It was 1978. Imagine this Indiana Hoosiers nonconference schedule: Game one at LSU, Game two Washington at home, Game three was Nebraska at home. Just like the photo above from the last time the UC Bearcats came calling to IU, there was plenty of Red in Memorial Stadium for the Nebraska tilt in 1978. I was there. I was ten. I’m not ten anymore. A Nebraska running back named I.M. Hipp led a Husker run game that put up more than 600 yards. Nebraska won 69-17. To Coach Lee Corso, I now say, “Not so fast my friend!” Times have changed.
Tomorrow the Indiana Hoosiers play host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in what one could argue is the biggest game to be played in Memorial Stadium since 1967. Nebraska is 25 in the coach’s poll. Indiana is 16 in the AP poll. The last ranked matchup with fans in the stands at IU was 1993 when three of those games were played back to back to back starting with Michigan State. Anyone else out there remember that late October game when there was foot of snow on Memorial Stadium before the game and you had to clean off your own seat. It was a mess. Indiana won 10-0 over Sparty. Sparty was pelted with snowballs the whole game. Good times.
I think we are looking for good times tomorrow. The kickoff is at 12 Noon and that is a good thing!
Last week was dreadful. 7 winners and 7 losers. Season total: 73 winners and 25 losers. It has to get better this week!
Miami beats Louisville… If the Cards win the turnover battle by plus-3 they might win it.
Indiana beats Nebraska… I think the Indiana offense is ready for the “black-shirt” defense. The folks blowing off in Lincoln sure don’t think so.
Rutgers beats UCLA… Ouch. That hurts. 9 AM in Piscataway? You go play at 9 AM in Piscataway! Such is life in The Big 10.
Wisconsin beats Northwestern… The Badgers found something last week. Not a Bucky fan.
Alabama beats Tennessee… The 3rd Saturday in October. I was fortunate enough to witness this in Knoxville in 2016. Milroe may be “running back” this week…. wink.
Illinois beats Michigan… This will be a big one. Have you seen the Illini helmets for this one? Not an alternate helmet fan. These I love.
Cal beats NC State… The Wolfpack playing a conference game in Berkley?
Notre Dame will beat Georgia Tech… The Irish won’t need Rudy for this one.
USC beats Maryland… The Trojans may be licking some wounds after that loss to Penn State in the Coliseum last week. For their coach’s sake, Tommy Trojan better be ready.
Texas A&M beats Mississippi State… You almost feel sorry for ole State these days.
LSU beats Arkansas… It is at Fayetteville and that is a tough place to play.
Georgia beats Texas… Why not? Let’s mix this thing up a little bit! Welcome to the SEC Bevo!
Iowa beats Michigan State… The Hawkeyes might score 30.
Florida beats Kentucky… You gotta think after getting beat by Vandy and losing another one the Cats will struggle in The Swamp.
Enjoy the weekend! Nothing like that 3rd Saturday in October!
Speaking the rights…
Danny Johnson