K-State Blogger

[corncraze]

http://www.bringonthecats.com/2010/7/13/1566343/guide-to-nebraska-for-big-10-fans

 

After Nebraska announced it would join the Big 10 following the 2010-11 school year, an Internet love-fest ensued between the Cornhuskers and partisans of almost every Big 10 program (see generally, here). It was the kind of spectacle that, were it to occur in public, would have caused those standing around, forced by proximity to observe, to yell "get a room!" at the participants.

 

That this would occur is not particularly surprising, because Nebraskans are, by and large, some of the nicer people you will run across. They will welcome you in, especially because you are a foreigner (i.e., non-Nebraskan), and, well, they just don't see a lot of non-Nebraskans around these parts. You're new. You're different. You're interesting. They want to talk to you and know your life story.

 

However, as a college football fan, the initial fascination will not last. You will soon learn certain things about them, so I have decided to issue the following PSA to all fans of Big 10 schools, in order that they have a full year to prepare for the onslaught that awaits them. Without further ado, here's a taste of what you can expect from the Big Red, Big 10ers.

 

They will travel well, and therefore they are better fans than you. I grew up in Nebraska, and like a lot of people from my generation, I left (.pdf). It's not that I'm not proud of my home state, but the flat-out fact of the matter is that there aren't a whole lot of jobs there and there isn't a whole lot to do there.

 

So, when you're from Nebraska, a weekend trip to somewhere like Columbia, Mo., or Austin, Texas, sounds like a pretty sweet gig. Columbia is larger than all but two towns in Nebraska, and it's warm in Austin when Nebraska has long since frozen over. There won't be a lot of warm-weather stops in the Big 10, but every town in the Big 12 qualifies as "not Nebraska," and is therefore an attractive trip destination for people from North Platte and Crawford. As such, especially in the first few years, Big 10 fans can expect an invasion of Husker fans wearing foam corn cobs on their heads and, quite possibly, oversized overalls.

 

A simple Google-image search for "Nebraska Notre Dame" pulls up the infamous red invasion of South Bend back in the early 2000s. Take a look at that image, Big 10 fans. You will see some version of it in your stadiums. Afterwards, you will be reminded that Nebraska fans travel better than your fans, and are therefore better fans.

 

They have won some national championships, and are therefore better fans than you. If you are a fan of Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, and probably Illinois (pre-Depression national titles probably don't count to Nebraska fans), don't bother starting an argument with your average Nebraska fan. It doesn't matter how badly your team just beat the Huskers, or how many years in a row they've beat them. Nebraska has won five national championships. Your argument is therefore invalid.

 

They sell a lot of tickets to their spring game, and are therefore better fans than you. Never mind the entirely valid argument that 80,000 people in that state don't have anything better to do on a fine spring Saturday than watch a glorified scrimmage wherein the number-one offense gouges the number-two defense. The fact that they show up shows that they care, not that they're bored.

 

They are incapable of keeping their expectations in check, even the rational and intelligent ones, and even when they try to do so. For evidence, see here.

 

Assumptions are perfectly valid on their part, but are hopeless aspirations on your part. Nebraska went 10-4 last year, with losses to Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Iowa State and Texas. They lost the conference's best player in DL Ndamukong Suh, who was only picked second in the NFL Draft. Their quarterback was terrible last year and had shoulder surgery in the offseason. They didn't have any playmakers on offense last year and were, at best, stagnant. They lose their top three tacklers from last season in Suh, LB Phillip Dillard, and S Larry Asante. Yet, it is perfectly acceptable for them to assume they will fill those holes, no problem, and not only be as good as last year, but a national-title contender.

 

However, if your team faces such similar personnel losses, the only valid assumption on your part is that you are headed for the tank. Ask Missouri fans.

 

They are the greatest fans in college football. Just ask them. It's also engraved on their stadium. At every entrance. You know, just so they can be reminded of it a lot. And, so long as their boys (from California and Florida and Texas) beat your boys, they'll give your boys a round of applause as they leave hallowed Memorial Stadium. However, get a little uppity and beat them once or twice, and suddenly they won't like you and won't applaud your team for a game well played and will consider your fans the scum of the earth.

 

In other words, they're like every other fanbase. Only they think they're different. Have fun!

:LOLtartar :LOLtartar

[Touchdown Tommie]

It is funny how these K-State fans run their mouths. I was sitting next to a Kansas resident on my way to Vegas last week. I had a Nebraska shirt on of course so we started talking. We ran through the alignment and how Texas is screwing everyone over. We then got into the schools left in the Big XII....when we got to KSUcks it was hilarious. He was explaining how the only people who care about them are the people who went to school there...and that is a stretch. Very funny conversation to have with a Kansas resident...

[UGAHusker]

I actually think that this guy is kinda funny. Why isn't it fun to laugh at ourselves every once in awhile? A lot of the stuff he's saying is true and as a non-native, I hear this stuff all the time. I defend the Huskers, but laugh about all of the cliches and by the same token.

[bleedNUred]

LOL man this guy is pretty funny.

[huKSer]

I actually think that this guy is kinda funny. Why isn't it fun to laugh at ourselves every once in awhile? A lot of the stuff he's saying is true and as a non-native, I hear this stuff all the time. I defend the Huskers, but laugh about all of the cliches and by the same token.

The blogger posts this later on in the comments section:

 

I would like to say one thing... In my two years at BOTC, I’ve written satirical pieces that have portrayed Texas A&M as a functional retard that screws household appliances, Kansas as a gay criminal, Oklahoma as a stereotypical white trash superstar, and Iowa State as a forever cursed loser who masturbates to 70’s variety shows…

 

Yet…none of it has spawned nearly as much anger as a mildly insulting piece of satire that simply poked fun at the most asinine assertion that Nebraska fans are better than everyone else.

 

I’d like to thank the many Nebraska fans that have commented in this thread (excluding some very level-headed ones) for proving the overall point: you need to stop basing your self worth on a football team and get a life. Maybe a girlfriend. Possibly both.

 

I will also say that after October 7, 2010, I may be one of the few people (or many…who knows) that looks forward to seeing Nebraska leave our conference. I don’t say this because I have something against the university or it’s teams. I say it because I really, really get annoyed by Nebraska fans. In person, in print, on the Internet, etc. There are some (Joe being a great example) that I find to be delightful. However, the majority of you are f'ing insane.

 

So, with that, I will not be banning any of you. I’ll let TB ban if he wants. I find the comments to be an extremely telling example of how wonderful all of you are, and what a great joy you’ll be to the Big Ten.

 

Happy trails.

 

I was going with the author (get a life, Husker fans went off the deep end) from the section in red.

 

Then I read the paragraph in purple, and now know he does have some unstable mental issues. Poke fun at some one and not expect a reaction? Really?

[HuskerGBR]

I actually think that this guy is kinda funny. Why isn't it fun to laugh at ourselves every once in awhile? A lot of the stuff he's saying is true and as a non-native, I hear this stuff all the time. I defend the Huskers, but laugh about all of the cliches and by the same token.

 

You and the others are right. No reason to get my panties in a bunch over this.

 

Another thing though...I don't ever remember any of us saying we are the greatest fans in college football. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't we get labeled that by other people? I never claimed to be that. But we do take pride in being called that...who wouldn't? And Nebraska football is part of our identity...the entire state gets behind the program. He should know that Nebraskans are proud people and when you call out our people...you will have a backlash.

 

I will also say that after October 7, 2010, I may be one of the few people (or many…who knows) that looks forward to seeing Nebraska leave our conference. I don’t say this because I have something against the university or it’s teams. I say it because I really, really get annoyed by Nebraska fans. In person, in print, on the Internet, etc. There are some (Joe being a great example) that I find to be delightful. However, the majority of you are f'ing insane.

 

I call . He is just tired of losing to us all the time...and OUR conference? Who built this conference?...K-State should just be happy they have a home to make any money.

[huskerscott]

I actually think that this guy is kinda funny. Why isn't it fun to laugh at ourselves every once in awhile? A lot of the stuff he's saying is true and as a non-native, I hear this stuff all the time. I defend the Huskers, but laugh about all of the cliches and by the same token.

 

You and the others are right. No reason to get my panties in a bunch over this.

 

Another thing though...I don't ever remember any of us saying we are the greatest fans in college football. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't we get labeled that by other people? I never claimed to be that. But we do take pride in being called that...who wouldn't? And Nebraska football is part of our identity...the entire state gets behind the program. He should know that Nebraskans are proud people and when you call out our people...you will have a backlash.

 

I will also say that after October 7, 2010, I may be one of the few people (or many…who knows) that looks forward to seeing Nebraska leave our conference. I don’t say this because I have something against the university or it’s teams. I say it because I really, really get annoyed by Nebraska fans. In person, in print, on the Internet, etc. There are some (Joe being a great example) that I find to be delightful. However, the majority of you are f'ing insane.

 

I call . He is just tired of losing to us all the time...and OUR conference? Who built this conference?...K-State should just be happy they have a home to make any money.

Maybe he should think all the money that is leaving Manhattan now that the huskers arent coming to town. The bars, resturants, gas stations, and oh yea their one sell out every 2 years. Some business its their busy day of the year. Other schools dont even come close as far as traveling to away games. He should be thankful for a school like Nebraska coming to Manhattan to play a game.

 

We are group of people that show pride and passion in our school that represents our great state. That I find absolutely nothing wrong with.... actually is freakin awesome.

[tmfr15]

Nebraska brags on its national reputation of success. Maybe a little too much at times. K-State fan only brings this up, however, because he has nothing to brag on. Before Snyder, K-State was awful, not just bad, awful. The fact that they turned it around was deemed a miracle. And out of all that they scored one conference title and was in position to play for the national title once before they blew it against A&M. I just read this post and say, dude, I am sorry. It's kind of like the guy who goes after the hottest chick and gets turned down, then complains, "Who does she think she is? She's ugly anyway!" Yup, the loser rant. Sad. That is all.

[GMoose]

Sounds like someone's been put in their place one too many times.

 

"Nobody puts kitty in a corner!"

[95huskers]

Typical K-stater

[T_O_Bull]

eh... Pieces ring a little true, that is why it is funny, but he makes a lot of points about why the Huskers are great. They are good fans, travel well, support the team and are classier than most. COuch it how you want, everyone has a perspective, but I would take it as a compliment from a somewhat bitter/cynical hater. As for your view of the results, lots of polls have you ranked highly as well, so it is not just the fans who have some high hopes this year...

 

Thanks J-Hawk. I've been a semi- Kansas BB fan ever since Kirk Heinrick was a frosh. His dad and I grew up in the same neighborHood and it was good to see him do well.

T_O_B

[Street Novelist]

http://www.bringonthecats.com/2010/7/13/1566343/guide-to-nebraska-for-big-10-fans

 

They lost the conference's best player in DL Ndamukong Suh, who was only picked second in the NFL Draft.

 

Was that suppose to be an insult?

[jayhawk]

I think the guy is funny... and bitter. I am pretty sure I know who he says this about during basketball season, so such is life...

 

 

Tough to do for a BB game, often on a weeknight...

[irafreak]

Can anyone explain to me why we should care what this guy says? Who is he? Why is his opinion valid enough to care about?

 

I've never understood the fascination with people who crack on us. They're our opponents - what do we expect them to do?

To paraphrase knapplc..."Hi I'm the offseason..."

[knapplc]

Can anyone explain to me why we should care what this guy says? Who is he? Why is his opinion valid enough to care about?

 

I've never understood the fascination with people who crack on us. They're our opponents - what do we expect them to do?

To paraphrase knapplc..."Hi I'm the offseason..."

 

Cute.

 

There's bored and then there's having no self-esteem. There's plenty to mull over right here in Nebraska before we start worrying what fans of other teams think.