SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION!!!

December 21, 2010
 
RANDOM THOUGHTS AS THE HUSKER FOOTBALL SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE
*Having the Holiday Bowl kicking off at 9:00 p.m. (CST) fits in nicely with people on the west coast, but in places like New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Atlanta and Miami, the game is being renamed the "Set Your DVR Bowl."
*As far as a rematch with the Washington Huskies, it's like getting the same fruitcake you unloaded on your brother-in-law last Christmas.
*The Big 10 commish couldn't come up with better names for the two divisions than Legends and Legacy? You gotta be kidding. For those fans who aren't embracing these cockamamie names, may I offer some of my own?
1.) Tastes Great and Less Filling
2.) Righty-Tighty and "Lefty-Loosey
3.) Frick and Frack
4.) Paper and Plastic
Okay, so maybe these ain't so hot. So send me your suggestion to HuskerDan@cox.net. I'll post the best ones in one of my next columns.
*The clamor from many Husker fans (and you know who you are) to replace Husker Offensive Coordinator, Shawn Watson has been noted. Watson's name has been mentioned for at least two head coaching positions-Vanderbilt and Miami of Ohio. If he doesn't land a HC job, Bo might be faced with a dilemma. If he replaces Watson, he may lose Husker recruit, QB sensation, Bubba Starling. Watson and Starling are very close. Will "The Bubba Factor" enter into Bo's decision?
*The Bubba Factor" may be a moot issue if Starling decides to become a MLB millionaire.
*Make that "when" not if.
*Mike Ekeler opting to join the staff at Indiana University may be a good fit for IU, Ekeler himself and the Nebraska football program.
*These are some Holiday books that don't seem to be selling very well this Christmas:
"Dressing For Success" by Bo Pelini
"How to Beat the Longhorns" by Bill Callahan with an introduction Bo Pelini.
"How To Enjoy Retirement" by Tom Osborne with a forward by Bill Snyder
"Keeping Commitments" by Josh Freeman and Blaine Gabbert
"The Secret to Shutout Football" by Kevin Cosgrove
"Laughing All The Way To The Bank" by Steve Pederson and Bill Callahan
"Everything I Know About College Football" by Husker Dan
"Sideline Conduct" by Bo Pelini
"Hillbillies I've Come To Admire" by Bill Callahan
"Slackers Are People, Too" by Bo Pelini
"The Guide to Employee Reviews" by Harvey Perlman
"Maintaining Traditions" by Steve Pederson
*Is there any truth to the rumor that Texas A&M defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie's favorite Christmas music is "The Nutcraker Suite"?
GREAT PLAINS
I recently had a chance to visit with Nebraska's very own, Michael Forsberg. His latest book, "The Great Plains-America's Lingering Wild" is is a magnificent photographic journey through the immense land mass know as the Great Plains. The idea for the book began back in 2000. Three years later, funding for the project became available, but it was still six more years before the book was finished. To capture the images of the wildlife and scenery of the area, Mike traveled hundreds of thousands of miles. He teamed with former U.S. Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser, David Wishart and Dan O'Brien to produce the book. Mike notes that "Great Plains" is already in its second printing.

He also has a couple of other books that would make ideal Christmas gifts this season. Be sure to check out "Nebraska Landscapes," and "On Ancient Wings" (about the Sandhill cranes). You can buy these books on line or by visiting his gallery (Michael Forsberg Photography) in Lincoln's Haymarket area at 100 N. 8th Street, Suite 150, Lincoln, NE 68508. You may also call his studio at 402-477-5030.

Mike is a big Nebraska football fan and says he would like to do a book on the Huskers as they enter the Big 10 Conference next fall. "It would be great to shoot pictures of the stadiums in the new conference and tie them in with the animal mascots each school has. There are the Wisconsin Badgers, the Michigan Wolverines, the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Minnesota Gophers, Nittany Lions and so on." Sounds like a plan.

BTW, Mike says that a PBS video of the "Great Plains" scheduled for release in 2011 is about 80% complete. We can't wait to see it.
CHRISTIAN UPDATE
I spoke today with Shelley Berkshire for an update on her seven year old son, Christian who is a rabid Husker football fan. If you will recall, Christian, suffers from a rare form of cancer that has affected his brain, spinal column and optic nerve. The disease has left him legally blind. I got to meet Christian and his family when they attended our "Husker Fans' Salute To The Troops" event this September at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.

Shelley says there is much good news to report. His MRI tests have shown no growth in the tumor around his brain. He has been taking nutritional herbs and supplements that have boosted his energy levels and improved his mind. His doctors are amazed at how good he looks and how well he is doing. In fact, Christian is doing so well that he goes to school a half day every day. We ask you to continue to pray for him.

THE DVR BOWL
If the Huskers come to San Diego with the goal of reaching an 11 win season-something that hasn't happened at Nebraska since 2001, Nebraska should win going away. And if Taylor Martinez is anywhere near 100% and if Niles Paul returns to form, Nebraska should be in good shape.

I'm not predicting that the margin of victory for Nebraska will be what it was the first time these two teams met in Seattle back on September 18th, but the Huskers should take care of business. The win in Seattle for the Huskers was no fluke. Clearly the superior team was Nebraska then and will be so December 30th in the Holiday Bowl.
HUSKERS 42
HUSKIES 17