I am a visitor to your board, but just dropped by to say how EXCITED that I am for this year's upcoming OU/NU game.....and hopes for a renewal of that rivalry. Though I love college football, the loss of the OU/NU rivalry is something that I lament greatly. I grew up with that rivalry and cherished those games like none other. I have made four trips to Lincoln for those games (1983, 1987, 2005, 2009) and can recount the plays and players that impacted each. The games in 1983 and 1987 that I attended as a teen will always be etched in my mind.
Even though OU & NU are scheduled to play four times this decade, it won't be enough. If you put truth serum in me, my wish is that these four games can be a catalyst to bring Nebraska back to the Big XII where it rightfully belongs. The old issues that resulted in the parting of ways have been somewhat resolved. My perception is that Tom Osborne's distaste for Texas' outsized influence was the driving force for the departure. But in the past decade, Texas has been humbled, the Longhorn Network likely won't be renewed by ESPN, and there is new leadership in Austin. -- Along with OU, Nebraska needs to be playing the likes of Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and OSU.....who they have geographic and cultural alignment with in lieu of the likes of Maryland, Rutgers, Northwestern, Illinois, etc. in which they don't. Yes, there might be more money available to NU with the Big 10, but there would be a restoration of a former Nebraska recruiting base (texas), a perceived happier fan base, less travel.....and a chance to reclaim a conference heritage it helped create. If this past fall events have proven anything, it is that the Big 10 takes Nebraska for granted and is not treated on the same footing as the other powers. If Nebraska came back to the Big XII (and partnered with perhaps a BYU in an north division), it would be a win-win for all.
In the meantime, let's all start getting excited about what OU and NU attain this season....which is a chance to battle it out again on the gridiron. Honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Game of the Century is something we all have looked forward to. Too many of those great players are dying off each year. Honoring them is only part of it.....but honoring the greatest that was the OU/NU rivalry is even more important. I believe these four games this decade will give us all a taste of something we want more.
Boomer!
Even though OU & NU are scheduled to play four times this decade, it won't be enough. If you put truth serum in me, my wish is that these four games can be a catalyst to bring Nebraska back to the Big XII where it rightfully belongs. The old issues that resulted in the parting of ways have been somewhat resolved. My perception is that Tom Osborne's distaste for Texas' outsized influence was the driving force for the departure. But in the past decade, Texas has been humbled, the Longhorn Network likely won't be renewed by ESPN, and there is new leadership in Austin. -- Along with OU, Nebraska needs to be playing the likes of Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and OSU.....who they have geographic and cultural alignment with in lieu of the likes of Maryland, Rutgers, Northwestern, Illinois, etc. in which they don't. Yes, there might be more money available to NU with the Big 10, but there would be a restoration of a former Nebraska recruiting base (texas), a perceived happier fan base, less travel.....and a chance to reclaim a conference heritage it helped create. If this past fall events have proven anything, it is that the Big 10 takes Nebraska for granted and is not treated on the same footing as the other powers. If Nebraska came back to the Big XII (and partnered with perhaps a BYU in an north division), it would be a win-win for all.
In the meantime, let's all start getting excited about what OU and NU attain this season....which is a chance to battle it out again on the gridiron. Honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Game of the Century is something we all have looked forward to. Too many of those great players are dying off each year. Honoring them is only part of it.....but honoring the greatest that was the OU/NU rivalry is even more important. I believe these four games this decade will give us all a taste of something we want more.
Boomer!