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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Just warming up
If you get to the stadium early today, it might be great fun to set your eyes on the Colorado player wearing No. 16, place-kicker Mason Crosby. Like a baseball slugger in batting practice, Crosby puts on a show before games with his long field-goal attempts. Last November in Boulder, for instance, he barely missed from 70 yards before Colorado took on Nebraska. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior from Georgetown, Texas, has made 12 field goals of 50 yards or longer during his college career, including kicks of 56 and 53 this season and 58 last year. What’s more, opponents have returned only 60 of his 200 career kickoffs. NU coach Bill Callahan described Crosby as a “weapon.” “He can create field position, he can score points, he’s consistent, and guys like that are invaluable,” Callahan said. Not to mention fun to watch.
Tough talking
Nebraska, with a record of 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12, has clinched the Big 12 North Division crown. Colorado (2-9, 2-5) can’t even play a spoiler role. In short, there’s really not much on the line today, which might explain why some tough talk emanating out of the Buffaloes’ camp got some attention early in the week. “We’re going to go in (to Nebraska) with fire in our eyes and try and hit them in the mouth and kick their butt,” CU assistant Darian Hagan declared. “So when they go in there and play in the Big 12 Championship Game, they’re going to be limping in. That’s our goal.” Well, it’s good to have goals, right? As for Nebraska, the Huskers’ focus is maintaining the momentum generated from two straight wins and adding positive energy for next week as it prepares for the league title game. And that’s not just a bunch of hot air.
Eyes on Texas
By the time 23rd-ranked Nebraska’s game kicks off today, the Huskers likely will know the result of the Texas A&M-Texas game, which begins at 11 a.m. in Austin, Texas. If Texas prevails, it sets up an intriguing rematch versus Nebraska next week in the Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City, Mo. A Longhorn loss today would open the door for Oklahoma, which would then need to defeat Oklahoma State on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla. With quarterback Colt McCoy and right guard Justin Blalock set to return from injuries, look for Texas to get past A&M. A Texas-Nebraska rematch no doubt would be popular among Husker players who felt they were the better team Oct. 21 when the Longhorns sneaked out of snowy Lincoln with a 22-20 triumph on Ryan Bailey’s field goal with 23 seconds remaining. Stay tuned.
Just asking
Most bowl projections place Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl against either Auburn or Louisiana State, or in the Holiday Bowl against California. Of course, if Nebraska wins the Big 12 Championship Game, it would play in the Fiesta Bowl, perhaps against Boise State. Which begs a question: Although the Fiesta Bowl is part of the BCS and therefore more lucrative than the Cotton Bowl, wouldn’t Nebraska get more mileage and respect out of a victory against an SEC team than it would in beating Boise State? Hey, just asking. Anyway, first things first — the Huskers need a strong showing today to cultivate the positive karma flowing through the program. Colorado’s ability to run the ball and stop the run could keep the Buffaloes close. But I have a vision of NU’s Maurice Purify increasing his star status today. Anybody else have that feeling? Hey, just asking.
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