The End of the Old Nebraska
September 22, 2002 by Gugals
Well, for all the steps forward the PAC TEN has taken this year, they took two steps back this weekend. Like I said before though, the USC/Kansas State will tell us a lot about what is going to happen this year. I was not surprised that UCLA and USC lost, but I was that Arizona and Cal did. These games were lost on stupidity and not on talent or skill. USC held Colorado to 4 first downs, but we found out that they are not that good. The Trojans made a run for being down 27-6 in the fourth quarter and having a chance to tie it but came up a little short. This showed that they are still a pretty good team, but will lose to Oregon State this weekend and drop out of the polls. The game was, like I said, a gem compared to the Florida game, remember how badly Tennessee struggled against Middle Tennessee State, well that is how good they will be all year.
UCLA just is not that good of a team, their defensive line got dominated by the Colorado line. California was just unlucky that they got a letdown after such a big victory at Michigan State. Speaking of Michigan State, they and 4 PAC TEN teams were the losses I got this week.
So who comes to the PAC TEN's cry for help once again, the Pacific Northwest. Just when I thought the California teams were going to improve and therefore, improve the PAC TEN, they lay down and roll over. Oregon State is much, much, much better than Oregon right now and I think they will only get better. They will have their hardest road game this weekend against USC and then will have the schedule on their favor, including a Civil War that could have national championship implications for the 3rd straight year in a row. My friend who played Defensive Tackle last year for Oregon State told me that this year's team is much better than last year's SI predicted #1 team. In fact, they have many players back and faster than they were last year. Dennis Erickson recruits speed and he has it this year. Their defense has been much improved this year too, only allowing Fresno State 19 points and scoring 59 on them, much better than Oregon did. Oregon has a good offense this year but may not hold teams with their defense. I predict the PAC TEN to end this way. #1-Oregon State, #2-Washington, #3-USC, #4-Oregon, #5-Washington State(depending on Gesser's injury).
Conference records as of the end of this week. PAC TEN=26-8(.765), SEC=24-8(.750), BIG 10=31-13(.705), BIG 12=29-14(.674).
Percentage of conference in top 25, PAC TEN=50%. BIG 12=50%, BIG TEN=36%, SEC=33%.
So as much of a hit the PAC TEN took this weekend they are still doing pretty good, but if you think you know what conference is the best right now, you'd be wrong. The BIG 12 took over the best conference right now with Kansas State's win over USC. Also, don't count Colorado not winning the Big 12 north quite so fast. They have been knocked out, but the smelling salts are doing wonders in Boulder. Some other teams to watch this year(Most under-rated) include: #1-Virgina Tech, #2-Oregon State, #3-Florida State and #4-Arkansas(I'm not just biased either, I just think they are good this year, but wait, if they don't beat Alabama by more than 20, I'll take this back since they are like Kansas State and have not really been tested this year yet).
There are not that many interesting games this week, but next week there will be plenty of ranking changing games. Game of the Week:Oregon State-USC.
Ok, now for the fall of a dynasty. Nebraska will not only lose this game against Iowa State this weekend, they will lose big. I have to agree with Kirk Hierbstreet about the Oregon State Sleeper in the PAC TEN and I have to agree with the problem Nebraska has with passing the ball. They simply can't run the ball down people's throats anymore. Teams can prepare for it and the difference between really talented players and not so talented players have decreased beyond the point of close victories now. The "Black-shirt" defense has been turned into the pink defense and the speed has slowed down. If the Cornhuskers don't win at least 8 games this year it will end their 33 years of doing that, it will end their 39 year streak of being ranked in the top 25, as well as numerous other records and streaks if they have a losing season. Oh, and by the way with a loss to Iowa State, Nebraska would drop from the rankings for the first time since 1981, a record of 21 years. There is no question, that this has been one of the best dynasties of all time, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end and this is it for Nebraska. They had Crouch to carry them last year, but nobody has stepped up to take his place, now I know why he won the Heisman last year instead of Joey Harrington. Crouch was a one-man team and without him they would have not only lost two games. Nebraska needs to start from scratch and have a funeral for their former existance, they should make sure to put a bundle of red and white roses on the grave and say "WE RAN IT RIGHT DOWN YOUR THROAT, THANKS FOR KEEPING US PERMITTLY ON THE POLLS YOU WROTE, NOW WE MUST GO" on the epititath.
I want to say one more thing before I end my epic novel.
College football has been great and there is no better sport that even comes close to it, but I have been wathcing some NFL this year and it hasn't been that bad either. If you don't watch the NFL you should try it out for a weekend or two. I watched Joey Harrington bring back the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers, Brett Farve had a great game with over 300 yards passing, Harrington had 4 interceptions, but still had his team in position to win on the last drive. Then something happened that you don't see in college football. Harrington threw a pass that was only a couple of inches beyond the receiver and the receiver didn't dive for it. I think this player should be fired or benched. Randy Moss even admitted he doesn't give his all and now look at where Minnesota is!
I remember watching Joey Harrington and Ryan Longwell(kicker for Green Bay) playing against my high school team when I was still in high school. The Pendleton Bucks only have about 700 students in it, yet we still beat the teams that Joey and Ryan played for(Central Catholic and Bend) and even made the semis that year. That's because we played with heart, if I coach that is what I want to do. Notre Dame plays with heart and even though I hate the team so much I will never pick agaist them this year. If only every team played with their heart and talent it(college football)could even get better. Cincy showed some and so did Vandy, who will it be this week, I don't know, but I can't wait to see.
I'm out.
Mark Jaeger
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