams is beating teams you hate. But today we're going to look at the other side of the coin: Which teams and programs do you like?
I've even come up with a handy phrase for this phenomenon. Back before the Belmont Stakes this past June, when it still looked like Casino Drive was going to be a major challenger for then-superhorse Big Brown, there was a photo of Casino Drive, in the winner's circle surrounded by little kids, in a Japanese paper with the following caption, "Casino Drive: Friend of Children."
I love that phrase so we'll use it here. Who are the Friends of Nebraska (FONs)? If you're still having trouble getting in the right mindset--I understand as fans we're hardwired to hate, it's like an animal instinct--just remember Muhammad Ali's immortal quote from the late 60s: "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong." That's what we're shooting for, not a team you necessarily love, afterall we want to beat everyone, but the teams whose success isn't a direct slap in the face (i.e. not Missouri).
FON #1 - Wisconsin
Aside from the Alvarez angle, Wisconsin looks a lot like Nebraska. White pants with two red stripes, jerseys that are nearly indistinguishable, and Omaha Westside's helmets (or maybe the Badgers had it first), it's like watching Nebraska north. That and they're not Ohio State or Michigan.
FON #2 - Wyoming
This might be a bit of Panhandle bias but I've always felt an older brother's tough love for the Cowboys. They gave us Bob Devaney who gave us national titles. In fact, this was the primary reason for supporting Joe Glenn as a prospective coaching candidate back in those winsome days of Callahan's firing watch. Also in play, Wyoming is brown. It may not be pretty but at least its relatively unique.
FON #3 - Ohio
Wherever you stood on the Solich firing at the time, most Nebraskans quickly gained a rooting interest in the Bobcats when Frank was hired. Roger Aden, Ohio U. prof and author of Huskerville, told the amusing story of the Ohio bookstore getting a deluge of orders from Nebraska zip codes once Solich took the helm. While admittedly odd, that's why Nebraska fans are one of a kind.
FON #4 - Buffalo
You could say that there are more fans of the Buffalo Head Coach in Nebraska than there are in Buffalo without any sort of exaggeration. Wherever Turner Gill goes in his career, and he doesn't look like he'll be at Buffalo long, he'll have the support of the Husker Nation.
Those are the easy ones, but I'm interested what the rest of you think. Who do you like?
While more a Friend of Brandon than Nebraska, for some reason I always root for Ole Miss. I'll defend the strength of the Big 12 to the death, but the SEC is a damn fun conference to watch and it's nice to have a dog in the fight. Especially an underdog with cool helmets and gray pants.
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Chris Aug 15 08
One of my favorite college football memories is watching a Wisconsin game and Keith Jackson saying "Touchdown N-- Wisconsin!" Good times, especially when you can rag on Keith Jackson. I'm with you Brandon; I root for Wisconsin too.
huskerinKS Aug 15 08
One of my favorite college football memories is watching a Wisconsin game and Keith Jackson saying "Touchdown N-- Wisconsin!" Good times, especially when you can rag on Keith Jackson. I'm with you Brandon; I root for Wisconsin too.
David Aug 15 08
I don't know that I 'LIKE' Oklahoma, but having grown up in the 70's, I always had a keen appreciation for their program. It's refreshing to have a strong rivalry without the animosity and hate (ie Colorado). I'm glad to see they are planning a reunion of the '71 players. Good move on their part.
Brandon Aug 15 08
David,
I was this close to putting Oklahoma on the list initially so your vote makes it official.
Oklahoma...Friend of Nebraska.
James Moore Aug 15 08
Sign me up for Oklahoma too. Jamelle Holloway is one of my favorite players of all time. I've always pulled for Michigan and in the SEC Auburn was the team of choice. Is it OK to say as an East Coast guy that my team of choice in Florida was and still is Miami? (I have family roots in South Florida so that's where the Hurricanes came from, plus trips to watch them play in the Orange Bowl -- NOT hard to get a ticket!!!)
But in summary Michigan, Oklahoma, and Auburn. . .
carlinthemarlin Aug 15 08
I know I'll catch a lot of flak, but my second favorite team (distant, distant second) is probably Michigan. And for a very specific reason. My dad's family is from the Ann Arbor, Jackson area and my Grandpa used to be the band director at Michigan (concert band, not marching band). So I grew up watching Michigan and Detroit Lions games at family gatherings, and both those teams have always held a place in my heart because of it.
Side note: Before (or maybe after, I can't actually remember) he was the band director at Michigan my grandpa taught high school band. He also oversaw a study hall period on year, and one of the people in it was Tony Dungy. If you ever meet my grandpa, and you mention you like football, he will immediately tell you this, and probably keep mentioning it ever time you see him thereafter.
bnahusker Aug 15 08
Isn't having a favorite team in Florida similar to having a favorite......... a favorite......... Damn, I can't compare that to anything!
I wouldn't hold against you as long as you aren't a bandwagoner but I just can't see them on a FON list.
One of my oldest CF memories is watching a Georgia/LSU game on a grainy black and white TV. I've been a little hooked on LSU Since. Do they qualify
GBR!
Bob
kalthalior Aug 15 08
When I moved out to Ohio, I became a Badger fan in self-defense. When asked about it, I mentioned Alavaez and the correct color scheme. I agree with adding OU to the list, and I would also add LSU (they parked Bo for us for 3 years, after all, plus there is the strong CWS baseball connection) and Colorado St (the enemy of my enemy is my friend). I'd also suggest adding the service academies, AF, Army, & Navy to the friends list. As far as the state of Florida goes, the only possibility in my mind of teams to root for there are Central Florida, and South Florida.
Bill in Iowa Aug 15 08
Florida State for sure! Bobby Bowden is a legend and was a close friend to Tom Osborne. Over the years, they exhanged notes and shared ideas with each other. The Huskers were a hand a few heartbreak losses by Miami during the Osborne years (of course we got our revenge too)and so did Florida State (how many winning field goals have they missed against Miami?). So, in some ways, it could be considered a friendship based on our mutual hatred of Miami during the 90's.
saunders45 Aug 15 08
For me, it's just USF. Besides the fact that I live in tampa and the wife's an Alumni, They've got alot of Big 8 ties on the coaching staff. Coach Jim Leavitt played at Mizzou, and was DC at KState, and I like seeing the young program being built from the ground up.
Brandon Aug 15 08
Bill in Iowa,
When talks surfaced yesterday of the whole fantasy/a la carte non-conference scheduling the best suggestion I heard was Florida State.
How fun would it be to get the Seminoles in Lincoln again after that program making win 20+ years ago?
Brandon Aug 15 08
One more team I forgot to name in the post: Texas Tech.
I have family ties there but I think as the lonely school clear out there in West Texas and the fact that they're not Texas or A&M would be enough for me to root for them without that connection.
I know that might not be a popular stance to take after our last visit to Lubbock, but I'll admit to rooting for the Red Raiders pretty hard in games not involvning Nebraska.
smmorava Aug 15 08
Make that 2 votes for CSU - Friend of Nebraska! The Rams guarantee that the state of Colorado will never be 100% behind the Buffalos; in fact, Ram fan hatred of the Buffs is deep and pure.
Also, CSU is in the "backyard" of Hemingford. After graduating from HHS, CSU was a much closer hop than Lincoln. Location, Location, Location.
Hello from home!
James Moore Aug 15 08
bnahusker,
Lol, not bandwagon at all and you're right about probably not on the Friends list. But if the site moderators could vouch for my credentials they will tell you that I represent the Huskers even in the e-mail address. Guys a little help?
BUT I got a good laugh out of your post!!! Thanks!!!
Besides EVERYONE else is a distant second to our real team of choice!!!
GO BIG RED!!!
James Moore Aug 15 08
saunders45,
I used to live in Tampa. Great football town and what an atmosphere on football weekends. Very happy for USF and the support it gets locally. Good luck down there!!! Every win makes the town feel even better!!! Imagine what Ybor will look like after a Big East title or BCS Bowl win. Good luck with Bulls football and hurricane season too. . .
Curt Aug 15 08
Having a a grandpa, dad, brother, sister, aunt's dog...or whatever...from a different location doesn't not make the local team a Friend of Nebraska...it makes them a Friend of YOU. Is Husker Nation really going to start rooting for 'Blue' because someone we don't know, but we read their post, has relatives there...NO!
Also, location has nothing to do with FON...we don't all live in Hemingford (thank god) and we don't care if we ever see the Rams play (unless they're playing the Huskers).
However, FON is an interesting thought and I agree with the four mentioned in the article: Wisconsin (Barry Alvarez), Wyoming (Bob Devaney), Ohio (Frank Solich), and Buffalo (Turner Gill). All of Husker Nation can identify with these connections. The other two I like: Oklahoma (tradition and rivalry) and Florida State (we created their program by losing and the Bowden/Osborne connection).
I almost want to add Ohio St to the list as this is Pelini's alma mater but I don't want to wish them too much success in fear of losing our new head coach sometime in the future. On second thought, if OSU is winning then they won't be replacing their coach anytime soon and we don't have to worry about it...GO BUCKEYES!! I don't know if that qualifies as a FON since it's more selfish than sincere but as long as it helps the Huskers then I'm all for it!!
Curt Aug 15 08
Take FSU off my list above...while I like them more than the other Florida schools they are still from Florida and therefore automatically disqualified. Hope Jeff J can schedule another series with them so we can see FSU get trounced...maybe we can send them back to the oblivion they came from before beating us if we win.
bnahusker Aug 15 08
Attn James Moore,
You're a little quick to beg for a moderators voucher! Dost thou protest too much? hehehehe
No need to get backed up. I trust you.
Living in Springfield, MO, I can't tell who the local favorite team is until I walk into Target, Penny's or that mart that starts with a "W". This isn't "The Show Me State", it's "The Bandwagon State". I didn't know 10 Tiger fans the first dozen years that I lived here. Now they are like flies at a pony ride. (Insert odor joke here).
Have a great weekend all!
363 hours til Kickoff!
GBR!
Bob
Mase Aug 15 08
Florida State!?! Oh the travesty! How, after the 1994 Orange Bowl could anyone from Nebraska like them? Wow! I agree, from Florida = disqualified. I do like the enemy of my (Be)enemy is my friend viewpoint though. For that, I also offer Boston College. Who better to root for against Miami? Personally I root for Penn State since I went to grad school there and, although there is some bad history on both sides of this one, there is a similar tradition/fan support network for both. Plus, I hate Michigan (definitely not FON), so that helps my support too. Basically I hate any "darling of the press" team (Michigan, Notre Dame, USC etc.)
Really, other than Buffalo and Ohio, I don't see there being any FON. Am I the only one who doesn't care about anyone else in the Big 12? That includes Oklahoma. As far as I'm concerned, GO HUSKERS and forget the other 11. I'm so tired of hearing how Stoops is the second coming and all the Nebraska fans eating it up. Thanks, but I'll keep my jewels. And Texas Tech?...C'mon, Leach is a huge tool! You put 70 on us and you're automatically dead to me (see Kansas)...
Nathan Aug 15 08
Well, I will admit that I spent the last two years cheering for North Carolina...because of Joe Dailey. Yeah, I know it is stupid. But I still have a lot of affection for that kid, especially because of all the bad breaks he got. Right now, I guess he is at Buffalo. I am going to be interested to see if he can accomplish his dream and move up the coaching ladder to eventually get some level of notability whether as a coordinator or head coach. Maybe his teams will be Friends of Nathan.
bnahusker Aug 16 08
While KU & TT may not be a FON, I wouldn't hold the 70's they put on us as too much of a sin. St. Mary's Sisters of the Deaf would scored at least 60 against the defenses played those days.
It's all better now!
GBR!
omarhuskerfan Aug 16 08
I like to think that LSU is a FON because of the Bo connection. Also if the little high school where bo, and bob stoops went to school at is on ESPN, I'll cheer for them.
Mark Aug 17 08
Having grown up in Wisconsin until I moved to Nebraska at age 13, I'm a pretty diehard fan of both Wisconsin and Nebraska football. I know Bill Simmons would call that sports bigamy, but I've never felt any conflict between the two--they're both great, high-class programs who were built from the ground up by quality guys (Devaney, Osborne, Richter and Alvarez). And they never play each other, either. Actually, I think Wisconsin basketball is a perfect parallel to Husker football circa the 1970s, but that's another issue...and one the readers of this blog probably wouldn't be too interested in.
Roger Sep 09 08
It's a stretch, but I'll second omarhuskerfan's nomination of Youngstown's Cardinal Mooney High (alma mater of the Pelini's and Stoops)--but not just for football reasons. Another Cardinal Mooney graduate, Matt Sobnosky, coached national champion speakers and debaters at Nebraska when he was a UN-L graduate student.