Is Oregon the real Newbraska?
Nebraska has struggled to rediscover the magic that lead to multiple championships and a dynastic 90's run under Tom Osborne. Has the magic been simply recreated in the Pacific Northwest?
“Newbraska” is a funny term you’ll hear thrown around now and again to describe teams that have been historical powers but are doomed by realignment to second tier status. In particular, it’s often used to describe Oklahoma once they enter the SEC.
It’s not actually a good descriptor for Oklahoma’s situation. The Sooners are in a state with double Nebraska’s population and are within striking distance of large metro areas with Sooner alumni such as DFW, Kansas City, and St. Louis. There’s no similar advantages for Nebraska.
No one asks whether there could be a “Newbraska” that matches the 90s Cornhuskers by building a feared national power out in the middle of nowhere. Newbraska in the positive sense.
The answer might be yes and it would be the Oregon Ducks. Rather than building out an elite program with a particular style of play and state-wide commitment though, the Ducks’ path has been to leverage a single billionaire benefactor in Phil Knight into a competitive program. Most recently they’ve been able to lock down a top regarded coach in Dan Lanning, who didn’t take the expected out to Tuscaloosa, and may consequently manage to make the 90’s Husker breakthrough and actually win National Championships in the coming years.
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