We are Nebraska

You know, I really wanted to do a great breakdown of this game. I wanted to analyze every angle and every player to see what advantages we had over the Trojans, to explain why I think that we are going to knock off the juggernaut this Saturday. But that's been done. Everything that could be broken down has. Every position has been scrutinized, no stone left unturned in the investigation as to whether the Huskers can beat USC. So I'm not going to go into analysis. Instead, let me say the following:

We were meant for more.

We were meant for more than Big 12 North titles and 5 loss seasons. We were meant for more than middle-of-the-pack status, more than an afterthought on the evening sports recap. We aren't Oklahoma State or Rutgers. We are NEBRASKA.

We are the Huskers, the program of Frazier and Frost, of Crouch and Craig, of Rozier and Rodgers. We are 43 conference titles, 5 national championships, and 800+ wins. We are 283 consecutive sellouts, 7 Outland Trophies and 3 Heismans. We are the Greatest Fans in College Football. We are 11 undefeated seasons and Hail Varsity. From the Bugeaters to the Blackshirts, our history is as deep and rich as any program in the land. We aren't Louisville or Texas Tech, we are NEBRASKA.

Some might like to tell you that our time has passed, that the halcyon days of our program have have come and gone and that we are just another program on the crowded college football landscape. I beg to differ. What was once great can become great again. The luster that the N once carried is still there, hidden under 5 years worth of uncharacteristic losing and a sloppily-handled regime change. This weekend, the Huskers have the opportunity to show that the rest of the college football world better have enjoyed their reprieve from Nebraska, because we are far from resigning ourself to the second tier. We are NEBRASKA, and our place is in the upper reaches of the college football hierarchy, with the other kings of the sport. This weekend, we take our place at the table. It's been nearly two years since those "Restore the Order" shirts came out after a victory at Colorado. This weekend, we make people take notice that it is finally restored.

Huskers 24, USC 21