Part of the reason I call my website ‘Off the Cob’ is because it’s meant to be a play on words. Off the cuff. Off the beaten path. Or, maybe, off base. Whatever. The point is, I often see things differently, and when I share my thoughts, I usually get a response of, “Why would you think that.” Well, here we are.
It’s a big weekend for Nebraska football. The USC Trojans are coming to town to play our Huskers and NBC will be here to cover the game in primetime. To make thigs even better, the university has called for a Blackout. The new super cool black uniforms are pressed and ready to go. The flags at Memorial Stadium have all been changed to black, and all the fans will be wearing black to support the team and the event. It’s a big recruiting weekend, and Dr. Elza is working to coordinate the visits of multiple big-name recruits. She’s ready for an announcement that coach Rhule has signed an extension so that she can tell her staff it’s all hands-on deck in reassuring recruits Matt Rhule will be their head coach.
Meanwhile, with all this going on, athletic director Troy Dannen is in his office feverishly working on dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s for everything it’ll take to fulfill Rhule’s contract. As motivation, Dannen had been listening to Ted Nugent’s “Baby, please don’t go,” the last three weeks. The tune is now stuck in his head.
But it doesn’t end there. Still searching for ideas for the USC game, someone suggests Donavan Raiola leading the team onto the field through the student section while playing a Samoan war drum. Before it goes any further, someone quickly reminds them of how that worked out for Colorado in 1995 and how HC Tom Osborne told his team how Neuheisel and the Buffaloes couldn’t win with theatrical antics. It’s a bit of a wake-up call and everyone looks at each other, but it doesn’t change what has already been set in motion.
All the side shows and distractions equals a Nebraska football game that has lost its way. Fans and administration are searching for reasons for their team winning. They’ve had to create something to be excited about, because their belief in what they have witnessed thus far isn’t enough. They are huddled together saying things like, “USC is down, they’ve already lost two games.” And “They are down to their third string running back.” Plus, “We’ll win because of the Blackout.” And finally, “Hey, the weather is supposed to be cold, remember those California boys don’t like the cold. We’re sure to win, aren’t we? Shouldn’t we?”
Okay, I sound like an old curmudgeon, and someone who can’t let go of the past. To that I say – no, I’m just old enough to know my history. I’m not against any of it. This is all good stuff and promotes Nebraska football. My complaint, the timing is all wrong. Rhule and this team can’t be reliant on gimmicks or gadgets. This is stuff you do after you’ve achieved a couple of 10-win seasons and a CFP birth. Right now, Dannen, Rhule, and everyone else should have Ted Nugent’s, “Workin’ Hard, Playin’ Hard,” blasting in the background, because frankly, we aren’t there yet.
None of this works unless you win, and even then, you must be careful that you don’t make all the theatrics part of why you won. Winning November games must be about hard work, desire, belief, and football. We’ll see what this game is really about Saturday night. Will it be football, or will we see the 1995 Colorado team that fell flat?
I’m hoping I’m wrong. That I’m truly off on this one. But until then, GO BIG RED!!
Or should I say, GO BIG BLACK!!
For more on Husker football go to Off The Cob (lyleharmon-otc.com)