Thursday, October 14, 2010
Reader Emails, 00:01, and Soap
This week I’ll be answering a few of the countless emails I’ve received from our blog readers over the last few weeks. Thanks for all your support and keep sending me your questions and feedback. On to the emails…
Q: Does Taylor Martinez actually have a shot at the Heisman?
-- Craig, Lincoln, NE
BM: Yep. But not this year. He is going to make a few too many mistakes in 2010. However, T-Magic is a shoo-in for El Trofeo Jeisman (or as we call it here in the States, the Latino Heisman).
Q: Hey douchebag, how come you didn’t post a rant before the KSU game? It’s not like you had an extra fricken week to do so.
-- Mike, Omaha, NE
BM: I was on vacation with your mom.
Q: A buddy of mine, who was born and raised in Elkhorn, NE and is a life-long Husker fan, recently decided to attend UT for college. Is it within my rights, as a fellow Nebraskan, to light his car on fire?
--LaMarcus, Omaha, NE
BM: Umm…you see…I can’t say that I really blame your friend. Austin, TX is a FANTASTIC town. I absolutely love visiting there and would move to Austin in a heartbeat if the opportunity presented itself. I just got back from Austin City Limits Music Festival (3 days, 8 stages, over 130 bands) and had a blast, despite all the dirty hippies (or maybe because of all the dirty hippies?). So I would say torching his car would be a no-no. However, you could nail his girlfriend a few times after he leaves for Austin. That’d be fair.
Q: Do Texas fans think Mac Brown is a better coach than Bo Pelini?
--Jebediah, Santa Cruz, CA
BM: That is a good fucking question. I can’t imagine they would ever admit it…but I bet deep down they know that both Stoops and Bo are smarter, better coaches. Hell of a talker that Mac Brown though. I actually enjoy listening to him and his goofy-ass drawl and can see why parents send their kids off to play for him. So as a figurehead leader…Mac is probably better than either of his two rivals. If I were the University of Texas, I’d give Mac an honorary doctorates degree…that way he could go by Doc Brown and could charm recruits by spouting gems like … “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
Q: Do you think Texas’s consecutive losses will have an impact on how the Huskers view this game? Could there be a tiny bit less motivation for Nebraska? And how do you like your chances in the soap bet?
--Lt. James Clark, US Marine Corps, Kabul, Afghanistan
BM: Lt. Clark, first of all I’d like to thank you for writing in all the way from Afghanistan. I really appreciate you and what you are doing for our country. God Bless America. But sir, what makes you think that, just because you are in the armed services, that you get to ask 3 fucking questions? Do you know how many emails I get? Do you know how lucky people are to get just one question answered by me? Obviously not. Oh well…just this once I’ll answer your questions. Just don’t bother writing in again, okay?
Anyway…do you really think Bo Pelini cares that Texas has lost 2 straight? You think Watson cares? Carl? The team? Nope. None of them care. To them, this game is still about 00:01. It’s still about unfinished business. It’s still about Nebraska taking the next step. We will be focused. We will be poised. We will be determined. If our rookie QB and our untested offense struggle on Saturday (very possible), I think the Blackshirts will still find a way to win this game. The 10 point spread is justified (and smart betters will give the points). We have the better team. We have the home crowd. We have the momentum, the focus, and the motivation. So don’t compare this to Alabama vs South Carolina. This one is a done deal. This mofo will not be eating soap.
Q: Does Taylor Martinez actually have a shot at the Heisman?
-- Craig, Lincoln, NE
BM: Yep. But not this year. He is going to make a few too many mistakes in 2010. However, T-Magic is a shoo-in for El Trofeo Jeisman (or as we call it here in the States, the Latino Heisman).
Q: Hey douchebag, how come you didn’t post a rant before the KSU game? It’s not like you had an extra fricken week to do so.
-- Mike, Omaha, NE
BM: I was on vacation with your mom.
Q: A buddy of mine, who was born and raised in Elkhorn, NE and is a life-long Husker fan, recently decided to attend UT for college. Is it within my rights, as a fellow Nebraskan, to light his car on fire?
--LaMarcus, Omaha, NE
BM: Umm…you see…I can’t say that I really blame your friend. Austin, TX is a FANTASTIC town. I absolutely love visiting there and would move to Austin in a heartbeat if the opportunity presented itself. I just got back from Austin City Limits Music Festival (3 days, 8 stages, over 130 bands) and had a blast, despite all the dirty hippies (or maybe because of all the dirty hippies?). So I would say torching his car would be a no-no. However, you could nail his girlfriend a few times after he leaves for Austin. That’d be fair.
Q: Do Texas fans think Mac Brown is a better coach than Bo Pelini?
--Jebediah, Santa Cruz, CA
BM: That is a good fucking question. I can’t imagine they would ever admit it…but I bet deep down they know that both Stoops and Bo are smarter, better coaches. Hell of a talker that Mac Brown though. I actually enjoy listening to him and his goofy-ass drawl and can see why parents send their kids off to play for him. So as a figurehead leader…Mac is probably better than either of his two rivals. If I were the University of Texas, I’d give Mac an honorary doctorates degree…that way he could go by Doc Brown and could charm recruits by spouting gems like … “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
Q: Do you think Texas’s consecutive losses will have an impact on how the Huskers view this game? Could there be a tiny bit less motivation for Nebraska? And how do you like your chances in the soap bet?
--Lt. James Clark, US Marine Corps, Kabul, Afghanistan
BM: Lt. Clark, first of all I’d like to thank you for writing in all the way from Afghanistan. I really appreciate you and what you are doing for our country. God Bless America. But sir, what makes you think that, just because you are in the armed services, that you get to ask 3 fucking questions? Do you know how many emails I get? Do you know how lucky people are to get just one question answered by me? Obviously not. Oh well…just this once I’ll answer your questions. Just don’t bother writing in again, okay?
Anyway…do you really think Bo Pelini cares that Texas has lost 2 straight? You think Watson cares? Carl? The team? Nope. None of them care. To them, this game is still about 00:01. It’s still about unfinished business. It’s still about Nebraska taking the next step. We will be focused. We will be poised. We will be determined. If our rookie QB and our untested offense struggle on Saturday (very possible), I think the Blackshirts will still find a way to win this game. The 10 point spread is justified (and smart betters will give the points). We have the better team. We have the home crowd. We have the momentum, the focus, and the motivation. So don’t compare this to Alabama vs South Carolina. This one is a done deal. This mofo will not be eating soap.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Experts Predictions for Saturday's Game
Nebraska 31, Texas 14 Ralph D. Russo, The Associated Press
Nebraska victory Petros Papadakis, Fox Sports
Nebraska 26, Texas 20 John Tamanaha, MSNBC.com
Nebraska victory J. Darin Darst, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com
Nebraska 23, Texas 17 Jason Horowitz, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Adam Jacobi, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Chip Patterson, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska victory Richard Cirminiello, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska victory Matthew Zemek, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska 27, Texas 17 The Sports Network
Nebraska 24, Texas 21 Kevin Kugler, Big Red Wrap-Up
Nebraska 20, Texas 17 Adrian Fiala, Big Red Wrap-Up
Nebraska 31, Texas 17 Garth Glissman
Nebraska 21, Texas 17 Pat Forde, ESPN.com
Nebraska victory Mike Huguenin, Rivals.com
Nebraska victory Tom Dienhart, Rivals.com
Nebraska victory Olin Buchanan, Rivals.com
Texas victory Gerry Ahern, Rivals.com
Nebraska victory Petros Papadakis, Fox Sports
Nebraska 26, Texas 20 John Tamanaha, MSNBC.com
Nebraska victory J. Darin Darst, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com
Nebraska 23, Texas 17 Jason Horowitz, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Adam Jacobi, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Chip Patterson, CBSSports.com
Nebraska victory Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska victory Richard Cirminiello, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska victory Matthew Zemek, CollegeFootballNews.com
Nebraska 27, Texas 17 The Sports Network
Nebraska 24, Texas 21 Kevin Kugler, Big Red Wrap-Up
Nebraska 20, Texas 17 Adrian Fiala, Big Red Wrap-Up
Nebraska 31, Texas 17 Garth Glissman
Nebraska 21, Texas 17 Pat Forde, ESPN.com
Nebraska victory Mike Huguenin, Rivals.com
Nebraska victory Tom Dienhart, Rivals.com
Nebraska victory Olin Buchanan, Rivals.com
Texas victory Gerry Ahern, Rivals.com
Score Predictions - Texas
Enter your Score Predictions for this week's game in the comments section.
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)
Week 4: Kristin - Off by 31 Points - (Guess 41-10, Actual 17-3)
Week 5: Kovar - Off by 5 Points - (Guess 52-12, Actual 48-13)
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)
Week 4: Kristin - Off by 31 Points - (Guess 41-10, Actual 17-3)
Week 5: Kovar - Off by 5 Points - (Guess 52-12, Actual 48-13)
UT Trademark Police Call Foul Over Possible Infringement
As part of the "wear red" frenzy for Saturday's Texas-Nebraska game in Lincoln, one company was selling T-shirts and hoodies to Cornhuskers fans with an ".01" on the back and an inverted longhorn's head on the front.
The Red Out Shirts creation marketed by J&S Distributing was either a big hit with fans or took a big hit from the University of Texas. On Tuesday, a website selling the merchandise no longer displayed any pictures, only a terse message that the merchandise was sold out.
"That may be their way of responding without responding," said Craig Westemeier, director of UT's trademark licensing. Texas, through the legal department of its licensing partner, the Collegiate Licensing Company, recently informed J&S Distributing that the logo might infringe on a Longhorns trademark.
The ":01" refers to the one second placed back on the game clock last year after Texas quarterback Colt McCoy had thrown an incomplete pass out of bounds in the final seconds. That set the stage for a game-winning 46-yard field goal that gave Texas a 13-12 win over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.
The .01 was not a problem for Texas. The upside-down Longhorn logo was a different story.
Click on Comments for rest of story....
The Red Out Shirts creation marketed by J&S Distributing was either a big hit with fans or took a big hit from the University of Texas. On Tuesday, a website selling the merchandise no longer displayed any pictures, only a terse message that the merchandise was sold out.
"That may be their way of responding without responding," said Craig Westemeier, director of UT's trademark licensing. Texas, through the legal department of its licensing partner, the Collegiate Licensing Company, recently informed J&S Distributing that the logo might infringe on a Longhorns trademark.
The ":01" refers to the one second placed back on the game clock last year after Texas quarterback Colt McCoy had thrown an incomplete pass out of bounds in the final seconds. That set the stage for a game-winning 46-yard field goal that gave Texas a 13-12 win over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.
The .01 was not a problem for Texas. The upside-down Longhorn logo was a different story.
Click on Comments for rest of story....
Dear Children of the Corn, Part II
By Mike Blackwell, Inside Texas Magazine Editor
Posted Oct 13, 2010
Dear Children of the Corn: it's me again. I apologize. And also, congratulations.
I apologize for the column I wrote earlier this earlier this year, the one in which I said you have become a “loud, antagonizing, arrogant, ignorant, fact-ignoring, excuse-riddled shell of the program you used to be.”
You are not ignorant, and I apologize.
I apologize, because your Nebraska Cornhuskers are better than I thought, so far, and maybe a lot better. If I tell my kids to be accountable when they are wrong, then I have to be accountable, too. Your offense, so far, is better than I thought. Your quarterbacking, so far, is much better than I thought it would be. You've handled your schedule, so far, better than I expected, though the Jackrabbits gave you more of a run for your money than you or I expected. Pesky Jackrabbits.
Still, I'm sorry, and I was wrong. I’m trying here. I’m sorry.
Some of you responded to my column with some words of your own. Some of you bemoaned the fact that I made generalizations about you being a little, um, back-woodsy. The very next day, one of you, the Real Bernie the Husker, sent me a photo of yourself with overalls and a Fosters beer in your lap. Some of your responses directed at me used the word “ass” as both a noun and an adjective, which I certainly appreciate. Creativity is good.
One of you said you wanted to punch me in the neck, which I found more baffling than disturbing; why the neck? One of you called at 2:30 in the morning, and you were quite cordial to me when I denied my identity. And if it makes you feel any better, my wife was more angry at me than you about that call. She said it was my fault. Thanks a lot.
But again, I'm sorry.
But “sorry” is not the most important feeling I need to pass along. After all, the column was written a half of a football season ago. It's water under the bridge, the harvest is in the barn. You have your foot halfway out of the Big 12 door. Today’s a new day. Saturday’s a new day.
There is a chance – a good chance – that this will be the last time Texas and Nebraska play a conference game against one another in our lifetimes. This is a big game: hence the video your school produced earlier this year. This is a really important game for you, isn't it? You feel slighted about the Big 12 championship game last year, and you know this is the last time – the last chance – for you to beat Texas. It’s only natural that you – and your players and coaches – feel a little extra pressure this week, isn’t it?
The game is in your house, which is often a Big Red nightmare for opponents. You're ranked in the top five, you're undefeated, and you've got a quarterback named Magic. It is good to be a Husker now; real good. You expect to win. Others expect you to win. You should win. You must win.
Read on in the comments section...
Posted Oct 13, 2010
Dear Children of the Corn: it's me again. I apologize. And also, congratulations.
I apologize for the column I wrote earlier this earlier this year, the one in which I said you have become a “loud, antagonizing, arrogant, ignorant, fact-ignoring, excuse-riddled shell of the program you used to be.”
You are not ignorant, and I apologize.
I apologize, because your Nebraska Cornhuskers are better than I thought, so far, and maybe a lot better. If I tell my kids to be accountable when they are wrong, then I have to be accountable, too. Your offense, so far, is better than I thought. Your quarterbacking, so far, is much better than I thought it would be. You've handled your schedule, so far, better than I expected, though the Jackrabbits gave you more of a run for your money than you or I expected. Pesky Jackrabbits.
Still, I'm sorry, and I was wrong. I’m trying here. I’m sorry.
Some of you responded to my column with some words of your own. Some of you bemoaned the fact that I made generalizations about you being a little, um, back-woodsy. The very next day, one of you, the Real Bernie the Husker, sent me a photo of yourself with overalls and a Fosters beer in your lap. Some of your responses directed at me used the word “ass” as both a noun and an adjective, which I certainly appreciate. Creativity is good.
One of you said you wanted to punch me in the neck, which I found more baffling than disturbing; why the neck? One of you called at 2:30 in the morning, and you were quite cordial to me when I denied my identity. And if it makes you feel any better, my wife was more angry at me than you about that call. She said it was my fault. Thanks a lot.
But again, I'm sorry.
But “sorry” is not the most important feeling I need to pass along. After all, the column was written a half of a football season ago. It's water under the bridge, the harvest is in the barn. You have your foot halfway out of the Big 12 door. Today’s a new day. Saturday’s a new day.
There is a chance – a good chance – that this will be the last time Texas and Nebraska play a conference game against one another in our lifetimes. This is a big game: hence the video your school produced earlier this year. This is a really important game for you, isn't it? You feel slighted about the Big 12 championship game last year, and you know this is the last time – the last chance – for you to beat Texas. It’s only natural that you – and your players and coaches – feel a little extra pressure this week, isn’t it?
The game is in your house, which is often a Big Red nightmare for opponents. You're ranked in the top five, you're undefeated, and you've got a quarterback named Magic. It is good to be a Husker now; real good. You expect to win. Others expect you to win. You should win. You must win.
Read on in the comments section...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Getting to Know Texas
Texas (3-2) at Nebraska (5-0)
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Radio: 1110 AM KFAB
LAST TIME OUT
Oklahoma did everything it could to keep Texas in the Red River Rivalry two weeks ago, but the Longhorns ultimately couldn’t capitalize and leave Dallas with a win.
The Sooners took a 28-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, seemingly sealing a victory with a 20-yard run by DeMarco Murray.
Texas never gave up, despite a frustrating day filled with costly penalties and bad breaks.
The Longhorns pulled within eight points with less than two minutes left. They just missed a chance to go for the tie when OU quarterback Landry Jones’ fumble bounced out of bounds before the UT defenders could maintain possession. Aaron Williams muffed the ensuing Sooner punt.
The 28-20 loss was just Texas’ second in six years in its annual matchup with Oklahoma. After dropping a game to UCLA the week before, the Longhorns fell out of the AP poll for the first time in 10 years. They’re now in danger of losing three straight for the first time since 1999.
Sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert was 27 for 41 for a career-high 266 passing yards. James Kirkendoll caught eight of Gilbert’s throws.
RUNNERS SPUTTERING
Texas’ new-look running attack hasn’t had the impact the Longhorns sought.
More under-center, downhill-style runs. Fewer shotgun-oriented calls. That was supposed to be the way Texas would fix some ground-game deficiencies, transforming the offense into a more balanced unit.
The philosophical shift hasn’t worked.
Sophomore D.J. Monroe, junior Cody Johnson and junior Fozzy Whittaker are all operating out of the backfield, but the identity crisis hasn’t helped the young backs find consistent holes. The Longhorns average 129.8 yards rushing yards per game, the third-lowest total in the conference.
It could be quite possible that the Texas coaches ditch their plans and revert to a spread-like approach Saturday.
UNDAUNTING DEFENSE
Texas’ defense is filled with star power, but the unit hasn’t exactly lived up to lofty expectations.
It’s true there is no Big 12 team that gives up fewer than 254.2 yards per game (UT’s average through five games this year).
But the Longhorns’ defense has struggled during the past two games, allowing UCLA to run all over the field one week and failing to keep Oklahoma from delivering a back-breaking touchdown early in the fourth quarter last week.
And Texas has forced just seven turnovers. Kansas is the only Big 12 team with fewer.
Conference writers included five Longhorns on the preseason All-Big 12 team: defensive end Sam Acho, linebacker Keenan Robinson, cornerback Aaron Williams, cornerback Curtis Brown and safety Blake Gideon. But at least during the past two weeks, those guys haven’t been able to make enough plays to carry Texas to a win.
COACHES UNDER FIRE
When you win at least 10 games nine straight seasons, your fans don’t tend to have much patience for losing.
After two straight disappointing efforts, the passionate Longhorn followers are already starting to turn on 13-year offensive coordinator Greg Davis. The desired firing of Davis seems to be an increasingly popular discussion topic lately on the various Texas-based message boards and blogs.
Head coach Mack Brown, now in his 13th year, doesn’t seem to be receiving much support, either. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp already has been announced as Brown’s eventual successor. But many UT fans worry that Georgia and LSU might consider Muschamp as a coaching candidate if their seasons don’t end more positively than they’ve started.
So maybe even more than ever, the pressure’s on the Texas staff to perform.
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Radio: 1110 AM KFAB
LAST TIME OUT
Oklahoma did everything it could to keep Texas in the Red River Rivalry two weeks ago, but the Longhorns ultimately couldn’t capitalize and leave Dallas with a win.
The Sooners took a 28-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, seemingly sealing a victory with a 20-yard run by DeMarco Murray.
Texas never gave up, despite a frustrating day filled with costly penalties and bad breaks.
The Longhorns pulled within eight points with less than two minutes left. They just missed a chance to go for the tie when OU quarterback Landry Jones’ fumble bounced out of bounds before the UT defenders could maintain possession. Aaron Williams muffed the ensuing Sooner punt.
The 28-20 loss was just Texas’ second in six years in its annual matchup with Oklahoma. After dropping a game to UCLA the week before, the Longhorns fell out of the AP poll for the first time in 10 years. They’re now in danger of losing three straight for the first time since 1999.
Sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert was 27 for 41 for a career-high 266 passing yards. James Kirkendoll caught eight of Gilbert’s throws.
RUNNERS SPUTTERING
Texas’ new-look running attack hasn’t had the impact the Longhorns sought.
More under-center, downhill-style runs. Fewer shotgun-oriented calls. That was supposed to be the way Texas would fix some ground-game deficiencies, transforming the offense into a more balanced unit.
The philosophical shift hasn’t worked.
Sophomore D.J. Monroe, junior Cody Johnson and junior Fozzy Whittaker are all operating out of the backfield, but the identity crisis hasn’t helped the young backs find consistent holes. The Longhorns average 129.8 yards rushing yards per game, the third-lowest total in the conference.
It could be quite possible that the Texas coaches ditch their plans and revert to a spread-like approach Saturday.
UNDAUNTING DEFENSE
Texas’ defense is filled with star power, but the unit hasn’t exactly lived up to lofty expectations.
It’s true there is no Big 12 team that gives up fewer than 254.2 yards per game (UT’s average through five games this year).
But the Longhorns’ defense has struggled during the past two games, allowing UCLA to run all over the field one week and failing to keep Oklahoma from delivering a back-breaking touchdown early in the fourth quarter last week.
And Texas has forced just seven turnovers. Kansas is the only Big 12 team with fewer.
Conference writers included five Longhorns on the preseason All-Big 12 team: defensive end Sam Acho, linebacker Keenan Robinson, cornerback Aaron Williams, cornerback Curtis Brown and safety Blake Gideon. But at least during the past two weeks, those guys haven’t been able to make enough plays to carry Texas to a win.
COACHES UNDER FIRE
When you win at least 10 games nine straight seasons, your fans don’t tend to have much patience for losing.
After two straight disappointing efforts, the passionate Longhorn followers are already starting to turn on 13-year offensive coordinator Greg Davis. The desired firing of Davis seems to be an increasingly popular discussion topic lately on the various Texas-based message boards and blogs.
Head coach Mack Brown, now in his 13th year, doesn’t seem to be receiving much support, either. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp already has been announced as Brown’s eventual successor. But many UT fans worry that Georgia and LSU might consider Muschamp as a coaching candidate if their seasons don’t end more positively than they’ve started.
So maybe even more than ever, the pressure’s on the Texas staff to perform.
Compton Returns to Practice
Will Compton returned to practice Monday, but the Nebraska sophomore linebacker was limited during the session, his head coach said.
Compton, who hasn't played this year because of a foot injury, is steadily improving and could be available soon.
But Bo Pelini said after Monday's practice that he wasn't sure if the team's most experienced linebacker would be ready for Saturday's game against Texas.
“It really depends on how he feels,” Pelini said.
Junior Lavonte David has been filling in admirably for Compton this season. David leads the team with 60 total tackles.
Compton, who hasn't played this year because of a foot injury, is steadily improving and could be available soon.
But Bo Pelini said after Monday's practice that he wasn't sure if the team's most experienced linebacker would be ready for Saturday's game against Texas.
“It really depends on how he feels,” Pelini said.
Junior Lavonte David has been filling in admirably for Compton this season. David leads the team with 60 total tackles.
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