The Extrapolater

I’ve never experienced college football vertigo before. It’s actually kind of disquieting. To see my team, which I have suffered with during most of my adult life, is in the top five of every poll, sitting right behind the likes of Ohio State, LSU, and Oklahoma. I thought I’d feel giddy, but I’m actually a little dizzy and scared.

Don’t get me wrong - putting the hurt on Nebraska for a change was sweet - but there’s still so much season left, with a trap game looming in Stillwater next weekend, and our longtime nemesis Missouri at the end of the road. Now that there’s something to play for, it’s all very nerve-wracking.

Of course, this version of Nebraska is like New Coke. A snazzy new flavor demanded by no one, and generally considered to be inferior to the classic red and white label. You’d think that would take some of the pleasure out of beating them, but when you’ve been on the receiving end of the beatings for 36 of the past 38, you sop it up like gravy, let me tell you. And slapping around a former Raiders coach pleases Kansans pretty well, also.

Sadly, I didn’t get to watch the game. It was not deemed interesting enough to be shown on the East Coast, so I had to settle for catching highlights on the big screen television at the bowling alley. Yep, went bowling with my family during the game. Maybe there’s something metaphorical there - bowling for a BCS bowl.

Everyone was spectacular, though my dad called and complained bitterly about Aqib Talib getting roasted by Maurice Purify for some long plays that led to Nebraska’s 39 points. Hopefully Mangino and his cast of goats turned heroes will figure out how to disguise that weakness in succeeding contests.

Remaining games: @Oklahoma State, Iowa State at home, Missouri at neutral Arrowhead Stadium in KC.

Whew!