Twenty two years ago Nebraska was invited to join the Big X for Thanksgiving Dinner. Of course they assumed they would quicky shoulder their way in between Michigan and Ohio State at the head of the table to help carve up that delicious, golden brown, Big X turkey. Fast foreword two decades plus later and here they are, still sitting at the kids fold out card table set up in the foyer. Iowa as it turns out has been invited once again to leave the kids table ( Big X West ) to carve that golden brown turkey roasting in Indianapolis, along with Michigan. Even the others at the kid's table, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Minnesota got enough turkey for a couple sandwiches, while the Cornhuskers have to be content to gnaw what meat they can off the grisly neckbone.
Iowa did about everything they could to make the Huskers a turkey sandwich but they refused to take it. Failed kicks, kicks out of bounds, near disastrous safety, dropped TD pass and what appeared to be a possible game losing interception. Each time Iowa tried to pass Nebraska the gravy, the defense would swat it out of their hands, Hurkett at the most opportune of times. Then Leshon Williams and Marshall Meeder proceeded to dump the entire gravy boat on Nebby's classic Starter jacket as Thanksgiving Dinner came to yet another unhappy ending in Lincoln. No leftover turkey for the Bugeaters. Another year of Runzas lays ahead.
So what are Iowa's best chances to carve that turkey in Indy, aside from taking the carving knife and stabbing Michigan in the Butterballs? Turnovers of course, 3 or 4 would be nice. Winning the field position is a given, along with a near penalty free game. Complacency on Michigan's part since they manhandled us the last time out? Grind out the running game with hopes of a couple brake aways? Control the clock, a Herculean task. A couple of 70 yard bombs from Hill? Just kidding, that's not happening. The football gods do owe us one more win after taking the winning TD off the board vs. the Gophers but the smart money likely takes Michigan and gives the points...
Toby McToby
Iowa did about everything they could to make the Huskers a turkey sandwich but they refused to take it. Failed kicks, kicks out of bounds, near disastrous safety, dropped TD pass and what appeared to be a possible game losing interception. Each time Iowa tried to pass Nebraska the gravy, the defense would swat it out of their hands, Hurkett at the most opportune of times. Then Leshon Williams and Marshall Meeder proceeded to dump the entire gravy boat on Nebby's classic Starter jacket as Thanksgiving Dinner came to yet another unhappy ending in Lincoln. No leftover turkey for the Bugeaters. Another year of Runzas lays ahead.
So what are Iowa's best chances to carve that turkey in Indy, aside from taking the carving knife and stabbing Michigan in the Butterballs? Turnovers of course, 3 or 4 would be nice. Winning the field position is a given, along with a near penalty free game. Complacency on Michigan's part since they manhandled us the last time out? Grind out the running game with hopes of a couple brake aways? Control the clock, a Herculean task. A couple of 70 yard bombs from Hill? Just kidding, that's not happening. The football gods do owe us one more win after taking the winning TD off the board vs. the Gophers but the smart money likely takes Michigan and gives the points...
Toby McToby
