Thoughts of the Day - 10/7/2009

1. Senators from Nebraska and Missouri have placed a bet on the outcome of tomorrow's football game in Columbia. How original! I never get tired of hearing about these. They should mix it up and bet one state's multi-million dollar slush fund for the other state's stable of call girls...that'd be a bet worth reporting.

2. Reading an article about how Gary Pinkel flew over Tyler Gabbert's game in a helicopter to impress him. Gay. Anyway, the article intimated Gabbert may switch his commitment from NU to Mizzou because his older brother is thinking about leaving after next year for the NFL. Ha ha ha! So now it only takes four wins over sub-par competition to be ready for the pro game? My mistake, I thought you had to be an exceptional talent to play any form of pro ball, much less leave early for the NFL. The demise of sports continues...

3. Does anyone else want to read a few more of the 'Missouri natives get to play for revenge against their home state team' articles? Fuck no. We've been reading these every week for 20 years, no matter which team Nebraska plays.

4. Recently submitted reader rant: football announcers who still explain who instant replay works, in depth. "You see, they cannot overturn this play unless there is INDISPUTABLE VISUAL EVIDENCE that his knee was down before he crossed the goal line!!" The worse the network, the more their announcers love telling us the rules. Most likely, this is because they're not smart people and just grasped the concept themselves and feel they're the only ones qualified to explain this to us after their 10 years as a backup linebacker.

5. Former NU great Aaron Taylor is losing his championship rings in a bankruptcy auction. Sad news. His financial hardship supposedly comes from tax liabilities incurred because of his position as an officer for a corporation running the failed Lettermen's Club (or whatever weak name it had) sports bar in Omaha. I would have thought this place would have made millions, as its business plan was rock solid. Lease a huge space in the area of town with high rent, in an area surrounded by chain restaurant competition, catering to families.....how could this not work?

I mean who wouldn't jump at the chance to pay to drink beer and eat bar food at a place owned by CORNHUSKER LEGENDS!!?? What an honor. Then after that, you could go buy a house from an ex-Husker then get your insurance policy from one, and finally you could buy your swing set from Heisman Winner Eric Crouch. Life would be complete.

6. Dildo of the Day Award...See below....How could this not work!!!!? Fuck you Fred. Hastings sucks.

From: Fred, Hastings
Published Tuesday, Oct. 6

Recently you wrote about the lack of a short-yardage power running back for the Huskers who could get the yards needed when our offense is in the red zone. Do you know if Coach Bo has tried linebacker-turned quarterback L. Washington for this position? Seems to me with his size and power...he could get the job done. Plus, he would give the coaches the option of faking the run and passing to a wide open receiver. I agree that it is too risky to put N. Suh in the game for that role. Thanks for your comment.

I hadn't thought of that. That's not bad idea. I liked the way Washington ran in the spring game and he would be big enough to bull his way in through short-yardage or goal-line situations. It's all about trust; how does he handle the ball? Is he a risk to fumble? Something for me to ask Shawn Watson next time I see him.

7. Loser Award. Who has time to count and who gives a flying fuck? See below.

From:Matt M., Omaha
Published Tuesday, Oct. 6

Tom, I'm an avid reader and I really enjoyed all of the coverage the OWH had for the 300th sellout. Props to you guys for making that happen. My question is of the 75 different teams that have come through Memorial Stadium during the streak, does the university consider Troy & Troy State two different teams? I went through and counted up the teams and was only coming up with 74 only counting Troy as one. My thought is this is correct based on them being both a 1-AA and 1-A foe. Thoughts?

I believe they do count as one, yes.

8. Have to make sure I mention Iowa's dominating, 24-21 win over Arkansas State Saturday. The Hawkeyes repped the Big 10 by destroying the Indians, setting up an epic battle with Michigan this week. The Wolverines played their hearts out, before falling the juggernaut Michigan State--who obviously must be top five material after winning this one.

9. Some things will never change: The Minnesota Golden Gopher defense, led by Kevin Cosgrove, is 81st in total defense giving up 377 yards/game. They're 50th against the pass and 96th against the pass. Congrats, Coz.

10. Nebraska is 21st in total defense. 63rd in net punting. 17th in turnover margin. 1st in scoring defense. Some very good numbers (against some bad teams), and some very shaky ones on special teams. Will NU step to the plate and get this elusive road win? PYB says Bo has another good defensive strategy in store, controlling Mizzou with a good pass rush and a variety of zone looks.

However, will the one or two huge breakdowns continue to plague the Cornhuskers? Vegas still has NU -3, which we expected to get to even but hasn't moved...maybe they know something we don't. Gabbert can be rattled, as was obvious against Nevada. Is this Nebraska's turn to thrust itself back into the picture of national relevance? We'll find out tomorrow.

11. Finally, is there a more JV field adornment than Mizzou's rockpile? Go ahead and make it 'decorative' and make it look like an M for Mizzou...but we all know it's there because you couldn't fill the seats if they were there.