Going Out of Business Sale

OK, I was not ready for the outpouring of support and depression from cyberspace when I announced the self-destruction of this blog earlier this week. Part of the reason I feel it’s not prudent to continue this blog is the pressure to keep the quality at an acceptable level. (insert wise ass joke here, although the more people that read this...the more I care what it looks like) When I first started this blog, a few personal friends and some folks on a college hockey website were really the only ones who were reading it. Now, my hits have never been higher as I’m linked to sites like CNNSI.com and ESPN.com. Hell, I even contributed to a book about Husker football and became a published author, as the entire state of Nebraska has sunk to unimaginable depths not seen since before the Kennedy administration.

Is there really much more to do after that?

But seriously, I thank you for your support and your occasional kind words. Hell, I even thank you for your not-so-kind words because let’s face it….I wouldn’t author this blog if it didn’t tickle me somewhat to see Husker fans lose their minds and fire off verbal gibberish that I can swat down like a fly against a window screen. Yes, your tears are the blood that flows through my veins.

However, I don’t want this to be some sort of indication that I’m disappearing from cyberspace all together. I’m quite certain I will someday find the strength to start a new blog about a new subject matter…and when it does, I’m sure you’ll somehow find out about it. However, just so we’re clear…this particular blog has served its purpose and done what it set out to do. Hell, to some…this blog may have even helped contribute to the now white-hot hatred between Missouri and Nebraska fans as a whole. Regardless, it took me 23 years to fight it …but I finally won the war. That is the ultimate goal for any combatant, and when you reach your goal, it’s time to claim victory and do something else.

Meanwhile…the season continues and the Nebraska football program continues plummet into the abyss at ever-quickening speed.

**

Lots of great games around the league of course, and I can hopefully take in as much as possible.

Oklahoma and Texas of course is the sexiest game of the week, showcasing one of the country’s best rivalry between two teams with annoying fight songs that share the same division. Always a good show, it seems in the past that Oklahoma or Texas has always pulled through when they hold the edge in overall talent. In other words, it doesn’t seem like the underdog wins this matchup very often.

Now Texas of course is no ordinary underdog, but they definitely don’t have the firepower that Bob Stoops has at his disposal this season. Colt McCoy looks pretty damn good to this point, but somehow is his team’s leading rusher. Even Tim Tebow couldn’t pull that off in big games…as I look for the OU defense to completely force McCoy to the air..which is a bad sign when facing that pass rush. I don’t think it’s unfathomable that Texas could win…OU has a bad habit of taking weeks off at bad times…but never in this game. I think OU wins and wins rather easily.

Meanwhile in Lubbock, Gum-chompin Bo and his merry band of yellow-flagged misfits (spitfits?) travel to Lubbock for their annual presidential year prairie beatdown on National TV. Now I’m going to be honest here, I only saw a little bit of Tech’s game with SMU earlier…but if you can give me one reason why the Husker defense can remotely slow down Michael Crabtree, I’ll give you a yummy red frosted cookie.

Tech makes a living praying off of slow and undersized defensive backs and well…..ahem. Yeah. This season, it seems that they’ve been running a bit more…but if you saw the size of the holes being opened up for Derrick Washington last week…you’ll know that’s probably not keeping Mike Leach up at nights this week.

The great thing about this game is the complete and total lack of any sort of buzz from the Hick nation. Husker pundits, media and douchebag columnists who claim to be “huge” fans of their alma mater seem to be a bit more worried about last week’s 3 second sound byte from a QB light years better than them, than they do worrying about the searing unlubricated pain they’re about to suffer at the hands of another top 10 team. (more on that in a bit.)

A great end to the day will be the clash between Oklahoma State in the gold swirling ball of hate in Columbia. Poke fans are feeling pretty good about their chances, as their team looks to catch Mizzou between two huge games. Perhaps they’re looking even ahead to next week where a win in Austin will ensure Mizzou can waltz to the finish line undefeated with a date with OU at a rather loud Arrowhead in December. (most likely lopsided with black and gold)

However, Okie State has won just 4 of their last 8 on the road….with their biggest win being a 2006 triumph over then even-more-doormat Kansas. OSU’s option/draw rushing offense plays right into the hands of Mizzou…who has actually been pretty good against the run this year. Unless Missouri fails to score in the first few drives…OSU will be forced to throw..and with crowd noise, bright lights and a less effective run game…I think it will be too much.

**

Speaking of too much, I’m really kind of disappointed I have to address this…but you asked for it.

Can you people let this whole Chase Daniel thing go? Look, I understand the kid has punked you people more than any single player in recent memory. (Do you know many players with three career lopsided wins over Nebraska?) I understand you’re angry that this caliber of player these days simply thumbs his nose at you (HA! GET IT!?!) instead of joining your ranks. However, sooner or later you’re going to have to stop your crying…dry your eyes..and realize that just because you’re not thinking about it doesn’t mean your program is in any less trouble.

You know what I’m talking about, so don’t pretend you don’t. Your little “2-3 year plan” that started with Bill Callahan is now in year 5 …and there is no end that even the bottom is in sight. Do you think it’s going to get that much better next season with a brand new QB (whom your idiot coach hasn’t even allowed more than 6 whopping attempts ½ through the year.)? Have you noticed the raised eyebrows regarding the complete lack of recruiting strength Pelini has shown so far?

Seriously, from Traitor Tom Shatel, to every Husker blogger I know…the theme ever since Saturday night's massacre has been nothing but “Daniel sucks” this and “Daniel’s a whiney bitch” that. Meanwhile, this “problem” that doesn’t seem to go away was the result of a tiny sound byte and the deafening roar of silence from the Missouri camp…whom lets face it…has way more to worry about right now than your precious little feelings or your shitty has-been program.

Look, I understand why you’re pissed about it. I did the same thing when my team sucked. I looked to focus on just about anything aside from the fact that my own team was horrible and there was nothing I could do about it. Do I expect the local media to talk about how Pelini’s teams undisciplined and unfocused? Do I expect them to do an exclusive interview with Tom Osborne to see how he enjoys watching a perennial conference doormat beat the holy shit out of his team without so much as trying last weekend? Of course not.

Your actions and your inexhaustible crying about a complete non-issue has screamed inaudibly exactly the way I predicted. So the guy hates you? Big deal. You definitely don’t have to tell me twice how easy it is to hate your guts. Perhaps you should have thought about the repercussions of your actions when you made endless booger jokes and claims regarding his ability. In the end, he basically kicked your ass, called you out for what you are and have become..and walked away to his model girlfriend...his multiple award ceremonies and his undefeated team.

Kids, you can’t give a great big middle finger much more effectively than that.