"Why is Nebraska so afraid of KSU this year?"

[S. Parker]

I wanted to reply to the thread below. I read through enough of the posts to get the general feeling from KSU fans I think.

In my opinion, Nebraska fans view the KSU game as a trap game, as was correctly hinted by one of your fans. Fear, though? No, more like respect. After the last 10 years, Nebraska fans don't take KSU lightly anymore. Regardless of your prior history, they realize that you guys became a real player in the north. I think Nebraska would probably have to slaughter Kansas State repeatedly for this effect to wear off.

Despite what you may think, Nebraska fans are ALWAYS VERY PESSIMISTIC about their program. I can't ever remember them being anything else, ever. (They usually keep it to themselves and appear outwardly cocky, but trust me, it's there.) On the KSU game, they respect Freeman a lot, and they think this year or next he will break-out. They don't want it to be against them. They also saw Prince beat Texas, so they realize he can get his team up for a big game--and Prince knows that Nebraska is as big as it gets for making your fans happy. Nothing would endear him to your fans more than if he pulled off an upset in Lincoln. Finally, Campbell, Watts, Nelson, Patton, and the JUCO's you pulled in are also great players. The core of your team, with Freeman, is there to build on.

So are Nebraska fans scared? No. They have just grown to respect your team, and when they look ahead at the schedule for potential trap games, KSU comes up. By talking about it now, they are trying to immunize themselves from the pain that will occur if the wildcats do pull off the upset.

Like I said, pessimism. 

[970Cat]

I wonder if the UN players will still be up that late in the year with 4 games in the loss category.  UN fans seem to be setting themselves up for a big letdown with all the talk of National Championship run and dominating the North.  No doubt there is talent on that roster and more coming in, but it sounds like UN fans are trying to convince everyone just how good they are going to be.  If the fans were completely sure they would be more humble about it.  IMO  Oh well, good luck. 

[S. Parker]

No doubt there is talent on that roster and more coming in, but it sounds like UN fans are trying to convince everyone just how good they are going to be.  If the fans were completely sure they would be more humble about it.  IMO  Oh well, good luck. 

Exactly. You hit the nail on the head.

The one point I disagree on though is about them trying to convince everyone else that they are going to be good--I think they are trying to convince themselves that they are going to be good from what I have seen. By talking to fans from other schools about it, they are hoping/looking for positive affirmation.

Any of our fans that you come across that talk about a national championship this year are crazy. I think they should win the North--if they can get by Missouri--but I can't help but think that USC is a loss, as well as Texas and possibly Oklahoma State.

[970Cat]

That's what I don't understand though, Missouri has handled you in recent history in Columbia.  What makes UN fans so confident that the game in Missouri will be such a breeze?  B/C you handled them last year in Lincoln?  I don't know, Lincoln is a tough place to play, especially for a team that knows no success there.  I think MU will be tough for the Huskers, a more difficult match up than OSU in Lincoln.  IMO.  Pinkel hasn't proven his ultimate worth on the field yet, but his recruiting is getting better, and for Husker fans to think that they are the only team that improved themselves this year is ridiculous. 

As for the match up with KSU, UN fans SHOULD BE scared to death of Freeman.  Even though he threw a lot more picks than he did TD's last year, he was just a true Freshman with a horrid OL.  All things considered, he had a great Freshman campaign in leading the 06 Cats to a bowl game.  Prince hasn't proven he can win anywhere on the road except against an abysmal CU team, so to think that we can have great success on the road against the opponents we will face this year is a bit optimistic.  But hey, he is a young coach, and Bold is Daring.  I don't know about UN, but from what I read and choose to believe about KSU, this squad is going to play real hungry this year and in the process open some eyes.  I hope.   

[S. Parker]

That's what I don't understand though, Missouri has handled you in recent history in Columbia.  What makes UN fans so confident that the game in Missouri will be such a breeze?  B/C you handled them last year in Lincoln?  I don't know, Lincoln is a tough place to play, especially for a team that knows no success there.  I think MU will be tough for the Huskers, a more difficult match up than OSU in Lincoln.  IMO.  Pinkel hasn't proven his ultimate worth on the field yet, but his recruiting is getting better, and for Husker fans to think that they are the only team that improved themselves this year is ridiculous. 

I hope you're not attributing these thoughts to me because I agree with you 100%. If you are talking about the majority of our fans though, you would be correct, and I don't understand their confidence about Missouri either. Chase Daniel and that offense are the real deal, and like you said we have SUCKED in Missouri lately.   

I think Missouri's defense is going to be rough though, and overall, I tend to cautiously think we will win there this year. This team will be a lot better than the last few we brought there.

I do think Freeman is going to be a stud. Always have. His rough spots last year can be attributed to a crappy o-line and inexperience, like you said.

I think Nebraska will have a better team this year, but I also definitely think they had better be ready to go against KSU. They could lose.

2008, more than 2007, is when I am expecting KSU to have a break-out year. We'll see. Lot of unknowns still.

[S. Parker]

"UN fans seem to be setting themselves up for a big letdown with all the talk of National Championship run and dominating the North."

These same fans probably run a meth lab and think the year is still 1995. 

[Saulbadguy]

If you wanted to reply to the thread, why didn't you just...reply to the thread?

[S. Parker]

If you wanted to reply to the thread, why didn't you just...reply to the thread?

It was two pages long and almost every post in it was a flame. If you write a serious post in a flame thread, no one will consider what you wrote.

That said, I didn't realize it would bother you. Sorry.

[Saulbadguy]

If you wanted to reply to the thread, why didn't you just...reply to the thread?

It was two pages long and almost every post in it was a flame. If you write a serious post in a flame thread, no one will consider what you wrote.

That said, I didn't realize it would bother you. Sorry.

Just seems very "look at me!"

[Legore]

That's what I don't understand though, Missouri has handled you in recent history in Columbia.  What makes UN fans so confident that the game in Missouri will be such a breeze?  B/C you handled them last year in Lincoln?  I don't know, Lincoln is a tough place to play, especially for a team that knows no success there.  I think MU will be tough for the Huskers, a more difficult match up than OSU in Lincoln.  IMO.  Pinkel hasn't proven his ultimate worth on the field yet, but his recruiting is getting better, and for Husker fans to think that they are the only team that improved themselves this year is ridiculous. 

As for the match up with KSU, UN fans SHOULD BE scared to death of Freeman.  Even though he threw a lot more picks than he did TD's last year, he was just a true Freshman with a horrid OL.  All things considered, he had a great Freshman campaign in leading the 06 Cats to a bowl game.  Prince hasn't proven he can win anywhere on the road except against an abysmal CU team, so to think that we can have great success on the road against the opponents we will face this year is a bit optimistic.  But hey, he is a young coach, and Bold is Daring.  I don't know about UN, but from what I read and choose to believe about KSU, this squad is going to play real hungry this year and in the process open some eyes.  I hope.   

Missouri='s the most talented team in the North next year.  Not sayiing they are going to win it but they have the most talent.  Not sure where people get the notion that MU's D is so weak they finished ahead of NU in total defense last year and both teams lost roughly the same number of starters.  Of course NU fans are saying the starters they lost don't matter and the new guys will be better but the starters that MU lost will devastate them. 

Be interesting to see how it all plays out I think KSU will be improved but not sure the record will reflect it with the schedule we play.  Still probably a year away from making a serious run at the North title.   ku once again has a very average looking team and of course once again I'm hearing talks of a break out season and 10 wins.   ISU and CU who knows about those guys. 

[coitus]

the fear is the result of knowing deep down that slashahan isn't the answer, and being afraid ksu will expose that fact with a less talented team with a very young/inexperienced coach.

if nu were in the south, slashahan would have been run by now.

[Maxell]

You guys can forget about beating Nebraska this year in Lincoln. Its just not going to happen. Nebraska has 31 seniors on this team and is loaded with experience and talent at almost every position on the team. If you want to talk about a "trap" game or your next realistic chance at beating Nebraska you need to start talking about 2008 in Manhattan. Nebraska will largely be reloading next year with a new QB, a group of young RBs (Glenn will probably stay around) and an almost entire new back 7 on defense. The OL and DL should be among the best in the country in 2008 so that gives Nebraska something to build around. Mainly though we'll be young at quite a few positions. If you don't catch Nebraska in 2008, it should be quite a while before you get another chance.

[pissclams]

You guys can forget about beating Nebraska this year in Lincoln. Its just not going to happen. Nebraska has 31 seniors on this team and is loaded with experience and talent at almost every position on the team. If you want to talk about a "trap" game or your next realistic chance at beating Nebraska you need to start talking about 2008 in Manhattan. Nebraska will largely be reloading next year with a new QB, a group of young RBs (Glenn will probably stay around) and an almost entire new back 7 on defense. The OL and DL should be among the best in the country in 2008 so that gives Nebraska something to build around. Mainly though we'll be young at quite a few positions. If you don't catch Nebraska in 2008, it should be quite a while before you get another chance.

LMAO @ everything you posted!!   

You can see why the bulls we're recruiting to plug up the middle are so important, they mean everything in this defense.  Can we run it without them? Sure.  Will we struggle to stop the run against tough run blocking offenses, absolutely.  It's all about the bulls guys, we need them but I think we have the right chemistry to go off the charts (NFL caliber) and really get it done.

GO MOB!

[WildCatzPhreak]

 

[970Cat]

You guys can forget about beating Nebraska this year in Lincoln. Its just not going to happen. Nebraska has 31 seniors on this team and is loaded with experience and talent at almost every position on the team.

Thank god for us that you have Callahan to neutralize out all of that talent.

[/quote] If you don't catch Nebraska in 2008, it should be quite a while before you get another chance. [/quote]

Oh great Swami, what are next week's powerball numbers going to be.

Who are you trying to convince?  I know there is talent there, but just like me you know Callahan can't do anything with it.  Well, you know it, you just haven't accepted it yet. 

Here's the thing, who would you rather have starting under center this year?  Be truthful, a Sophomore Josh Freeman that has proven to be a leader to his teammates?  Or a suspect transfer from ASU Sam Keller?

The shine on big red football isn't what it used to be!

[Pittcat]

You guys can forget about beating Nebraska this year in Lincoln. Its just not going to happen. Nebraska has 31 seniors on this team and is loaded with experience and talent at almost every position on the team. If you want to talk about a "trap" game or your next realistic chance at beating Nebraska you need to start talking about 2008 in Manhattan. Nebraska will largely be reloading next year with a new QB, a group of young RBs (Glenn will probably stay around) and an almost entire new back 7 on defense. The OL and DL should be among the best in the country in 2008 so that gives Nebraska something to build around. Mainly though we'll be young at quite a few positions. If you don't catch Nebraska in 2008, it should be quite a while before you get another chance.

Typical 'sker fan with blind ambition, "We're loaded at every pos. and you guys are screwed!"  I heard it for 12 years living up there.  The only thing certain about the future is uncertainty.  Many other facters must be considered to determine how a season will turn out, and things can still go differently.  Analyzing spring games (1's vs. 2's)  And looking at recruiting classes that haven't signed their LOI's does little good.  Personally I think NU will beat us this coming season, I've been to Memorial Stadium and know how intimidating it can be, unless the cornholes are losing!   But to project that we won't "catch" NU for a long time is rediculous.  YOU DON'T KNOW!  NOBODY DOES!  Also, FWIW Callatard in the booth for part of the spring game, implementing the 3-4, who could he be emulating???  

[S. Parker]

Here's the thing, who would you rather have starting under center this year?  Be truthful, a Sophomore Josh Freeman that has proven to be a leader to his teammates?  Or a suspect transfer from ASU Sam Keller?

This season: Keller

Long-term: Freeman

Nebraska is fine at qb now. Zach Lee and Patrick Witt are the future, and I personally believe they will both be great.

Rb's and de's are the big concern for this year.

[S. Parker]

Thank god for us that you have Callahan to neutralize out all of that talent.

I know this view is widely held, but I disagree completely.

I love having Callahan as our coach. He is an awesome recruiter and I think he is a great head coach as far as running the program. As far as calling the offense, he's has had mixed results right now. The people that bash his errors completely forget about some of the truly great calls he's made.

He is great at planning an offense before a game, but he does seem to have trouble adjusting once the other team does during the game. Hopefully the new OC we have will help here.

This year is the first year I will really be judging Callahan as a coach because he had a mess to clean up. Even if this year goes poorly--which it could when you look at the schedule we play--I would still support him for at least two more seasons. I just think his positives out-weigh his negatives right now.

Worst case scenario, he can keep recruiting like this and become the Mack Brown of the north. (Poor coach, but awesome recruiter.) I'd take it. I think he is better than that though.

[S. Parker]

 

Also, FWIW Callatard in the booth for part of the spring game, implementing the 3-4, who could he be emulating???   

The Patriots? 

Prince doesn't have sole ownership of the 3-4, and though I respect Prince, I doubt very much that Callahan is looking to him for coaching ideas. If Callahan is making defensive scheme changes this year, it probably is due to the talks with Auburn's coaches, if anything.

Prince did an amazing job in his first season, and I think he is shaping up to be a fine coach. I have talked to some KSU fans who are afraid they are going back to the 1980's, but I don't see that happening. It's still early to really be judging Prince, but based on his first year I wouldn't be shocked if he got you back to the 2003 level of play. 

[turbowildcat]

That's what I don't understand though, Missouri has handled you in recent history in Columbia.  What makes UN fans so confident that the game in Missouri will be such a breeze?  B/C you handled them last year in Lincoln?  I don't know, Lincoln is a tough place to play, especially for a team that knows no success there.  I think MU will be tough for the Huskers, a more difficult match up than OSU in Lincoln.  IMO.  Pinkel hasn't proven his ultimate worth on the field yet, but his recruiting is getting better, and for Husker fans to think that they are the only team that improved themselves this year is ridiculous. 

As for the match up with KSU, UN fans SHOULD BE scared to death of Freeman.  Even though he threw a lot more picks than he did TD's last year, he was just a true Freshman with a horrid OL.  All things considered, he had a great Freshman campaign in leading the 06 Cats to a bowl game.  Prince hasn't proven he can win anywhere on the road except against an abysmal CU team, so to think that we can have great success on the road against the opponents we will face this year is a bit optimistic.  But hey, he is a young coach, and Bold is Daring.  I don't know about UN, but from what I read and choose to believe about KSU, this squad is going to play real hungry this year and in the process open some eyes.  I hope.   

Like it has been said before Nu fans don't respect Missouri, they have had such a poor past there is just no respect. Nu fans remember that lost but also know how poorly they were that year. It is all about respect with NU fans. Here is the pecking order on the repect-o-meter
      1. Oklahoma  (The game of the century was played between these two teams. OU vs. NU)
      2. Texas       (Texas has so many top recruits, you have built in respect, even without playing them.)
      3. Kansas State   (KSU respect was gained in 2003 when the cats killed NU 38-9 at Lincoln on senior night, causing Solich's firing.)
      4. Texas Tech   (Tech beat Nu 70-10, which is a fun memory.)
      5. Texas A&M    (A&M has lots of history, and has beat Nu only once in big 12 history, still lots respect who knows why.)
      6. Colorado       (CU and NU have a rivalry, many great games, and lots of hate, always a fun game on fridays.)
      And the rest of the teams have not won consistently enough to gain respect.

[S. Parker]

Like it has been said before Nu fans don't respect Missouri, they have had such a poor past there is just no respect. Nu fans remember that lost but also know how poorly they were that year. It is all about respect with NU fans. Here is the pecking order on the repect-o-meter
      1. Oklahoma  (The game of the century was played between these two teams. OU vs. NU)
      2. Texas       (Texas has so many top recruits, you have built in respect, even without playing them.)
      3. Kansas State   (KSU respect was gained in 2003 when the cats killed NU 38-9 at Lincoln on senior night, causing Solich's firing.)
      4. Texas Tech   (Tech beat Nu 70-10, which is a fun memory.)
      5. Texas A&M    (A&M has lots of history, and has beat Nu only once in big 12 history, still lots respect who knows why.)
      6. Colorado       (CU and NU have a rivalry, many great games, and lots of hate, always a fun game on fridays.)
      And the rest of the teams have not won consistently enough to gain respect.

Good post.

Texas just owns us, partly due to the fact that we started playing them when we were going into the gutter and they were taking over.

Oklahoma is a love-hate relationship--we like their fans and we respect the teams they field, but we also know that they cheat more than any other program (7 NCAA run-ins for their football program alone for paying players and such) and it is hard to respect that.

The Texas Tech loss isn't that big of a deal to most of our fans. I mean, it was horrible to watch, but we know we had a brand new coach and system and they were just running up the score. Who cares.

The K-state loss in 2003 WAS extremely painful, even thought we knew Solich sucked as a coach. It was just hard to watch the Huskers get shut out by KSU, no matter how bad we were that year. (And yes, it was a shut-out. Lord's knee was down.) But anyway, whether they admit it or not, the respect is there. "Wary" is probably the best word right now.

Colorado is just a pain in the ass. They are good from time to time, but mostly we hate them because they throw crap at their games and don't even care about their team.

Missouri and Oklahoma State are rising fast on the respect scale. Missouri very well could beat us this year.

[catzacker]

I'll repeat: no team in the north should be afraid of any other team in the north.  It's just a bunch of retarded kids fighting each other.  Just because one team might be less retarded doesn't make them a good team. 

[coitus]

I'll repeat: no team in the north should be afraid of any other team in the north.  It's just a bunch of retarded kids fighting each other.  Just because one team might be less retarded doesn't make them a good team. 

qft.

south ownz the b12.

[catinthehat]

"Here's the thing, who would you rather have starting under center this year?  Be truthful, a Sophomore Josh Freeman that has proven to be a leader to his teammates?  Or a suspect transfer from ASU Sam Keller? "

easy.  keller, he is the better qb and it isn't close. 

[catdude33]

I'll repeat: no team in the north should be afraid of any other team in the north.  It's just a bunch of retarded kids fighting each other.  Just because one team might be less retarded doesn't make them a good team. 

Classic   

[steve dave]

"Here's the thing, who would you rather have starting under center this year?  Be truthful, a Sophomore Josh Freeman that has proven to be a leader to his teammates?  Or a suspect transfer from ASU Sam Keller? "

easy.  keller, he is the better qb and it isn't close. 

Word is from AZ that Keller may be, ......oh how do I put this without offending.....happy.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Pittcat]

"Here's the thing, who would you rather have starting under center this year?  Be truthful, a Sophomore Josh Freeman that has proven to be a leader to his teammates?  Or a suspect transfer from ASU Sam Keller? "

easy.  keller, he is the better qb and it isn't close. 

Word is from AZ that Keller may be, ......oh how do I put this without offending.....happy.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

What's your argument for Keller being a better QB than Free?  And if you want bring up his turnovers, DON'T!  Almost any true frosh that's put in the same situation would have the same result.  But guess what, HE'S NOT A FRESHMAN ANYMORE! 

Also, if it's true about Keller being gay, (someone had to have the cajones to say it) I would think Nebraska fans wouldn't be too tolerant.  Nebraska's one of the most conservative states in the nation, it wouldn't fly.  Unless they take the "Keller's our gay little workhorse" stance.  But he'd have to put up some impressive numbers in a hurry for that to happen. 

[S. Parker]

"Here's the thing, who would you rather have starting under center this year?  Be truthful, a Sophomore Josh Freeman that has proven to be a leader to his teammates?  Or a suspect transfer from ASU Sam Keller? "

easy.  keller, he is the better qb and it isn't close. 

Word is from AZ that Keller may be, ......oh how do I put this without offending.....happy.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

What's your argument for Keller being a better QB than Free?  And if you want bring up his turnovers, DON'T!  Almost any true frosh that's put in the same situation would have the same result.  But guess what, HE'S NOT A FRESHMAN ANYMORE! 

Also, if it's true about Keller being gay, (someone had to have the cajones to say it) I would think Nebraska fans wouldn't be too tolerant.  Nebraska's one of the most conservative states in the nation, it wouldn't fly.  Unless they take the "Keller's our gay little workhorse" stance.  But he'd have to put up some impressive numbers in a hurry for that to happen. 

Nebraska is conservative, Lincoln is not. People don't realize it, but Lincoln actually has a large gay community. (Jokes starting in 3..2...1...).

I know you're going to make fun of that last statement, but the truth is they are treated well. If Keller is gay, which I doubt since he has a hot girlfriend, the more power to him.

The comparisons to Freeman are really premature because Freeman was a freshman. Right now I can honestly say I would rather have Keller for this season. Freeman would be great for next year, assuming he reaches his potential.

[WildCatzPhreak]

Nebraska is conservative, Lincoln is not. People don't realize it, but Lincoln actually has a large gay community. (Jokes starting in 3..2...1...).

I know you're going to make fun of that last statement, but the truth is they are treated well. If Keller is gay, which I doubt since he has a hot girlfriend, the more power to him.

The comparisons to Freeman are really premature because Freeman was a freshman. Right now I can honestly say I would rather have Keller for this season. Freeman would be great for next year, assuming he reaches his potential.

I wouldn't worry about the gay jokes.  We reserve those for our 'friends' to the east.

[coitus]

is that hot girlfriend a softball or basketball player?

if so, i smell a mutual coverup.