Nebraska Heads to Capital One to Face South Carolina
If your favorite team isn't headed to a BCS bowl, what you want to see is a bowl with the biggest payout against the best possible opponent. The Capital One Bowl, by virtue of payout and agreements fits the bill nicely. The Capital One Bowl had the top pick outside the BCS of Big Ten and SEC teams. While the pick of South Carolina over Arkansas is a bit puzzling, it does offer Nebraska arguably the greatest possible challenge.
In golf, the Players Championship has been referred to as the "fifth major". While it clearly lacks the prestige of the US Open, British Open, Masters and PGA Championship, it has a big payout and a strong field. The Capital One might similarly be that next best bowl behind the BCS games. No one mistakes it for a BCS game, but it's still good competition in a great setting.
Being so close to all the family entertainment in Orlando, it's a great destination for holiday travel. A mid-day January 2nd kickoff also makes it a nice way to spend a lazy holiday in front of the TV. In terms of competition, you couldn't ask for a tougher matchup than South Carolina. While it's not quite a rematch with Michigan, it might be the next closest thing.
Win or lose, that might be the biggest advantage of this bowl for Nebraska. NU can spend weeks preparing for a dual-threat quarterback and a stout defense. That's the kind of team they'll need to defeat in 2012 if they want to contend for a Legends division title. There are other intriguing storylines, like Spurrier seeking revenge against Nebraska or the SEC versus Big Ten for bowl supremacy. But for now, Husker fans know that their team will be truly tested against a quality opponent. All-in-all, not a bad deal.
12/4/2011
Couldnt of asked for a better matchup I like our chances obviously our defense will have to.win the game for.us but to play a top ten team.w a chance to beat them will do great in preaseason polls
12/5/2011
I’d just like to give props to Pelini and his crew again for another 9-win minimum season. A Top-20 team playing in a great bowl against a great opponent—this is the kind of thing that makes fans excited and proud. We all hope for that extra-special year, but it wasn’t long ago when I had to stomach Nebraska not even playing in a bowl game… these are those times when I hope most Nebraska fans take stock, and remember that what we’ve got is good now, and full of promise for the future.
12/5/2011
Couldn’t have asked for much better giving a new conference, new OC, etc. Good work! No complaints here, GBR!!!!!
12/5/2011
Also, really anxious to see how the B1G has a whole competes in these bowl games!
12/5/2011
Some tough matchups Jay, but hopefully better results than last year.
12/5/2011
It would have been much better for us to have played Arkansas. They have a drop back passer where Conner Shaw is a scrambler…and a good one at that…AND a good passer. We’ll have our hands full on both sides of the ball. if we can win this game, that’s saying something. If we loose and play close, it will show the nation we are for real.
12/6/2011
With all the time Pelini has to prepare for the gamecocks and with time to get some injured players healed, I like our chances of winning or at least making it very close.
12/6/2011
Per in Charleston hit the nail on the head. Our defense is made to defend teams like Arkansas. South Carolina is the exact offense that puts up big numbers on our d. I for one am very excited, but also very nervous. Pelini has a month to gameplan for a mobile qb. With lavonte in there I don’t know if you could find a better tool for stopping a running qb. I hope they use him the way they should have used him against Michigan (as a monster back). If pelini can’t stop a mobile qb when he has lavonte back there, I don’t see him ever being able to…..
12/9/2011
Nebraska fans came out in force when you were in Columbia during the mid 80’s, especially considering the travel distance. You were supportive fans and, most of all, respectful winners. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando.
12/9/2011
As fans, we look forward to playing in Orlando against the gamecocks. Spurrier is a great coach and he will have his team ready to play. Its true that our defense has problems dealing with mobile QB’s that can pass and Spurrier would not have a QB that wasn’t a good passer. With all the time Pelini has to prepare for this game, I think he will have some answers for that dilemma. I think its imperative that we too have a respectable passing game and not allow Spurrier’s defense too load the box. If we are one dimensional on offense, it will be a long night. At any rate, it should be a great game.