Hey Husky Nation, we're back
by jdhusker on Dec 5, 2010 10:24 PM PST
Email
PrintThe following is an attempt by me to explain a few things from a Husker's point of view about this bowl arrangement. In this, I might say some things that might be interpreted as demeaning to UW. I absolutely do not intend to do so. Please understand that I have a lot of respect for your program, and I believe it is on the way up.
That said, anyone who ventured over to Corn Nation undoubtedly noticed that the reaction to this bowl was.....tepi---awww screw it, we're pissed. I'm going to try to explain the why, because it really honest to God has nothing to do with Washington being "unworthy" to play us.
For starters, this has been a really bad weekend anyway. A lot of the more disparaging posts that you might see over on CN results from people being pretty fired up (in a bad way) over extremely fresh wounds. We barely missed out on our conference's championship for the second year in a row. That cemented our season as a failure. We failed to beat Texas, we failed to win the conference. Those were our goals, and we fell (albeit barely) short. That our 3 losses were by 7, 3, and 3 points only adds to the agony.
Then there was the Big 12. The Big 12 engaged in petty little jabs all season to aggravate Nebraska. One of our players became the first to get suspended by the conference for an in-game hit that wasn't particularly notable as far as helmet to helmet hits go. Then highly questionable officiating occurred in two games that we lost. Then they refused to present us with our divisional trophy citing safety concerns due to some nasty emails (that the police didn't feel were credible enough to investigate). And then today, reports almost immediately surfaced that the Big 12 essentially threatened the Insight Bowl with disaffiliation (the Big 12 has to downsize its bowl commitments in future years) unless it took Missouri instead of NU. That denied us a rather appealing matchup with our neighbor and soon to be Big 10 rival, Iowa. So our anger is almost exclusively directed at our soon-to-be (THANK GOD) ex-conference.
Last is the general frustration with the situation. It was a season of high hopes that ultimately fell short, although 10-3 with 3 narrow losses is by no means bad. And now, in our bowl game, we are given an opponent that we've already beaten comfortably, who will have a losing record should we beat them again. This game gives us absolutely no avenue for redemption. If we win by 40, it doesn't mean much. If we win narrowly, its an unsatisfying reminder of how we limped out of this season. If we lose (which is possible...not likely imo, but definitely possible).....it would be an utter disaster.
There is nothing that we can salvage from this game. Our season died when our team choked away a 17-0 lead yesterday. And we're sick about it. Nothing that happens in this game can heal the hurt that we're feeling right now. Even a lopsided win would be a hollow win.
I'm sorry if you didn't want a WoT moaning and groaning about how hard life is for poor Nebraska. I just felt it necessary to explain the negative energy that is coursing through our fan base right now. It's not you. It's us (and our motherf*@!$#& conference).
That said, of all the teams we've played this year, your board was my favorite to visit, and I'm glad to have an excuse to come back and talk football with you guys (and I promise I'm done reflecting on our season).
One last addition after thinking about the situation further: It's not right to make this all about Nebraska. It's not. I genuinely feel bad for you guys as well. This should be a time of celebration for you. This season represents a significant breakthrough for UW. And when you finally get a bowl bid......its against a team you've already played who's fan base is seething right now. Whatever you do, don't let our negativity ruin the moment for all of you.
38 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I hear you
I can certainly understand the frustration.
How about we make a deal to have another double-dip next year in the 2012 Rose Bowl? :)
Thanks for the head's up
Y’all were between a rock and a hard place all season long. It’s totally understandable how you would feel jobbed. Congrats on escaping Dan Beebe’s incompetent clutches :)
Earl Thomas = God-send
I don't blame you for being pissed.
I’ll be pulling for you guys next year in the Big 10, er, whatever the name of that conference is now. Especially when you play Michigan.
But I also hope that our boys will make it more of a game this time.
That's fair.
I’ve got family out in Nebraska and we’ve always had a big rivalry with them. We’ve always jawed back and forth about our own programs. Because of that I’ve never really been a Nebraska fan and I normally enjoy the demise of the Huskers . But you have done a pretty good job and changing my mind about my distaste for the Huskers. I appreciate your honesty and your sportsmanship. Good luck to you.
by I'mSureI'veSeenWorse on Dec 6, 2010 1:22 PM PST reply actions
Well, you did get screwed
No hard feelings here, I would be upset too. BCS defies all logic, even more so than women. I mean, TCU in the Rose Bowl? UConn in a BCS bowl, but MI St and Neb on the outside looking in? If Boise St hadn’t lost, Stanford would have been shut out, despite being (at the time) #5 with only one loss (to #1).
Good luck with your program, except for the end of the year.
We all understand the frustration
I understand your feeling that there is no upside for Husker nation coming into this game. However, I really do hope that the Dawgs put up a better fight this time and make the game a more enjoyable one to watch. If that happens I hope Husker nation won’t view it as a reflection on “how you limped out of the season” or a serious lapse in your play, and more of a marked improvement in the Dawgs performance. We really are a better team than what you saw in September.
Regardless, we look forward to seeing you in many Rose Bowls to come.
I love Nebraska fans
I think both teams were jobbed because there was little point to playing each other again this year. That being said both schools will make the most of it and I think it will be a more competitive game this time around.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
NO CLASS
Sign of the times when low lifes are the best administration a BIG 12/10 can put forth.
But then they are all Texass muppets.
Support our student athletes, have faith in the coaches! "...it's how you play the game!"
Exactly
Nebraska fans, you got out at the right time from the Big 12. Texas thinks they are the great puppet master, and I was surprised the Oklahoma just followed their lead like a puppy dog. IMHO, the Big 12 will fall apart within the next 5 years.
I agree with John that we both got jobbed, but I do think it will be a better game this time around.
by Carne Guisada on Dec 7, 2010 7:42 AM PST up reply actions
Oklahoma has no choice
All the population is in Texas.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2010 7:55 AM PST up reply actions
Comments on Corn Nation were very out of character
I have been a Nebraska fan since 1991. I suppose they are still shocked over the loss, but many of the comments were very disrespectable to the UW. However, most of the criticism was directed at the Big 12.
You did quit, didn’t you? Why would they want to have one of their bowls become a Big 10 bowl?
I will continue to root for Nebraska, and hey, maybe we can take you place and beat Colorado at will.
Yes, many comments over there were ugly and out of line
And for that I apologize. While I don’t want to make excuses, I believe that the term “heat of the moment” probably applies here. The shock has largely worn off now, so I think we’re pretty much done with the ugliness and hopefully our fan bases can the best of a situation that is really unfair to both schools.
Regarding our relationship with the Big 12, yes we did choose to leave, which led them to retaliate in various rather petty ways, which incensed our normally pretty easy going fan base. I don’t suppose we should have expected a fair shake from the Big 12 on our way out the door, but that didn’t stop us from getting mad every time one of their slights became apparent. Our fan base has been an angry one all year, and to be honest, I will be very glad to get into the Big 10, so we can put this ugly year behind us.
Oh, and feel free to pound on the Puffs all you like. :)
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
FREE FISHBOWLS AT DUFFY'S!
If you’re a Husker reading this, here, you’re a good candidate for what I need: I’m looking for Huskers to interview for a feature on Nebraska fans that will appear here at the Dawg Pound before the Holiday Bowl. Details can be found in the FanPost that I put up on Corn Nation and, JD, I would like to personally invite you to participate.
Thanks!
Aw, man,
I miss the fishbowls. And Duffy’s.
/kicks dirt, hangs head
"...water for the corn." — petromax spambot
Gee look at you go, Reverend :P
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
It will be a closer game
Nebraska hasn’t really been playing like a top 10 team ever since that 1st quarter against Missouri. Correction- defensively we have been playing like a top 10 team. Offensively we have been playing like we did in 2009. We got pretty lucky in an OT win against Iowa State, we played pretty crappy against a Kansas team we should have beat by 40, then there’s the loss to Texas A&M where we got screwed by the officiating but regardless was a total failure offensively…and last but not least was blowing a 17 point lead in the Big 12 championship. That was also completely our offense’s fault because they continually turned the ball over and put the defense in bad situations against a very good offense.
So all that said, our defense has been playing very well here at the end of the season while our offense has taken major steps backwards. The 3 weeks might be enough time for everyone to get rested up, gain a little confidence, and come out and play decently. But I’m not so sure. If the UW offense can manage to limit our running game this time and force Martinez to pass…you guys have a decent shot, especially if we start getting a bad case of fumblitis like we have all season. I think our defense will limit your offense again fairly well, but the question is whether or not our offense can actually do okay. My early prediction- Nebraska wins 27-17
great analysis, but one small correction
Washington wins 36 – 35
Can one of you guys tell me wtf the deal is or was with Zac Lee? Last I heard, it was a mystery what was going on with him, and then I was absorbed with Apple Cup stuff, and now he’s healthy, or back, or what? What’s the deal? And why was it so hushush?
Your guess is as good as ours
He was hurt around midseason, but the coaches insist he’s completely healthy. He played a tiny bit against Colorado in mop up duty and he looked pretty good to be honest.
If you ask me, Nebraska’s second half troubles against OU were screaming for Zac Lee as a remedy. We needed a composed leader out there. But Lee sat. Nobody REALLY knows whats going on. It could be as simple as our coaches viewing this season as expendable and using big game moments to continue their development of Martinez. Who knows. In any case, it’s hard to not feel sorry for Lee, especially after he unfairly took a lot of heat last year.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
I have serious doubts about Pellini
Those sideline antics are just embarrassing.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2010 7:57 AM PST up reply actions
I totally agree
and I say that as an NU alum and not as a someone looking at the program from the outside. As a teacher, I deal with kids every day who don’t how to behave and control themselves in adult situations. I think that it’s the wrong message to send his student athletes (and to student fans) and I think he has brought a lot of his troubles with the officials upon himself.
That game against A&M, to me, is concrete proof that there is no conspiracy against Nebraska. If Beebe wanted vengeance against the Huskers, Bo and Carl played right into his hands that night. NU has a DC who ripped a camera away from a journalist: How was he not sanctioned by the Big 12? How?
When I hear complaints about Tony Jerod-Eddie not being sanctioned by the Big 12 for his alleged grope of Ben Cotton, all I have to say is that if Beebe had opened that can of worms, Carl Pelini would be collecting unemployment right now. Beebe made the best call in that situation, which was letting everyone who looked like a creep or a jerk on each side of the field look like who they portrayed themselves to be.
I had high hopes for Pelini when he came on board, but there is a certain comportment that I associate with Nebaska that has been lacking since Solich left. I hope Carl is gone at the end of the seasons, and I hope Bo takes a hard look at his behavior and controls himself in the Big Ten. If not, there’s always the SEC.
We had this conversation on CN after the A&M game
Although to be fair, those officials DO deserve to be fired. I don’t care if they were provoked or not, they’re supposed to be professionals, and they let their emotions get the better of them.
Regarding the Pelinis, Osborne had a talk with Bo after the A&M game and Bo promised him and then later the NU fan base that it wouldn’t happen again. His behavior was just fine against both Colorado and Oklahoma, certainly nothing compared to what I saw from Mike Stoops in their loss to ASU.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Sympathy, Limited
Hey Huskers,
1. I’ve seen you guys travel to Seattle and Orlando, and your decent folks. Fired up fans, but not needlessly unpleasant like the SEC. Also almost always nice one on one, even after a loss. Being able to lose with grace is MUCH more meaningful that winning all the time.
>>> don’t forget, we ended Miami’s streak, and they were poor losers.
2. No offense, but we woulda been happy w/ any bowl against anyone this year.
This is just another step on the way back.
3. You guys should obviously be heavy favorites, but we’ve surprised before . . .
Good luck in the Big Ten! Hope to meet you again in a Rose Bowl!
Best Regards,
Nebraska should protest this shabby treatment
Maybe wear your helmets backwards for the first half?
Or have your offense play defense, and your defense play offense?
I think you need a reality check
You are leaving the Big 12 and the Big 12 going forward needs to do what best for the Big 12. Why would they put you in the Insight.com Bowl? If you win that game, perception-wise it makes the Big Ten look better in the future.
You are right, you are getting screwed by the Big Texas Conference. I say stop with all the negativity, play the bowl game, and brighter days are ahead of you. Next season you can flip the Big 12 the middle finger because you are no lonnger associated with that bunch. As a Husky fan, I look at the Nebraska/Washington Holiday Bowl and all I think about is the way things were back in the day. I like the matchup simply because the team the Huskers faced in Seattle in September played bad football. This Husky team has done a lot of things well lately and I’m excited for the rematch.
All I saw was purple
Us beating a 7-5 Big 10 team would make the Big 10 look better?
Anyway, we’re not saying that Beebe’s actions don’t make sense, because I agree that they do. He didn’t want a Big 10 lovefest going on in a Big 12 bowl game, so he forced the Insight Bowl to accept massive financial losses for themselves and the Phoenix area, not to mention tv ratings, to prevent that. It makes sense, he wanted to stick it to Nebraska, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be pissed at him for it.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Wow…simple is as simple does.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2010 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
Will Taylor Martinez be healthy for the bowl game?
I expect you to know…..if you don’t know…..find out…….I’ll wait…..
"God bless....God."
Semper Fi'
Pain don't hurt...
UW fans better hope he's feeling better
Turns out, he was the best player on the Sooner’s offense last week. Between the turnovers and his packy pocket decisions, you all should be in good hands.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
