[Husker] Maine Television Plans

[Alan Siporin]

On 8/19/05 5:22 PM, "Mike Nolan" <nolan at romaine.tssi.com> wrote:
> This is the first time in over 30 years I've not been excited about the start
> of the Husker football season.  Based on the number of posts, it appears
> the Husker List isn't all that excited about it, either.  (I've seen more
> traffic on the Northwestern List in the last week.)
> 

You got me out of my lurker doldrums. I totally disagree with Mike's lack of
interest assertion. I guess there are Go Big Reds, Go Huskers, and then fans
like me - Go Big Suckers. I'm as crazed as ever this year. I admit, as far
as outlook, I've gone from my usual total optimist to mixed, but that just
maintains the anxiety level for that first kickoff and a glimpse of the
quality of this team.

Yes, last year's poor coaching, following the decision to fire the coach of
a 10-3 team has left a lingering bad taste. But the incredible recruiting
haul, including both JC transfers and blue chip freshmen, all of whom could
see immediate playing time, has me looking forward with great anticipation.
And that answers another statement about stars. This team is loaded with
potential stars. In addition to Ross, who could be incredible with improved
offensive line and qb play, there is the highly rated Lucky and the blue
collar qb Zach Taylor, who could play the steady kind of qb who just guides
his team to wins. Any number of receivers could catch a lot more balls than
we've seen around here in a long while. Defense is loaded with potential
guys to watch from 5 star cb Bowman to Bullock to several linebackers and
lineman.

I was frustrated to see that Cosgrove couldn't admit he screwed up with his
defensive schemes, but at least, without saying as much, they are changing
them back to some of the things Pelini was doing, successfully.

As a Husker fan every game is important to me, because the definition of a
totally successful season is going undefeated and winning the national
title. One notch down from that would be losing a game and still winning the
national title, though that would be tainted by the loss. Coming close to
the title, and there being a sound argument that they were the best team, as
Solich's 1-loss team did in his third (?) year is next in line. In other
words, each loss brings us down a notch, but a 9-2 team or even 8-3, under
some circumstances, can still feel pretty good at season's end. But people
who keep saying they would be happy with 6-5 or 7-4 make no sense to me.
Every game counts. There are no "pre-season" or non-counting games, like the
pros, and if Callahan and company have learned that, that raises my
optimism. Nevertheless, I look forward to the first game with as much
anticipation as ever.

Finally, either these guys show they can coach as well as recruit and we
win. Or they show they can't, and we get rid of the AD so the new one will
get rid of them and we get on the long road back. IN other words, a lot is
at stake. As always.

Go Big Suckers. Alan Siporin