When Shock Isn't so Shocking

Well that got real interesting real quick.

First of all, let’s get some things out of the way before Hate Week really starts to roll. First, huge congrats to my KSU and CU friends. Both schools got gigantic wins a couple hours apart; far exceeding what Bill Callahan has done in 4 seasons. (Although yesterday’s win over juggernaut ISU was huge…but I’ll get to that in a second.) The Buffs showed guts and a nasty defense in the final quarter or so. K-State basically used special teams and defense to beatdown an obviously uninterested Texas team. Neither of these wins can be diminished by their importance.

This morning, message boards, blogs and newspapers are now suddenly decrying that the Big 12 North is now completely wide open, with anybody and everybody having a shot (except for ISU) at winning on a given Saturday. I guess my only question with that statement is…

“Suddenly”?

Ummmm, in case you didn’t notice, I’ve told you for two years now that Colorado isn’t going anywhere. I’ve told you for two years now that although K-State struggles with inconsistency at times, they’ve got a wicked young QB and a lot of skilled players on defense. Does anybody remember this? Remember the snide remarks after my big 12 preview?

Truth be told, the North is absolutely no different than I thought it would be. Oklahoma obviously imploded against CU. Obviously Texas is one of the most overrated teams on earth, and was looking toward Dallas next week. Both the Buffs and Cats have more than enough talent leftover from their coaching changes to beat somebody…even good teams home or away.

Does this mean some new order has suddenly sprang up in the conference? Not especially. Both teams are still rather young, and have some rather significant hurdles to jump over. Does that mean that this Saturday’s Missouri vs. Nebraska game is diminished? Does it mean that we’re back to earlier in the decade, where CU goes to 3 of 4 title games, and Bill Snyder is still knocking people around? Not yet..at least I don’t believe so.

It does mean one thing however.

Nebraska is in deep shit. Not that any of them would notice of course.

Apparently, the blackshirts are BACK!!!! Apparently, all of the previous problems of last week have been magically solved with a 18 point win over the worst team in the Big 12. (Yes, the worst team in the Big 12. Baylor is better.) I do have a question though: How do you let up 415 yards to Iowa State when they’re the number 102nd ranked offense IN THE COUNTRY? Does anybody else find this odd? Funny, Kent State held them to 306. Toledo and Mighty Northern Iowa held them to less than 400. But 415 at home? The Blackshirts are back? Huh?

Funny how many preached the NU defense would be “vastly” improved, now scoff at the fact that the Huskers are sitting 67th in the nation in scoring defense. And yes, that’s nine whole points worse than Missouri..the same defense Husker fans have mocked since week #1. I’m sure that 98th in the nation in sacks, and 68th in the nation in tackles for loss is just a fluke.

Of the next three opponents, the blackskirts will face: The #5 Total offense in the country in Mizzou. The #5 rushing team in the country in Texas A&M and the #8 rushing offense in the nation in Oklahoma State. Now I ask you…if Iowa State and Ball State can roll up 1025 yards between them IN LINCOLN…what in the hell are those three teams gonna do?

I understand I’m a TINGE bit biased and I’ve obviously been wrong a lot…but would it shock anyone if Nebraska lost every game the rest of the way? Don’t laugh, look at the schedule. After those three games I just mentioned, things really get tough. Road dates with Texas (They’re overrated, but probably better than Ball State), Kansas (we know what happened in 2005 in Lawrence) and a home game with K-State all precede the trip to Colorado at Thanksgiving time. So the last four games consist of at least semi-difficult road games, and the one home game brings in the QB you all mocked and called his mom a bad parent. Do I think all that will happen? Probably not, but the possibility is there.

Good luck with that.

Finally, a special Hate Week “Jackass of the Week” to Husker beat writer Rich Kaipust, who apparently thought Nebraska should be ranked over Mizzou due to a marquee road-win against mighty 2-2 Wake Forest. In his vote last week, Nebraska was 20th, while Mizzou was off his ballot. In Friday night’s Omaha World Herald, Rich calls Illinois an “also ran” and defends his placing of the hometown Hicks by saying they’re the only ones who have “done something of note”.

610 yards to Ball State at home? (It was written before the Huskers let ISU roll up 400+ yards on 102..yes ONE HUNDRED AND TWO plays. )

DONE SOMETHING OF NOTE?!?! If that doesn’t paint an entire picture with one broad stroke, nothing else will. And THIS is a guy who actually helps decide a national champion? I’m well aware of slander laws in this country, so I shall withhold my true thoughts on this Kool-Aid drinking douchebag. This is the typical Husker arrogance and ignorance that define the most shameful and pathetic excuse for media in any market in the United States. (I would say in the world, but there’s probably some idiot in Turkey or somewhere who has a 0-5 cricket team ranked too high).

More to come tomorrow in what I’m sure will be a very interesting week.


Photo Thanks - Des Moines Register, Kansas City Star and Philadelphia Inquirer