Gone are the Wishbone and the Power-I. Gone is the fumblerooski. Gone are Switzer and Osborne, and, sadly, gone are the Irresistible Force and the Immovable Object. The glory days of Nebraska vs. Oklahoma seem to be distant memories. Tomorrow will mark the first time since 1961 that neither team will be ranked in this most hallowed of rivalries. Even with both teams going through some lean times this is one of the most looked forward to games of the season, not just for Husker and Sooner fans but to fans of the Big 12 and College Football in general. Its a true shame it only happens two out of every four years. When Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Baylor joined the Big 8 to form the Big 12, it was obvious changes would have to be made. Teams were split into North and South divisions and when the dust settled OU and NU were on different sides of the fence. Ever since then the teams have played two years on and two years off. The college football world has not been the same since. Sure this match-up during OUs dark ages in the 90s, when OU was the Big 8s perennial doormat, did not have the glory related to it that years past had. Still there should have been some way to make this game an annual game. Whether it be adding an extra game to the teams' conference schedule or making this game one of each teams 3 games against the other division each year, this game needs to be an annual event. College football is just not the same without this game. Just as it would not be the same without USC vs. ND, Florida vs. Tennessee, and FSU vs. Miami. Instead now we have to hear about the Red River Shootout, oh sorry thats not PC anymore, the Red River Rivalry. Im sorry Texas fans but it is a shame when this game is the cream of the Big 12 rivalry crop. With both teams seemingly on the rise hopefully there will be some classic match-ups in the near future in the Big 12 championship games. Until then we will have to make due with videos of the greatest games ever played. Punt returns and flee flickers, champions and Heismans, greats and legends. Heres to a return to glory for both teams and an epic showdown in Norman in 08. |
