Morning Brew: Football in the South

Joel:

Run, don't walk, to Lincoln, Neb., for any home Nebraska football game next fall. It will stack up to any place in a state that once seceded from the U.S., without the vitriol for the other team.

What Allen Fieldhouse is to college basketball, Nebraska's Memorial Stadium is to college football.

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• Posted by jayschool on November 30, 2009 at 3:02 p.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

Jay, it is not even close. Southern football is a way of life. Period. It dominates everything else. Lincoln is a great place to see a game. As is Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, and many others BUT the passion that carries over in the South cannot be duplicated. To many, their respective teams are an extension of family. Is the best football played in the South? That is debatable. Are they the most passionate. Absolutely.

And please refrain from the secession remarks. It is out of line.

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• Posted by misplacedvol on November 30, 2009 at 11:07 p.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

Mr. Tennessee-in-Kansas:

I have lived in Lincoln and Gainesville, and I have covered games in every SEC stadium.

My opinion: the passion for football in Lincoln is equal to those places in the South (now very much a part of the U.S.).

Just because we're quieter in the middle of the country and have fewer people doesn't mean we're less passionate.

Do 304 consecutive sellouts not qualify as passion?

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• Posted by jayschool on December 1, 2009 at 8:09 a.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

If you're unconvinced, hear what these observers have to say about Nebraska fans' passion:

“I think Nebraska fans are the greatest fans in all of college football. No question in my mind. I’ve coached here three times, and I’ve been here for television four times. The enthusiasm here is as good as any place, but the integrity here - of the fans - is the best in America.” - Lee Corso

"I have been coaching college football the past 28 years and have played before some great crowds in this country. I have never seen people with more class than I saw at Nebraska last week. The Nebraska fans, players, cheerleaders, band, officials, coaches, etc., gave me a living testimony of what college football should be all about.

"I actually had the feeling that when we upset the Nebraska team, that instead of hate and spite the Nebraska fans thanked us for coming to Lincoln and putting on a good show. This is nearly unheard of in today’s society. Nebraska, you are a great example for Americans to copy. I hope we show half the class your people do.

Sincerely, Bobby Bowden Head football coach Florida State University"

And from Jay Walker, a native Louisianan who attended his first game in Lincoln this year:

"This is my 18th season covering Cajuns football. And, for eight years before that, I had the opportunity to broadcast selected games on TV as well.

"I've been to nine SEC stadiums. (I'll go to a tenth next season at Georgia.) I've seen the grove at Ole Miss, experienced the Gator Chomp, the Mississippi State cowbells, been a part of Alabama football in both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. I've been called "Tigerbait" in Baton Rouge and experienced some pretty good hospitality in South Carolina.

"I've said hello to the folks at Illinois and Minnesota. Felt September heat in Tempe, AZ.

"Been to Manhattan, Lubbock, Austin, Stillwater and College Station. College Station was probably the best. Folks say 'Howdy' when they see you. And they say 'welcome.'

"Haven't been to the Horseshoe, the Big House or Happy Valley. Nor have I seen Touchdown Jesus.

"But I've been to College Football Nirvana.

"It's located in Lincoln, Nebraska."

Read the rest here: http://www.espn1420.com/SportsBlogs/tabid/3710/EntryID/6695/Default.aspx

Data to support that Nebraskans are just as passionate about football as Southerners:

In 2008-2009, the National Federation of High Schools reported that 22,875 Tennessee students played football. Tennessee's population is 6.2 million, so that's 0.38 percent of the population. Tennessee's under 18 population is 23.8 percent of its total.

In 08-09, the NFHS reported that 14,102 Neb. students played high school football. Nebraska's total population is 1.78 million, so the same percentage is 0.79 percent, or more than double the participation rate than in Tenn. Nebraska's under 18 population is 24.9 percent of its total.

Here's the link:

http://www.nfhs.org/Participation/

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• Posted by jayschool on December 1, 2009 at 10 a.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

Joel:

You've hit the nail squarely on the head. Taking nothing away from 'Husker fans, in Lincoln or else where, football in the south is different. I am a Jayhawk to the core, bleed Crimson and Blue, and I've seen football in the Midwest, born and raised there. But for the last 20 years I have lived in the south and here football is a religion, and on Saturday if you can't get yourself to 'church' you are in front of the TV. 'Fandom' is indeed in the DNA as it is often inherited, even in family's that have never seen a college graduate in their ranks (tho there are the occasional mutations).
There is a pageantry here that exceeds mere tradition. Chief Osceola, the flight of War Eagle, UGA VII (R.I.P.) to name just a few. It's not better, but it IS different.

Rock Chalk!

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• Posted by Hawkdoc82 on December 1, 2009 at 3:25 p.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

Hawkdoc:

In your statement, switch "south" to "Nebraska" and it's just as true a statement. Just because Kansans don't live and die for college football, don't broadbrush the entire Midwest.

Here's my edited version of your post:

I lived in Nebraska for 22 years, and there football is a religion, and on Saturday if you can't get yourself to 'church' you are in front of the TV. 'Fandom' is indeed in the DNA as it is often inherited, even in families that have never seen a college graduate in their ranks (though there are the occasional mutations).

There is a pageantry here that exceeds mere tradition. Radio broadcasts in every store, every tractor cab, every diner across the state; the Tunnel Walk; the band at Misty's the night before the game; saluting the other team's fans with their fight song before the game and applauding their players after; to name just a few.

It's not better, but it IS different.

Rock Chalk in the Winter! Go Big Red in the Fall!

I love Kansas and Kansans, but it's becoming very clear that you've mistaken Nebraskans' Midwestern stoicism for a lack of passion.

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• Posted by jayschool on December 3, 2009 at 10:25 a.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

. . . and it's becoming clear, jayschool, that you're mistaking Nebraska for a Division I Conference.

To even argue the column's point, the same would need to be said of KU, K-State, MU, ISU, CU, A&M, UT, OU, OSU, Baylor and Tech that can be said for Nebraska. So congrats, Huskers, on success, a championship game and die-hard fans hoping for another title, but you are one school in a conference of 11 others... at least half of which would never hold their breath over their football programs.

I hope Huskers do not go from humbling themselves by reaching out to opponents to making their school and state subject to the interchangeability of Texas ego puns.

oddly, I just read these in the magazine this last Saturday: http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-09-30/sec-football-egos

http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-09-30/sec-football-competition

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• Posted by bobsaget on December 3, 2009 at 2:43 p.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

I hope Huskers do not go from humbling themselves by reaching out to opponents to making their school and state subject to the interchangeability of Texas ego puns. http://www.ugg-boots.me

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• Posted by sofifriend on December 30, 2009 at 3:39 a.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

I have lived in Lincoln and Gainesville, and I have covered games in every SEC stadium. http://www.ghd-hair-straighteners.net

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• Posted by sofifriend on December 31, 2009 at 6:34 a.m.
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Morning Brew: Football in the South

ugg.allofshoes.com

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• Posted by sofifriend on December 31, 2009 at 6:35 a.m.
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