June 21, 2009: Happy Father's Day everyone ...

We are about 2-1/2 months away from the start of College Football. The PGA is suffering through a soggy week at Bethpage for the US Open.

Today, it's Father's Day 2009! Happy Father's Day to all!

Cidsports doesn't surf the free board on Rivals Iowa Football message board too often, but we picked up an interesting post on Nebraska and Duke football programs.

Many in the Iowa-Nebraska fan bases would like to see a rivalry in football renewed. Since 1978, Iowa and Nebraska have played six times (home and home). I had the pleasure of attending five of the six games. The Huskers clearly had the better record, but it was a good series for the fans.

My grandfather was from Grand Island, NE originally and I spent six football seasons in Omaha, while at Creighton University and while working my first full time gig, after college. My first college football game as a college student in Nebraska was the Iowa vs. Nebraska game in '82.

iowanole1 on the Rivals Network made an interesting post on the BCS conference schools.

"According to Phil Steele, since 2001, 63 of the 65 BCS teams have beaten a
team in the top 19. One of the two teams not to is Duke, and the other one
is...Drum roll please... Nebraska. Have fun with that one." - iowanole1

Alum-NI on the Rivals Network provided some additional commentary on the subject, from a Husker fans prospective.

"Unfortunately, I can answer that one. We all know of this "statistic"
far too well.The last win against someone in the Top 19 was on October 27, 2001
when Nebraska defeated #2 Oklahoma 20-10.
Since then, 2001: #14 Colorado (L 36-62)
2001: #1 Miami (L 14-37)
2002: #7 Texas (L 24-27)
2002: #11 Kansas State (L 13-49)
2002: #13 Colorado (L 13-28)
2003: #16 Texas (L 7-31)
2004: #2 Oklahoma (L 3-30)
2005: #15 Texas Tech (L 31-34)
2006: #4 USC (L 10-28)
2006: #5 Texas (L 20-22)
2006: #8 Oklahoma (L 7-21)
2006: #10 Auburn (L 14-17)
2007: #1 USC (L 31-49)
2007: #17 Missouri (L 6-41)
2007: #17 Texas (L 25-28)
2007: #8 Kansas (L 39-76)
2008: #4 Missouri (L 17-52)
2008: #7 Texas Tech (L 31-37 OT)
2008: #4 Oklahoma (L 28-62)

So....the Huskers have lost 19 straight to teams ranked in the top 19.
There have been a lot of close calls in that span, and some blowouts.
Just an ugly monkey we need to get off our backs." - Alum-NI

I have always enjoyed the Huskers football program dating back to the early 70's and OU vs. NU series. I became a Dr. Tom Osborne fan, while the Huskers were in the old Big 8. Roger Craig has always been my favorite Husker football player. Of course, we have a former Husker football player living in Cedar Rapids today, who was a Osborne recruit and played in the '87 Fiesta Bowl.

It will be interesting to see how second year coach Bo Pelini does in his second year in Lincoln. The former Husker defensive coordinator ('03 season) lead the Huskers to a 9-4 season in '08, after the Husker finished 5-7 in '07 in former Coach Bill Callahan's fourth and final season in Lincoln.

The Duke Blue Devils begin their second season under head coach David Cutcliffe, who improved the Blue Devils to 4-8 in '08, after finishing 1-11 in '07. Duke didn't face a Top 25 team last year. The Blue Devils have lost 18 straight dating from the '01 season.

peace