The Die-hard Fans

For eight months of every year every die-hard fan is paying close attention to the moves their team is making during the off-season. Spring training arrives in a knick-of-time, to replenish the empty, mindless pages of sports writers desperate for something to happen, a broken bone, a DUI, anything to avoid another article about whether Tim Tebow has something stuck in his teeth or an article wondering if Mike Leach has actually cloned himself. The amazing part is that these sports writers really could write about this stuff (some probably have) and we’d still read it. Because we want to gain any incite into how our favorite players and team might do for the upcoming season.

Then the season actually arrives and we’re foaming at the mouth for any game time action and we don’t care who our favorite team plays, we have a reason why it’s a legitimate scheduling option. This to me is the problem. As a die-hard fan, I feel a little bit like I’ve been hornswaggled (I swear it’s a word, back off) when I see my team scheduling sure wins. Why do we wait eight long, dry months, building up excitement, buying new gear, planning trips to the games, putting our very mental health at risk for so long only to have our team open up with a game against a team that ultimately won’t reveal anything about the true character of our team? BECAUSE WE’RE DESPARATE, that’s why! And I’ll gladly be doing it again next year with new gear on, and maybe even some face paint…in June.

#9 Nebraska @ #19 Missouri 9pm EST on ESPN (Thurs)
This Thursday nights matchup is my case in point:
• Nebraska vs. Missouri – National broadcast on ESPN, 8 o’clock kickoff, potential down pour. Nebraska brings the #1 scoring defense to Faurot Field and Missouri brings a 6’5” Sophomore QB that has thrown 11 TD’s and no interceptions. That’s right, four games in and no interceptions. Nebraska is allowing only 7 points a game. Those stats seem impressive but are they really? Nebraska has played Florida International, Arkansas State, Virginia Tech and Louisiana-Lafayette. Missouri has played a terrible Illinois team, Bowling Green, Furman and Nevada. They had to come from behind in two of those games while Nebraska, by all accounts, dominated Virginia Tech but still managed to rescue defeat from the clutches of victory. So, what do these schedules and records tell us about these two teams? Nothing concrete. The line in Vegas is basically a push.

Why Nebraska might win: They are playing pretty good defense and I think they are all business this trip.
Why Nebraska might lose: They have a bad habit of coming out slow in games like these. They also have a bad habit of shooting themselves in the foot…the hand…the leg…the crotch (that was just unnecessary) with stupid penalties that seem to be a hold over from the previous coaching regime of him who shall remain nameless. Starting out slow against a pretty good Missouri offense may be a bad thing when the game is being played in Missouri.
Why Missouri might win: Gabbert has had time to throw and he’s picked defenses apart when he has. If Nebraska doesn’t apply pressure, it could be bad.
Why Missouri might lose: They’ve had to come from behind against pretty crappy teams and their run defense has not been great. The running game hasn’t been great for them either, which may let the Blackshirts key in on Gabbert.
Final Prediction: Nebraska 31, Missouri 21


#1 Florida @ #6 LSU 8pm EST on CBS (Sat)
This is easily the best matchup of the weekend. Unfortunately, this game could be decided by something that won’t take place on the field on Saturday night. Clearly the concussion suffered by Gators QB Tim Tebow against Kentucky two weekends ago is the major concern for Florida. If Tebow plays and isn’t hampered by the concussion, the Gators will win. If Tebow can’t go or is limited this game turns into a toss-up with the psychological advantages going to LSU being at home and the Gators not having their leader. If Tebow plays and plays well, Florida over LSU 34-21. If Tebow doesn’t play or is severely limited, LSU 21-20.


#2 Alabama @ #25 Ole Miss 3:30pm EST on CBS (Sat)
In the only other matchup of Top 25 teams, look for Alabama to bang hard on Jevan Snead and the Rebels. I was never a Rebel believer and I think Alabama will pound them back to their rightful place as a mid-level SEC team. Alabama 38 – Ole Miss 17

D3 #7 Linfield @ Whitworth 4pm (Sat)
So, why bring up a game from Division 3 between an undefeated national power and a 2-3 Whitworth team? Because I think that greatness should be recognized. If Linfield wins this game it will clinch its 54th straight winning season! That is the all-division lead by a long, long ways. The Wildcats are led by a swarming defense and strong-armed QB Aaron Boehme (pictured) and they should win easily, 39-13. Great work, Linfield. Winning consistently like that is true greatness!