How Exciting Would This Be?

[samsticka]

Hi, everyone. This is my first post here. I like to watch the Huskers like lots of people in Nebraska do. And I've been wondering something.

 

Ever since Nebraska defeated Northwestern on that last-second Hail Mary in 2013, I've often wondered what if Nebraska was still in the Big 12 (along with Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M) and did that to Oklahoma–Beat them on a last second Hail Mary? How exciting would that be?

 

I could see the scenario:

It's 2013, the Saturday before Thanksgiving (November 23rd) and Nebraska (still in the Big 12 along with Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M) is playing Oklahoma at Memorial Stadium here in Lincoln. The game is televised nationwide on ABC/ESPN.

 

There are 4 seconds left in the game. The score's Oklahoma 34-Nebraska 31. Ron Kellogg tried to throw a pass to Quincy Enunwa to get into field goal range and tie the game, but he dropped it. So Nebraska decides to go for a Hail Mary. Oklahoma calls a timeout first.

 

Then, the players all get into position, the ball is snapped, the receivers all run downfield while the offensive and defensive lineman all go at each other trying to hold the other off. Ron Kellogg throws a 51-yard Hail Mary pass into the air. As it goes down, it gets tipped back by an Oklahoma defender and caught by Jordan Westerkamp. It's a touchdown! Nebraska players all empty their benches and run out onto the field and dogpile on top of Westerkamp. Kellogg takes off his helmet and runs in the other direction. The crowd inside the stadium erupts into a VERY loud roar not heard in the stadium in a long time. The officials review the play, but eventually confirm the call as a touchdown. The game is over. Nebraska wins 37-34.

 

For Nebraska, it's jaw-dropping excitement. For Oklahoma, it's devastating and heartbreaking. They played their butts off, played hard, had victory within their grasp and then at the last second, it was taken away from them just like that. It was a slap in the face to the players. But both sides agreed that this was Oklahoma vs. Nebraska. It didn't get any better than that.

 

The play goes down as one of the most memorable moments in college football. Needless to say, the whole state of Nebraska is in non-stop party mode all night long, especially Lincoln. It gets REALLY busy in the Haymarket. The restaurants and bars are packed.

 

So basically, what doesn't change:

-Nebraska's last second Hail Mary win still happens in 2013, in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln

-Ron Kellogg still throws it, Jordan Westerkamp still catches it

-When Westerkamp catches it, it gets really loud inside the stadium and Nebraska players empty their benches and run out onto the field and dogpile on top of Westerkamp

-Kellogg still takes off his helmet and runs in the other direction

 

What does change:

-Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M are all still in the Big 12

-Nebraska pulls off this miracle against Oklahoma

-The game is on ABC/ESPN

 

So anyway, how exciting would that be?

[DrunkOffPunch]

Does Kellogg still have that big dip in his lip during the celebration? For me that just made the moment a lot better.

[samsticka]

Of course he does. As he walks around the field, he's still in jaw-dropping shock.

[knapplc]

In this fantasy scenario, could we change it so all our old Big 8 brothers didn't hate us and want to conspire with Texas against us?

 

And could we change the fact that Oklahoma chose Texas as their yearly rivalry game?

 

And could we change the fact that Colorado, Texas A&M, and Missouri all knew the Big XII was rotten at its core and bailed?

 

And could we change the fact that ABC/ESPN is a hot mess half the time and rarely worth watching, especially when Ed Cunningham is involved?

 

And could we change the fact that Oklahoma has beaten us six of the last eight times we played them, by a combined 102 points?

 

And could we change the fact that Nebraska didn't win a conference championship in 2008 and 2009, and possibly play for a national championship in 2009?

 

And could we change the fact that we'd be making tens of millions less in revenue in the Big XII, even with Colorado, A&M & Missouri all still in the fold?

 

And could we change the fact that we're in a far better conference now, with more - and more storied - programs, a conference that is currently relevant and perhaps the strongest conference in the country?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because if we could change all that, it might be kinda exciting. A little.

[samsticka]

Yeah, sure.

 

If it were up to me, the Big 12 wouldn't be all about Texas, doing whatever it takes to keep them happy, etc. And they wouldn't be hated by everyone else. There would be no Longhorn Network. It would be called the Big 12 Network and rightfully so. The conference's headquarters would still be in Kansas City instead of moving to Dallas. They would acknowledge their history with the Big 8.

[teachercd]

In before the "The Big Ten is so much better..." posts.

[Count 'Bility]

In before the "The Big Ten is so much better..." posts.

Big ten isnt constantly (yes, constantly. Literally "constantly") involved in conversations of total unkown in regards to their future. Whether it be expansion, implosion, or completely shutting up shop.

 

So yeah. It's better. Regardless of one's thoughts on athletic performance or other pissy pants cry baby intangibles.

[ADS]

In before the "The Big Ten is so much better..." posts.

Based on the last 5 years I would say the Big Ten is better.

[Guy Chamberlin]

I don't think Nebraska would have fared any better in the Big 12 than the Big 10, probably worse. The Big 12 was/is deep in teams with offenses designed to exploit Husker defenses.

 

Huskers joined the Big 10 at what was perhaps a historic low for the conference. B10 has gotten better while the B12 seems to be slipping.

 

Talking strictly football, here. Politically and administratively, the Big 12 is a mess.

[samsticka]

There have been rumors that Oklahoma may join the Big 10. But they're just rumors, nothing more.

[knapplc]

There have been rumors that Oklahoma may join the Big 10. But they're just rumors, nothing more.

The Big XII is in a state of flux yet again. It's the most unstable of the Power 5 conferences, which is one of the big reasons the number of people wanting Nebraska to go back there is dwindling daily. Also, the Big Ten is pretty cool, and has grown on people.

 

I believe expansion is far from over, and I think Oklahoma is a target for all four of the remaining P5 conferences. They're a national brand, they bring eyeballs to TV, and they usually play a pretty watchable game of football. I'd be cool with Oklahoma coming to the Big Ten, but there's a question about academics. Nebraska is ranked at or near the bottom of the Big Ten, and we barely squeaked in when we were AAU members. Oklahoma isn't a member, and they rank a couple spots below us in the US News college rankings.

[Redux]

It's unfortunate, adding OU to the West division would be huge for competetive balance.

[AFhusker]

It's unfortunate, adding OU to the West division would be huge for competetive balance.

What is really keeping them from moving is that Okie State would have to be a package deal due to politics. No way the OSU alums in the state government to approve OU going somewhere without OSU. It's the same situation for KU, KSU will have to be a package deal also.

[samsticka]

Talking strictly football, here. Politically and administratively, the Big 12 is a mess.

I guess it just goes to show sports and politics don't mix.

[Redux]

 

It's unfortunate, adding OU to the West division would be huge for competetive balance.

 

What is really keeping them from moving is that Okie State would have to be a package deal due to politics. No way the OSU alums in the state government to approve OU going somewhere without OSU. It's the same situation for KU, KSU will have to be a package deal also.

Right now that's true.

 

But when the time comes and Kansas has a Big Ten invite and KSU doesn't, that little bond will take all of 1 second to break. No way one university would hitch itself to another if Power 5 spot is on the line. Same goes for the Okies, but Okie Lite will be fine in the end.