This article couldn’t be farther from the truth. I think the problem is that because we live in an area that has been only about Iowa or the Big Ten, you have not been able to see the huge draw that Nebraska has. It will fill up any stadium it visits just as it did when Nebraska played at Notre Dame in 2000 with the sea of red, and with the stadium in South Bend having far more Nebraska fans than Notre Dame fans, and this was during a year when Nebraska didn’t win a national championship.

Green Bay also had “down years” much like Nebraska did a few years ago, but that didn’t take away from Green Bay being a fan favorite. Nebraska has the 7th best all-time W/L percentage in the history of college football, and also the 4th all-time highest in the number of wins. You can put Nebraska and Notre Dame together at any stadium and Nebraska will most likely outnumber the Notre Dame fans.

According to Forbes, even financially speaking, Nebraska is the 4th most valuable college football team in the nation as of 2009, only behind Texas, Notre Dame and Penn State.

Nebraska has the 7th highest number of national championship trophies overall.

You had mentioned a while back that Notre Dame would have been a better prize than Nebraska for the Big 10 because of how small Nebraska’s market is, yet explain how Notre Dame, being in Indiana and in a metro area only 20,000 people more than Lincoln would bring in much more? Especially being that they are already within the Big 10 market, so it’s not going to bring that much more to the table locally. The national market that Notre Dame has it not much more than Nebraska’s either because the Nebraska market is a national following similar to Notre Dame, and they will fill any stadium up if the seats are left empty.

As for TV ratings, Nebraska draws a higher rating than most college football teams.

I’m not going to argue this point by point, David. Besides, some of your statements are indisputable facts.

But if the Big Ten could have had its pick of any one university a year ago it would have been Notre Dame. Period, the end.

I’m not saying Nebraska isn’t a great addition to Big Ten football. If you read the piece again, you’ll see I said it is. It already has brought a lot of positive buzz to the league, and will bring a lot more this year and in the future. I’m glad it’s in the league. Nebraska-Iowa games will be great fun to cover.

But if Nebraska is the league’s Green Bay Packers, as Jim Delany stated, then what are Ohio State and Michigan and Penn State?

Few if any people in the U.S. are as wrapped up in their state team as Nebraskans. But I haven’t seen any evidence the Huskers have as much of a place in the national sports consciousness as they did in their glory decades, and I’ve been around the country. I don’t see how it begins to compare to the affection a lot of people all over the nation have for the Packers.

Mr. Hlas, you seem to be overlooking the crux of what Mr. Delany said. He was likening Nebraska to the Pakers not because of a recent championship, but because both are small-market teams with a national draw. No need to get all in a tizzy about that.

Excuse me, Mike. When was the last time you were in Venice Beach on a football Saturday or even during the week? I live near there. I’ve seen numerous Nebraska caps, t-shirts. I have NEVER seen Michigan garb on the beach and can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen someone in Notre Dame garb. Michigan and Notre Dame are followed by very few out here. The Husker contingent is huge in SoCal. Just about every city has a bar/restaurant where Husker fans gather on gameday to watch the games. Regardless of the record from year to year, Nebraska IS a brand name whether you think so or not.

Sorry Mike but you lost me with your implication that Iowa is just beneath the top 10 of the College Football elite.

I view Iowa as a very pedestrian football program, that has not achieved anything of significance on the Gridiron since beating Oregon State 52 years ago in the ’59 Rose Bowl.

Your assertion becomes even murkier when you consider that since Iowa’s last victory in ’59, they have managed to make it back to Pasadena a grand total of 3 times (’82, ’86 & ’91) and were soundly beaten each time with their last appearance coming 20 years ago.

I’m sorry but that is not the hallmark of a football program hovering just beneath the Top 10. Iowa has a “nice little program” and that’s about the extent of it.

Blade feels that Iowa fans are so darned cute when the are jealous about being overshadowed by a team that hasn’t even entered the league yet. Get ready for some more of this: http://youtu.be/BiRv7J2f7_w.

David, your column really comes across as sour grapes! What’s the problem here? Is it that Delaney likens Nebraska to the “Green Bay Packers” instead of Iowa? As far as selecting Notre Dame over Nebraska had the opportunity presented itself. All I say is “woulda, coulda, shoulda!” See you on November 25.

“But if Nebraska is the league’s Green Bay Packers, as Jim Delany stated, then what are Ohio State and Michigan and Penn State?”

Well there are a few other NFL teams to choose from. Like the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The New York Giants, the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears. I’d consider Michigan a lot like the Cowboys. I see and know more Michigan fans than about anyone else. You could consider Penn St. a bit like their home state Steelers – if Chuck Noll were still coaching. Ohio St. maybe like what – the Bears or Giants – lots of history. Anyway the GB Packers are not the end all and be all of the NFL. Just a great small market team with more fans than you would think possible. Like Nebraska.

Nebraska may not have the cache of those others, but I believe it has the cachet. Just saying.

Mr. Hlas, I respect your opinion, but I must disagree. Maybe it’s because you live in Iowa, but here in Georgia, there are Husker fans at every sporting event I attend. I can’t leave town without seeing Husker car tags and stickers. You wouldn’t believe the amount of Husker gear you will find in this part of the country.

Nebraska football does indeed have a national following unlike most other college teams. Even when we went to Washington’s Husky Stadium this past season, it was at least 30% Husker fans. Not saying they are a great program, but that’s a long journey from the Midwest. At the Gator Bowl in January of 2009, there were more Husker fans than Clemson fans. Clemson’s campus is a bit closer than Lincoln. This sort of thing happens a lot when it comes to the Husker fan base. Your opinion will surely be changing soon.

Even though we haven’t won a title recently, our fan base has not stopped flocking to away games and bowl games. You’re sadly mistaken about us not being a top 10 program. I’m pretty sure all of the stats David gave you assure that. I guess having a rough stretch after decades of consistently winning titles and what not, this sort of thing is to be expected. It’s all good, though… We can agree to disagree, for now.

Nebraska has been down….the since 1999…however if you compare Nebraska to Iowa since Ferrentz took over at Iowa (and many in Iowa think this is the Golden Era)….Nebraska has about 10 more wins over that time period….

So in the worst decade in the last 50 years, that Nebraska has had, it is still better than the best decade that Iowa has had.

It appears you have never visited Texas, any school in Texas, when Nebraska is playing. Nebraska has a HUGE following here in this state. It is like this all over the country. Huskers are everywhere. Have we had some down years, yes, no doubt, but do we still have fans nationally, of course. There are even a large number of us out of staters who are season ticket holders. We are everywhere and we love and follow our team passionately. GBR

I forgot to mention that you can even buy Husker license plates for your cars here in the Lone Star State and my car wears them proudly.

This is why we have a comments section. I’m getting educated here from other viewpoints.

I only can go by my own experiences. I haven’t seen the mass quantities of Huskers support in places like Georgia and the West Coast, but you have and I believe it.

Also, I think we tend to recognize what’s most recognizable to us when we’re in tune with in fairly unfamiliar places. If you’re from Alabama, I mean, you’re going to notice Bama gear a lot quicker than if you’re not from there.

I’m not headstrong about this, at least not as headstrong as I was yesterday when I wrote this. It’s good when we get out of our cocoons and get exposed to different opinions, perspectives, etc.

The comments have all been civil so far, which gives you all the more credibility in my book.

Not only do Husker fans fill other teams’ stadiums, they also fill an Iowa blog in Cedar Rapids. The Huskers certainly had more luster ten years ago, but I’d still say they are a more nationally prominent team than Boise State. The Broncos need an extended run of success to be considered in the same sentence as ‘Bama, Ohio State, Florida, etc. Mike, you are right about Jim Delaney talking out of both sides of his uh, mouth, regarding AAU membership. We all know NU will do well in football, but basketball is equally important in the Big Ten. It’ll be interesting to see how the Huskers fare against MSU, Wisconsin, Purdue, Ohio State, etc.

Mike – I found your article to be a little off base. But as you said…you might change your tune. Actually…..you absolutely WILL change your tune after one season.

You might find this interesting……There are ornanized Nebraska fan chapters in every state in the country. For instance…I live in Arizona and the chapter is called Arizonans for Nebraska. The Arizona Chapter is the Largest in the country with over 10,000 fans. You ought to see their annual picknic. Besides this chapter here in AZ…. Their are 17 exclusive Nebraska bars in the Phoenix metro area alone. I’ve been to every one of them.

There is a chapter in Georgia called…you got it… Georgians for Nebraska. In California in Californians for Nebraska and so on.

Like I said there is a chapter in every state in the U.S. Now tell me….name one College football team that has a organized and designated chapter for their Football team in every state. Unless you are part of husker nation…you would never know this fact. Look it up..there is an Iowans for Nebraska chapter.

I’ll tell you there is not one college Football team that can say that except Nebraska. We are Nebraska and there is no other following like it in the country. Nebraska is a National Brand…period.

That’s why they call it Husker Nation.

GO BIG RED

Scott is right! Notice there has been over ten Pro-NU responses. I just figured you wrote the piece to attract attention. Any non-positive Husker blog will bring the NU fans to arms.

Regarding the AAU membership, maybe you need take a serious look at the origin of the push to get rid of NU and the fundamental reasons the AAU chose to excommunicate the University of Nebraska after 109 years of membership. There are two sides to every story.

Mike – I meant to say the Arizona chapter has over 10,000 paying members.

As far as AAU membership….can’t take that club exclusivity too seriously since after a reading a number of articles on the AAU, the weighting they give certain research grants is the only thing that seemed to work against Nebraska. Due to the way that our university system is set up, we are not allowed to count ANY of the research $$ at the University Med Center. This alone pretty much takes us out of the picture. They also give very little weight to the agricultural program and their significant research, which is one of the primary functions of our university. What it all boils down to is that they can manipulate the numbers to make them say just about anything they want them to say. It seems that AAU membership is not all we all originally thought it was cracked up to be. We are the only school to ever be “kicked out” because all others who came up against them resigned just as Syracuse is about to do. NU decided to fight and make this information public. Good for them!!! If they hadn’t done this, we all would have thought our losing membership was something terrible and now we know it isn’t. GBR

Mike, I couldn’t wait to get signed up to respond to this. The title of your piece is where you make your first mistake. Jim Delaney isn’t comparing Nebraska to Green Bay because of success similarities. My goodness it’s as if you didn’t hear a word Delaney said, or that you are reacting like a simple fan instead of a thoughtful professional. Clearly the only thing he was comparing is how intense the following is of each team and more importantly that both fan bases are comparatively smaller than fan bases it competes against. Also both have the tag of National fan base. There is a difference between Buffalo and Green Bay, just like there is a difference between Nebraska and Iowa. It just has nothing to do with winning on the field. It’s about the following. That was Delaney’s comparison, not about comparing titles or recent success.

How are there so many Georgians/Californians/etc. for Nebraska when the state’s population is so small compared to most? Does everyone leave the state upon graduation from NU? That’s not meant to sound unkind. I’m just asking.

For all the pro-Nebraska replies to my post, none has been anything close to harsh or uncivil. That says a lot. I’m not trying to pander here, just stating an honest observation. The one thing you hear over and over from fans of other teams who visited Lincoln is how well they (and their teams) were treated there.

Mike, you mentioned that you haven’t personally experienced seeing very many Husker fans despite being all over the country, but my question is what kind of events were you attending? If it was a Big Ten related event, or any non-Husker event, there would be no reason for any Husker fans to be in or around such events.

Like what was stated in Forbes.com, the Nebraska football brand is the 4th most valuable in the nation, and it goes to show that people all over the country are putting a lot of money into Husker products. If the Huskers didn’t have such a large national draw that compares with Notre Dame and Texas, it wouldn’t be ranked so high on Forbes. Only one Big Ten team does any better in that aspect.

The following is a quote from after the Notre Dame/Nebraska ended: “Notre Dame allots 5,000 tickets to opposing fans, but there was about 30,000 Husker fans in Notre Dame Stadium that day. At times I felt like I was in Memorial Stadium because there were so many Husker fans around us.”

As for the AAU subject, there are theories/reports about this being that it was led by someone from the University of Texas that “supposedly” was trying to get back at Nebraska for leaving the Big 12, but I doubt this is true. All I know is that one of the issues from it was that the University medical center is not technically on the UNL campus like they wanted, but is in Omaha instead, being one of the issues among other things. If UNL really is that bad of a school for AAU, then it wouldn’t have been a part of AAU for as long as it has but quite honestly, the AAU subject is something I’m not too familiar with.

Wow, you need to get out of Iowa more often. What Mr. Delany is saying is that Nebraska is a National Brand and when other teams play them it is a Big Game. Like the Packer fans , Nebraska fans back them through thick and thin and they show up. Just like the Packer fans in good years and bad. You don’t find that many places in sports period. When Miami or even Oklahoma have a few so so years their following dies out and their staduims can’t fill. There is no place like Nebraska, except perhaps, Green Bay. ;0)

Not offended by the comment about numerous people leaving Nebraska for other states. That’s always been a well known issue in Nebraska of people leaving the state. I honestly don’t know how the fan following became so large, but it could partly be a result of the long history of success Nebraska has had in the past 3 decades until Bill Callahan completely ruined it for the team when he was around. It fell apart when Tom Osborne resigned.

Frank Solich had leftover players from T.O.’s team which is why I personally think he did well after T.O. but it’s not to say that Frank isn’t a good coach. Just that he was fortunate to have some very good players.

If the initial beginning of the success that Nebraska had began in the 90′s instead of around 1970, I don’t think the fan following would have developed as much, or so quickly, so I think the fanbase is a result of having many years behind them to grow the brand. That’s just my opinion on that. Not sure how it all fell into place like they have.

Mike,

How are there so many nebraska chapters around the country ? First of all does it matter ?……No. Yeah a lot of people of course leave the state and go North south east and west to get jobs and persue careers. But they still take the pride and tradition of Nebraska football with them. All I know ……. is that there is an overwhelming amount out there in literally every state for whatever reason. You will see.

Seriously Mike….have you ever heard of a state other than Nebraska that has 17 exclusively Nebraska Football bars ? Yes that would be Phoenix. I dare you to try to find any other team around the country with that many bars outside that schools state. It simply does not exist.

Hi Mike,
I understand your lack of understanding towards the Nebraska national following. I did my best to explain the Nebraska experience to my wife, but she thought I was all talk. I finally took her to a game last year, and she has been wearing red since. Its not easy to understand without experiencing it first hand. If you are from the state of Nebraska, the only way you can get tickets to an away game that Nebraska is playing in, is to buy season tickets. So, Nebraska fans buy season tickets in the thousands to places like KU, KSU, CU, ISU, etc, and sell the rest online…or simply eat the loss. This is done to keep Nebraska fans from turning stadiums red every weekend. It hasn’t worked yet. (your friends at ISU actually kept the UNL band from bringing instruments one year in an attempt to keep the noise levels down. The band simply brought Kazoos….)

There are a few reasons as to why the following is so huge…beyond the stated issue of people leaving the state for economic reasons. Once someone experiences a Nebraska game day they are hooked. There isn’t another experience like it in college football. Second, the Nebraska Oklahoma game. While the formation of the big 12 killed the anual Friday after Thanksgiving game, for 30 years people across the country tuned in to watch what most years, was the game that decided who would at least play for a national championship. If a fan watched those games every year, it would be easy to explain the national exposure. Throw in a class act coach like Tom osborn, and you can understand why people fell in love with the program. Nebraska football isn’t just about a state, or a University. To many people across the nation its a brand, in the same way the Yankees have fans around the world who have never been to New York. That national brand is what makes the only major University in one of the smallest states in the country, the 4th wealthiest program in the nation.

Hey Mike, I think your article is interesting and partially true. Pennsylvania also has a large contigent of Nebraska fans. We have had well over 100 Nebraska fans at a bar just west of Philly to watch Nebraska play. I often see Nebraska t-shirts, hats, etc around the Philadelphia area. This is comparable to but probably not more than Michigan and Notre Dame sweats, etc. Obviously, there are more Penn State t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts.

You asked if Nebraskans leave the state in large numbers. The answer is ‘yes’. The University of Nebraska and other Universities in Nebraska produce a lot of professionals who can’t always find work in Nebraska. Several years ago while in Omaha I read an article in the Omaha World Herald addressing this issue. The World Herald surveyed people flying into Omaha and found that 80% of Nebraska natives living elsewhere would return if they could find work in Nebraska.
The luster surrounding the Nebraska program dropped some in the decade just ended decade but they won 84 games in their worst decade in 50 years. Also, Nebraska has won more games in the past 40 years than any other program.

I don’t believe that Michigan, Notre Dame or Oregon (teams in your top 10) won 84 games in the last decade.

Thanks. Bud

I checked and Michigan actually won 94 games 2000- 2009.

Mike,
I appreciate your willingness to keep open the option of changing your mind. I definitely think you will after a few years of NU competing in the Big 10. I live behind what used to be enemy lines in Colorado, and like so many others have mentioned about their states, Nebraska has a huge presence here. Just visit one of the many devoted Nebraska Bars on Game Day – and I’m not just talking about an NU vs. Oklahoma or NU vs. Texas games. I mean even the NU vs. Utah State Games. Visit Estes Park Colorado where you will find not 1, but 2 Nebraska Devoted Stores. That would be like the Packers having 2 stores in Schaumburg, Illinios.
I will look forward to reading your thoughts in the years to come. You did accomplish one thing with this article – you may be the first to take a shot at being the next ‘Woody Paige’ from the Denver Post. Woody has been hounding the Huskers for years, and when all else failed he would always fall back on – “What else is there in Nebraska but the Huskers?”. And when you find yourself using that as a jab at us Husker Fans, you will get our point exactly. The Huskers are the fabric of our state and it stretches far and wide. By the way, can you get me tickets to any of the Away Big 10 Games?

I live in Pasadena, Ca and am a huge Husker fan since I was a little kid. I go to one of many Husker Bars to choose from down here in So. Cal like Anaheim, Newport Beach, Hollywood and L.A and all of these bars are Packed with Red on Saturday Game days, I have to get to the Shore in Newport Beach a hour before game time just to get a table. Nebraska has the Best Fans in all of college football and the writer of this article is just being a playa hata!!! What the hell you know ’bout Venice Beach anyway???

The word you were looking for is cachet, not cache.

Well this seems like a terrible idea seeing all the people who signed up to disagree with you Mike, but I think you have some decent points, and some that may need more reasoning. What I’m guessing you mean about the ‘national program’ is that you feel that Joe Average college football fan (who is not a self-proclaimed Nebraska fan) isn’t necessarily making Nebraska football games must-see TV. Obviously based on the responses, Nebraska football fans are very passionate about their favorite team, and they are spread across the nation, but I don’t think that necessarily makes your statements untrue (not that I think they are all true either).

As for the AAU thing, I think you are spot on. When it comes down to lining up on Saturdays, he couldn’t care less about AAU membership, but Delany is a master of spin, so he’ll say whatever it takes.

“One time, just one time, let’s hear a college conference commissioner or university president stand up and say “It’s about the money. It’s always about the money.”

AMEN mike! AMEN! The almight $$$ will eventually ruin college football, much as it has baseball, the NBA, and to an increasing extent the NFL. granted, those are PRO sports but i doubt anyone can argue that money has taken the luster off all of them… get ready, it will happen to college football as well.

one other note: Big Red NO DOUBT got a “Welcome to the Big Ten” schedule this year. HUGE games. they can count on getting a ‘gimmie’ when they play Iowa in November. KF will likely have the Hawks in their usual November swoon and we’ll be the ones limping to the insight.com bowl.

Mike. I’m a Hawkeye fan in Arizona, but like many of my Big 10 friends perhaps you have some blinders on. Here in Phoenix we receive radio broadcasts of there major college football teams for every game played. Arizona State, Arizona, and Nebraska. Sure ND has many more fans than NU, but these fans are typically Catholic, and have two favorite teams…the home team and Notre Dame. For example, how many people do you know that cheer for both the Hawkeyes and ND? Yes, ND would have been a better financial pickup, but NU was still an amazing pickup.

Here’s something you should check. Go to u-tube and find the ESPN program where the had a tourney to determine the all time best college football teams, and listen to Herbsteit complain about Nebraska fans. The finals turn out to be 71 NU vs 95 NU. Those were indeed amazing teams, but explain to me how that could happen if Nebraska doesn’t have a huge national following, and a large amount of national respect.

Mike-

Growing up in Nebraska, let me tell you a bit more what it’s like here. You cannot escape Husker football. You either have to chose to be a fan, or not care. Either way, on Saturdays in the fall the Nebraska game is THE game.

I grew up in the 90′s and some of my favorite childhood memories were watching the Huskers win national championships. When Nebraska lost a game, the next day at church was almost like going to a funeral. Even though the 90′s was basically the peak of our success, I know that Nebraska was great in the 80′s, the 70′s, and even part of the 60′s. That’s 40+ years of consistently winning 9-10 games per year, and almost always being in the national title picture during the offseason.

I find that it’s easy to root for a team when these factors are at work: 1) It’s the home team 2) You identify with the team, and 3) The team is successful

In the case of Nebraska football, all three of these were at work during that 40+ year run of success, making it very easy for the entire state to bandwagon. We don’t have a professional team or even another major university to root for. Nebraska football is the home team. We can all identify with the program because it was built with strong character and hard work. That’s what we represent, and that’s what our football team represents to us. To most Nebraskans, it’s not the University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s football team. It’s OUR football team. Win or lose, Nebraska football is a part of who we are as Nebraskans.

Over that 40+ years of success, an entire generation was born, grew up, and started families. My parents were a part of that generation, and they raised me with strong values, a hard work ethic, and a good dose of Husker football Even though I still live in the state and probably always will, I know that anywhere I go outside of this state I will find other Husker fans, and they will be just as passionate as I am.

Over an entire generation, there were a good number of people who left Nebraska, and today there are still many who leave. But there are deeply committed Husker fans all over the country because even if you leave our state, our state doesn’t leave you. Nebraska football is a great brand because to it’s fans it’s more than football. It’s a part of who we are.

Well, I will say this Mike…Nebraska fans never appear to be at a loss for words. Not sure what made them all feel like they needed to circle the wagons. If their program was as big as they claim it is, I imagine it wouldn’t matter what a sporstwriter for an Iowa newspaper thought. Must not be enough to read in Lincoln (here is where I plug Shatel and advise the UNL fans to enjoy their own local sportswriters). You’ll politely tell me again that all are welcome and I agree. On a sidenote, maybe we can convince Terry to be a fan of UNL as well? Lol

Nebraska has the longest sellout streak in the nation at 311 and counting. It hasn’t been threatened at all since the mid-60′s. Not even Bill Callahan could kill it. The next longest streak, belonging to Notre Dame at just over 200 wins, was in danger of losing their streak back in 2009. Nobody else is even within half of Nebraska’s record. That should tell you something about the strength of Nebraska’s fanbase.

Mike,
What the Husker fans don’t get, and I’m an Iowa fan stuck in Omaha, is that outside of their little red box, no one cares about the Huskers. I would point out, more than 75% of Nebraska’s games recently per season prior to joining the Big Ten were on PPV. No one, and I mean no one, would carry their games. Why? Because for the sake of the country, most of the idiot husker fans are incapable of finding their way out into the big scary world. The fact is, Nebraska is a television draw these days when the team they are playing matters. Nebraska fans, you were on TV because you played Texas and Oklahoma, not because of anything you have done. Mike, idiot husker fans, (which is a more accurate than the self labeled “smartest football fans”,) don’t get it. They don’t realize that Denard Robinson didn’t finish one Big Ten game last year, that alone does not give Taylor Martinez much hope to survive, let alone make it out of the tunnel in one piece.They are morons that lash out at anyone that questions/mocks/calls out their reason for existing. You’re wasting your time explaining yourself to these people Mike. Simple solution for husker conversations. Keep it simple for the simple people.And no bright lights. They multiply in light.

As a Nebraska student, fan and avid reader, I try to stay as up-to-date as possible on all Husker info, which is how I found this article. I, like almost every other “commenter” on here, disagree with what Mike has to say about Nebraska’s place in college football and its national following. Many valid points in previous comments have collectively stated what I had in mind regarding Nebraska’s prominence not only across the United States but across the globe. But, I think all of you are missing one key point.

A couple of you have reasoned as to how Nebraska’s brand became so big and gained such a following, but I think you all missed a huge reason as to why they gained national prominence. In the late ’60s and ’70s, television became a household item and form of entertainment. But, only a few networks broadcast television nationally. At the same time as the television boom, both the Nebraska and Oklahoma football teams were dominating the college football scene and with their successes and intriguing Big 8 rivalry. In fact, Nebraska’s contest against Kansas State in 1939 was the 2nd ever college football broadcast on television. Memorial Stadium in Lincoln was also one of the first to offer specific places for television cameras to set up. Because Nebraska continued to win and Oklahoma continued to win through the ’60s-’90s, they were both in every American’s living room almost every weekend of every fall. Families grew up watching the Huskers because they were one of the only things to watch. This weekly exposure and continued success created a booming fan base and helped to create the notoriously faithful world-wide support for NU today aka Husker nation.

Just a question. Does anyone know of any city in the U.S. besides in Nebraska that has more than 17 nebraska watch sites ? 17 is what Phoenix has as of the 2010 season. There will be at least one or two more added by the fall.

I think it’s simply amazing to have that many watch sites in another city out side of the state of Nebraska.

This will be Comment No. 58 on this thread. Let’s get to 100.

I dare say if I threw out such statements about any other Big Ten program, I’d not have the reaction I’ve gotten about Nebraska. Which may be an argument against what I wrote.

I’ll help out Mike.

Do I have to say something important here? We are talking about a football program right? For a minute, I thought someone’s entire existence was at stake.

Well Mike, you’ve hit a gold mine. If you want to stimulate debate on your blog; write about Nebraska. lol

Question for you. Did you see the Oklahoma/Nebraska game when it was played in 1971 on Thanksgiving day? Those of us that did, will never forget it.

Man…do I feel old!

I think the prime time national viewing announcement puts this to rest.

JIM, TOM and BO knows.