Link: https://www.landof10.com/nebraska/f...ig-ten-rivalries-and-texas-ruining-the-big-12
FOX Sports' Joel Klatt on Nebraska and Big Ten rivalries, Texas ruining Big 12
by Erin Sorensen, Land of 10
CHICAGO - Joel Klatt understands Nebraska football and what it means to build a rivalry with the Huskers.
Klatt was born and raised in Denver and played quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2002-05. Having grown up in Big Eight country, Klatt saw Nebraska as a traditional powerhouse and a true rival of Colorado.
The FOX Sports analyst credits nostalgia to a certain degree. Klatt's fondest memory of his collegiate career was in Lincoln in 2004. The Buffs won that matchup, 26-20. With Nebraska, Colorado and Missouri now in different conferences, Klatt isn't a fan of the new setup.
"I hate it," Klatt said. "Missouri is playing in the SEC. Nebraska is in the Big Ten. Colorado is in the Pac-12. It's sad."
As for why and how it all fell apart, Klatt doesn't hold back. He knows exactly who caused the Big 12's problems.
"What people fail to remember about the Big 12 is that the Big 12 saved Texas and the Texas schools," Klatt said. "Texas brought along Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Baylor, and [the Big 12] saved a fledgling Southwest Conference.
"The balance of power was in the north. Colorado and Nebraska were the preeminent brands at the time the Big 12 formed. Nebraska gave a lot of concessions. They allowed Oklahoma, a traditional rival for them, to be in another division. They didn't put their foot down. As Texas became so difficult to deal with and demanded more and more and getting more money, I understand why it blew up.
"Texas wanted more than they should have, and based on the inception of the conference, that wasn't right. Texas knows it. They ruined two conferences, so that's on them. And now we don't have Colorado-Nebraska anymore."
The Huskers now are trying to find their place in the Big Ten. That means establishing traditions and building rivalries. It will take time, which Klatt acknowledges.
Klatt doesn't believe a rivalry can be forced. It can't be determined based on geography, a certain day or week. The Huskers have to consistently compete for a Big Ten division title with a program such as Wisconsin or Iowa to make it happen.
"That's why Colorado-Nebraska was so good from '86 through '96, because those were great teams. 1994 was probably the two best teams in the country when [wide receiver Michael] Westbrook and [running back] Rashaan Salaam were on the Colorado side and maybe the greatest team in college football history [was on the other]. That's when rivalries are born."
"It's when you're competing for championships each and every year and the championship resides during that 60 minutes."
FOX Sports' Joel Klatt on Nebraska and Big Ten rivalries, Texas ruining Big 12
by Erin Sorensen, Land of 10
CHICAGO - Joel Klatt understands Nebraska football and what it means to build a rivalry with the Huskers.
Klatt was born and raised in Denver and played quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2002-05. Having grown up in Big Eight country, Klatt saw Nebraska as a traditional powerhouse and a true rival of Colorado.
The FOX Sports analyst credits nostalgia to a certain degree. Klatt's fondest memory of his collegiate career was in Lincoln in 2004. The Buffs won that matchup, 26-20. With Nebraska, Colorado and Missouri now in different conferences, Klatt isn't a fan of the new setup.
"I hate it," Klatt said. "Missouri is playing in the SEC. Nebraska is in the Big Ten. Colorado is in the Pac-12. It's sad."
As for why and how it all fell apart, Klatt doesn't hold back. He knows exactly who caused the Big 12's problems.
"What people fail to remember about the Big 12 is that the Big 12 saved Texas and the Texas schools," Klatt said. "Texas brought along Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Baylor, and [the Big 12] saved a fledgling Southwest Conference.
"The balance of power was in the north. Colorado and Nebraska were the preeminent brands at the time the Big 12 formed. Nebraska gave a lot of concessions. They allowed Oklahoma, a traditional rival for them, to be in another division. They didn't put their foot down. As Texas became so difficult to deal with and demanded more and more and getting more money, I understand why it blew up.
"Texas wanted more than they should have, and based on the inception of the conference, that wasn't right. Texas knows it. They ruined two conferences, so that's on them. And now we don't have Colorado-Nebraska anymore."
The Huskers now are trying to find their place in the Big Ten. That means establishing traditions and building rivalries. It will take time, which Klatt acknowledges.
Klatt doesn't believe a rivalry can be forced. It can't be determined based on geography, a certain day or week. The Huskers have to consistently compete for a Big Ten division title with a program such as Wisconsin or Iowa to make it happen.
"That's why Colorado-Nebraska was so good from '86 through '96, because those were great teams. 1994 was probably the two best teams in the country when [wide receiver Michael] Westbrook and [running back] Rashaan Salaam were on the Colorado side and maybe the greatest team in college football history [was on the other]. That's when rivalries are born."
"It's when you're competing for championships each and every year and the championship resides during that 60 minutes."
