Nebraska Football Tailgate: Battling the Michigan State Spartans

Nebraska football will close out its home schedule Saturday against Michigan State. Here’s the recipe for the final home tailgate of the season.

I can’t believe it’s the last tailgate of the season for Nebraska football. I can’t believe it’s at 11 am. Again. That has to be some kind of maniacal morning record. I’d rather kiss a Hawkeye fan than suffer through another early game. Nahhhh, that’s a lie. There would be NOTHING worse than that. For those fair weather fans not willing to brave the chilly 30 degrees and possible snow, it will be televised by FOX.

It’s Senior day so get there early if you want to hear all 18 names. We are losing some really good ones, the last of the Bo Pelini era. Stanley Morgan, Jr., Devine Ozigbo, Mick Stoltenberg, Jerald Foster, and Luke Gifford are some of my favorites. There are eight grad students, eight graduating in December and the other two on pace to graduate in May. Way to go guys!

Michigan State comes to town with a VERY stout run defense. The matchup against Husker favorite Ozigbo and a dash (hopefully) of Maurice Washington sprinkled on the flanks is going to be battle all in itself. JD Spielman is listed as day-to-day with an injury so let’s hope the trainers get him healthy because there is always glory in a trinity. The team that wins the trenches there will win the overall contest I think. Nebraska has been on an offensive tear but don’t expect it to be the same thing this week.

Nebraska coaches will also need to earn their dollars when they make this week’s battle plan. The fact that Penn State’s mobile quarterback was able to create some problems and get some ground yardage against Sparty is encouraging for Adrian Martinez. If I know this, Scott Frost and Troy Walters do. That’s a good sign.

On the offensive side of the ball, Sparty is without their best running backs due to injury. Plus, their quarterback, Brian Lewerke, seems to have something going on with his throwing arm. We may see some of the backup too, Rocky Lombardi. He has a tendency to cause turnovers. Yes, please. Does his name make anyone else want to Netflix the movie “Creed” and watch it in Green Bay? If you want the full run down on injuries for both Nebraska and Sparty read here.

I’d like to say I’m used to the early start after having survived six of them already. I’m not. Much like the weather for Saturday, I’m a little bitter and cold about it still. But in true soldier on fashion, I’ll pack the hand warmers again this week, and be out there cheering on Big Red.

For a Nebraska versus Sparty hearty breakfast, you could mix green food coloring while scrambling eggs and whip up some green eggs and ham. The perfect wingman side dish for that would be some “Pound Sparty Potato Puffs.” This recipe is a mixture of a couple I’ve tried. They are bite size (which is how Nebraska will get its yards on offense) and well served warm or cold.

Mix 3 cups cold mashed potatoes, 4 ounces cream cheese softened, 3 diced scallions, 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese, 3 large beaten eggs, and 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp cajun spice (Tony Cachere or Slap ya Mama). Scoop it into a greased mini muffin tin and bake at 400 degrees. for 23-25 minutes, until the tops are golden. Loosen with a knife once cooled and serve.

My beverage recommendation still uses that breakfast orange juice theme. I call it Sparty Juice. Begin with a screwdriver (vodka and OJ) but add in blue curacao to turn it green. The drink will warm you up, just like another Husker victory! And with OJ in it, that means it’s healthy. Yes, I’m declaring it such. So let it be written, so let it be done!

Expect a low scoring game. If the Huskers can score 28 points I say they win the day. It would be great to see the seniors go out with a win after ALL the coaching changes and drama they’ve seen. As fans, we will see coaches and drama come and go without much personal consequence. Those kids though, no one gives them extra eligibility because the wrong people were put in charge.

Get to the game early, wear lots of layers, bring a snuggle buddy and cheer on Nebraska as it looks to leave Memorial Stadium with a W! Send me your photos and recipes at Kelian_NE on Twitter. Thank your tailgate hosts. Get home safely and as always, GO BIG RED!