NU vs. KU Score Predictions...

Drop them like their hot...

The Dean's List

How many more weeks do I need to write positive comments about Nebraska...

The good news...we only lose by 21 this weekend. Texas: 35 NU: 14
Score at halftime: Texas: 28 NU: 0

Does Coach Callahan and staff finally make those second half adjustments? Does Coach Callahan continue his "excellent job in every area"?

Hell no...the message sent all the Big 12 coaches earlier his year was to:
1. secure the win in the first half...(just a fyi...when Nebraska is behind @ halftime they will not win the game because they are 0-18 + since Coach Callahan has been in charge).
2. don't run up the score in the second half to make Coach Callahan look bad or he might get fired..hint...they want Coach Callahan to be Nebraska's coach to enhance their chance to win the coming years
3. let NU score in the final minutes to make the final score more respectable
4. make positive statements that Nebraska 'played hard' and 'played with heart'...again to enhance a non-coaching change at Nebraska
5. do not make throat gestures or make rude "f_____" statements about the opposing fans

I didn't believe the message was legit until...the "Coach of the Year" Pinkel ran up the score in their game against Nebraska in the second half, ran a fake field goal in the fourth quarter, had QB cry-baby nose-picker call out Coach Cos high school defense game plan, etc...again proving that Coach Pinkel will screw things up despite having a good understanding of the plan...

Go Huskers...let's hope the NU vs. TX game is only on regional coverage...with a late feed due to a triple overtime 11:30am game

Go Kansas...beat Missouri, Colorado, Kansas State

Out,


The Big 11 and Nebraska...

NU vs. Texas Predictions...

Will this season ever end?

Scenes from the aTm Tailgate...

Cally's Time is Coming to an End...

New book chronicles fall of NU football
Johnny Perez and Luke Nichols
Daily Nebraskan

Editor's Note: Jonathan Crowl is a sports reporter for the Daily Nebraskan. His responsibilities include coverage of the Nebraska football team. All of the reporting and writing for his book, "The Nebraska Way," was done independent of his role as a Daily Nebraskan reporter. He provided a copy of the book to the Daily Nebraskan in advance of its publication.

A book written by a University of Nebraska-Lincoln student charges that the recent decline in the success of Nebraska football can be attributed to the abandonment of cultural values that once gave the program strength.

The book, "The Nebraska Way," was written by Jonathan Crowl, a senior English major, and it devotes substantial discussion to the past half century of Nebraska's storied football program.

But several chapters contain accounts of animosity, frustration and alienation within the Athletic Department during the tenures of former athletic director Steve Pederson and NU Coach Bill Callahan.

The book also includes an account of profane criticism from Callahan toward former football coach Tom Osborne, who was described as "trying to run things from Washington" during his tenure in Congress.

Osborne was named NU's interim athletic director after Pederson was fired this week.

Using several sources, Crowl also discusses the firing of former football coach Frank Solich, the hiring of Callahan, changes to the team's walk-on program and changes in the management style of the team and the Athletic Department.

The book should be available in some bookstores by early November and will be published by the independent publisher iUniverse Inc.

Its foreword was written by former head football trainer Doak Ostergard, who Crowl relied on heavily as a source.

Ostergard joined the Athletic Department in 1984 and was fired abruptly in February 2007.
Ostergard said the main purpose of the book was to educate people on the qualities of the football program and speak on the way "business has been done recently."

"We need to try and define what that Nebraska way really was," Ostergard said in an interview with the Daily Nebraskan. "From the outside, people can't understand it, and from the inside, people can't explain it."

Crowl's book seeks to identify how a sparsely populated, flat state in the middle of the country can generate a powerful football program, Ostergard said.

"Some people have taken the approach that, well, the football team has shaped the character of the state," Ostergard said. "But I think in the book here it's the other way around. I think the program was shaped by the culture of the state.

"That's why people are so passionate about it - no matter where you are in the state, that was something you could identify with."

Ostergard told Crowl he was originally impressed with Callahan's attempts to learn the culture of Nebraska football when he was first hired, but several incidents forced his opinion to deteriorate.

Some of Crowl's accounts - mostly from Ostergard - indicate that Callahan became disconnected with the state, its traditions and the history of its football program.

In one instance, Ostergard recalled a meeting with Callahan where the coach voiced his frustration over an article printed in a local newspaper.

"F-ing people need to get a life," Ostergard quoted Callahan as saying in the book.

In the book, Ostergard continues to quote Callahan:

"Why don't they go read a book or get lost in the Sandhills? I'm going to get me a real newspaper. I'm going to read The New York Times."

Callahan also grew impatient with former coach Osborne, Ostergard told Crowl.

After a phone conversation with the former coach, who was serving in Washington as a congressman, Ostergard said Callahan referred to Osborne as "a crusty old f-."

NU's Sports Information Office said Callahan was not available to return calls seeking comment about the book's content Wednesday because of numerous staff meetings that were scheduled.

During a short press conference following Wednesday's team practice, Callahan said his administration had maintained commitment to Nebraska's traditions.

"We've done a lot of positive things that added to the traditions of what Nebraska's all about," Callahan said. "We do understand Big Red football."

"It really comes down to one thing, and that's winning," Callahan added.

Crowl also wrote about the decline in the Athletic Department's relationship with the public.

When Pederson took over, he began to close himself off from people he didn't want to talk to, while tightening media and stadium access, Crowl said in an interview.

"I mean, security down there is on steroids compared to what it used to be," he said.

The new atmosphere was noticed by former players as well, including Mike Minter, a former NU and NFL player who Crowl quoted in the book.

"It was starting to be a compound, as opposed to the stadium," Minter told the Daily Nebraskan. "It felt like a family atmosphere, (but) it started to feel more like a corporate atmosphere in the past five years.

"Now it's like Fort Knox."

A former employee Crowl quotes anonymously in the book said the environment inspired two running jokes among the department's staff: "Everything's great," and "Let me see what Steve thinks."

Crowl also discusses changes made in the team's walk-on policy.

During Osborne's tenure, Crowl said, anywhere from one-half to one-third of the Cornhuskers' travel squad would be composed of walk-ons.

After Callahan took the program's reins, he adjusted the walk-on program in an effort to reduce the roster's size, Crowl wrote.

Said Minter: "A lot of kids waited to walk on, then three years into the program they become a starter - your team is really made on your role players, not your superstars."

Callahan said he was a "firm believer in the walk-on program" after Wednesday's practice.

The book, which also speculates on why Ostergard was fired and quotes several other former players, ends with a letter written by Ben Kingston, a fullback from the class of 1999, sent to Pederson on Feb. 19, 2007.

One statement in the letter reads, "I can honestly say, based on my conversations with the former players, coaches, etc., that we now feel that the 'Nebraska' we knew, the character that made this family great, has been lost … at least for now."

1st Annual "No Option" Road Trip

The 1st Annual "No Option" Road Trip has open seats on the Arrow Bus Line motor coach for the day trip to Lawrence, KS on November 3, 2007. The cost is only $ 30 per person. Contact Dean (980.1697) or Jon (417.5368) if interested and/or want more details.

Rumor: TO will be on the bus to sign autographs and answer sensitive questions

Muss and Jon convincing T.O. to comeback, you're welcome...

The Dean's List

From a confidential source...

"Rumor now, he will be permanent AD. Like Damon Benning said yesterday, be careful what you wish for, you might get it".

Just a quick review of a few prior non-coaching TO decisions that might be questionable...

1. Hand-picked Coach Frank as his replacement...
2. Picked Coach Nelson to help with the defense and recruit Texas...
3. Getting Nancy and his picture taken at a tailgate party with Ben Muss, Jon L and Matt H...
4. Resistent to change...loyality vs. ???
5. Lack of prior proactive action in the NU family dispute...
6. Supported Pederson's selection as AD five years ago...

Did NU voters know that the AD position was 'pending' for TO when they chose not to vote for him in our recent election (governor)?

Again...from a confidential source...the most important question...

"My fear is TO brings back the option….which forces the No Option tailgating group to change names…NOWESTCO??


out, (literally)

Steve

He's Baaaaaaaaack!!!!

- Get Your Own

NU vs. aTm score predictions...

This could be ugly...

Let's Hear from You...

Please vote on the new survey.

What needs to be done to fix this crap?

Scenes from the OSU Tailgate...

Callahan era may be limping to an end

Lincoln Journal Star
Steven M. Sipple

It’s just a little phase we’re going through, this Bill Callahan era at Nebraska. It’ll be over soon. At least that’s how it felt Saturday.

Never before, in fact, has the Callahan era appeared more doomed to failure.

How soon could it end? Perhaps as soon as the end of this season. Yes, you could draw that conclusion while watching Nebraska suffer yet another embarrassing defeat, this time a 45-14 crusher to a decent Oklahoma State squad.

Underline “decent.” The Cowboys are just an OK team. The Huskers are just flat-out bad right now — astonishingly bad. They’ve torpedoed past mediocrity to whatever dismal state of being you find at rock bottom.

If you bleed Husker red, you have to hope this was rock bottom. Trouble is, Nebraska has five regular-season games remaining. Find me a win in that group. Find me some Rolaids.

Yes, this feels like a phase. Oklahoma, for instance, had its phases after Barry Switzer left in 1988. The Sooners endured Gary Gibbs (1989-94), Howard Schnellenberger (1995) and John Blake (1996-98) before being rescued by Bob Stoops.

Several other traditional powers have experienced down years in which good men and good coaches simply failed to get the job done. Southern California went through guys like Ted Tollner and Paul Hackett before Pete Carroll. Texas went through phases with Fred Akers, David McWilliams and John Mackovic between Darrell Royal and Mack Brown.

Hey, it happens. Many of us just never thought it would happen here, at least not in this dreadful manner.

The fourth year of the Callahan phase at Nebraska follows the six-year Frank Solich phase. Solich was fired in 2003 with an overall record of 58-19 (.753). Callahan now stands at 26-18 and 14-13 in the Big 12. You saw undeniable progress under Callahan last year. This year, you’ve seen debilitating losses to USC (49-31) and Missouri (41-6) and a few wins that raised a slew of red flags.

Saturday, the bottom dropped out.

Yes, this feels like a phase — a painful period that simply can’t continue much longer. It’s too painful for too many people. Yet, it’s an interesting study. The pain numbs after absorbing repeated blows. The mind numbs. Fatigue sets in. And boredom. Yes, utter boredom. At some point, fans just decide they’ve had enough.

Thousands evidently had enough Saturday. Hence a scene I once considered unimaginable: Big Red fans exiting the stadium in droves at halftime, with the Huskers trailing 38-0.

Schnellenberger and Blake and Hackett and McWilliams probably experienced similar ordeals during their phases.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised it’s occurring here.

Let’s face it, Callahan wasn’t exactly NU athletic director Steve Pederson’s first choice to replace Solich. Callahan essentially fell into Pederson’s lap after Pederson stumbled and bumbled through a protracted search. What a mess. But, hey, what’s done is done. The program’s future becomes of paramount importance at this point.

Please place yourself in Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman’s position. How many more Saturday embarrassments can he afford? Pederson is polarizing enough in these parts without his football program being smacked around every week. Make no mistake, big-money boosters are restless, and some outright angry.

This is no time for snap decisions. Cool heads must prevail, and all that. But it’s clear you have to begin serious discussion about the possibility of ending this particular phase of Nebraska football history at the end of this season, if not sooner, for the good of the program, university and state.

Nebraska’s showing Saturday told us unequivocally that the Huskers are nowhere near a sudden turnaround.

Yes, Pederson and Callahan recently received contract extensions. But trust me, there’s enough money in the hopper to clear out Pederson, Callahan and the entire coaching staff, if that’s the decision. As for Perlman, well, you can’t fire everybody, right?

Right?

Oh, this is all just wonderful. What a wonderfully uplifting week we face, rehashing another loss in which Nebraska appeared woefully unprepared. The defense was predictably awful. And now Callahan’s West Coast offense looks tired and outdated.

I felt badly for Callahan in the post-mortem. He sometimes comes off as unfeeling, but this time his hurt was unmistakably real. He appeared to be beaten. Broken down. It hurt to watch.

Nebraska players keep insisting they trust the coaches and they’re playing with passion, but they once again were flat from the start.

Finally, I offer a mea culpa. I wrote in August that Callahan should indeed have his contract extended. I was swayed by progress I saw last season. I trusted Callahan’s work ethic and football wisdom. I trusted the recruiting Web sites that handed out star ratings like they were M&Ms. I was apparently wrong about Callahan and Company.

Of much greater significance, it appears Pederson was wrong.

Summary of McBride on 590

1. Fans need to do best they can to stay positive. It does hurt recruiting. It also hurts the players, he said coaches will tell them to block it out but they can't.

2. Team speed lacking at key spots and that it takes a lot of time to build up a new D-line. He laughs at people who get caught star gazing. He say's he'll take a guy that can run over anyone and said they used to whip up on teams that won recruiting titles (UCLA and ND).

3. Said it will take some time to get back to what we were. Started off by saying the cupboard was bear, Perault argues and talks about NFL players, Mcbride says there wasn't the depth of talent needed to play consistently at a high level. He says he knows because he was there at the end of it and it wasn't good.

4. THen he talked about what it takes to fix it. Says the JUCO guys come in for 2 years and don't understand the tradition, says the accountability and leadership is built through 4-5 years of hard work and with the mix of Juco's and under-talented seniors he can see why they have a problem.

5. Spoke about us not wanting to turn into Oklahoma of the 90's and make change after change.

The Dean's List

The good...we play Saturday...

The bad...just read the blogs, listen to sports-talk radio, read the newspapers

The reality...I wore my Nebraska t-shirt Sunday morning despite the outcome of the Missouri and Nebraska scrimmage

The good...No Option home game

The bad...we are playing other Division I football teams this year

The reality...wear RED, support our team, be realistic that we do have problems


NU: 42 OSU: 28

NU vs. OSU score predictions...

Let's hear some positive score predicitions please....

Mizzou Fans

Post that Tim G found...

Like 10,000 of you Husker fans, I was in attendance Saturday in their Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. It was my first road game since the good ol' whooping days against ISU in 1998, and first game against Missouri - home or away-.

I have always heard that Missouri fans were bad. I always thought Oklahoma fans were bad - my ideas of them were changed earlier this Millennium. However, I did not realize how bad the entire University - from fans to their head coach - are a disgrace to this land we call Earth. I honestly believe this University and the people that support them are some of the worst scum the entire world has. I am stereotyping them as a whole, I did meet a couple of nice Missouri people, but 90% of them fit into this category. To the 10% who don't, I am sorry your school gets the name it gets even though you as a person do not deserve it. With saying that, let me rant.

I got into Columbia at 3:30, car parked by 4. The car already had warm beer 'spilled' onto it. I noticed in the tailgating lot their were three Nebraska flags. Two of them had an American flag. Their were 40 Missouri flags. 1 had an American flag. Classy... The first thing I saw as I got out of the car was a shirt that said: "(Your favorite 4 letter word) Nebraska." On the back. "(That same word) Nebraska and (same word again) the horse they rode on in". I laughed. But they were serious. Now for the USC game I saw some students have shirts that said "(Same word) Trojans". On back "Skers pullout". Now this was a comedic shirt, and poked fun of their nickname. It was a play on words. No where in Lincoln did I blatantly see a "--- USC". Nebraska people are better than that. We WILL NOT EVER say that about someone's school. Maybe to someone as an individual, when they deserve it, but not to someone's school. That just isn't the Cornhusker way. Anyways about these shirts, you're thinking they were college kids with them? Nope. It was a family. 2 high school looking kids, 1 in middle school, and their father. Good ole fashioned family fun, eh?

Later on roughly at 4:30 I went to their basketball arena to go to the restroom (I could not find a porto-potty), I was not allowed into the arena from a certain side (according to this Missouri worker). I asked, "well, that person (dressed in gold) just got into the arena, why can't I?" I was told I had to go around. As I was complying I noticed Missouri people walk right by him and went into the door I was trying to enter. They entered. Double standard, no? I went in. Forget that guy.

Inside the arena I was walking into the main showcase and noticed their was wrestling. I sat down and watched practice for 10 minutes. As I left, I heard a wonderful chant from some students. It wasn't "GO MIZZOU!", it was a "(That common word) NEBRASKA!!!".

Since my seats were for the Grass section, I decided to wait in line starting at 530. Got many "(Favorite 4 letter word) Nebraska" chants as I was wondering down towards the gates. About 10 minutes after waiting, some Nebraska fan finally had enough of the BS, and confronted them telling them to shut the hell up. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say it. A fist fight almost started. The Mizzou fan wouldn't let it go, and if it wasn't for his already drunk friends, would have assaulted the Nebraska guy.

Peace and calm for a while. Till around 7. Hurray!

Once inside the stadium, I got many "Look, another (Your favorite word)ing Nebraska fan". But this wasn't what makes Missouri University a disgrace. NoNoNo. Much worse things happen in "the zou".

Their was a double standard outside the stadium aswell as inside. To get into the grass section you had to go through a fence. Missouri fans blatantly jumped it right in front of cops, security guards, ushers, etc. When I and other Husker fans did that, we were told we would be ejected if we did it again. And if we didn't already get to the other side, we had to go all the way to the gate to get around. While we were being told this, there were Missouri people who would hop the fence right in front of them, they were told nothing.

During our alma matter, Missouri's band would start playing. We get a 20 yard gain? We play. They play too. They drowned out our band. In Lincoln, you never get this. If both teams can play, they do. But in Lincoln if we give up a big play. Their band plays. Than we play. NEVER at the same time. This ****ed me off thoroughly.

At half time our band got to play on the field. How many people started to boo? Half the stadium. When their band played, how many Huskers booed? Zero.

When our player was injured, how many people clapped that he got up? All Huskers. 30% Tigers. In Lincoln, Husker fans drown out the opposing fans if one of their players fall.

Now I think I've covered their fan base. Their supporters. Their "Pride of Mizzou". Now to their poor excuse of a coach. Devaney. Osborne. Solich. Callahan. NONE. NONE of them would EVER consider running a fake field goal on 4th and goal at the 10, ahead 28 points with 10 minutes left. NONE OF THEM WOULD EVER CONSIDER THAT. Quite frankly that is horses*(T. We never ran the score up on teams. We put in our backups, ran the ball, and still scored 20 in the 4th quarter.

Unlike Mizzou, who kept in their starters until 6 minutes left still up 35. Who instead of kneeing twice ran plays in an attempt to get another TD. That is not only being a horrible sport, it showed the whole nation how much respect, class and sportsmanship the University of Missouri has. None.

During the fourth quarter wave their had going, 70% of the stadium booed the near-empty Nebraska section. Disgraceful. Never boo the opponent. I guess the rules of Nebraska football don't apply in Missouri.

While they were counting down the final minutes and we had the ball, their was a Husker fan behind me who was saying GBR. Every Tiger in front was saying comments like "scoreboard", "STFU", (Favorite word) Nebraska, etc. He was showing his love for this team, and was hated for doing that.

While leaving the stadium, staying for the final minute (unlike 9,000 Husker people, and 5,000 Tigers) I heard some of the most horrible remarks my ears have witnessed.

I did not hear at all one instance of "Yeah Mizzou! Way to go!" All I heard was "HAHA (Favorite word again) YOU/NEBRASKA/HUSKERS/ETC". A Sker finally confronted one of these people, and gave them the finger. The Missouri 'fans' gave the guy crap saying "I thought Nebraska people had class....Guess Not!" I confronted these idiots, and said "See, this is the difference between a Nebraska fan and a Missouri fan. You say (favorite word) the opponent. We say (favorite word) the fan. We'll never disrespect our opponent, unlike you. We will however disrespect our opponent's 'fans', like you. And tell you to STFU and get some respect." I put him in his place. [Big Grin]

While almost at the gate I was verbally assaulted by roughly 10 Missouri people. Their hands in my face. Profanities left and right. Giving me crap that we just lost - Not that they just won. I was about to loose it and punch the most drunk and idiotic one out, while a family of Huskers came up to me and got me out of their. I am very thankful for those people. I did not want to spend the night in a Columbia jail.

Once I got to the car I had found their was a garbage sack on the hood. Full of beer. Thank you for the gift Missouri! I appreciate it. Shame their was a trash can 20 feet away. Leaving I was mooned twice and flipped off twice aswell.

In conclusion, UM, please do something with your program, unless you want to have a school built on lack of character, respect and class. From the thousands of fans that represent you, to your band director, to your head coach. 90% of them represent you in a NEGATIVE way. You might think it is positive. Believe me, it is FAAAAAAAR from it. I know I am forgetting some more memories from Missouri. It might make that place seem better...

From the South

First off, all apologies for going AWOL. I just can't bring myself to write about something I hate even thinking about. That's right, I hate even thinking about Nebraska football right now. I firmly believe that we are all victims of an atrocity.

With Nebraska WISHING for mediocrety and my beloved Cubs blowing billie goats, I am on the brink of a stay in a padded white room. THIS SHIT IS DISGRACEFUL!

In case you haven't looked at the schedule, we may not get another W. In fact, I would be surprised if we did. If Coz doesn't put his resignation in tomorrow, he should be fired on Monday. I can't watch another defensive snap until he's gone. I'd rather watch The View. Seriously. I will turn the channel when we are on D and have someone let me know when I can turn it back. Is there any chance Coz isn't fired this week? Please tell me no. Call me up and reassure me that there is NO CHANCE of him coaching another down. I just can't believe we didn't realize Cosgrove sucked earlier (oh wait, we did realize it...in year 1).

Random thoughts:

1. Marlon Lucky is just not very good. He just lacks a smidge in all areas.
2. We have zero energy guys on D (not even Octo could hold the jocks of Wistrom, Peter, Polk, Farley, Alberts, Mike Brown, Vandenbosch, Rucker, and others)
3. Cosgrove is an absolute moron. 3-4? Really? 3-4? That is your answer? Freaking idiot.
4. 50-50 chance I sell my UT NU tickets on Ebay (assuming they still have value).
5. USC got beat by Stanford. UT got beat by KSU. OU got beat by CU. But Nebraska can't even compete with a team that doesn't completely suck.
6. Octo on the D line is the right move. But I have a hard time believing Cosgrove came up with that on his own.
7. My Fantasy team is the only thing keeping me going (4-0 baby). If that goes south...I don't know. I just don't know.
8. At least Solich got his ass beat by Turner this week.

Just for Fun, here is what we used to have.

Tom Osborn Legacy:

In his quarter-century as head coach, Osborne was a model of consistency. He never won fewer than nine games in a season, finished in the top 15 of the final AP poll every year, and was ranked in every weekly AP poll from the start of the 1980 season onward. His teams won two undisputed national championships (1994 and 1995) and a share of another (1997). They also won 12 Big Eight Conference titles and one Big 12 Conference title. His 255-49-3 record gave him the best winning percentage (83.6%) among active NCAA Division I-A coaches at the time of his retirement and the fifth-best of all time. As of 2006, only Joe Paterno has reached 200 victories in fewer games. But Osborne, who went on an NCAA record 60-3 run over his final five seasons, won 250 games faster than any coach in Division I-A history.

The Dean's List

Big 12 and No Option Burning Questions: The race has started, now what?

1. Where's Ben Muss...the "Voice From the South"?

2. Can the Cubs end the curse?

3. Will the NU vs. Missouri game be over by 1:ooam?

4. When will Notre Dame win a game this season?

5. What is the menu for the NU vs. OSU 11:30am game?

6. Will Coach Pinkel win the game for NU...again?

7. How many times will we see "The Catch"...10 years later...on ESPN this weekend?

8. Who will be NU's "joker" this weekend...Culbert or Cosgrove?

9. Who will make the 'deflection' this week to save Cosgrove's job and the Husker season?

I don't have the anwers this week...I will let the readers comment and/or ask their own questions.


10. Who will win this weekend? Huskers: 35 Tigers: 31