The Indictment of Husker Fan

This week, as with most weeks, I get to see the absolute worst of human sociology. Somewhere, in some laboratory, there is a study going on dealing with obsessive compulsive, dementia and obsession issues that is costing somebody hundreds of thousands of dollars. Yet in my own little world here in this place called Huskerland, is an experiment that never ends.

I’ve spent the better part of 20 years telling people about what kind of myopia and arrogance oozes from the soil of this state. Over that time, I thought I’d seen it all and heard it all.

But this week provided me the opportunity to view Husker fan in a different light. This week, during a week like no other, I was lucky enough to witness the smoking gun; the final piece of evidence that I needed to slam the door on this case once and for all. OK, maybe not once and for all, but I can prove in the most graphic examples yet, that Husker fans are every bit the fraud... every bit the worldwide sham I’ve claimed.

How so you ask?

Take the aftermath of the Steve Pederson firing. Granted, before this man was relieved of his duties, radio hosts, columnists and sports anchors all had their doubts about what was wrong with the team. Some sat around in a daze. Others whined that somebody had to pay and this just “doesn’t happen to Nebraska.” However, throughout it all, Husker fan at least kept a shred of dignity. Well, then again..I’m not sure how many fans of major programs would walk out of a game by halftime when sitting on a 4-2 season, but that’s besides the point.

No, what has happened since the firing, is nothing short of a bandwagon hypocrisy unlike anything the world has ever seen. What has transpired has defied logic, puzzled scholars and memorized the curious.

“Hey crazy blog guy, what could be so bad with wanting your program to succeed?”

That would be fine, if in fact that was your final purpose. If your ultimate goal was to support the university..to support the state and most of all your precious standing in the eyes of others…that would be fine. But it didn’t turn out that way.

Just before the season, I wrote a precursor to this. Back then, I gave you a slight glimpse into the minds of the hypocritical and into the very soul of the ungrateful. The column was written just prior to the season, and was critical of the Nebraska media’s handling of Joey Ganz shortly after being delegated to second string. In that opinion piece, I explained to you that the very young man who busted his ass off, just to play for you and make his team..the very same guy who held a special hard-nosed, never-say-die attitude of Nebraska football..was ridiculed.

Afternoon talk shows mocked his abilities. Columnist chuckled at the fact that Bill Callahan was simply using the quarterback “controversy” to motivate JC Keller in playing better. The very media that slobbered all over Joey Ganz just days before, instantly attacked him. Yes, these EXACT same individuals who once stated, “Wow, Joe Ganz is really making some progress” one minute…were then claiming, ”He can go to an NAIA school and have a very nice career. He's just not a D1 QB.”

College Football…Lord of the Flies style.

Fast forward to the past month. Enter the same media that has been slobbering all over Bill Callahan for years. Enter the radio shows and columnists praising the brilliance of the West Coast offense. Does anybody remember the snide disdain that was given to anyone who dared SUGGEST that a team other than Nebraska could challenge for the Big 12 North? (Ironically, it was 4 teams..and none wore red. But I digress).

And in the snap of a finger…with the flicker of a camera, the sharks rose again. Once Tom Osborne was back in the fold, Husker media and Husker fans instantly turned against their own.

Suddenly, Bill Callahan was an idiot. An offensive scheme, which just four weeks earlier was unstoppable and ahead of it’s time, was suddenly deemed “too NFL” and “too big city.” Suddenly, Ralph Callahan found himself sprinting through the underbrush, looking to hide under any nook and cranny from the angry tribe that once adored him.

Just as in Lord of the flies, the forest is ablaze with hypocrisy. Imagine a daycare left unsupervised for a few hours. During that that time, the oldest child breaks toys, shatters windows, lights the carpet on fire and stabs the cat with a steak knife. Suddenly, the babysitter walks back through door, as the oldest child rushes to her leg screaming and crying, “I’m so glad you’re here…Look what they did!” That's about the only way I can explain it.

But wait...that’s not the crime. People become discontent with current staffs all the time. There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting change, especially in light of difficult circumstances. But where was the demand for change a month ago? Where were the assault Steve Pederson jokes? Where was the hatred and anger for Bill Callahan? Sure, there were some who disliked the regime from the beginning…but suddenly, as if the babysitter bolts into the room, you all (at once mind you), turn the spear on your own. And by “on your own”, I don’t even mean the coaches.

This Saturday, a team with ugly white helmets is going to play in front of 85,000 of their own fans…many of them hoping and begging for a poor performance. Out of the crowd, thousands will be on hand, simply to display their hatred toward their head coach. Players who were once cheered and adored for their “gutty outspokenness” like Corey McKeon, will be openly mocked..perhaps even booed. JC Keller will stand under center, in front of the entire state…a vast majority of them looking forward to the day where he no longer runs their team.

I have always found you to be phony and fraudulent. But now, you have sunk even lower than I imagined. Booing your own team? “Bill, you’re next” signs? Walkouts? Mocking and slandering players for their performance..despite the fact that they still have nearly ½ a season to play?

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I ask you to consider this thought: Did you ever think the “Greatest Fans in College Football” would collectively, abruptly and without malice turn on the very players to whom they cheered just weeks before? Is there anything more pathetic?

So to you, I ask that you spare leniency and convict the fans formerly known as “Husker Nation” for treason and contempt. Despite years of deceit, you have the power to convict. You have the ability to see through their veil charade that has lasted nearly four decades. For you see…if you can’t see the sickening hypocrisy of the “Classiest” fans in the nation…then you have no soul.

The prosecution rests.




Power Poll

North
1) Missouri (5-1) vs. Texas Tech
Mizzou tip toes through the minefield before the schedule eases up a bit. The Red Raiders may even be the Tigers toughest task prior to a couple of road contests at Colorado and K-State.

2) Kansas State (4-2) at. Oklahoma State
KSU walks into a pretty tough environment against a team feeling the after-effects of dealing a death blow to Nebraska. A win in Stillwater, and the Wildcats can brush off the KU loss for what it was…a complete fluke.

3) Colorado (4-3) vs. Kansas
The schizophrenic Buffs have the honor of pounding Kansas into submission, proving once again that it’s not very smart to play nothing but home games well into late October. Didn’t the Buffs do this to some over overrated and outmatched North “power” who didn't believe in road games in 2001?

4) Kansas (6-0) at. Colorado
Say goodbye to any such notion that Mark Mangino’s nationwide charade will continue. The magic number is 92. As in the probable margin of victory for CU and the Jayhawk’s current strength of schedule.

5) Iowa State (1-6) vs. Oklahoma
The Clones continue their tradition of getting bludgeoned by South teams with a matchup against the Sooners. No word yet if Bob Stoops will stick to playing only players who’s name starts with the letters A through F.

6) Nebraska (4-3) vs. Who cares
So the ENTIRE fan base hates the players, wants the coaching staff dead and can’t wait for them all to get the hell out of town? I smell a winning streak comin!!!


South
1) Oklahoma (6-1) at Iowa State
Who the hell put this game on TV? Nice going Big 12 TV contract.

2) Texas Tech (6-1) at Missouri
The weekend’s best game features nearly identical teams. The only problem is, one of them is 12-19 on the road under their current coach. Last time the Red Raiders came to Columbia, Brad Smith ran for 835 yards.

3) Texas (5-2) at Baylor
Texas has only played 2 half-decent teams all season, and lost to them both. Luckily for Mack Brown, the two worst teams in the conference lie ahead in Baylor and Nebraska. (Not that there’s much difference there)

4) Texas A&M (5-2) at Some crappy North team
How the hell do you only score 7 points on Texas Tech? What is it with teams with coaches on the hot seat playing like ass? Luckily, A&M has a JV game this week to get ready for Kansas.

5) Oklahoma State (4-3) vs. Kansas State
The OSU defense has played much better of late..but then again, it was against A&M and Nebraska. K-State isn’t a huge offensive juggernaut, but they play well on the road.

6) Baylor (3-4) vs. Texas
The Bears are giving up 45 points per game over their last three games. Texas comes to town scoring 56 last week. Ummmm….that’s not a good sign.