Curt McKeever: NU-CU finale could shine or stink
BOULDER, Colo. — Savin’ the best for last.
Maybe that’s what Nebraska and Colorado will have in store for the folks who bother to follow their nationally televised battle in Folsom Field today.
It’s two rivals who can barely stand to get close to one another during warm-ups.
There’s a bowl bid at stake.
And what about that always-colorful scene in the stands?
Of course, you’ve got the embattled coaching staff.
Aw, heck. That sales pitch isn’t going anywhere.
Sorry, but this big game has the feel of a giant dud.
The matchup between the Huskers and Buffaloes, both 5-6, reminds me of my last second-rate backyard fireworks display that desperately needed an eye-popping grand finale.
As I remember it, the giant missile managed to climb about 16 feet into the sky before poofing out and floating harmlessly back to the ground. Still, for a few seconds there was that hope of a big explosion that would at least leave a giant divot in the grass to show off to the neighbors.
But, no, nothing, and so the next morning it’s stuffed into the trash can with the rest of the junk. What a rip off.
That’s what I’m feeling about Nebraska and Colorado. What is going on with these programs?
Between them, they’ve got two wins in the last 11 games. No wonder they can barely stand to be around one another. They stink.
As for the rivalry? This thing isn’t even a sellout. Don’t talk about rivalry.
Two years ago when these teams played here, there was still enough angst toward the Huskers that the referees started clearing out the student section because of some unruly behavior. Today, I expect the kids who interrupted their weeklong holiday break will be politely leaving on their own accord, perhaps well before the finish.
The best example there is to sum up this sad state of affairs is noting that the man who could rankle an entire state with his wit, Denver Post columnist Woody Paige, hasn’t been heard from all week.
Oh well, at least we’ve got a bowl game to get to.
“Any bowl would be good, even if it was the one in Idaho — although I would like to go somewhere warmer,” CU senior cornerback Terrence Wheatley told the Post.“
By the way, Wheatley, one of the players who’s worth seeing, says he isn’t playing today. His coaches, on the other hand, haven’t ruled him out.
Bizarre.
What a season. How fitting that these teams should have to meet at the end.
Colorado — though not the same sad sack it was while going 2-10 last season — has gone from beating Oklahoma at the end of September to losing to Iowa State in mid-November.
Nebraska has gone from winning at Wake Forest the second week of the season to the prospect of finishing 2-6 in the Big 12 one year after winning the North Division with a 6-2 mark.
Now, should the Huskers pull one out today in what many think is Bill Callahan’s last game as their coach, they’d at least deserve our respect.
Listen to the words of Baylor’s Guy Morriss, when asked Saturday, the day before he got fired, if all the speculation about his pending dismissal had been a distraction:
“Hell yeah, it was a distraction,” Morris told the Waco Tribune-Herald. “The kids are hearing it every day, and our coaches are hearing it. It’s hard to tune it out. We just told them, ‘Hey, look, you’ve got to put that aside and try to get focused on these last two games.’ ”
The Bears then lost to Oklahoma 52-21 and Oklahoma State 45-14.
We all agree it’s a tough deal for Nebraska. But, please, don’t start thinking another win against another run-of-the-mill team buys Callahan more time (Nebraska, after all, has beaten CU six of the last nine seasons).
Besides, Callahan will be fine. There’s ALWAYS room somewhere for a guy who coached in the Super Bowl.
Good for him if he walks off the field a winner today. But even that wouldn’t qualify as a grand finale.
Reach Curt McKeever at 473-7441 or cmckeever@journalstar.com.
Maybe that’s what Nebraska and Colorado will have in store for the folks who bother to follow their nationally televised battle in Folsom Field today.
It’s two rivals who can barely stand to get close to one another during warm-ups.
There’s a bowl bid at stake.
And what about that always-colorful scene in the stands?
Of course, you’ve got the embattled coaching staff.
Aw, heck. That sales pitch isn’t going anywhere.
Sorry, but this big game has the feel of a giant dud.
The matchup between the Huskers and Buffaloes, both 5-6, reminds me of my last second-rate backyard fireworks display that desperately needed an eye-popping grand finale.
As I remember it, the giant missile managed to climb about 16 feet into the sky before poofing out and floating harmlessly back to the ground. Still, for a few seconds there was that hope of a big explosion that would at least leave a giant divot in the grass to show off to the neighbors.
But, no, nothing, and so the next morning it’s stuffed into the trash can with the rest of the junk. What a rip off.
That’s what I’m feeling about Nebraska and Colorado. What is going on with these programs?
Between them, they’ve got two wins in the last 11 games. No wonder they can barely stand to be around one another. They stink.
As for the rivalry? This thing isn’t even a sellout. Don’t talk about rivalry.
Two years ago when these teams played here, there was still enough angst toward the Huskers that the referees started clearing out the student section because of some unruly behavior. Today, I expect the kids who interrupted their weeklong holiday break will be politely leaving on their own accord, perhaps well before the finish.
The best example there is to sum up this sad state of affairs is noting that the man who could rankle an entire state with his wit, Denver Post columnist Woody Paige, hasn’t been heard from all week.
Oh well, at least we’ve got a bowl game to get to.
“Any bowl would be good, even if it was the one in Idaho — although I would like to go somewhere warmer,” CU senior cornerback Terrence Wheatley told the Post.“
By the way, Wheatley, one of the players who’s worth seeing, says he isn’t playing today. His coaches, on the other hand, haven’t ruled him out.
Bizarre.
What a season. How fitting that these teams should have to meet at the end.
Colorado — though not the same sad sack it was while going 2-10 last season — has gone from beating Oklahoma at the end of September to losing to Iowa State in mid-November.
Nebraska has gone from winning at Wake Forest the second week of the season to the prospect of finishing 2-6 in the Big 12 one year after winning the North Division with a 6-2 mark.
Now, should the Huskers pull one out today in what many think is Bill Callahan’s last game as their coach, they’d at least deserve our respect.
Listen to the words of Baylor’s Guy Morriss, when asked Saturday, the day before he got fired, if all the speculation about his pending dismissal had been a distraction:
“Hell yeah, it was a distraction,” Morris told the Waco Tribune-Herald. “The kids are hearing it every day, and our coaches are hearing it. It’s hard to tune it out. We just told them, ‘Hey, look, you’ve got to put that aside and try to get focused on these last two games.’ ”
The Bears then lost to Oklahoma 52-21 and Oklahoma State 45-14.
We all agree it’s a tough deal for Nebraska. But, please, don’t start thinking another win against another run-of-the-mill team buys Callahan more time (Nebraska, after all, has beaten CU six of the last nine seasons).
Besides, Callahan will be fine. There’s ALWAYS room somewhere for a guy who coached in the Super Bowl.
Good for him if he walks off the field a winner today. But even that wouldn’t qualify as a grand finale.
Reach Curt McKeever at 473-7441 or cmckeever@journalstar.com.
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