Since Our Tempers Have Now Cooled...

We'd like to revisit Bo Pelini's tantrum in the Texas A&M game and postgame. Bo apologized in his press conference today, which makes things right again. He should not have provoked the refs into throwing a well-deserved unsportsmanlike conduct flag (coaches can't go around cussing out officials), but everybody makes mistakes; some people just make them on national television.

That being said, Bo's anger is completely understandable. Husker fans like us are fed up with the Big 12 refs, who have pummeled Nebraska with bad calls, no calls, and tweaked rules since the Big 12 Championship Game last year. The game against Texas A&M was about the worst game yet as far as the refs went. (Although it wasn't as bad as the Chiefs/Raiders NFL game a couple weeks ago... that was so bad it was funny.) Bo has just gotten to a point where he can't take it any more. Yes, Bo has gotten unsportsmanlike conduct penalites before, notably in sticking up for one of his players (we think it was Ndamukong Suh) in the Virginia Tech game two years ago. But Bo hasn't had one since... until Saturday, when his players were obviously getting targeted by the refs.

As far as his press conference goes, Bo should not have criticized Taylor Martinez as harshly as he did. (By the way, we have no problem with him shouting at Taylor on the sideline. Why is everyone making a big deal about that?) Did Taylor play well? Not at all. But the team was a heck of a lot better with him in the game than with Cody Green. Plus, Taylor was playing hurt. He didn't participate in practice today and showed up with a walking boot on his foot. (Incidentally, the walking boot was on his left foot, not his right foot... apparently his sprained right ankle is okay; his injury is on one of his left toes. Very confusing.)

In the end, Bo made a couple mistakes. But, frankly, it could be worse. Brad Childress handled the Brett Favre situation in a much worse way and got fired for it.

Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!

Thoughts on the Huskers/Aggies Game

First, the Big 12 officially hates Nebraska. Or, rather, the Big 12 officials hate Nebraska. The "roughing the passer" penalty that rescued Texas A&M's drive and put them in game-winning field goal range was one of the most ridiculous calls we have ever seen. Plus, if you heard about the personal foul/unsportsmanlike conduct double penalties against Huskers tight end Ben Cotton, watch this video and you'll see why at least the personal foul flag was a bad call.

Of course, the Huskers didn't deserve to win that game. (But then, the Aggies didn't either.) Essentially, the offense looked totally lost. Shawn Watson has to be fired. The only time the Huskers ever go down the field, either with Cody Green (a truly awful quarterback) or an injured Taylor Martinez, is when Rex Burkhead carries the ball. But he hardly got any touches before the fourth quarter when, surprise!, the Huskers drove right down the field - until Watson switched to a passing play that fell flat and killed the drive. The Huskers ended up with a field goal instead of a touchdown, and ultimately lost the game by three points.

As a side note, Bo Pelini should get a little more discipline into his actions, both on the field and in press conferences, if he wants his team to play disciplined football. Hopefully athletic director Tom Osborne will help him control his temper a little better.

Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!