PressBox: Why Cornhusker Fans Can Be Excited About The Holiday Bowl

Why Cornhusker Fans Can Be Excited About The Holiday Bowl

By Kevin Heitz

Really? The Holiday Bowl? Against Washington, a team the Huskers already spanked on their home turf, 56-21? Really?

Yes, really.

After the Nebraska Cornhuskers started the season with so much promise, even after the loss to those not-good-enough-to-go-bowling Texas Longhorns, the Huskers collapsed at the end of the season. A flag-riddled, tirade-filled 9-6 loss to Texas A&M and a 23-20 loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game that had people calling for offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s head combined to land the Huskers in a bowl that doesn’t sound sexy, against a team they already beat.

Ah, but this is still college football. This is still Husker football, and on top of wondering whether Bo Pelini will behave on the sideline, there are at least five reasons to tune into ESPN Thursday evening.

• The return of T-Magic?
Fans would like nothing more than to see Taylor Martinez return to early-season form. Regardless of whether the game marks the reincarnation of T-Magic, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson must call a good game and not be afraid to win the game.

• What will Rex do next?
I don’t care what bowl game it is or who the Huskers are playing, any chance to watch Rex Burkhead play is well worth it. If there are still critics out there that doubt the jack-of-all-trades running back’s chances in the NFL, they need only look to New England, where Danny Woodhead is proving all doubters wrong (and putting Chadron State on the map).

• Oh, Henery!
No need to tell Nebraska fans how special their kicker is, but this will be a chance for the nation to see Alex Henery, and his NFL draft stock will continue to rise. That said … it better not come down to a kick.

• Can Huskers derail Jake Locker again?
Speaking of draft stock, no player saw his NFL credentials drop faster than Washington quarterback Jake Locker after the Huskers visited the Huskies in September. Then considered a potential No. 1 draft pick, Locker was dominated by the Blackershirts and finished 4 of 20 for 71 yards and two interceptions.

• The traveling Sea of Red floods San Diego.
Nothing can lift the spirits after two losses in the final three games of the season than seeing a road stadium filled with Husker fans. Just days after Qualcomm Stadium was flooded by Mother Nature, it will be flooded Thursday by Cornheads.

Posted Dec. 29, 2010