Who Wins? God Knows . . . NOT!

Notre Dame believes . . . after all, they have their Touchdown Jesus.  Tim Tebow believes . . . story is that at the end of his miraculous season with the Denver Broncos he prayed to God to give them help . . . and, God gave them Peyton Manning.  Probably more Auburn University fans than not, believe . . . two last second miracle games in a row got them into the national championship . . . only by the “grace of God” and bunch of chicken Bowl Championship Series selectors picking them over Michigan State.  Apparently a lot of people believe that God “plays a role in determining which team wins” sports events . . . 27 percent of Americans according to a survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute last January. 

Personally, I don’t think God gives a hoot one way or another about who wins any sporting event.  I think that God is way too busy with a whole lot of more important stuff than whether or not some player can kick the winning field goal, knock a homerun out of the park, or win a national championship.  Looking at the shape of world today after we humans have been having our say in it for so long, I imagine that God is pretty busy with other things than sports.  Besides, as an avid University of Nebraska Cornhusker football fan, I have prayed for years since Tom Osborne retired for another national championship . . . and, those prayers have gone unanswered.  Shoot, I would take a Big Ten championship . . . but, no!  I forget, God is a Notre Dame fan . . . remember, Touchdown Jesus.  It is probably better to admit that God is too busy than to acknowledge that God just might not care a whole heck about the Cornhuskers since Coach Osborne retired.

For those believers wearing the Auburn University colors . . . it wasn’t God that determined their fate this season, it was luck.  It was luck and poor defense that allowed the “Hail Mary” pass to be caught through the Georgia secondary to win the game.  It was luck and the fact that the Alabama defense didn’t keep playing that allowed the missed field goal to be returned 106 yards for the winning score against the Crimson Tide.  God had no hand in any of that . . . it was pure, dumb luck.  Besides, God is a God of justice and would never, ever allow a SEC team in the national championship for the umpteenth time in a row . . . if God really cared.  Shoot, Notre Dame would be playing in the championship and would be undefeated every year.  Come on . . . God had nothing to do with Auburn’s luck no matter how much better they were than a year ago.

God just does not care . . . but, there are people out there who think that God does care.  At one of the regional cross country meets held in Kentucky before their state championships, a runner from Whitley County was set to compete until she was assigned the bib number 666—“the number of the beast” according to the Bible.  She refused to wear the number.  Both she and her coach appealed to the race officials for a new number, but they refused . . . so she decided not to race.  Her reason?  “I didn’t want to risk my relationship with God,” she said.  Personally, I don’t think God would have gotten her mixed up with the beast as she was running . . . it was a cross country race for sport, not world domination.  God doesn’t care.

Besides, evil does not dwell in the lowly sports of running . . . everyone knows that it is New York where evil resides.  A panel of trademark judges affirmed and confirmed it last February when they ruled against a company called Evil Enterprises.  Since 2008 Evil Enterprises has been attempting to market a line of baseball-related product trademarked as “Baseballs Evil Empire”.  But Major League Baseball and the New York Yankees challenged them over the title.  In February, the judges ruled, “There is only one Evil Empire in baseball, and it is the New York Yankees.”  Those damn Yankees!  But God doesn’t care . . . shoot where were the Yankees this past season?  Look at what is happening to their team . . . drug scandals, retiring superstars, and the second largest luxury tax paid since the tax was instituted 11 years ago (which they have contributed $252.7 of the $285.1 million dollars or 88.6 percent of the total tax since its inception) . . . evil pure evil . . . but God doesn’t care about baseball . . . at least not since the Miracle Mets of 1969.

Speaking of those Miracle Mets . . . and, this is how I know that God does not care about sports . . . I was and am a loyal Baltimore Orioles fan . . . those were the guys that blew the World Series against the Mets.  I know that I prayed just as hard as any Mets fan . . . hey, we had one of the best teams ever assembled that year . . . for the Birds to win the series.  We didn’t win . . . we just got beat by good baseball and luck.  Had to be . . . God was busy doing other things that were more important . . . at least that is what I keep telling myself.  It beats thinking God ignored my prayers!

I do not think that God cares about sports.  I feel for those 27 percent of Americans who believe that God plays an active role in deciding sporting events.  I feel for them because anything can happen whenever two teams square off against each other . . . ask the Crimson Tide of Alabama or the Bulldogs of Georgia . . . the ball can bounce any way it bounces.  No, in the grand scheme of things . . . in God’s ultimate design . . . sports are probably not the number one priority for God’s time and attention.  Having said that, I do think that God appreciates a little acknowledgement from time to time—even in the world of sports:

But, come on, who really seriously thinks that God is an avid sports fan dictating the outcomes of sporting events?  If God were a sports fan, God would be a Cornhusker fan . . . after all, Nebraska is God’s Country . . . no one else would have it!  That I believe.

Oh, Well . . . GBR!!

It is approximately 18 hours before the season officially begins.  In 18 hours the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers begin another season of football . . . its 123^rd season . . . against the University of Wyoming Cowboys.  It shouldn’t be much of a game, but who knows . . . nah, it won’t be much of a game.  With 18 hours to go, the excitement and anticipation build for those of us who bleed red . . . football season is about to begin.

Unfortunately, thanks to being out in the middle of Montana—Grizzly Bear and Bobcat country—and, being cheap . . . I won’t be able to watch the game on television.  Oh, it is on television, if I want to pay to watch the game, but I am pretty cheap . . . especially when it is a game against . . . well, you know . . . Wyoming.  Thank goodness for the technology of the day where I can get play-by-play on the Internet . . . it is almost like listening to the games way back when there was only radio.  I will survive . . .

The University of Nebraska Cornhusker obsession in the Keener family is solid . . . I am a die-hard fan, three of my children are die-hard fans, the wife rides the fence, and one child hates the Huskers despite being born and raised in Nebraska . . . he is a Virginia Tech Hokie fan.  What the hell is a Hokie?  Their mascot is a turkey.  I should know, I had two cousins who graduated from Virginia Tech . . . one was even a male cheerleader for the Hokies.  I still wonder if I dropped this child during a Cornhusker game around Thanksgiving causing him to be a Hokie fan . . . I often wonder where I failed as a parent with him.  He hates it when the Huskers are on television . . . complains that it is ridiculous at how the rest of the family acts.

Oh well, not being able to speak for the rest of the family, I can only say that I have improved over the years.  I hardly ever yell at the television any more . . . hardly swear at the television any more . . . hardly threaten to throw a bottle or other object at the television any more.  I don’t know whether it is maturity or the fact that I start drinking beer hours before the game . . . tailgating, you know.  I have calmed down . . . except when Brent Musberger is announcing the games . . . then all bets are off . . . the guy has never said anything positive about the Huskers.  Whenever he is covering the game for ABC, I turn the sound off . . . it is cheaper than replacing the television because I threw a bottle or shoe at the screen.

As I cannot understand how anyone can root for a turkey, my son cannot understand how I can root for some guy who picks and husks corn.  Once again, I remind my son that it is better than what the team used to be known as throughout the years of their tradition.  In the beginning they were known as the Bugeaters . . . then the Tree Planters . . . the Rattlesnake Boys . . . Antelopes . . . and, even the Hawkeyes.  Surprisingly, the University of Iowa team was known as the Cornhuskers in the early years of their football program . . . only when they took over the Hawkeye name did Nebraska become the Cornhuskers.  But, at least we don’t gooble!  Yet, at the same time, I can respect my son’s choice . . . maybe I don’t understand it, but I can respect . . . I can respect it as long as he respect mine.  When he doesn’t, well . . . I remind him whose house it is and who is paying for the cable.

I don’t watch a lot of television . . . about four hours a month.  When football season rolls around . . . I watch Cornhusker football wherever I can find it on the television.  It is the only television I watch.  Once again, though, Montana is not a big market for Cornhusker football . . . after all, this is Grizzly and Bobcat country.  Thus it is that I relish those few opportunities that the Huskers are on television, much to the chagrin of this son of mine.  Luckily, for him, the Huskers are not on our set tomorrow.

I am not sure how anyone explains their deep affection and love for a sports team.  I have been a Cornhusker fan since moving to Nebraska way back in the dark ages of the 1970s.  I have embraced the lore and myth of this team . . . I bleed red.  I have rejoiced in the greatest moments, and lamented in the lowest.  I am a part of the Husker Nation . . . my license plates on my VW Jetta and Ford Ranger sport statements that are references to the Big Red.  The one reads “Bugetrs” (Bugeaters), while the other is “NU SKRS” (Nebraska University Husker).  Unfortunately most Montanans—unique in the way they see and pronounce everything—think that “Bugetrs” has to do with accounting, and the “NU SKRS” means that I am a new skier.  Duh!!

Oh well, such is life.  The fact is that in 18 hours the Cornhuskers begin their 124^th season as a football power.  I know that people do not understand the fascination and loyalty of Cornhusker fans . . . but, hey, have you ever been to Nebraska?  If you have, then you should understand the loyalty of Husker football fans. 

In 18 hours, the season begins.  It will be what it is . . . for better or worse . . . for in sickness and health . . . the season begins.  I will continue to root for my team . . . root for the boys who make up the team . . . and, I hope, always stay loyal no matter how much they underestimate a team.  Tomorrow it is the Cowboys of the University of Wyoming.  On paper it does not look like much of a game . . . but, in real life, it is wide-open.  Trust me, I have lived and died following Cornhusker football.

With the first kick-off last night, the football season has begun.  The blood pressure has risen . . . it is almost more than I can wait for.  Go Big Red . .. GBR!!!

Greatest Team Ever--The Great Debate

The Sporting News Magazine--the grand-daddy of all the sports magazines--has been running a series of articles in 2011 celebrating their 125th anniversary on "great sports debates."  So far they have thrown into the argument the greatest teams of the NFL, NHL, NBA, college basketball, professional baseball, and now college football.  Of course their choices for the "best" in each of these categories has not always matched up with their readers.  To say the least, there have been quite a few arguments.  The readers and Sporting News panel did agree once--both agreed that the 1927 New York Yankees were the best professional baseball team.  Surprisingly the other categories had differences of opinion.  The following were the selections:

• NFL: 1972 Miami Dolphins (SN), 1985 Chicago Bears (Readers)
• NHL: 1976-77 Montreal Canadians (SN), 2001-02 Detroit Redwings (Readers)
• College Basketball: 1966-67 UCLA Bruins (SN), 1973-74 North Carolina State (Readers)
• NBA: 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (SN), 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (Readers)
• Baseball: 1927 New York Yankees (SN and Readers)

Now I can't say that I agree with them on some of their choices, especially when it comes to the NBA.  They seem to have forgotten about all those great Boston Celtics teams that made shambles of the league for ten straight years; but that is speaking like a die-hard Celtic fan!  The bottom line though is that these are "great debates" whenever sporting fans gather.  Into this mix they throw the greatest college football teams . . . and guess who came out on top!  the 1971 University of Nebraska Cornhuskers!  In fact, two Cornhusker teams made the top ten.

I cannot make this stuff up.  It is in glorious color in the most recent Sporting News Magazine this week.  Here are the top ten all-time college football teams according to the magazine's expert panel (listed from first to tenth):

• 1971 University of Nebraska Cornhuskers
• 1972 University or Southern California Trojans
• 1974 University of Oklahoma Sooners
• 1995 University of Nebraska Cornhuskers
• 1956 University of Oklahoma Sooners
• 1968 Ohio University Buckeyes
• 1945 Army (West Point)
• 1961 University of Alabama Crimson Tide
• 2001 University of Miami Hurricanes
• 1987 University of Miami Hurricanes

So, let the debate begin!

We Big Red fans can't even agree which is the better team--1971 or 1995.  Every Big Red fan's wildest pipe dream would be for the two teams to gather at Memorial Stadium and play to see who is truly the greatest Cornhusker of all time.  Right now it is a coin flip in Nebraska.  Ask any Big Red fan which team was better--1971 or 1995--and that fan would tell you, "Yep!"  Both were pretty impressive.

The 1971 team was lead by the offensive duo of Jerry Tagge (quarterback) and Johnny "the Jet" Rodgers (I-Back).  This team would place 17 players on the all Big Eight Conference's first team on offense and defense--there were only 22 slots.  There were eight All-Americans on the team.  Johnny Rodgers would eventually win the Heisman Trophy in 1972.  The team was undefeated at 13 and 0, averaged 438 yards of offense a game, won by an average of 31 points a game, and had the nation's top defense.  They won their second consecutive national championship with a 38 to 6 whipping of Alabama in the Orange Bowl.  The team was coached by Bob Devaney with future head coach Tom Osborne as his offensive coordinator.

Jerry Tagge

 Johnny "the Jet" Rodgers

Bob Devaney

 

The 1995 was coached by Tom Osborne as it put on an impressive display of football prowlness.  This team did not put up the post season award numbers that the 1971 team did, but it did put up some impressive numbers.  The Cornhuskers led the nation in scoring, was second in total offense (number one in rushing with a 7.0 yard per carry average at 399.8 yards per game--second only to Army's 7.6 all-time record) with 556.3 yards per game as quarterback Tommy Frazier and freshman I-back Ahman Green led the team.  Frazier would finish as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy that year.  Green would set a freshman rushing record at Nebraska, and would have set a scoring record but was beat out by freshman kicker Josh Brown who set a Nebraska kicker record with 97 points.    This team won their games by an average of 38 points a game while going for their second undefeated season.  They trounced Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl 62 to 24 to win their second consecutive national championship.

Tommy Frazier

 

 Ahman Green

 

 Tom Osborne

 

The sad thing about the two teams is that we will never know which one really was the greatest team--at least in Nebraska.  In the meantime the debate rages on and everyone has an opinion.  At this time the University of Nebraska Cornhusker football team is 2 and 0--ranked tenth in the nation.  A big test is coming up this weekend against the University of Washington Huskies.  But, right now, Big Red Nation has bragging rights as having the greatest college football team ever! 

 

Now I am sure that there are those of you who would disagree, and that is your right as a fan.  Right now we in the Big Red Nation are not going to argue with the panel from The Sporting News.  For once we agree with them!     We didn't start this argument, but we will put in our two cents worth.  In the meantime . . . we are number one!

What do you think?