Pelini finally got his signature win at Nebraska two weeks ago by beating Kansas. Yeah, the Jayhawks aren't ranked, but remember Kansas is just one year removed from their one loss season, including a BCS victory in the Orange Bowl.
And the Cornhuskers are sitting at 7-4 and bowl eligible. They finish off the season with a home game against Colorado. If the Nebraska faithful decide to show up for the Holiday weekend game against the Buffaloes, they can help send Nebraska to an 8-4 record and a credible bowl game.
Pelini can realistically finish his first season 9-4. That's incredible! And more than any Husker fan could have hoped for. And just think, Nebraska could have and should have beat Virginia Tech at home. And remember Pelini took Texas Tech to overtime in Lubbock!
Growing Pains! Nebraska did get taken to the woodshed against Mizzou and Oklahoma. But Pelini is basically still working with Bill Callahan's mess. The same team that Callahan went 5-7 with one year ago.
A bowl win accompanied with a 9-4 year will greatly help recruiting and you can expect Nebraska to be the cream of the crop of the Big 12 North for many years to come.
Since 1991, I think I've bought Madden Football every year.
Nowadays, I still buy Madden, I buy NCAA Football, NBA Live, and occasionally college basketball and an MLB game.
I do get into Tiger Woods' Golf every now and then, but I'm more of a Golden Tee fan.
Yes, college football is officially upon with last week's release of EA Sports NCAA 2009.
Again this year's NCAA Football brings us the play-by-play and commentary from Brad Nessler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, why is Chris Fowler left out?
Like previous years, I'm sure the in studio pregame brings us to the much anticipated prediction from Corso and the donning of the Mascot headgear.
It really got me thinking. A rare occasion, especially in the middle of summer.
Editor's note: I have personally attended each of these stadiums for a prime time game.
10. Nebraska Memorial Stadium (81,067)
We all know how terrible Nebraska has been in recent years. Actually, people outside of the Cornhusker state might be unaware because Husker Football has been MIA.
The much embarrassing Callahan era is finally over and the Huskers have their man, Bo Pelini (yes, the same guy who should be in his 5th year as NU Head Coach) and the football hype and energy in Lincoln has nearly reached the same level of the previous century.
The 'Skers were 4-3 in 2007, highlighted by a 49-31 shellacking in Lincoln by USC. The game was far more unbearable than what the score says. The best thing about this defeat was the fact Nebraska fans finally realized (and admitted) Bill Callahan was the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf.
Memorial Stadium is known as being the 3rd largest city in the state of Nebraska on Gameday. The Stadium also boasts an impressive streak of 288 consecutive sellouts.
From 1991 to 1998 Nebraska held a 47 game home win streak.
After a 17-13 opening game lost to Florida St. (9/7/1985), the Cornhuskers were an astounding 111-6 at home from 1985 to 2002 (losing 27-24 on Nov. 2 at home vs. Texas).
That's 111 wins to 6 loses in 17 years! Holy Shit!
Go back and check my research, I couldn't believe it either.
9. Virginia Tech Lane Stadium (66,233)
In 2007, the Hokies finished 6-1 at home. Their only setback was a Thursday night loss to (at the time) unbeaten Boston College, 14-10. As you all remember, Va Tech was up 14-0 late in the 4th quarter when Matt Ryan somehow, someway lead BC with a Flutie like comeback.
Had Virginia Tech not blown this game, they may have been in the National Championship game.
If you've ever been to a Hokie home game, you know the adrenaline flowing throughout the stadium as the Hokies emerge through the tunnel to "Enter Sandman."
8. Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium (76,129)
On a personal note, Mad Town ranks as my favorite Big 10 Tailgate school (Definitely top 10 overall). During timeouts and between crucial plays, the PA jams to House of Pain's "Jump Around." The entire stadium jumps up and down, you can't hear yourself think and at the same time you worried about the entire stadium collapsing. Freakin cool.
The Badgers were perfect at home in 2007 (7-0). They're currently on a 14 game home winning streak since a 2005 home defeat to Iowa (20-10).
Since 2004, Wisconsin has been jumpin around at home with a 25-1 record.
7. Oregon Autzen Stadium (53,800)
Autzen Stadium may not have a large capacity, but with the upper tier hanging almost directly over the field, the fans' cheers land directly on top of opposing teams.
Compared to other major schools around the country, Autzen Stadium may lack in quantity, but with the noise on the field, quality is like no other.
Eugene, Oregon may be famous for Nike founding father Phil Knight, but also was the location for every fraternity member's favorite movie, Animal House.
In 2007, the Ducks finished 5-2 at home with losses to Cal and Oregon St.
Oregon has not been undefeated at home since 2000.
6. Oklahoma Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (82,112)
The Sooners protected their house in 2007, going 7-0.
OU has won 19 in row at home since a shocking 17-10 opening season loss to TCU (9/3/05).
Norman is crazy on Gameday. The Chicks are freakin hot! But the only thing holding Norman back is the state law of beer being only 3.2%! Yeah, you really can drink a case of beer.
5. Tennessee Neyland Stadium (102,037)
Good ole Rocky Top! If you're not wearing orange and white on Gameday in Knoxville, or any other day for that matter, you're probably not alive to be reading this. This is SEC country. You know you're on UT campus when all the streets are named either Pat Summit or Peyton Manning.
2007, the Volunteers were perfect at home (7-0).
2006 they were a shocking 5-2 with home losses to LSU and Florida.
4. Penn St. Beaver Stadium (107,282)
For those of you who think JoPa and the Nittany Lions are washed up, Penn St has finished 6-1 at home the past two years. They were perfect in 2007 (7-0), making them 19-2 at home in the last three years.
Beaver Stadium may be one of the most intimidating stadiums in the country and when the "White Out" occurs, look out! Definitely one of the most intimidating sights in all of college football.
Students camp out in front of the main gate weeks before a home game attempting to get the best seat in the house, aka Paternoville. JoPa has even been known to show up to the campsites delivering pizzas.
3. Ohio St Ohio Stadium (102,329)
Buckeye Mania is rampant in the state of Ohio. We've all heard about the riots which occur in Columbus, win or lose a big game. I don't think I've ever seen a town so passionate about their hometown team (which makes it so fun to see the Buckeyes lose in two straight National Championship games.)
I've personally seen a female Buckeye fan punch the lights outta of a male Michigan fan, at 6AM!
Upon leaving the Columbus Airport, I've seen a sign that says, "Thanks for visiting Columbus, unless your from Michigan."
Ohio St was 6-1 in 2007, a 28-21 upset by Illinois.
Since 2008, the Buckeyes are 40-3 at home with losses to Illinois, No. 2 Texas (2005), and No. 16 Wisconsin (2004).
2. Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)
Home to "The Swamp", "Gator Bait", and "The Chomp", this may be the only campus in the country where the mascot roams freely on campus. Yes, there are real live alligators present.
I can't wait to get my hands on NCAA '09 so I can run wild with Superman, um, I mean Football Jesus, um, I mean Tim Tebow.
In 2007, the Gators were 6-1 losing a heartbreaking game to War Eagle and the Auburn Tigers, 20-17.
Since 2004, Florida is 24-2 at the Swamp.
1. LSU Tiger Stadium (91,600) Nicknamed "Death Valley", the stadium's nickname derived from "Deaf Valley." No explanation needed here. It's freakin loud!
While we're on the subject of Cornhusker football.... I've got my ticket for the Houstonians for Huskers Founder's Day 2008. You'll never guess what Blair High grad will be the featured speaker! Can't wait!
The NCAA Selection Committee was smiling on the Cornhusker State. First off, Nebraska is a football state, and we all know how that's worked out lately, when the calendar turns to Winter, Husker fans quickly jump the "I'm a Creighton Basketball fan, I've always loved Bluejay Basketball." And when to Bluejays go south for the Winter, Nebraska latches onto the always reliable Kansas Jayhawks. So this year, Kansas should be able to avoid any first or second upsets since they'll pretty much have home court advantage. The biggest game, and maybe the most hyped and most watched game of the First Round is Beasley/Mayo, Kansas St./USC. The game will be played at the Qwest Center in Omaha and yes, it's quite possible these two sick ballers will be 1 and 2 in June's NBA Draft. What's even better about these two playing each other is the fact that one of these guys will give Nebraska a second viewing.
It's amazing the selection committee gave this game to Nebraska. They could have put this match up in basketball crazed Carolina or major markets D.C. or Denver. I mean the state has never been known for quality basketball. The 1993 class of Eric Strickland, Terrance Badgett, and Andre Woolridge is the most noteworthy.
Other huge basketball games the state has played host to: Nebraska playing Kansas in Lincoln and knocking off the Jayhawks being ranked in the top 5 (1992 & 1993). Nebraska pulling off maybe their biggest non conference upset in 1990 when Beau Reid drilled a game winning 3 to knock off Steve Smith and Michigan St. when Sparty was a top 5 team. I also recall Nebraska upsetting the Byron Houston/Big Country led number 1 Oklahoma St. Cowboys in 1994.
The old Civic Center in Omaha played home court to Creighton Basketball when the Tony Barone and the Blue Jays (Chad Gallagher/Bob Hartsted era-1990) beat the Missouri Tigers, led by Doug Smith/Anthony Peeler.
Who knows, five years from now, this game may become bigger than it is right now.
It's been great watching Bob Knight on ESPN. Not only the fact that he continues to slouch and has no idea which camera is on, but everyone else wearing suits and the General wearing some cheap ESPN sweatshirt.
This all coming from a guy who once made statements about these statements about the media: "Everyone learns to write when they're in second grade. Than they go on to bigger things."
"When I die, I want them to bury me with my face in the ground so my critics can kiss my ass!"
Biggest question/concern about March Madness? What does Joe Lunardi do for the next 11 months?
I normally would not write about American Idol, but since the auditions are hilarious and last nights episode featured my home state, Nebraska, I couldn't resist. Why would AI go to Omaha? I could have saved them the trip. All you need to do is watch the first minute of this video and you can see what Omaha is all about, corn, rolling fields, and yes more corn. As for the talent, or lack there of, it was horrendous! The first guy was gayer than Waylon Smithers! As a matter of fact, I think half of the auditions they showed featured homosexuals. Since the first guy was flat out horrible, he was still able to make his dream come true by asking to audition for another AI job, hosting the red carpet finale for the local Fox network. Simon you let me down. How can you give this loser who's only looking for camera time any kind of chance?
The second guy was from Stout, Iowa, home of 500 people (this seemed to be the theme of the night, small town), stared into space as he could not remember the lyrics after one line. However Simon, let this loser through to Hollywood. Simon, you're letting me down. The third audition happened to sum up Nebraska women, an arm wrestling champion! If that wasn't enough and you were still tuned in for the pro wrestler chick. Yikes! Way to represent Nebraska and reinforce every stereotype the rest of the world has of the Cornhusker State.
Overall, I think 19 people passed through to Hollywood. I don't think anyone was actually from Nebraska. I know the first person with any kind of talent was from Los Angeles.
