I'm getting sick to my stomach waiting for this game tonight. My guts are tied in a knot and I gotta tell ya.
It feels great.
It feels like it's been a long time since I've felt this way about a game. The last time was probably 2 years ago when Nebraska was 8-1, ranked 16th in the College Football Playoff Poll and was heading into a Big Ten West showdown with Wisconsin in Camp Randall.
That's the last time Nebraska truly played in a big game and we all remember how that turned out. Sure, we beat #7 Michigan State last year, but it was a pretty meaningless game. There wasn't anything on the line.
Tonight there is everything on the line. The Big Ten West and an outside shot at the College Football Playoff are still a possibility. And the winner of this game will take control of the Big Ten West.
Going into this season I knew Wisconsin would be our biggest threat to the West, because I knew Iowa would pull an Iowa. (Don't worry Iowa fans. Only 30 more years until you can fire Kirk Ferentz).
Ever since conference play began, I've been cheering for Wisconsin to lose, which has drawn some ire from some friends and family.
"Nebraska shouldn't need Wisconsin to lose to win the West," they say. "Nebraska should just be able to go out and take it."
To that I say, have you even seen Nebraska play at any time in the last 15 years? When in that time has Nebraska ever been able to go out and take anything?
These Nebraska fans seem to think winning the West is simply Manifest Destiny. That it's our God-given right. US History tells us that winning the "West" isn't quite that simple. It's dirty, ugly and you have to shamelessly murder millions of indigenous people to do it.
Thankfully, Nebraska doesn't have to do that. It just has to beat Wisconsin or hope and pray that Wisconsin stumbles later in the season.
Of course I hope tonight is the night where Nebraska goes out and, instead of falling flat on their face per usual, actually pulls off the big win. But I am painfully aware that with Nebraska, you just can't count on that.
Nebraska needs to win the west so they can go to Indianapolis and take their shot. Winning the West doesn't have to be pretty. In fact it can be flat out ugly.
Let's say Nebraska loses tonight and loses to Ohio State, but still manages to win the West. Then let's say they go to Indy and pull off the upset. 10 years from now are you really going to care that Nebraska didn't outright dominate the West?
No, you're going to wear that 2016 Big Ten Champions shirt until your wife throws it away because she can't stand the sight of all those nacho cheese stains.
Of course I hope Nebraska wins tonight and wins the West in style. I've just seen too much disappointing football to know that Nebraska may not get it done tonight. Winning the West usually isn't pretty. Get used to it.
It feels great.
It feels like it's been a long time since I've felt this way about a game. The last time was probably 2 years ago when Nebraska was 8-1, ranked 16th in the College Football Playoff Poll and was heading into a Big Ten West showdown with Wisconsin in Camp Randall.
That's the last time Nebraska truly played in a big game and we all remember how that turned out. Sure, we beat #7 Michigan State last year, but it was a pretty meaningless game. There wasn't anything on the line.
Tonight there is everything on the line. The Big Ten West and an outside shot at the College Football Playoff are still a possibility. And the winner of this game will take control of the Big Ten West.
Going into this season I knew Wisconsin would be our biggest threat to the West, because I knew Iowa would pull an Iowa. (Don't worry Iowa fans. Only 30 more years until you can fire Kirk Ferentz).
Ever since conference play began, I've been cheering for Wisconsin to lose, which has drawn some ire from some friends and family.
"Nebraska shouldn't need Wisconsin to lose to win the West," they say. "Nebraska should just be able to go out and take it."
To that I say, have you even seen Nebraska play at any time in the last 15 years? When in that time has Nebraska ever been able to go out and take anything?
These Nebraska fans seem to think winning the West is simply Manifest Destiny. That it's our God-given right. US History tells us that winning the "West" isn't quite that simple. It's dirty, ugly and you have to shamelessly murder millions of indigenous people to do it.
Thankfully, Nebraska doesn't have to do that. It just has to beat Wisconsin or hope and pray that Wisconsin stumbles later in the season.
 |
| I'd pay to see this movie. |
Of course I hope tonight is the night where Nebraska goes out and, instead of falling flat on their face per usual, actually pulls off the big win. But I am painfully aware that with Nebraska, you just can't count on that.
Nebraska needs to win the west so they can go to Indianapolis and take their shot. Winning the West doesn't have to be pretty. In fact it can be flat out ugly.
Let's say Nebraska loses tonight and loses to Ohio State, but still manages to win the West. Then let's say they go to Indy and pull off the upset. 10 years from now are you really going to care that Nebraska didn't outright dominate the West?
No, you're going to wear that 2016 Big Ten Champions shirt until your wife throws it away because she can't stand the sight of all those nacho cheese stains.
Of course I hope Nebraska wins tonight and wins the West in style. I've just seen too much disappointing football to know that Nebraska may not get it done tonight. Winning the West usually isn't pretty. Get used to it.
Comments
Post a Comment