ON THE HUSKER MENU: THE MIAMI HURRICANES. Huskers and Canes prepare for Rose Bowl, anticipation builds. By Jim D. Berryman Content Editor During football season, most Husker fans kind of thought we would get to the big game in Pasadena, but not one single soul could have guessed how the mighty Big Red would get there. After one of the most bizarre finishes in college football history, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are going to Pasadena to play undefeated Miami in the Rose Bowl. But don’t ask me how they got there. That could take awhile. It was a chain of events unlike anything seen recently in college football. Team after team losing. Other teams winning. Other teams winning that we already beat. Having an extra game. Florida losing. Texas losing. Tennessee losing. Colorado losing a BCS final tally so close, coach Barnett couldn’t contain himself on TV immediately after the pairings were announced. Sure, he had the right to be upset, but it also set the tone for a bitter argument between Huskers and Buffs fans that continues to this day. Many terrible things have been said, not only about the Nebraska football team, but the fans as well. Out-of-state Nebraskans have heard it more than those living in Nebraska. National pundits have had their Corncob yuk yuks. They’ve gone to the video tape of the NU-CU game on a number of occasions, and it hurts each time to see it. But we’re moving on. We deserve to be there. Now bring on the Canes. On the menu, the Miami Hurricanes. A team that swept through the regular season undefeated at 11-0. A team that at times has looked unstoppable, and then the next week shows its weaknesses. The Canes struggled against Boston College, squeaking out a narrow victory. They also pummeled Syracuse and Washington. It’s going to be a tough game. But the match-up is a good one. It has marquee written all over it. Nothing better than a little controversy to get people talking. Then, add a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, throw in a history of memorable Nebraska vs. Miami bowl match-ups, and you have a winning ratings combination. Rose Bowl officials and ABC must have been jumping for joy at the Nebraska announcement, knowing what kind of dollars the Cornhusker faithful would bring to town. ABC knew it had a winning match-up for many of the reasons above. So, it’s bye-bye Colorado controversy, and hello warm and sunny, with the hint of rose in the air, Pasadena! The Huskers and the Canes. Ain’t it great. HUSKER HOT PICS UPDATED LINKS TO NEBRASKA-MIAMI STORIES AND MORE: 12-31-01: Craver reveals what he said at halftime of Colorado game to pump up trailing Huskers. More from AP and Yahoo! Coach Solich in good company for number of wins in four seasons. More from Omaha World Herald 12-29-01: Miami coach says Nebraska deserves to be exactly where they are. More from Omaha World Herald Nebraska takes Friday off, Miami puts in hard day. More from Omaha World Herald 12-26-01: Omaha World Herald: NU in rare role as underdog. 12-25-01: Omaha World Herald: Huskers leave cold behind, arrive in Pasadena. Omaha World Herald: No Rose Bowl ticket, but you still want to tailgate? Big Problem! 12-22-01: Miami Herald: Canes' Davenport to miss Rose Bowl. Omaha World Herald: Is your Rose Bowl ticket a fake? 12-21-01: ESPN Preview Crouch tribute by Tom Shatel for Sporting News Nebraska vs. Miami: GUESS THE SCORE! Feedback