[Husker] Alamo Bowl and Season...

[Jeff Volk]

Greetings,

Wow...what a great, but long game. My quick observations:

* The officiating was horrible, but it was horrible both ways. The game might have been even more interesting at the end though had Michigan not had to use those 2 timeouts for the replay officials.  

* I am not surprised by the lack of enthusiasm for the announcers on this list...especially since the overall theme they kept talking about was how Husker fans needed to give BC time, let him recruit, that the talent was down when he got there, etc., etc. - none of which are roundly embraced ideas by the majority of the list. Also, I understand the hatred for Musberger, but collectively as Husker fans can we not automatically hate every announcer that compliments the other team or dwells on a point a bit too long, a la Michigan QBs going to the NFL? From kickoff to finish that game ran almost 4 hours, so there is some dead time to fill and it was a relevant topic. I thought Tirico and Herby did a balanced, good job of presenting the game. 

* In Minnesota we also got the end of the BC / BSU game as well and I am glad that we did. The 4th quarter of that game was almost as good as the Husker game. 

* Thankfully Zack Bowman finally lived up to his hype and played a great game. Way different ballgame without his monster effort. Green and Grixby still have a long way to go. 

* Thankfully the Blake Tiedtke era is over. I will try to remember him by his forced fumble on Navarre that led to the winning score and not by the endless number of times he was beaten, out of position, missed tackles or just generally was horrible throughout his career.

* Thank goodness for Zach Taylor. I can't imagine this season with Beck at the controls. It certainly wouldn't have been an 8-4 campaign. Say what you will about Taylor, but when given time he looks as good as any QB in the nation. Unfortunately there can be large spans of the game when he has no time. That is one tough kid who took some incredible shots this season. My favorite replay of last night was the sack on Taylor where you see his mouthpiece go flying about 10 yeards. 

* Unfortunately the Cory Ross era is over. I said earlier in the season that Cory's legacy amongst Husker fans in general won't be anywhere near where it should be. Nevermind that he is the only Husker in the Top 10 all-time in rushing and receiving, but he was the player that bridged the gap over the troubled waters and instability of the last 4 seasons. I can't imagine how ugly it would have gotten without him. On a recent business trip to Lincoln I had the opportunity to meet and spend some time with Cory and his girlfriend and he is just a remarkable young man and I wish him nothing but the best in the NFL. In a league that is all about physical stats, the team that is smart enough to overlook his 5'6" frame will get one heckuva football player.  

* I hope that the Colorado and Michigan wins can start to make believers out of the remaining naysayers, not just on this list, but across the Husker Nation. Time heals all wounds so as we get further and further away from the controversy of the Solich / Callahan situation I think that more of the focus will be on the football and less on the ancillary b.s.. I know I am as guilty as anyone for sometimes fueling that problem, so I for one will try to stay away from it in 2006 and beyond. 

* The outlook of Husker Football is bright going into next year. If Carriker comes back our defense should be tough once again and if we can find some OL to give Taylor consistent time the offense should continue to improve as well. The schedule is definitely more difficult next season, but I for one think ending the season in the Top 15 is a realistic expectation even so. 

So...Happy New Year to the Husker Nation and GO BIG RED. Bring on Joba and the baseball season!

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Volk

PS: Looking at the remaining schedule, it could be a TOUGH bowl season for the B12. I am predicting that no B12 team will win any of their remaining games, as I can't see OU beating Oregon, Mizzou beating South Carolina, ISU beating TCU, Tech beating Bama or Texas beating USC, meaning a 2-6 bowl record for the B12. OUCH!!!