(BO)rn to Pout

You’ll have to forgive me today, as I’m battling a few injuries. First is the sore thumb from flipping back and fourth between ESPN and Texas Tech’s near meltdown, and second is the sore stomach from laughing at the uncontrollable rectal bleeding that was the Nebraska defense on ESPN. All in all though, a pretty entertaining night in terms of setting up for the end of the season.

With that being said, I’m (of course) not surprised you got your brains beat in by the Sooners. OU is angry, and arguably physically better than Texas (just not on one day in Dallas). You were smacked early and you were smacked often...and yes, I found it extremely funny. However, I do have a few deeper observations of your team that are really starting to come into focus.

First, Bo Pelini has your team playing at least a tad harder than the GRF© did last season. You see guys running hard toward the football, and not heading back to the huddle with their heads hanging to their knees. For that, you got what you wanted…a guy who will bring “passion” back to Nebraska football.

What you didn’t count on is the absolute embarrassment and childish crybaby that Bo Pelini brings to your team that is unlike any football coach seen in these parts since…well…since ever. Whether it’s the tear-fueled hissy fits he has during the games, or the EXTREMELY tired, “This is my fault..blame it on me” mantra that he now uses for every single loss, this dude is in WAY over his head. He obviously knows what he’s doing in terms of motivating and getting guys in the right spot, but he reminds me of Gunther Cunningham in the way he completely loses his mind in the face of any sort of adversity whatsoever.

But that not withstanding, here’s where your life gets real interesting: Will Pelini be able to grow up in time to right your ship? At what point is his “passion” going to make you a laughing stock? Pulling your players away from reporters after the game and pouting all the way to the bus? Staring down your own reporters who want to know why you just got completely destroyed? Take your beating like a man, and stop trying to be somebody you’re not…which is an inexperienced leader of men who at least at the moment, has no clue of how to take the punches that get thrown at him.

Second, Your entire season has been saved by, ironically enough..the Colorado Buffaloes. I’m not sure what the hell Dan Hawkins is thinking, but it looks like we’re going to have a repeat of 2004, when the Buffs and Huskers met on the Friday after thanksgiving in Lincoln to see who is going to a bowl, and who is going home. Dan Hawkins has seemingly waved the white flag on offense with his QB rotation (unless it somehow gets better over the next few weeks), and yes..even you can probably stop their attack. (Especially with their best player busting his leg yesterday.) But regardless of 6 wins, I still think Sharp and Reesing are going to be WAY too much for you to handle next week. Shreveport is lovely this time of year I hear.

Sandwiched in the middle of those two games, K-State hosts you in their Super Bowl, which certainly isn't an environment that you normally handle very well. This won’t be a disinterested Texas Tech team looking past you. K-State hates your guts, and despite having ZERO defensive abilities, they can actually move the ball. They’ll also (possibly) be playing for Ron Prince’s job…or at least job security. If you think that game is going to be some sort of cakewalk, you’re crazy.

Oh, and one more thing: Remember when Missouri fell behind behind Texas big at the half, and the whole lot of you nearly pissed yourself laughing and commenting here at the “total destruction” of the Mizzou program? Hmmmm...35-0 sound familiar? Let’s see how the ministers of spin do with this one. (If you’ve read Tom Shatel this morning..you already know the answer to that one.) Not that it means a whole lot…I just want to point out that I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning..and right now…it’s looking to get pretty thick around here.

Either way, your team sucks and isn’t getting much better. Ho Hum.

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Lots of people are ready to give Texas Tech the National Title today after an amazing contest opposite of your public colon pounding. Tech played outstanding on defense early, but the Horns seemed to figure them out later on. As impressive as Graham Harrell’s drive at the end of the game was…you gotta wonder a couple of things. First, if that dude picks off that batted ball on the drive, the game is over and UT cruises into Kansas City with a trip to Miami on the line. Instead, Tech rolls down the field, and takes advantage of one of the worst defensive plays I’ve ever seen. I mean…you KNOW they’re going to Crabtree. You KNOW they’ve run that back shoulder play over and over. HELL, you had double coverage on the guy. And then when he does catch it you just let him waltz into the end zone?

Texas Tech is extremely talented as I’ve told you since back in July. However…as we saw in their near choke job against the Hicks a few weeks ago, they are not the most mentally sound group ever to hit the field. They did everything they could to choke that game away last night and nearly did so. With OU in Norman and Okie State at home next week…I would be shocked..yes SHOCKED if the Red Raiders wound up in Kansas City on December 6th.

It’s still Texas’ prize to lose. We’ll see how the rest of the year goes.

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I’m sure 99% of you were huddled next to your Commodore 128’s yesterday afternoon as you listened to the webcast of Missouri taking on Baylor. Nice to see Missouri’s defense is still a major problem and pretty much the biggest reason why they’ve hopped in the back row of the national stage. However, two years ago, Mizzou loses that game easily. Robert Griffin seems to be improving by the game, and I’m telling you now..I am not looking forward to that guy coming to my team’s stadium next October.

Regardless, Baylor did was young teams do with a chance to win at the end…they panicked and made a major mistake, thus giving the more experienced team the victory. Missouri now has a wounded KSU team at home on Senior Day, and then a trip to Ames to take on an absolutely dreadful Cyclone team that will be looking to play out the string.

That puts Mizzou fans in the unusual position of quietly rooting for the Huskers next weekend. A KU loss to Nebraska coupled with a (near certain) loss to Texas in Lawrence, wraps up the North title for the Tigers. (if they can beat two of the lesser teams in the league.) I like Mizzou’s chances against KU on any field, but the ultimate goal now is the upset whomever the South sends to KC. If that game could somehow lose that meaning, it would be an awfully big burden off the shoulders of the Tigers.

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I’m out of the country next week, so it’s going to get kinda quiet here. (Not that it should be too much of a as it is on days like today…another brutal and predictable Husker meltdown.) Something tells me it's going to be pretty quiet around here anyway.

Chirp

(Photo Credit - Daily Oklahoman and Columbia Tribune)