Nebraska Football Tailgate: It’s the final one and it’s against Iowa

It’s Thanksgiving and one day away from Nebraska football and Iowa. Here are some tailgating tips to help you enjoy Black Friday at home with the Huskers.

How bout dem HUSKERS! That was a GREAT game against Michigan State, mostly because we won. It was pretty magical to be sitting in the stadium whilst the snowflakes fell slowly to the turf, much like Sparty’s hopes. It was heartwarming (which was needed in that chilly air) to watch the Nebraska football players celebrate with snow angels in the end zone.

But enough of the smiles. Time to get serious. Time to put it “all in” if you’re the gambling sort. It’s the last game of the Nebraska football season and it’s against the Iowa Hawkeyes. If you don’t know already, the game is at 11 am and will be televised on FOX. I plan on watching from the couch and still in my jammies. I owe it to myself after bundling up two times with more layers than an onion at the last two home games.

All you need to know about Iowa is that they have won seven games, they have two superior tight ends (one from Nebraska because Riley sucked at recruiting in state), and they are looking to end the season by once again humiliating the Cornhuskers. All you need to know about Big Red is that they want this one. They want this one more than peas want paired with carrots. More than fat kids love cake. More than Urban Meyer wants his wife to never talk to other coaches’ wives.

Iowa’s run game is not fantastic. The Nebraska run game can be. It was fantastic to see Devine Ozigbo reach past that 1,000 yard milestone this year. Good on him!

It’s time for Stanley Morgan to get 77 more yards to get the same thing. Hopefully, the weather cooperates because the cold certainly turned the turf into velcro for the ball when Adrian Martinez was trying to throw it or run with it. It makes one appreciate how spoiled we have been all year with his ability to play catch and run. For more on him click here.

Michigan Wolverines

This week I think Nebraska football should have made him throw balls inside a beer warehouse to practice cold weather throwing. I say this because the weather in Iowa City will be 44 degrees with a slight chance of light rain in the morning and rain in the afternoon. Ick! But what can you expect from a state that can’t seem to write a decent coaching contract with an exit strategy.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and looking forward to the game, I’ll be thankful if JD Spielman is healthy enough to contribute on Friday. I’ll be thankful if I can end the season with a win. (After all, if winning isn’t everything then why do we keep score?)  I’ll be thankful that we have an off season without coach search drama. I’ll be thankful we had another successful tailgate season with good friends and family. I’m thankful I still giggle when there are plenty of good friends around. And I’ll be thankful some of y’all read my stuff.

What to eat during the game you ask? I will first cook up some french toast and set it aside to cool. I then get a slice of turkey from the leftover section in my fridge. I then slather – or schmear as my good New Yorka’ friend says – some cream cheese on the turkey. I add a dollop of leftover cranberry stuff (whatever kind you have) sort of like jelly on the french toast and piece it all together as a sandwich. It’s a great way to throw down some bird while the Huskers do the same!

The jello shot in my garage fridge also has a Thanksgiving theme. I call it the Cranberry Comfort. Mix 1 cup of boiling water with cranberry jello. Stir in 1/4 vodka and 1/2 cup of southern comfort. Pour into shot cups and chill! It will keep you warm. I would challenge you to eat one every time a ref blew a call but if the game is anything like the entire season, you wouldn’t make it to halftime.

Enjoy the holiday. Thank your hosts. Don’t overindulge too much because the Nebraska Cornhuskers take the field early. Feel free to share your photos, recipes and thoughts with me on Twitter at Kelian_NE. As always, GO BIG RED!