Nebraska

Why rumors get unpublished.

Joe Schad reporting:

Taylor Martinez's HS coach, Matt Logan, told me he just spoke w the QB, who said: "Everything is fine. I haven't quit the team."

While it's not a direct quote, it's the only true reporting from something other than Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report is horrible. You lose brain cells by reading it and spreading it's "rumors."

Same stupid stuff that happened with Forcier. Rumors don't get to stay up.

Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska!  We're worth every penny!

Link: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-nebraskaathletics

From yesterday's 3-point stance:

2. Nebraska fifth-year senior guard Keith Williams is a graphic design major with a minor in art history. His main interest is the early Renaissance, even if he has never seen any works in person. “There are a lot of (trips) offered, but because of my obligations with football ... ” Williams said. He didn’t consider asking coach Bo Pelini for time off in the summer to visit the great museums of Europe. “I want to see that reaction,” Williams said. “He would look at me and say, ‘Are you serious?’” 

Some Michigan fan should call Mr. Williams to let him know summer workouts are voluntary, not obligatory.

7:30p, ESPN/ESPN3

Taylor Martinez, and the #4 rushing team in the nation host a K-State team that, much like Indiana was prior to last wek, is undefeated after playing a hosts of near no ones.

K-State isn't all that bad. They do have wins over UCLA which looks better now than it did in week one. They also have a win over UCF, who for those who watched Wednesday night, looks like a half way decent win. They also have a win over Iowa State in the Big 12, which, that may mean nothing, but hey, Iowa State beat Texas Tech?

K-State fans are also pushing for running back Daniel Thomas for Heisman consideration. He currently has 628 yards on 105 carries (6.0 average). That puts him 5th in the nation rushing, just 277 yards behind whoever that guy leading the nation in rushing is.

Yes, that guy.

Anyway, over on the Nebraska side, we've got defense and we've got the vaunted Nebraska option. No, not the old option of Eric Crouch or past Nebraska QBs. I'm talking the zone read with freshman Taylor Martinez. The guy isn't any Denard, but he's plenty fast. Nebraska is currently #4 in rushing yards per game (309/game). The Huskers currently are 11th in points per game at 40. More astounding is that they also have a top 10 defense in terms of points allowed (#7 at 12.8 per game).

The line is Nebraska by 10.5, 11, or 11.5 depending your source. O/U is around 47 or 47.5. I'm liking Nebraska to cover and taking the under. Both the running games should slow the pace down a bit, at least if K-State can stay on the field long enough to do it.

Discussion goes here.

Thought to ponder: is cheering for Nebraska fine? They're going to call us a rival in 10 years. Should I get the hate started already?

For those out there interested in financial stuff regarding the expansion, here's an article regarding our new conference members, Nebraska.  Joining the conference is costing Nebraska over $9M this year from the Big 12.

We feel the long-term benefits of entering into the Big Ten, both academically and athletically, will make this a very good investment," athletic director Tom Osborne said.

Obviously, as last year the Big Ten distributed $22M to each of the member schools.

Link? Link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5601182

So we were having the discussion in my office about my last post (waht should Neb & Iowa play for) when the Husker grad in my office brought up a good point... forget Iowa, what should we (Neb & UM) play for? Outside the obvious, a division title and birth in the BT title game, we came up with the following:

- a black flag to hang over the loser's painted "1997 National Championship" sign in their stadium

- a vial of Tom Osborne's tears (since they have the magic property of being able to change voters minds in an instant)

- Each other's 1997 Nat'l championship trophy (the winner gets to keep the loser's trophy for the year)

- the soul of Tim Brewster

other thoughts?