A dozen Nebraska defenders were wearing their Blackshirts for the first time Thursday, the earliest any unit has received the coveted practice jerseys under coach Bo Pelini. (2008 - Mid November, 2009 - October)
But the Huskers' third-year coach didn't have much commentary about his decision to reward his first-team defenders.
“We thought it was the right time,” Pelini said. “It is a tradition, and it's one that I believe in. You pick the time you think is right.”
Nebraska's first-team defenders have been wearing black in practice since the 1960s, when coach Bob Devaney wanted to distinguish the defense from the offense.
Wearing black Thursday were all 11 starters
Pierre Allen, SR
Jared Crick, JR
Baker Steinkuhler, SO
Cameron Meredith, SO
Eric Martin, SO
Lavonte David, JR
Alfonzo Dennard, JR
Eric Hagg, SR
Prince Amukamara, SR
DeJon Gomes, SR
Rickey Thenarse, SR
And Dime Sub..
Sophomore safety P.J. Smith
Through three games, the Huskers have accumulated more sacks and more interceptions than they had during the first quarter of the 2009 season. On average, they're allowing 28.6 fewer yards per game, too.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Rail Scenario
I think Alabama is going to have another undefeated regular season. Probably Ohio State too. Boise for sure. Cool huh? Wait…that’s not cool at all. What if a Big 12 team goes undefeated? Three BCS teams and one sexy Cinderella all undefeated? Shouldn’t that be the makings of the greatest climax for a college football season ever? Yeppers, but its not. Actually it would be the opposite. An anticlimactic bunch of horseshit is what that would be.
Obviously Boise gets left out (no BSU sympathy from me...play a schedule Boise State…play a schedule). I’d have to guess that a decent majority would want to see Alabama v Ohio State as the NC matchup. Those are a couple of powerhouse programs in powerhouse conferences, so one can hardly argue with that. Well f*** that! I’ll argue with that. Whoa whoa whoa…don’t tell me to settle down!! Don’t tell me it’s too early in the season to start talking about the possibility that 3 BCS teams go undefeated. Don't tell me that somebody always pulls a late season upset. Don’t tell me that I shouldn’t wear a colored t-shirt underneath my button down when I go out on the weekends…I don’t care what GQ told you. Fine, I’ll wear white undershirts, but goddammit, I’m not going to chill out about the stupid BCS.
One of these days it is going to happen. It has to. Someday there will be three deserving teams with unblemished records. And that will be the day when an entire fan base flips the f*** out. If that fan base is Nebraska…oh man oh man…how much of a stomach punch would that be? Actually it wouldn’t be a stomach punch at all. It’d be more like one of those YouTube clips where the skateboarding teenager is grinding a rail, biffs it, and takes it right in the gouch. You press play. You see what is going on. You know he is going to eat it. You do your best to turn your head before the pain. Ewwwww…ouchhhh…right in the gouch.
Hold on…this is acceptable to the powers that be? It would be acceptable for NU (or UT or OU) to go undefeated in the Big 12 and get the shaft? It is acceptable that EVERY SINGLE college football fan would be enraged at the process? THAT IS ACCEPTABLE??? C’mon. Really? That is an acceptable end to a college football season? Get the f*** out of here. That is not acceptable.
This is not a pro-playoff rant. It’s an anti-rail-to-the-gouch rant. 16-team playoff? Fine. Not my cup of tea, but fine. 8-team playoff? Getting better. 4-team playoff (the plus one)? Now we’re talking. But if we absolutely can’t accomplish any of these formats, then how about we just fix the rail-gouch scenario? Build in a contingency plan that says if, and only if, 3 or more BCS teams finish the season undefeated, we add a game and figure this shit out on the field. How tough is that? Who does that hurt?
If the nightmare scenario (which really should be the money scenario) happens this year, it will be pandemonium. ESPN will be unwatchable. Sports talk radio will be unlistenable. Cocoa Puffs will be untasteable. It will be miserable. Even if it isn’t the Cornhuskers taking the rail, it will be miserable. WHY OH WHY CAN’T THEY AVOID THIS VERY POSIBLE DISASTER???
Corp of Engineers: We built you a nice levy.
New Orleanian: It is a nice levy. I love the levy.
Corp of Engineers: Yep…it’ll hold against most hurricanes.
New Orleanian: Most?
Corp of Engineers: Yeah, just not the really big ones.
New Orleanian: Is it possible that a big one will come?
Corp of Engineers: Well someday…yeah…for sure.
New Orleanian: Well what will happen if a big one comes?
Corp of Engineers: Total collapse. Total disaster. Total pandemonium. Rail to the gouch.
New Orleanian: Can’t we make the levy stronger?
Corp of Engineers: Well sure…I guess. But why don’t we just wait and see what happens. I mean so far, so good…right?
New Orleanian: You're f***ing loony, aren’t you? You have no concept of reality. I mean, you really are dumber than shit.
Obviously Boise gets left out (no BSU sympathy from me...play a schedule Boise State…play a schedule). I’d have to guess that a decent majority would want to see Alabama v Ohio State as the NC matchup. Those are a couple of powerhouse programs in powerhouse conferences, so one can hardly argue with that. Well f*** that! I’ll argue with that. Whoa whoa whoa…don’t tell me to settle down!! Don’t tell me it’s too early in the season to start talking about the possibility that 3 BCS teams go undefeated. Don't tell me that somebody always pulls a late season upset. Don’t tell me that I shouldn’t wear a colored t-shirt underneath my button down when I go out on the weekends…I don’t care what GQ told you. Fine, I’ll wear white undershirts, but goddammit, I’m not going to chill out about the stupid BCS.
One of these days it is going to happen. It has to. Someday there will be three deserving teams with unblemished records. And that will be the day when an entire fan base flips the f*** out. If that fan base is Nebraska…oh man oh man…how much of a stomach punch would that be? Actually it wouldn’t be a stomach punch at all. It’d be more like one of those YouTube clips where the skateboarding teenager is grinding a rail, biffs it, and takes it right in the gouch. You press play. You see what is going on. You know he is going to eat it. You do your best to turn your head before the pain. Ewwwww…ouchhhh…right in the gouch.
Hold on…this is acceptable to the powers that be? It would be acceptable for NU (or UT or OU) to go undefeated in the Big 12 and get the shaft? It is acceptable that EVERY SINGLE college football fan would be enraged at the process? THAT IS ACCEPTABLE??? C’mon. Really? That is an acceptable end to a college football season? Get the f*** out of here. That is not acceptable.
This is not a pro-playoff rant. It’s an anti-rail-to-the-gouch rant. 16-team playoff? Fine. Not my cup of tea, but fine. 8-team playoff? Getting better. 4-team playoff (the plus one)? Now we’re talking. But if we absolutely can’t accomplish any of these formats, then how about we just fix the rail-gouch scenario? Build in a contingency plan that says if, and only if, 3 or more BCS teams finish the season undefeated, we add a game and figure this shit out on the field. How tough is that? Who does that hurt?
If the nightmare scenario (which really should be the money scenario) happens this year, it will be pandemonium. ESPN will be unwatchable. Sports talk radio will be unlistenable. Cocoa Puffs will be untasteable. It will be miserable. Even if it isn’t the Cornhuskers taking the rail, it will be miserable. WHY OH WHY CAN’T THEY AVOID THIS VERY POSIBLE DISASTER???
Corp of Engineers: We built you a nice levy.
New Orleanian: It is a nice levy. I love the levy.
Corp of Engineers: Yep…it’ll hold against most hurricanes.
New Orleanian: Most?
Corp of Engineers: Yeah, just not the really big ones.
New Orleanian: Is it possible that a big one will come?
Corp of Engineers: Well someday…yeah…for sure.
New Orleanian: Well what will happen if a big one comes?
Corp of Engineers: Total collapse. Total disaster. Total pandemonium. Rail to the gouch.
New Orleanian: Can’t we make the levy stronger?
Corp of Engineers: Well sure…I guess. But why don’t we just wait and see what happens. I mean so far, so good…right?
New Orleanian: You're f***ing loony, aren’t you? You have no concept of reality. I mean, you really are dumber than shit.
Red Out Around The World
Log onto http://www.redoutaroundtheworld.com/ and place yourself on the map for a chance at daily prizes. Enter by October 2nd for a chance at the Grand Prize which is 2 tickets to the Texas game and a two night stay at the Downtown Lincoln Holiday Inn.
Score Predictions - South Dakota State
Enter your Score Predictions for this week's game in the comments section.
(This is getting embarrassing as the ladies are dominating)
Previous Winners
Week 1: Denise - Off by 1 Point! - (Guess 50-10, Actual 49-10)
Week 2: Luke - Off by 1 Point! - (Guess 38-16, Actual 38-17)
Week 3: Denise - Off by 11 Points - (Guess 45-21, Actual 56-21)
(This is getting embarrassing as the ladies are dominating)
Previous Winners
Week 1: Denise - Off by 1 Point! - (Guess 50-10, Actual 49-10)
Week 2: Luke - Off by 1 Point! - (Guess 38-16, Actual 38-17)
Week 3: Denise - Off by 11 Points - (Guess 45-21, Actual 56-21)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Is Big 10 Expansion Over?
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith is quoted as saying that he believes the Big Ten's expansion efforts essentially are over.
A snippet from the Lantern, OSU's student paper:
"We're finished (with expansion)," Smith said. "The only thing that would cause us to look at it further is if someone contacted us."
Smith acknowledged that few Big Ten representatives have closed the door to further expansion.
"The reason most of us say it's not done is because we think there are some schools that are going to try to talk to some conferences. But we're not actively out looking at expansion," Smith said. "After our October meetings, that's going to be the last we talk about it."
The Big Ten, of course, added Nebraska to its stable in June, bringing conference membership to 12. After adding the Cornhuskers, commissioner Jim Delany said the league would return to its scheduled timetable for examining further expansion, which is scheduled to wrap up between this December and June 2011.
Sounds like the league has gauged the interest of its top targets (Notre Dame, Texas, etc.) and is just waiting to see whether any of them will change their mind.
A snippet from the Lantern, OSU's student paper:
"We're finished (with expansion)," Smith said. "The only thing that would cause us to look at it further is if someone contacted us."
Smith acknowledged that few Big Ten representatives have closed the door to further expansion.
"The reason most of us say it's not done is because we think there are some schools that are going to try to talk to some conferences. But we're not actively out looking at expansion," Smith said. "After our October meetings, that's going to be the last we talk about it."
The Big Ten, of course, added Nebraska to its stable in June, bringing conference membership to 12. After adding the Cornhuskers, commissioner Jim Delany said the league would return to its scheduled timetable for examining further expansion, which is scheduled to wrap up between this December and June 2011.
Sounds like the league has gauged the interest of its top targets (Notre Dame, Texas, etc.) and is just waiting to see whether any of them will change their mind.
Move to Big 10 will cost NU $9 Million
The price tag for Nebraska leaving the Big 12 will amount to almost $9 million. The Big 12 announced it was withholding $9.255 million in revenue from the school as part of its decision to join the Big Ten in time for next season.
Nebraska can lower the financial hit because it will receive $500,000 if the Cornhuskers reach a BCS bowl game.
"The University of Nebraska believes this is a fair settlement of our disagreement regarding the appropriateness in this instance of imposing any monetary fee on the university for withdrawing from the conference," said chancellor Harvey Perlman. "We continue to value our ongoing relationships with the institutions of the Big 12 and have great respect for their leadership and the leadership of the conference."
Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe issued the following statement:
"This agreement was accomplished through a collegial, respectful process among the conference, its institutions, and the University of Nebraska that led to a resolution that all parties believe is fair. I appreciate the cooperation of chancellor Harvey Perlman and Nebraska staff. The Big 12 has enjoyed its relationship with Nebraska and wishes it well in the future."
Nebraska can lower the financial hit because it will receive $500,000 if the Cornhuskers reach a BCS bowl game.
"The University of Nebraska believes this is a fair settlement of our disagreement regarding the appropriateness in this instance of imposing any monetary fee on the university for withdrawing from the conference," said chancellor Harvey Perlman. "We continue to value our ongoing relationships with the institutions of the Big 12 and have great respect for their leadership and the leadership of the conference."
Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe issued the following statement:
"This agreement was accomplished through a collegial, respectful process among the conference, its institutions, and the University of Nebraska that led to a resolution that all parties believe is fair. I appreciate the cooperation of chancellor Harvey Perlman and Nebraska staff. The Big 12 has enjoyed its relationship with Nebraska and wishes it well in the future."
Meet the Jackrabbits
Team: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Location: Brookings, SD
Collors: Yellow & Blue
Enrollment: 12,376
Conference: Missouri Valley (FCS)
Head Coach: John Stiegelmeier 83-62 in 14 seasons
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator: Luke Meadows
2010 Record: 0-2
Series Record vs. Nebraska: First meeting
Game Date: Saturday, Sept. 25
Game Time: 6 p.m. CT
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (81,091) in Lincoln, Neb.
TV: FSN Pay Per View
Radio: Husker Sports Network
To Avoid a lengthy Post, See the comments section for specifics on the Offense and Defense
- SDSU opened the season ranked in the top 10 (No. 9 by the media and No. 10 by the coaches) in the FCS before dropping its first two games by a combined 50-17 margin.
- The Jackrabbits did not get an offensive touchdown until more than 105 minutes into the season when Tyler Duffy scored on a 3-yard run with 14:51 left to play in second game of the year.
- Eight of the 12 players listed on the SDSU offensive line depth chart are either redshirt freshmen or sophomores. Overall, 16 players on the offensive side of the depth chart are sophomores, redshirt freshmen or true freshmen.
- The Jackrabbits have given up 449 rushing yards in two games (224.5 ypg) to Delaware and Illinois State to open the season. On the flipside, SDSU has rushed for only 77.0 yards per game (154 total).
- South Dakota State has yet to record an interception through two contests. Opponents have completed 34-of-54 pass attempts for 315 yards.
- The SDSU defense has been on the field for extended periods of time as opponents have had the ball for an average of 36:27 over the first two games.
- Teams are churning out drives by converting third downs. Opponents have made 48 percent (15-of-31 attempts) on third down tries.
- Opponents are finding success when it matters most as they have scored on 7-of-8 trips (88 percent) into the red zone this fall. SDSU has converted on just 3-of-7 (43 percent).
South Dakota State has 13 players on its roster from the state of Nebraska, including: Jorge Dunklau (Wayne), Brandon Hubert (Gretna), Josh Kage (Omaha), Eric Koehlmoos (Pierce), Matthew Korus (Humphrey), Nick Krings (Humphrey), Travis Lindstrom (Oakland), Jacob Ludemann (Norfolk), Skyler Luxa (Blair), Andy Mink (Ashland), Matt Peitz (Crofton), Taylor Suess (Columbus) and Justin Taylor (Hallam).
South Dakota State Jackrabbits 2010 Schedule
Sept. 11 at Delaware, L, 3-26
Sept. 18 Illinois State, L, 14-24
Sept. 25 at Nebraska, 6 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Northern Iowa, 4 p.m.
Oct. 9 Western Illinois, 6 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Southern Illinois, 2 p.m.
Oct. 23 Youngstown State, 2 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Indiana State, 2 p.m.
Nov. 6 Missouri State, 1 p.m.
Nov. 13 at North Dakota State, 3 p.m.
Nov. 20 North Dakota, 1 p.m.
See the Comments section for specifics on the Offense and Defense
Teams with Losing Records in Bowls?
With 35 bowl games scheduled for college football this season, Brent Schrotenboer of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE reports today that the NCAA has confirmed it has been discussing how to handle the prospect of being forced to place losing teams in postseason bowls in order to maintain the staging of such games.
Schrotenboer reports the NCAA has promised a “contingency plan” in the past if there aren’t enough teams with winning or .500 records to fill out the bowl game roster. That plan has yet to be presented to the public.
The decision will be made by the NCAA’s football postseason licensing subcommittee, chaired by Nick Carparelli, associate commissioner of the Big East Conference. Carparelli said Tuesday discussions are “ongoing” and no timetable has been set to form a contingency plan if fewer than 70 teams have 6-6 records or better.
Click on the Comments Section to Read on....
Schrotenboer reports the NCAA has promised a “contingency plan” in the past if there aren’t enough teams with winning or .500 records to fill out the bowl game roster. That plan has yet to be presented to the public.
The decision will be made by the NCAA’s football postseason licensing subcommittee, chaired by Nick Carparelli, associate commissioner of the Big East Conference. Carparelli said Tuesday discussions are “ongoing” and no timetable has been set to form a contingency plan if fewer than 70 teams have 6-6 records or better.
Click on the Comments Section to Read on....
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
FMS Update
So the preliminary plan is for everyone to meet up for a month long vacation. Probably in late April or early May (we need to give everyone enough time to get yachts). Who would've thought we's all have YACHTS!!! Unreal. So we'll take our yachts down to the Cape Good Hope and then from there we'll head to .... what?...
You: Yeah, um I don't have a yacht.
Me: Yet? Do you mean you haven't gotten your yacht yet?
You: Well..actually...I'm not buying a yacht.
Me: (looking disapointed) Well then... who the hell's going to be my yachting buddies???? People with yachts??? Uh...no. People with yachts are freaking crazy. I'd never fit in. I'm just not that reckless. And I've only played a minimal amount of lacrosse. I'm much more of a beer guy...and not really much of a cocaine/prescription drugs guy.
You: Pipe down you psychopath. Why would I buy a yacht out of the blue? Yachts are pretty expensive you know.
Me: Just use some of your Free Money.
You: Free Money??
Me: Yeah. Just use a small portion of the money you got, for free, on Free Money Saturday. Then we can be cruising buddies.
You: Yeah, um I don't have a yacht.
Me: Yet? Do you mean you haven't gotten your yacht yet?
You: Well..actually...I'm not buying a yacht.
Me: (looking disapointed) Well then... who the hell's going to be my yachting buddies???? People with yachts??? Uh...no. People with yachts are freaking crazy. I'd never fit in. I'm just not that reckless. And I've only played a minimal amount of lacrosse. I'm much more of a beer guy...and not really much of a cocaine/prescription drugs guy.
You: Pipe down you psychopath. Why would I buy a yacht out of the blue? Yachts are pretty expensive you know.
Me: Just use some of your Free Money.
You: Free Money??
Me: Yeah. Just use a small portion of the money you got, for free, on Free Money Saturday. Then we can be cruising buddies.
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