Notes from a Texas Trip

Been a few days away, but I'm back north now and ready to comment on all the Nebraska news that's already been commented upon...

THE GAME - Damn. That seems like the best way to describe it. After Nebraska came out and scored on their first drive of the half the Texas fans in our section (and it was all Texas) were ready to concede defeat...and rip Greg Davis' head off.

Of course my my friends and I never felt that way so we weren't surprised when the 2007 Nebraska we've come to know and loathe showed up in the 4th quarter but we did feel something new through those four quarters: temptation.

For the first time since the Nevada game, there was legitimate joy for a while there. Nebraska was actually exceeding expectations rather than failing to meet them. It was nice.

And then that sensation stopped, perhaps a victim of the stubbornness that's come to define this coaching staff but why beat a dead horse?

As a visiting fan, it couldn't have been much better.

THE ATMOSPHERE - I'll just say this, plastic cups aren't necessary around DKR Stadium. Simple as that. Real wood smoked barbecue is everywhere and the Texas fans--with a few exceptions from some of the younger Longhorns faithful--were welcoming.

Most of the fans we talked to were genuinely interested in the Callahan situation and sympathetic to our angst. In fact, walking through the tailgates and listening to some of the live radio broadcasts was the best I had felt about Nebraska football in a while. One former Longhorn from the 60's told us "we genuinely want ya'll to be good again, it's better that way" and I believed him.

POSTGAME - For four weeks I've been trying to find a satisfactory way to deal with Nebraska losses, but I finally uncovered it this past weekend. Beer and horseshoes on a Sunday afternoon at Gruene Hall. Unquestionably the highlight of my trip.

SAM'S SEASON - My heart really goes out to this kid. It definitely wasn't the season I'm sure he hoped for and I'm not talking about the injury, but through it all he was entirely honest and a de facto leader even though he came here under questions of his ability to do just that. Thanks, Sam.

I'm pretty excited to see what Joe Ganz can do this week. He'll offer a different sort of look at the position and he's definitely earned his shot, even if it took an injury to get it. Wouldn't be surprised to see the offense get a little jolt because of the switch, but can they maintain that for four quarters?

TOM'S SLIP? - Tom's an honest guy and it was an honest mistake. He accidentally told the kids what they're getting for Christmas, but he didn't tell them exactly what. Happens all the time and no official statement is going to convince me otherwise.

I believe Osborne when he says he hasn't contacted anyone regarding the Nebraska coaching job but what "The Slip" revealed is that he's at least thinking about it.