Nomaha

My concern is that the fans are all waiting for a breakthrough year under Bo, but as soon as he gets one he tosses his name out there again for head coaching jobs.

Imagine if Nebraska sticks it out until year ten under Bo & Co and they have the seasons of their lives and win the Big 10 and they get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Due to the constant controversy and scrutiny Bo Pelini immediately bails for an open University of Miami head coaching job.

What's perhaps most concerning is that every time Nebraska starts trending upward (2009 and 2010) I keep hearing rumors that NE's coach is out looking at the Miami job, the Arkansas job, the Ohio State job, etc.

I guess I no longer see much of an upside.

I know the Cowboys were talking about having interest in Prince.

Sounds like they're leaning towards taking an offensive lineman. For some reason it seems like Prince's stock has dropped the last few days, maybe he will fall to 20, who knows.

It might also be possible that teams feign interest in prospects to make it more difficult for other teams predict what they will do. I don't know if they really do this, but I have heard people say teams will think that in depth to try to get better value in the first 3-4 rounds. Does this actually play out in the first round? I have no clue. Just an idea.

This is why you listen to Miami when they call. Well played Bo, Well played.

I wonder at what point a university crosses the line between a non profit organization and a taxable entity competing with the business sector. It's one thing for Notre Dame and conferences to sign television contracts with ESPN, CBS, etc., but to start a partnership with ESPN to create a network...give me a break. I realize the Big Ten Network has come under attack as a tax-exempted entity, but at least it consists of only educational institution members. I am very curious as to how taxes and profits will be allocated in a partnership between what is clearly a for-profit business entity and a non profit program. I am sure some Texas lawyers are on this, but it seems to me like a line has been crossed.

 

The Big Ten Network is partially (49% I believe) owned by Fox.

Thanks for that info. Guess I'm not surprised now that the BIG Network gets scrutinized. I still have to say I'm little surprised this gets by. I kinda wonder what the breaking point is as far as business models, or if it has already been crossed and more government heat comes at some point down the road for these setups.

I wonder at what point a university crosses the line between a non profit organization and a taxable entity competing with the business sector. It's one thing for Notre Dame and conferences to sign television contracts with ESPN, CBS, etc., but to start a partnership with ESPN to create a network...give me a break. I realize the Big Ten Network has come under attack as a tax-exempted entity, but at least it consists of only educational institution members. I am very curious as to how taxes and profits will be allocated in a partnership between what is clearly a for-profit business entity and a non profit program. I am sure some Texas lawyers are on this, but it seems to me like a line has been crossed.

I laughed. Thanks.

Kind of makes you wonder how they actually picked these...perhaps names were put on fruit and tossed into a gorilla exhibit?

welcome

Per Rivals, cut his list to:

 

Alabama

Arkansas (visiting 1/14/2011)

Auburn

Florida State

LSU

Ole Miss

Tennessee (visiting 1/21/2011)

UCLA

I remember when Neb was believed to be his fave with like one other school. What happened to that?

We didn't offer to pay

If he really likes what he hears, would he be willing to commit to Bo during the in-home?

He said he is going to announce his decision at the Army All-American game in January.

Has Nebraska ever even gotten a commitment during a high school All-American game?

I hope he's right

To be fair, Jake Locker seems like a classy guy. Not the college QB some people made him out to be, but he handles himself well considering, and I do wish him luck at the next level.

Also I don't think NU will win by 35 again, although injuries are a definite factor in that.

At least Nebraska earned the right to play for a few Conference titles and a National Championship on the 00s. Its not like we didn't have the opportunity to watch the Huskers play in some big games. They just haven't quite been good enough, but not quite good enough is better than nowhere near good enough, which is most teams. That's why it's a championship.

Starting in 2011, we are getting a fresh start in a lot of ways, but we get to keep some momentum. Things aren't that bad the way I see it.

It is actually reassuring to hear that not every person in the surrounding states hates Nebraska. (Well at least as much as OU)

Thanks

Got a glimpse of the guys face and didn't watch...looked like lurch

I was born in 1986 so I didn't really start watching the Huskers conscientiously until well into the 90s. I realize that there is a lot of history with the NU-OU game, but I don't understand the fascination sometimes. From what I can tell, most OU fans, particularly those my age or younger, really have no interest in NU outside of what a school in the opposite division of a conference normally would. I don't have any passionate dislike for OU like I do Notre Dame or USC, but when I think of OU now in the context of the NU series, the most prominent things that come to mind are: (1) the cheating in the 80s onward I keep hearing about now (not even from NU sources now, see ESPN 30 for 30: Marcus Dupree or http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=728274) (2) the fact that OU turned South in a big way during the Big 12 alignment, which is understandable and turned out to be a great move for them, maybe until now since NU gets to return the favor by looking East.

I guess I don't understand why NU fans like the OU game so much. Is it really just all nostalgia from the 70s and 80s? 2001? Heck, I "like" them less after writing this post. I think some games in the Big 10, especially Iowa and Penn State, have the potential to be a lot of fun if fans get things started on the right foot. Not the same as this series was, but maybe these games will become real rivalries.

I have to agree with Tom Shatel when he says, "NU-OU was more of a classic series than a rivalry" (http://www.omaha.com/article/20101201/SPORTS/712019820)

What say you?

"trusted source" or Double Agent?

operation Boomer Gooner

I think it comes down to whether or not the D-line can pressure Landry. If they can, I think NU will do well. If they can't, NU is in for a very tough game.

yes, I did.

Some things might be better left till we leave the conference and the Big 12 can do nothing to retaliate.

If a player or two of NU's gets hurt like Burkehead or Cotton almost did, arguably due to refs not enforcing anything on other teams, I could imagine something going down. Also, since NU settled with the big 12, giving them a chunk of $$$, I would think there is something in the agreement about the B12 performing its conference duties for the year, which should include unbiased officiating, but the problem is there are no measurable damages to NU just because they lost a game and were penalized for a bunch of yards. You would have to be able to prove the the refs were partial and be able to prove some sort of damages to even make the big 12 bat an eye at possible consequences.

Anything else Osborne or Pearlman do will just be perceived as whining. I don't mind that they are keeping their mouths shut. There is a lot of risk that all they do by talking is make the university look bad. Let the legion of fans and the local media draw attention to the slant. I'll do my part.

Didn't Ditka pick NU? That might not be bad

Again, you have the cart before the horse. The team isn't there to be entertained by the fans. The fans are there to be entertained by the team. If the team performs poorly, the fans cannot be expected to cheer loudly. It doesn't work that way anywhere. If Kobe plays bad, LA fans leave.

 

To answer your points:

 

(1) Tell me the last time you were super-excited to read the phone book. Never? Then don't chastise fans who don't go apesh#t over a team playing significantly below their talent level.

(2) I wasn't cold.

(3) The fans were cheering quite loudly for the defense. The fans don't typically cheer for the defense when the offense is on the field, though. Your point here makes no sense.

(4) (5) & (6) No personal experience with any of these. Can't comment.

(7) If our team relies on crowd noise to make them play well, we have a terrible team. This is a ridiculous assertion - that the team can't play well if the crowd isn't loud.

(8) Perhaps your most incorrect point. That $50 the fan paid for their ticket in this economy most certainly gives them the right to complain. People have a right to send their $12 pasta dish back at the restaurant if it's not done properly. They have a right to expect that if they're paying top dollar for a meal, that it's a good meal. If they're paying top dollar for a football ticket, they have a reasonable expectation that the team will give them their money's worth. It is NOT incumbent on the diner to cheer on the chef so he can make a proper steak; the chef is there to cook, and he'd better damned well cook and do it right or he's going to get canned. Same goes for a football player being watched by fans who pay more for those tickets than they'll pay for any other sports ticket in Nebraska. You charge me top dollar, you play top-notch. No excuses.

 

Because our fans "don't cheer loud enough" doesn't make them bad fans. It means they have nothing to cheer about.

 

I hate how the team plays like crap and the fans get thrown under the bus for it, by the coach and other fans. Give me a break.

Haha, thanks for responding. I was mostly trying to rebut reasons/excuses people have given. I also wasn't expecting people to totally agree. I see your points, and acknowledge that fans don't make noise during offensive series, but was speaking more generally about carryover from a defensive series, and the energy in the stadium if that makes any more sense.

I guess I was trying to be provocative and in retrospect, might have gone a bit overboard with my thoughts, but I stand by the idea that if people make a more concentrated effort to stand and make noise, it could cause a chain reaction of sorts that would make Memorial Stadium a more enjoyable/intimidating place to see a game regardless of the opponent and performance of the team.

I apologize if my post was offensive, as I see see how it might be construed as disrespectful to some, but its primary purpose is to make a point I do believe in.

good counterpoints knapplc, I see what you are saying about the money, although I think it holds truer in professional sports where the players are being paid. I realize the guys have scholarships, but it doesn't seem completely the same to me. I have a little different perspective on college sports I guess, but your point is well taken.

I've thought a lot about this issue even before Bo said anything. After thinking some more and reading media and fan responses, this is what I think:

I was at the recent KU game. I drove to Ames with some buddies for the game before that. I was at the Iowa State game last year.

Guess which game it was easiest to be loud at? Not the KU game, not the home Iowa State game...yes, it was the away Iowa State game. I think the reason for this is crowd mentality. At ISU I was with a pocket of Husker fans who were standing and cheering the whole game. During the Kansas game I was several rows behind the Kansas fans. I did my best to make noise every time KU was on offense. The people around me did not. The KU fans were making as much or more noise per person than the Nebraska fans and they were watching the same "boring" game, and losing it.

When people around you are cheering its much less awkward to cheer yourself, plus human nature pretty much dictates that when lots of people are cheering more will be inclined to do it: simple mob mentality. I have heard a lot of excuses and this is my answer to them:

(1) It was a boring game: NU fans are boring fans then

(2) It was too cold: It's a lot warmer if you get your butt up, move a bit and cheer

(3) The offense didn't score points: the defense allowed 87 yards and had 6 sacks! What do you want? Jeez

(4) I don't want the people behind me to yell at me: this one kills me! First of all if you and the people around you are cheering and standing, it changes the situation for the crabby guy behind you. Get up and help the guy next to you who is trying to cheer! There needs to be more "cheering cohesion" among fans; again mob mentality. Secondly, crabby guy: go home. You make NU games less enjoyable for other fans, players, coaches, recruits, etc.

(5) They won't sell beer: Option A - who cares, I can cheer without drinking. Option B - mini liquor bottles - cheaper and stronger than stadium beer. Option B also serviceable as a solution to complaint (2).

(6) Too many old people: C'mon, lots of old people are cool. A lot of them will cheer, especially if you will. For those old people who will not cheer at all and get crabby, see crabby guy above in complaint (4).

(7) The opponent was bad: As Bo pointed out, it was not a scrimmage. This one counted guys, and a bad opponent can still beat NU. See ISU 2009. You think a little crowd energy gets a lineman a little more excited to block just a little better which makes the hole a little bigger, which springs the runningback for a few more yards, which gets NU in field goal range, barely, which gets NU the lousy 3 points it needed to be 11-3 instead of 10-4? A lot of ifs, but wouldn't you feel better if the fans had at least tried?

(8) I pay money to go to games and act how I want: THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE MONEY!!! THIS IS ABOUT BEING A GOOD FAN!!!

NU fans whine and complain about the Nebraska team's lack of consistency. This is hypocritical if it is coming from a typical Memorial Stadium goer. Up for Missouri, down for Kansas...

What I hope comes from this? I hope that NU fans start encouraging each other to stand and cheer by word and example. Right now they are encouraging others to sit. I also hope the student section is put back where it belongs...by the field. McKewon is right about this.

Until things change, remember: "Through these Gates pass the Greatest Fans in College Football" - Maybe it should read: "Through these Gates pass the most Polite Fans in College Football" I think that would be more appropriate until things change a bit.

Kobe Bryant isn't the classiest player in the NBA by most perspectives, but he is indisputably a great basketball player. Stats don't lie, but then neither do decibels.

This is something I wish NU fans were better at, but the good news is I think it is more fixable than people might think.

As of today, Jeremy Crabtree said he didn't have anything new on Braylon when he was on 1620.

 

nice. please keep us updated if you hear of anyone else that doesn't know anything new

Ouch.

As of today, Jeremy Crabtree said he didn't have anything new on Braylon when he was on 1620.