Well ladies and gentlemen, we have officially reached the point of the football season that everyone looks forward to/dreads. The part of the season where everyone is excited/nervous. Where hopes and dreams are still alive, but so are the nightmares. The first game of the season is here!
The expectations are high for this season. Matt Rhule historically is really good in his 3rd season at a school. The schedule, particularly in conference play, doesn’t seem as daunting as it has been in recent years.
The Huskers should be able to go 3-0 in the nonconference as well. Dana Holgorsen is in his 1st full year as the offensive coordinator. The Defense has some talent, albeit a tad raw up front.
Expectations and reality are two entirely different beasts, however. Husker fans over the last decade have seen a loss every which way to Sunday. The reality is that Nebraska has only been to a bowl game once since Mike Riley was fired. The reality is Nebraska can’t seem to win a one-score game or take care of the football.
I for once have decided to take a new approach to the season. I’m taking it one game at a time. I haven’t drank nearly as much Kool-Aid as I have in the past. I’m an eternal optimist, happily to a fault, but even I’m not willing to look ahead anymore. The only game that Nebraska can win is the next one on the schedule. I’ll worry about how awesome the alternate uniforms look on November 1st (they are sweet).
Nebraska is officially playing a road game, at a neutral site, with a very predominantly home crowd. The Cornhuskers have somehow managed to take a page directly out of the Mexican Men’s National Soccer Team playbook. Playing this game at Arrowhead tomorrow night could be the spark that Nebraska needs. They can get off to a good start in what won’t be a true home environment but also without the hostility of a true road environment. It ultimately could serve as the best of both worlds if Nebraska were to win.
Again, I’m only going to take things one game at a time. The only one that needs to be looked after is Cincinatti. It’s a Power 4 opponent, one that you can learn a lot of things from and don’t have the fear of starting behind the 8-ball in conference play. Thank God we don’t have to start off with another B1G Conference game on a non-Saturday. That’s one small step for Nebraska, one giant leap for the corn sweat.
The final great thing about the season opener is this; it won’t be 90+ degrees with a heat index of 105+ at kickoff. For once in a long time the weather will actually feel like a genuine fall night. I sincerely apologize to all of you who subsequently go to the Akron game and it’s 92 degrees at 6:30 when kickoff happens. Look at the bright side, mother nature can’t be a sick individual and cancel the game due to a thunderstorm…too soon?
My prediction for the season is 8-4, maybe even 9-3. I just don’t think Nebraska has the overall talent to take us into the playoffs. I think that’s just 1-2 years too early. I really hope they prove me wrong; I’ve been before, and I will be again. So, it’s officially go time ladies and gentlemen, let’s do this. Go Big Red!
