Nebraska versus Missouri - Sometimes reporter's bias is just too obvious

.

Last Saturday Nebraska pounded unbeaten Missouri 31-17 and a Missouri correspondent was not at all pleased with the winning tradition of the Big Red.

Mike DeArmond is the longtime Missouri football and basketball beat reporter for the KANSAS CITY STAR. He’s also an alumnus of Mizzou, class of ‘72.

Saturday DeArmond appeared on a Kansas City TV pregame show for the Missouri-Nebraska football game to give his opinion on something that can be a sore subject for more Kansas Citians than you know.

That is, dealing with local Nebraska football fans, Kansas Jayhawks hoops fans and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fans. During his TV appearance, DeArmond originally was asked what he thought of Nebraska football fans, whom he proceeded to lump together with KU and Cardinal fans:

“There are Cardinal baseball fans, there are Kansas basketball fans and there are Nebraska football fans. They were all born of the same parents. They’re all inbred, separated a birth because they’re all just impossible to handle.

"They think the world revolves around them. They think that no one should possibly question their moral superiority and therefore anytime anybody beats Nebraska it’s a good day.

“When Missouri beats them, because I happen to cover Missouri, it’s easier to write a story when Missouri beats Nebraska because it’s impossible to write a story when Nebraska beats Missouri.”

Mike DeArmond Talks about Missouri-Nebraska Rivalry.



For a more balanced story and perhaps the reason the reporter is biased against Nebraska here is an excerpt from a story on Nebraska that appeared on the Bleacher Report blog by writer Lake Cruise on October 28, 2010.

The two programs have, in fact, played in the second-oldest rivalry in the Big 12.

Mizzou-Kansas is the oldest by about one year and 100 days.

Nebraska-Mizzou has been played on the gridiron 103-105 times.

According to multiple sources including the University of Nebraska football program’s official site, Cornhuskers football began playing opponents in 1890.

A whopping total of two games were played that year. Get this—the first game was against the Omaha YMCA, a game that took place the day after Thanksgiving.

Nebraska won 10-0.

In 1891, Iowa became Big Red’s first major college opponent. Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, in that order, were next.

All the way back to November 5, 1892: That is how far back Mizzou-Nebraska goes.

That was the first scheduled meeting, and it was supposed to happen in Omaha, but it was a forfeit in favor of Nebraska.

George A. Flippin was the quarterback of that team; he was also the first African-American to play for Nebraska. According to the University of Nebraska, Mizzou refused to play the 1892 game because of Flippin’s presence.

He was also the fifth African-American to play for a predominantly white university. (Google Frank Kinney Holbrook and Archie Alphonso Alexander.)

Both teams played in the Western Interstate University Football Association (WIUFA) from 1892-1897 along with Iowa and Kansas.

In 1893, Mizzou won the first actual meeting, 30-18. They also won the second meeting.

Nebraska won by a score of 41-0 in 1897, and they have not looked back since.

The Huskers were originally nicknamed the Grasshoppers, and the football program had several nicknames in the early years: Tree Planters, Rattlesnake Boys, Bugeaters, Antelopes and Old Gold Knights, to name a few.

The team was first called Cornhuskers in 1899, and the school’s colors were changed to red and cream around 1900.

Sports editor Charles “Sy” Sherman is credited with giving the nickname, and he was known as “father of the Cornhuskers.”

From 1903-1910, they did not play Mizzou at all. After that, the matchup was discontinued until 1922.

Nebraska joined Mizzou in the Missouri Valley Conference, before they moved to the Big Eight.

Since 1927, the winner has gotten the engraved Victory Bell Trophy.

Mizzou was ranked No. 5 in the nation at one point, after an 8-4 season under Warren Powers in 1978 that ended with a 35-31 victory over Nebraska.

The rivalry was within five games until 1979, before Nebraska ran off 24 wins in a row.

On November 3, 1979, Tom Osborne defeated Powers in Columbia, 23-20, in front of 74,000. Nebraska was ranked No. 2, and Mizzou was not ranked.

Jarvis Redwine, Dave Rimington, Russel Gary, Andra Franklin and Bill Barnett played big roles on that 'Huskers roster.

Leo Lewis, Kellen Winslow and Phil Bradley played in the Veer offense. James Wilder, Eric Wright, Kevin Potter and Wendell Ray were also Missouri standouts.

Tom Osborne was seven and 10 in 1979. That is, he was head coaching the team for his seventh season, and he was in his tenth season as the offensive coordinator.

Nebraska finished at (10-2, 6-0-1). A dominant Oklahoma team (11-1, 7-0) won the Big Eight under Barry Switzer, who was in his seventh season as head coach.

Billy Simms and George Cumby were All-American Sooners, and JC Watts was a capable wishbone-triple option quarterback.

OU had won seven straight Big Eight titles under Switzer, with four undefeated conference records in those seven seasons.

I have published articles in many seasoned markets, in all of the major genres. And I believe that the best fans, not just college football, but in sports—period—belong to Huskers Nation.

Astonishing in their sportsmanship and in their knowledge of the game, Nebraska football fans are the superlative in the country, in my opinion.

.

Latest BCS Polls Point to Alabama - Nebraska for National Championship

.

So here is the latest BCS poll and my personal favorites, Nebraska, Arizona and Iowa continue their climb back to the top.  Okay so maybe they aren't there yet but they will be by the end of the season.  In fact all three are still at the top of their conferences.

So how does that result in my conclusion this early in the season that it will be Alabama versus Nebraska for the national championship when they are ranked 6 and 7 in the BCS poll?  Oregon loses to Arizona, Auburn loses to Alabama, TCU, Boise State and Utah continue to drop in the polls because they do not have the competitive schedules of Alabama and Nebraska.

Besides, one of the best rivalaries of the 1970's and '80's were the bowl games when the two schools squared off under the legendary coaches Bear Bryant and Bob Devany and a national championship was always on the line.  Anyway, that's my take, what is yours?

.

Nebraska Closes in on Number 1 Ohio State

.

As I said in my report Friday on the last Nebraska game I expect the NCAA national championship to be fought out between Nebraska and Ohio State and over the weekend a number of steps were taken toward that goal. It all began with South Carolina knocking off number 1 Alabama while Nebraska pounded previously unbeaten Kansas State.

As a result Nebraska moved up in the national polls to 4 in the coaches poll and 5 in AP. It is only a matter of time before they jump to number 2 and await a final confrontation with Ohio State. Ironically next year Nebraska jumps to the Big Ten, the same conference as Ohio State, and they will be playing each other during the season.

.

NCAA Football - Nebraska Stakes Claim for National Championship

.

It has been a while since the glory days of Nebraska football when they dominated the national championship polls while winning 5 titles but the Cornhuskers, behind an agressive coach and a freshman quarterback and in their last year in the Big 12 conference before joining the Big Ten next year have let the rest of the college world know they are back.  Last night the Big Red demolished unbeaten Kansas State at Kansas while freshman quarterback established his credentials as a true Heisman Trophy candidate with a 48-13 win.   Look what the professionals had to say about the resurgent Huskers.

By Brandon Cavanaugh

(Nebraska Featured Columnist) on October 8, 2010

That “clunk” you heard was a gauntlet being thrown to the ground.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers think that they’re just as good as anyone in the country and they dare the opposition to prove them wrong.

After blowing out the candles on Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder’s birthday party by decking the Kansas State Wildcats 48-13, the Cornhuskers sent a message to the conference and the nation.

Taylor Martinez's 259 yards (16.1 YPC) and four touchdowns versus the Wildcats was an amazing way to respond to a lackluster performance versus South Dakota State and the perfect way to stake claim to a potential national championship run.

An offensive leader? Martinez has that part down pat. Supporting cast? Roy Helu, Jr. and Rex Burkhead are ready to shoulder the load.

Demolishing defense? Kansas State’s do-it-all running back Daniel Thomas rushed for a season-low 63 yards versus a Nebraska defensive line that had question marks regarding the run coming into the contest.

The secondary remained stout and linebacker LaVonte David will likely continue to lead the Big 12 conference in tackles after this weekend after a performance that included 16 tackles (10 solo, 2 TFL) and one sack.

Kansas State may have not provided Nebraska with a true litmus test in their quest for a Big 12 Championship, but they gave the Cornhuskers an idea where they stand.

Nebraska’s Big 12 Farewell Tour continues on October 16, a date that has likely been circled in many Cornhuskers’ minds since the 2009 Big 12 Championship.

The Texas Longhorns come to Lincoln and look to work their magic once again toppling Nebraska from their perch.

If Cornhusker head coach Bo Pelini had anything to say about the status of the team, it’s time to see where the smallest improvement is needed to beat Texas and only the Longhorns.

“We still have a lot of things we can improve on,” Pelini said in the post-game press conference following the Kansas State victory. That’s bad news for the rest of the nation as even while some miscues occurred, the sea of red parted any opposition Thursday night and left the Wildcats gasping for air.

ESPN’s crew made several interesting comments as the night wore on including going so far as to suggest that should Nebraska continue to win out, the fresh-faced Martinez ought to be considered for the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

When asked about Martinez’s four-touchdown performance post-game, Pelini responded, “He made some mistakes, but he did a lot of good things. He ran for a lot of yards. He is an explosive player. He creates some problems for defenses.”

Indeed he does, coach.

If teams continue at their current rate, Nebraska and long-time rival Oklahoma may add an old-fashioned flavor to the Big 12’s final conference championship game.

Fans of current top five teams have to wonder how they might fare against the Cornhuskers, their electric offense and stifling defense.

Would Gary Patterson’s TCU Horned Frogs be able to keep up? Could Boise State’s Kellen Moore navigate the Blackshirts’ secondary, one of the finest in college football?

Would Oregon’s equally effective offense provide Martinez-like shock and awe? Will Nebraska meet future Big 10 foe Ohio State for all of the marbles or could the Cornhuskers even take on Alabama in a rematch of the 1971 national championship game?

Notice has been served to the rest of the country.

Nebraska isn’t intent on settling for simply winning the Big 12 in its final season amongst the conference. Bo Pelini wants to prove his statement from the post-Holiday Bowl press conference last year, “Nebraska is back and we’re here to stay.”

Here are clips of Taylor Martinez and his stunning performance at K State last night.  Click on the image to enlarge.


 

Published: Thursday, October 07, 2010
 
By Mark Podolski
 
The Big Ten is shaping to be one of the two top conferences in college football this season, with Ohio State being the top dog.

To get to the BCS title game, the Buckeyes will likely have to go 12-0 in the regular season. Before the start of the season, this corner held the belief an 11-1 mark, with that loss being at Wisconsin on Oct. 16, would be enough.

Not after Nebraska's dismantling of Kansas State on Thursday night. A lot can happen from now until early December, but it's looking like a good bet the Cornhuskers run the table until the Big 12 title game.

There, Oklahoma likely awaits, and that's surely no layup for Nebraska.

Until then, the 'Huskers have remaining home games with Texas, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado and road games at Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Texas A&M.

Nebraska won't join the Big Ten until 2011, but if the Buckeyes don't run the tables themselves in 2010, the Cornhuskers could be crashing the Big Ten a year early.

And passing the Buckeyes right into the game for the national championship.

.

NCAA Football - Arizona Jumps 10 Spots in Polls

.

Another week of college football and a couple of more teams are solidifying their place in the college polls and this one was a little hard to handle. You see, I was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa, home of the University of Iowa from the Big Ten. Though I moved away before high school both my parents attended Iowa and I spent lots of time visiting grandparents and family there long after I moved away.

I was at many Iowa football games throughout the glory years of the Rose Bowl teams of the late 1950's and into the 1960's and when it came time to go to college Iowa was on my short list along with Yale, the University of Missouri and a few schools far away. In the end I opted to go far away to get a fresh start on life and I chose the University of Arizona in Tucson where I played on the basketball team and was to get a shot at baseball.

Late last Saturday night Iowa played Arizona at Tucson and I had somewhat mixed loyalties since both were in the top 25. Just the year before the two teams met and Iowa won 27-17 at Iowa City as both teams went on to great years with Arizona only tumbling bad when they faced Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. It was a great learning experience for the Wildcats as they were humbled 34-0. But it left them understanding what it would take to be among the elite football teams in America.

Now I also had mixed loyalties in that game since I lived in Nebraska for 12 years, got to know the coaches and Husker players, and both my kids graduated from Nebraska. In fact I was in Nebraska during the years they rise to the top of the NCAA football ladder and won a slew of national championships.  Ironically, the Big Red of Nebraska are joining the Big Ten next year and will be in the same division as Iowa.

Now living on the east coast I had to stay up until almost 2 am to watch the Iowa - Arizona classic and was stunned as Arizona roared to a 27-7 lead before the Hawkeyes starting clawing their way back into the game. In hindsight I knew that anyone from the Midwest playing in the southwest desert was in for a shock as Iowa football was not played in 100 degree nighttime temperatures.

But I also knew these two programs, along with Nebraska this year, all have young coaches among the best in the nation and one should never count them out. Iowa roared back and tied the game with just a few minutes left. When they missed the extra point on their last touchdown it looked like the game might go into overtime.

But the Wildcats held their poise and marched right back down the field to score. When Iowa got the ball for a last minute drive the Arizona defense rose to the occasion stopping the Hawkeyes 3 times in a row for losses and holding on for a 33-27 victory which resulted in Arizona jumping 10 spots in the national polls.

Iowa still has a great shot at the Big Ten title and high national ranking while Arizona is a valid contender for the PAC Ten title. Nebraska, who pounded Washington at Washington 56-21,could easily take the Big 12 title and national title. Someone has to win and someone has to lose but only in NCAA football can both teams walk away with their heads held high as we were treated to what college football is all about.

AP Top 25



• 1.Alabama (53)
• 2.Ohio St. (5)
• 3.Boise St. (1)
• 4.TCU
• 5.Oregon
• 6.Nebraska
• 7.Texas (1)
• 8.Oklahoma
• 9.Florida
• 10.Arkansas
• 11.Wisconsin
• 12.South Carolina
• 13.Utah
• 14.Arizona
• 15.LSU
• 16.Stanford
• 17.Auburn
• 18.Iowa
• 19.Miami (FL)
• 20.USC
• 21.Michigan
• 22.West Virginia
• 23.Penn St.
• 24.Oregon St.
• 25.Michigan St.

College Football Top 25 from CPT Sports Research

.

It is that time of the year when the bad stuff, politics, gets pushed off the front pages and the good stuff, college football, gets pushed on and this year there are some new wrinkles that could influence the outcome of games more than crooked agents whose influence hopefully will fade away.

This is the year major college conferences lost their minds and now have names with little relation to their membership. Follow me? Then try this. Perennial powerhouse Nebraska is leaving the Big 12 after this season and joining the Big Ten. Colorado will be leaving the Big 12 for the Pac 10.

By next year the Big Ten will have at least 11 teams but still be called the Big Ten while the Big 12 may still be called the Big 12 with only 10 teams and the Pac 10 will probably still be called the Pac 10 though they may have 12 teams.

If you can follow all that there is a place for you on the Obama economic team. If not trust me. I should know about the conferences. You see I was born in Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa from the Big Ten and I grew up being fed a steady diet of Big Ten games. Earthquakes took place when Ohio State or Michigan squared off on the gridiron with the Hawkeyes.

When I was a Big Ten diehard the only outside schools that had a chance of beating the Big Ten were Notre Dame and Penn State except for those crazy teams in the PAC Ten we faced in the Rose Bowl every year. When the Big Ten played USC or UCLA on New Year's Day very strange things happened out west. However, in the late '50's Iowa won two Rose Bowls as the Big Ten Champion so all was well.

Of course no other conference in the country could compete with them, until I went to school in the mid '60's at the University of Arizona who had just joined the Pac 10 when I got there. Suddenly the run and gun offenses of the Pac Ten became a focus of attention and my view of the western boys changed ever so slowly.

By the late '60's I had moved to Nebraska and in Big Red country you cheered for Nebraska or got kicked out of the state. I got to know the coaches, athletic directors and some of the players and when the NU football stadium filled every Saturday it became the third largest city in the state. The Big Eight thanks to NU and Oklahoma became my favorite and when Texas and other southern schools joined them and it became the Big 12 it was killer conference.

Fact is ever since I moved to Nebraska the stadium has been sold out and the team finished in the top ten in the final polls about 22 of the last 25 years or something like that winning five national championships and playing for a whole lot more. Now that was football. Both of my kids graduated from Nebraska so they continued the tradition long after I left.

Then I moved to New Jersey in the 1980's and had two choices for a local football team, Rutgers or Princeton but we all know the Ivy League really doesn't play football so I cast my hopes on Rutgers because I found out it was really the University of New Jersey with a classy name. Lo and behold by the time I moved to Kentucky Rutgers had developed a respectable program for a school of eggheads.

When I lived in Lexington, Kentucky of course I suddenly became a fan of the SEC where there are too many teams to count but one could always count on Florida, Alabama and LSU pushing for a national championship with supporting help from Tennessee or a Mississippi school.

About 8 years ago I moved to the Washington, DC metro area so I could be free of college football bias and conference addiction and could write an independent and unbiased outlook on our favorite fall past time. We all know the only football in our nation's capitol is the dropped passes and fumbles by our politicians.

So here is my objective look at the upcoming season and my first poll of the top 25 college football teams. As always, viewer comments are expected, especially those who think I overlooked your teams. Time will tell but I would like to hear from different conferences.

The CPT Top 20

1. Iowa

2. Nebraska

3. Arizona

4. Alabama

5. Ohio State

6. Texas

7. Florida

8. Virginia Tech

9. TCU

10. Wisconsin

11. Miami

12. Oklahoma

13. LSU

14. Oregon

15. Penn State

16. Georgia Tech

17. Boise State

18. Arkansas

19. Rutgers

20. Kentucky

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

That's it folks, the pre-season top 25 in College Football from the most objective source in America. Of course we all know the polls will change every week but for the moment this is how we see things through rose colored glasses.  As for the final 5 teams in the polls, rather than act like I know it all as most pedictors do I admit I don't so you write in your favorite teams in the last five spots as it is the only time anyone can be in the Top 25, and it may be the first time for some you pick.

Every college football team deserves to be ranked because it takes a lot of guts and hard work to even make a college team.  In honor of the unsung heroes who don't attend Alabama, Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa or the rest of the giants, tell me about your local teams that deserve this one time to appear in a Top 25 poll.  We have the rest of the fall to tell you who earns the rankings on the field.

Cheers...   
.