Huskers have some big 'thank yous' to hand out

Tyler Bieck/McCook Daily Gazette University of Nebraska running back Brandon Jackson (32) runs through a hole during last Saturday's Big 12 Conference game against Missouri at Memorial Stadium. Jackson rushed for 38 yards as the Huskers defeated the Tigers 24-3. Nebraska plays at Iowa State this Saturday.

Husker Nation, you have some "Thank Yous" that you need to hand out.

I know it was Halloween season this past weekend, but it really felt like Christmas thanks to the Missouri Tigers.

I'll get the ball rolling with a thank you note of my own.

* All my thanks go out to Missouri coach Gary Pinkal.

Coach, I really appreciate your terrible utilization of your quarterback, Brad Smith.

Not only did you order Smith, one of the most dangerous mobile quarterbacks in the country, to attempt 56 passes in windy and blustery conditions, but your scheme also held Smith to 25 yards rushing.

Also Coach Pinkal, what's up with shedding running back Tony Temple's redshirt for a 13-yard off six carries performance?

I hope you have something big planned for the true freshman this season.

Oops, I just broke the rules. Only gracious and appreciative comments allowed.

I also owe a message of praise to the Missouri secondary.

* Dear Tiger secondary, thanks for avoiding playing the hero and not intercepting any of Joe Dailey's horrendous passes.

Dailey's 4-for-17 day was pretty ugly, and you guys could have brought that to the forefront. But instead you played the "good buddy" role to Husker fans.

Getting away from the Nebraska-Missouri game, compliments are due else where among the college football world.

* Texas Tech, you've come to Nebraska's rescue for the second time this season.

To start you guys nicely hinted to the Blackshirts that something might be out of whack with a cute, little 70-10 romp of the Huskers, but then you defeat Kansas State to give Nebraska the outright Big 12 North lead.

If you guys keep this up I'll have to take it upon myself to purchase a "Red Raiders for Nebraska" banner to hang at Tom Osborne Field.

* Florida schools, oh boy did you guys come through in the clutch to alleviate any heartache that may have lingered in the land of the Huskers.

OK, so Florida, Florida State and Miami all lost on the same day since the late 70's, but Florida also fired its coach in the same week prior to playing a Top-Five team in Auburn.

The peninsula of Florida definitely took it upon itself to provide the comical relief for the week. We'll see if it continues today, on Election Day, hanging chads anyone?

Nebraska faces another battle this weekend to remain as the Big 12 North, ahem, elite.

I assumed the Huskers would defeat Iowa State, and I won't waver despite that Iowa State is tied for second, with Missouri, in the North Division with a 2-3 Big 12 record.

What a sad, weird year.

But at least the Huskers got the Missouri-Nebraska Victory Bell back.

Because Nebraska beat Missouri, Tyler now thinks the Huskers will win the Big 12 North.

Tyler would like to know where you think the Huskers will end out this year. You can Tyler Bieck by e-mailing him at bieck11@hotmail.com