The Biggest Win in Eight Years?
3 comments so far
November 5, 2009 by
Given Oklahoma's struggles this year, a win saturday probably wouldn't qualify as a "signature win" to most around the country, but it would be the biggest win in Lincoln in quite some time. Try eight years since Frank Solich's team beat Oklahoma with the trick-play pass to Eric Crouch.
Granted, there have only been six games since that day against teams ranked in the top 20 in Lincoln. There were losses to #7 Texas and #13 Colorado in 2002, a loss to #15 Texas Tech in 2005, another loss to #5 Texas in 2006, a loss to #1 USC in 2007, and a loss to #4 Missouri in 2008. And there were a pair of wins in Lincoln over ranked teams below #20, like #24 Oklahoma State in 2003 and #23 Iowa State in 2005. There were even some good road wins like the win over #20 Michigan in 2005 in the Alamo Bowl, one over #24 Texas A&M in College Station in 2006, and the one over #24 Missouri in Columbia four weeks ago.
The fans in Memorial stadium have waited eight long years - since George W. Bush's first year as president - to see Nebraska beat a team this good. Maybe people would dismiss this as a win over a down OU team, but after two presidential elections you'd take it. Perhaps sensing the opportunity, you hear of a lot of Husker fans seeking tickets to this one (despite the recent disappointments at home).
Some magic things can happen under the lights at night. Just as they did in 1992 against Colorado and just as they did in Columbia not one month ago. A win might not fix everything, but it would unquestionnably be one of the better moments of the decade for this team.
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WyHuskerFan Nov 05 09
There's little doubt winning cures everything, however most Husker fans want to see consistent progress under Pelini. The 2nd year HC has witnessed (as have we all) his units swap identities. The offense seems to have been in regression these past few weeks as the defense gets better and special teams are starting to make a statement. A win would be icing on the cake, however a resurgence of offensive production that gives us an opportunity to win would be an acceptable consolation. GBR.
Matt Nov 05 09
The thing is, we all knew that the offense would be in regression--we lost 75-80% of our offensive productivity from last year due to graduation. It's just the extent of the regression that's catching people off-guard, I think. That, and our near-miss at V. Tech gave us all hope when maybe we should have tempered our enthusiasm a bit...myself included.
Having said that, I think Green, Cooper, and Robinson starting last week will pay dividends this year and beyond. Add to that a possibly healthy Helu, Niles Paul stepping up, and (if Watson doesn't forget about him) quality TE play from McNeil, and it's highly possible the offense gets back on track this year.
Have faith, ye men of corn. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and no, it's not a train.
Harrieta Husker: 24
Sooner Schooner: 20
Bill in Iowa Nov 05 09
Near perfect offensive execution and +2 in turnovers and the game is ours. Alex Henry hits three, our TE's have a big day and a QB emerges. 19-17 NU