Brian Rosenthal: Everybody, I mean everybody, wonders what's up with Huskers
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It may be Big 12 Conference basketball media days here, but some folks in the press room at the Embassy Suites are buzzing about football.
Nebraska football, actually.
No, the subject of Husker football in October obviously isn't unusual in Kansas City, or anywhere else within a couple hundred miles of Lincoln.
But the talk was, well, not pretty.
I know, I know. Surprise. Members of the media talking negatively about Nebraska football.
This was different, though. I spoke to writers who've been around Big Eight and Big 12 football for a long time, and they seemed as confused and shocked about the Big Red's struggles as many of you.
These out-of-state media members weren't bashing Nebraska (at least not most of them). They weren't making bad jokes, like some have done before.
They were seriously wondering what's wrong, trying to find answers to many, many questions:
What happened to the defense? Why is the tackling so bad? Joe Dailey isn't the guy, is he? What's the mood in Lincoln? Is Nebraska going to a bowl? How long until the sellout streak ends? Why aren't the players fired up?
Sigh.
I fielded those questions, or variations thereof, somewhere in between Bill Self and Marsha Sharp, and more often than I would've preferred.
Yes, I grew tired of the talk. It wore on me.
And that's when I realized, for at least a millisecond, how Nebraska players and coaches might feel sometimes amid all the negativity. (No, I don't know for sure. I'm sure it's a million times worse for them).
I'm not saying they shouldn't be held accountable or should be excused from answering questions.
But I do understand, I think, when players, especially, say they're tired of hearing the media "bashing" and fan criticism. I'm sure it gets old and doesn't help their train of thought.
That said, the missed tackles and blown assignments and slow starts and turnovers and lopsided losses aren't things the media can conveniently ignore.
Just because we're talking about or writing about those topics doesn't mean we're bashing. We're simply addressing issues and concerns. And when the same issues and concerns crop up game after game … well, it wears on everyone.
Answering questions that are negative in nature and discussing glaring problems might rub players the wrong way. It's not always fun asking them, either.
But the real problems surface when nobody's asking anything.
Victory Bell
I've heard of the Little Brown Jug and the Old Oaken Bucket.
But the Victory Bell?
That's what's at stake Saturday when Nebraska plays Missouri.
Unbeknown to me, the Huskers and Tigers have played for the bell every year since 1927. Nebraska's Innocents Society started the exchange of the bell, and it's kept by either that group, or the QEBH Society at Missouri.
Who knew?
Now, will the folks at Missouri remember to bring the bell to Lincoln, considering they didn't need to worry about its whereabouts the previous 24 years?
Stat of the week
Look for a big offensive play by Nebraska against Missouri.
That's according to recent stats.
From long runs by Ahman Green and Eric Crouch to punt returns by Bobby Newcombe and DeJuan Groce, Nebraska has managed at least one play of 50 yards or more in each of its last eight games against Missouri.
None more memorable, however, than Crouch's 95-yard run against the Tigers 20 years ago.
OK, so it just seems that long ago.
Going deep
*I never knew I could learn so much about the year 1918 by watching a baseball game.
*Do you ever wonder if current Huskers get sick of hearing about next year's players?
* I didn't realize Bobby Knight was so tall.
* I'd like Nebraska's chances against Missouri a lot more if I knew for certain the Huskers could tackle Brad Smith. Missouri 24, Nebraska 17.
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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