The bowl season has kicked off, in all of it's glory.  Half empty stadiums littered with advertising, filling holes in the ESPN television schedule, pre-empting poker and rhythmic gymnastics.

This is how the college football season is supposed to end?

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More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

Ndamukong Suh not only eats quarterbacks, but running backs as well. Here he devours 'Tre Newton of Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Tonight in Houston, Ndamukong Suh won the Lombardi Award for the nation's top lineman (offense or defense).  That's two for two for Mr. Suh.

Dave Matter of the Columbia Daily Tribune reports that Tyler Gabbert has broken his pledge to attend Nebraska, and will make a visit this weekend to Missouri.  That's two high-profile decommits this week; earlier, receiver Curtis Carter also dropped his plans to sign with Nebraska.

After results of Nebraska's offensive problems?  Carter indicated that he didn't think Nebraska's offense fit his style of play.  But truth be told, any player should realize that Nebraska's offense became what it is because of a lack of playmakers on the field...and that after watching Brandon Kinnie leap up the depth chart, should realize that if you can play, you'll play.

Gabbert's decommitment shouldn't be a surprise.  His brother did the exact same thing.  What it does suggest is that this staff needs to come up with some answers about what they want their offense to be, and start recruiting in that direction.  If players aren't a fit in that style, then we shouldn't be worried about decommitments.

I wonder if this opens up a scholarship for Millard South's Bronson Marsh, who looked intriguing in the Class A championship game, despite only being a "two star" recruit by Rivals.

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

Ndamukong Suh prepares to throw his lifesize Colt McCoy doll around JerryWorld at the Big XII Championship Game. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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StiffArmTrophy.com, who claims to have correctly predicted the Heisman winner seven out of the last eight years, has their initial projection out there, and the early returns has #93, Ndamukong Suh, in the lead with 59 ballots counted.   The projection takes into account regional biases, so that trims Suh's early results...but Suh still shows up in the lead.

Before Husker fans get too worked up, note that many of the early voters are Nebraska media members:  Tom Shatel, Lee Barfknecht, Sean Callahan, and Brian Christopherson.  Tonight, Travis Justice announced a first-place vote for Suh.

As one would expect, the Kansas City Star's resident college football whackjob Mike DeArmond voted Tim Tebow #1 and Colt McCoy #2.  Not sure what he's been watching, but it's not college football.  I can accept his vote for Danario Alexander for #3; Alexander deserves some love after getting stiffed badly for the Biletnikoff award.

National writers Joe Schad of ESPN and Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated have Suh #1 as well.  ESPN's Ivan Maisel gave Suh a #3 vote.

Last night's game truly might have ignited a groundswell of support for Mr. Suh; this "Suh for Heisman" campaign might actually be a realistic goal

More photos » by Amy Gutierrez - AP

Ndamukong Suh claims yet another Big XII quarterback as his own. Suh now has a harem that rivals the size of Hugh Hefner's. (AP Photo/Amy Gutierrez)

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The parallels between last night and the 1994 Orange Bowl are simply stunning.  Nobody gave Nebraska a chance, and presumed the opponent would dominate in their home state.  Nebraska takes the lead on a field goal in the final two minutes, then kicks the ball out of bounds, gives up a costly penalty to set up the game winning field goal.  Even had the refs put a second back on the clock.

It's painful, to be sure... but the true test of character is how you respond to adversity.  In 1994, that ending knawed at the team for months.  "Unfinished Business" was the theme, and that 1993 season was the first year of the greatest five year run in modern college football history.

Nebraska had plenty of opportunities to win the game last night.  Nebraska's not "back"...but game by game, they are becoming more and more relevent on the national scene.  Keep making progress and resolve to never allow this program to be in those circumstances again should be the goal.  Last night should stick in the craw of this program like 16-14 did.

Don't get mad, get even.

Here's how last night graded out; as always, your comments are always welcome!

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