Things to Be Thankful For

2 comments so far November 27, 2008 by Brandon Vogel

It's Thanksgiving. You're probably not supposed to be on the Internet right now, much less at a Cornhusker blog, day before a game or not. This is a day for family and turkey drippings. You should probably get back to that.

But me? I'm boycotting turkey this year. That Virginia Tech loss still tastes bad to me and it's tainted the taste of turkey for at least this holiday season. Nebraska wins that game and they're ranked right now. A win would've been the signature one of Pelini's first year and made going to Blacksburg next year so much easier.

Instead, I have to eat a cornish game hen this year therefore I'm not thankful for turkey. Here, however, is an admittedly hokey and entirely gimmicky list of things that, should I be pushed to come up with something while sitting around the table, I am thankful for as a Husker fan:

Big Schemin' Bo Pelini: You remember this article. An unnamed opposing coach called Pelini a "big schemer" in an article by Tom Dienhart. Thing is, he was at least partially right and Nebraska's better for it now.

Against Missouri, Bo came out with his Ekler-approved super-secret defensive plan and the Huskers got lit up. Since then, things seem to be simpler and Bo's admitted as much. You have the players you have and they just have to perform. As they've become better acquainted with the Pelini defense the mistakes have been fewer and less glaring. There will be a time for a great Venables against Tech time scheme and Bo can deliver it but, for this year at least, simple is better. (It's worked for Watson as well.)

Hurdlin' Roy Helu: It's a flashy move that's become almost de riguer if you've spent any time on YouTube looking at football highlights. That said, it's nice to have a guy at Nebraska who is athletic and instinctive enough to pull it off. And he's coming back.

Marlon Lucky's throwing arm: Say what you will about the highly touted/criticized running back, he may go down as the greatest throwing halfback in Nebraska history. You could argue, and plenty do, that Lucky hasn't had the senior season or even career that either he or many fans envisioned.

But what he has done is throw touchdowns in three out of his four years as a Cornhusker, including one jump pass. Thanks for that. Here's hoping a fruitful NFL career awaits.

Letting Redshirts be Redshirts: When it's all said and done, the lasting legacy for the 2008 season might be that Pelini was able to steer the Huskers to a successful season without mortgaging the future when times got tough (especially at linebacker). Will Compton and Khiry Cooper come immediately to mind as kids I'm already excited about for next year. Just take a look at what Travis Lewis did this year at Oklahoma and Michael Crabtree did last year at Tech as redshirt freshmen. Not saying that either player will even approach those heights but that year of seasoning is pretty valuable and something few were able to enjoy under Callahan.

Bo's White Hat: Facts are facts. White hats don't look good on anyone ever. If you're wearing a white hat you're not reaching your full potential of attractiveness but Bo insists upon it and I like the fact that his lid eschews the block N for the sanserif N of the helmet. It may not look good, and it pales in comparison to Devaney's fedora, but I can appreciate sticking to your guns.

This photo of Devaney: Speaking of Bob's red fedora, that photo is my favorite in the history of Nebraska football. Bob, the reputed womanizer and whiskey drinker that he was, gets off the plane in New Orleans and immediately sees a photo op before getting serious about the Sugar Bowl. The look on his face is priceless. I also like the Harry Husker get-up for the band.

Satin jackets: Once we get through today, the rampant consumerism of the holiday season can official begin. At 4 am for some. If you're looking for a gift for your favorite Big Red Network blogger, or just for me, you could do much worse than this road white beauty.

The Colorado Game: It's not Oklahoma. It's not a rivalry according to most but I'm getting used to hating the Buffs. It tastes good. Like the greatest hybrid food of all: the pumpkin/pecan pie.

Enjoy your bird today, hokie or otherwise, and feel free to leave what you're thankful for in the comments below...as long as it won't get you in trouble.

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