Has Arizona Rebalanced the Scales?
11 comments so far
December 24, 2009 by
Over the last twelve years or so the Pac-10/Big 12 pairings in the Holiday Bowl has seemed tilted toward the Pac10 in terms of who's at an advantage. Not only is the game played in Pac-10 country, but it matches the #2 seed from the Pac-10 against the #3 seed from the Big 12. That produces matchups like the 1998 contest between #5 Arizona and #14 Nebraska. This year in particular, you've got an Arizona team that's excited to be playing in the Holiday Bowl, just one season removed from a ten-year streak of not playing in a bowl game against a bitterly disappointed Nebraska team that thinks they ought to be in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Big 12 has held their own, winning six of the last eleven games. The spread for this one is extremely close, just a point and half in Arizona's favor. But when you add the regional and emotional pluses for the Wildcats, it's easy to be concerned that Nebraska might be doomed to a loss in the game. That is until the recent rumors surfaced that Arizona will be changing up their uniforms for the game, possibly wearing a red or white helmet instead of the blue one they've had this season. As the visiting team, they might wear white helmets with white jerseys and white pants. All of a sudden, the scales seemed tipped a bit more in Nebraska's favor.
There are certain philosophies shared at the Big Red Network. One of them that we've embraced is the Carlson Postulate. It states that when a team resorts to uniform gimmicks, they'll get smoked. Think of the white on white Nebraska wore in Bill Callahan's final game. They gave up 65 points and lost by two touchdowns to the Buffaloes. The same was true when NU went red on red against Oklahoma in the mid-1980's. Better to work on your game than your outfit. There are countless other examples, just ask Darren.
So if Arizona is playing fashion queen, then things look much better for Nebraska. And white on white in particular seems soft. It calls to mind that line from A Few Good Men. "I want you to stand there in that (expletive) white uniform...and extend me some (expletive) courtesy". If you haven't seen it it's at 3:50 on the clip below.
So the Wildcats can be the excited ones and they can play in their own backyard. But if they're going to play dress-up for their date with Nebraska, they better be prepared to get undressed on national television.
Did you enjoy this article?
Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter
Related Stories: Arizona, Bowl Games
Post a comment
Dwayne Dec 24 09
I believe NU wore all white against Ga Tech in the early nighties and got railed from a team that would share the national title.
Thanks for putting in some holiday time with this article. We shut-ins need a good piece of reading when the snow is pilin' up outside.
One other point, how does the Heisman winner not receive the player of the year award? Maybe because they aren't the best player?
James Moore Dec 24 09
It's early in the bowl season but we might have to begin re-evaluating conventional wisdom about the strength of the PAC-10 this year. . .
NorCal Dec 25 09
You want to re-evaluate the strength of the Pac-10 where Cal and OSU have lost to opponents with higher rankings ... good logic.
I'm prepared for a competitive Holiday Bowl! BearDown, no matter what uniform Arizona sports
Greg Morrow Dec 25 09
NorCal,
"You want to re-evaluate the strength of the Pac-10 where Cal and OSU have lost to opponents with higher rankings ... good logic."
Steve was referring to past Holiday Bowl matchups and the relative team rankings, leading up to the game... good reading comprehension.
It must be exciting, trying to talk smack, on other team's sites...
Uniform wise, Nebraska's '02 Badger style uni's plus results could've made Blackwell's worst dressed list.
The '86 all red looked total High School. They played with heart, but Okie was clearly better, that season.
Nebraska's on the verge of taking on a semi permanent chip on it's shoulder. Which is good, as long as it doesn't play chippy.
An attitude that's sincere, but fierce, can overcome the built in motivational disadvantages, Steve's article implies.
Robicon Dec 25 09
Keep thinking the the white uni's really matter in this game. UA is a hungry team and will be there for the fight. Don't kid yourself.....
BEAR DOWN!!!
NorCal Dec 25 09
I'm not even trying to talk "smack" on an opponents site to stir up controversy, just was defending my team and conference if you were taking shots at it.
I respect Nebraska, they were a powerhouse under Osbourne, and how can you not like the fact that everyone from your state is a die-hard fan.
I'm really excited for a good game in San Diego ... and though I am an Arizona grad, I will be hearing it from my friends that were born in Nebraska but alumni of Arizona.
Count Istvan Dec 25 09
I have never known an uniform to win a game. How many games in a row has Notre Dame lost in green? Ok bad example they lose no matter what uniform they were but...I agree this uniform stuff is nonsense.
JBLING22 Dec 26 09
I think its kind of funny that people don't realize that changing Uniforms in the middle or the end of the season can actually be very problematic for the teams doing it... Trust me, if you've ever played QB before, your use to seeing the same jerseys/color in your peripherals, and finding recievers might take that extra crucial second in a game... A second might not seem like much, but trust me if you have a guy like NDominate coming after you, a sec seems like a long time... Does this mean Arizona will have a problem with it, who knows but it does tend to mess with some peoples chemistry
Bill Dec 26 09
Don't forget 1990.
Nebraska goes with the white on white and got SMOKED by Georgia Tech.
Bill Dec 26 09
:::: Hey NorCal::::
I live in the Bay Area, and have taken in SEVERAL Pac10 games this year.
I still stick with my assessment of the Pac10:
A bunch of talented but soft skill players with soft defenses and soft lines that look GREAT of paper. Pac10 teams look great at the airport, but that is where it ends.
Fans support their teams (especially Cal and SC) when they win, but when they lose... you can hear a pin drop in the stadium. That goes for West Coast football in general.
(LA has no NFL franchise. Why do you think that is?)
That said, I think Arizona is an exception to that rule these days. They win on grit. That has to do with the Stoops brothers more than your program as a whole... but really it should be a point of pride for AZ. I really see the Cats as a program on the rise.
Ilovesteak Dec 27 09
Just give me a red jersey and white pants....Seems to me Nebraska gets it done (and done well) in those colors.....