If 14th-ranked Nebraska upsets No. 1 Southern Cal, deliriously jubilant Big Red fans probably will try to pull the goal posts to the hallowed ground at Memorial Stadium for the first time in 13 years.
Posted: Friday, September 14, 2007 7:00 pm
Oh, they will tumble down, all right. At least that’s my guess.
If 14th-ranked Nebraska upsets No. 1 Southern Cal tonight, deliriously jubilant Big Red fans probably will try to pull the goal posts to the hallowed ground at Memorial Stadium for the first time in 13 years.
Of course, old-school fans frown on such an occurrence (“It’s embarrassing,” a longtime Husker backer told me this week). Many people could care less either way. At any rate, as a highly-paid observer of the human condition, I say the goal posts would come down if Big Red prevails tonight because:
* There’s the element of surprise. Few people expect Nebraska to win, and many feel USC will cruise.
* How’s this for surprise: With an upset, the Huskers enter into national title discussion.
* There’s the element of history. No. 1 hasn’t come to town since 1978.
* Mighty USC has been the standard-bearer in college football for the past five-plus years and overflows with talent, tradition and panache. The Trojans have won 57 of their last 61 games. They’re the “big thing” in Los Angeles, or so we hear.
* Nebraska “breaks through” with a triumph. Yes, it’s a statement game. The Huskers’ last victory against a top 10 opponent occurred in October of 2001, when then-No. 3 NU toppled No. 2 Oklahoma on “Black 41 Flash Reverse.” NU since has gone 0-for-7 against top 10 foes.
Has it really been that long?
Nebraska fans’ raw outpouring of emotion in the wake of an upset tonight would tell you that it indeed has been a long while since the Huskers have emerged triumphant over a powerhouse program, on such a grand stage, in a game that holds a large slice of the college football world’s attention, not to mention Will Ferrell’s.
For Nebraska fans, who have endured their share of gridiron pain in recent years, a victory might seem almost cathartic.
Husker fans yearn for the program to be “back.” Back in the national consciousness. Back from oblivion. Many sense Big Red is moving in the right direction. They want to do more than sense it; they want to feel it, to reach out and grab it.
Yes, you have to think those goal posts would tumble.
Nebraska fans haven’t succumbed to the primal urge to tear down goal posts since Oct. 29, 1994. On that day, then-No. 3 NU dismantled No. 2 Colorado 24-7 en route to Tom Osborne’s first national crown.
Beating the Buffs obviously wasn’t a major upset. It was the way Big Red prevailed that was unexpected; the Huskers systematically destroyed Kordell Stewart and company. Osborne’s game plan was brilliant.
A Nebraska victory tonight wouldn’t be considered a major shocker. But close enough for mayhem to ensue.
Truth is, USC should win with a fair amount of ease, as was the case last September when the Trojans prevailed 28-10 in Los Angeles. The Trojans hold a decisive edge in overall raw talent. They hold such an edge over almost everyone in the country, except for Louisiana State and perhaps Oklahoma. Callahan’s game plan will have to be brilliant.
USC and LSU possess the nation’s best defenses. The Trojans’ linebackers have talent that is otherworldly. Having said that, Nebraska needs to attack early. Take some shots deep. Be creative. Get a quick score on the board. Seize momentum early in both halves. Get that Big Red tidal wave of emotion rolling in the old stadium. Win the turnover battle. It’s all possible. As ferocious as the Trojans’ defense can be, their offense can be rather ordinary.
If Nebraska pulls off the upset, the score figures to be low, say 17-14 — magical numbers to Husker fans.
Of course, 17-14 was the tally the last time No. 1 came to Lincoln. Nebraska, ranked fourth at the time, toppled top-ranked Oklahoma, giving Osborne’s a breakthrough of sorts. The victory ended his five-game skid against the Sooners.
Osborne this week recalled Nebraska’s “tremendous emotional commitment” to winning that game. Of course, NU was aided by nine OU fumbles (six lost).
Osborne makes it clear that those fumbles weren’t an accident; Nebraska hit hard that day, he said. The Huskers played with a controlled fury; a similar mindset would be necessary to bring down this USC outfit.
Osborne remembers well Nebraska fans’ obsession with beating Oklahoma. In fact, the fans’ fixation with the Sooners “is getting to me,” Osborne told Sports Illustrated before the 1978 game.
Fast forward to 2007: Nebraska fans hunger for a “breakthrough” victory. You hear “breakthrough” all the time. That’s the buzzword. Obsession? Nah, not yet. It’s still relatively early in the Callahan era. Bear in mind: Before beating the Buffs in 1994, the Huskers had lost 12 straight games to top five foes. Twelve straight.
That said, last season was agonizing for Nebraska fans. The late fumble against fifth-ranked Texas. The 99-yard drive and five turnovers surrendered to No. 8 Oklahoma. The botched fake punt against No. 10 Auburn.
Yep, plenty of pain in recent years. Tonight comes a big chance for catharsis.
Security, you’ve been alerted.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.