Huskers hope their Big Ten future won't mirror SEC's Arkansas (but it might)Kirk Bohls, Commentary, Austin Statesman
The similarities are striking.
Both schools left what they viewed as a dying or at least struggling conference for pastures that were greener in not only prestige and tradition, but in dead presidents as well.
Both took their leave, in part, out of resentment over their status in their existing leagues, suffering slights either real or imagined and feeling too often like an outsider on some issues, like officiating, league headquarters or just decision-making clout — because of those dastardly Texas schools and specifically the University of the Joneses.
One has scheduled a regular, marquee game in the state of Texas, all the better to enhance its appeal to all those blue-chippers in the Lone Star state. Could the other be far behind?
The paths that one took in 1992 and the other this past summer closely resemble one another's and could leave some wondering this:
For good, bad or indifferent, could Nebraska be the new Arkansas? Or will it be the old Nebraska?
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The SEC grabbed Arkansas to lure Texas along. Who knows? Maybe Jim Delany invited Nebraska to break up the Big 12 and entice Texas to come as well.
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Alabama-Michigan's coming to Cowboys Stadium in 2012. Doesn't everybody want to come to Texas?
Pelini has 25 Texans on his current roster and will be pressed to keep that number high because he must convince Texans to play in the harsh climes of the Big Ten and far, far away from home. Even Mack Brown said "it will be interesting because their games won't be on regional TV here and the distance (for recruits' families) to travel will be farther."
Arkansas learned it the hard way. The Piggies weren't getting as much bounce in Texas, so they booked an annual date with the Aggies in Arlington to replenish their base here and, while they're not hoping to rejoin the Texas throng, they're still looking this way to restore old glory or find new treasures.
Nebraska will need to do the same — that is, if it wants to be the old Nebraska.
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