Countdown to the B1G move: Nebraska

School name: University of Nebraska--Lincoln

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

Mascot/nickname: Cornhuskers, Herbie Husker and Lil' Red

School colors: Red and White

Distance from College Park: 1,202 miles

Enrollment: 24,593 total students (19,345 undergrads)

B1G Member since: 2010

Notable achievements: Nebraska has won five national championships in football (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997) and are the fifth most winningest program in college football history with 860 wins. Among graduates, instructors and administrators affiliated with the university, Nebraska has three Noble laureates and three Pulitzer Prize winners. Billionaire Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffet, current Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and first Prime Minister of Latvia Karlis Ulmanis all graduated or spent time studying at Nebraska.

We’ve been in the ACC since forever. Tell us which ACC school Nebraska is most similar to and why.

The ACC’s Nebraska-equivalent, at least in revenue sports, seems to be Miami. Both schools value football much higher than basketball. They have storied football programs that were dominate in certain eras, but have since dropped off. Currently, both Miami and Nebraska are trying to get back to the consistent elite status they used to have in college football. In addition, both schools are known for having lackluster basketball programs. Granted, Nebraska looks to be making noise in Big Ten basketball and Tim Miles and their youth make their future look bright, and only two seasons ago Miami won the ACC basketball title. That being said, these schools are traditionally football-centered and likely always will be.

Let me phone a friend about this.

Our new B1G pals at Corn Nation, SB Nation’s Nebraska blog, gave us some lengthy and interesting answers to our questions. Here we go:

In your opinion, which ACC school is Nebraska most similar to and why? This can be

academically, in football, in basketball, in any sport or in several different ways.

Jon: Oooooh boy. Given that I'm not an expert on ACC schools, I would say nearly none of them, but I can make stuff up as well as anyone. The biggest reason I disavow Nebraska being like any ACC school is because that conference has the word "Coast" in it.

Nebraska. Coast. No. Not anything alike.

Notre Dame doesn't have a damned thing to do with a coast either. Come to think of it, neither does Pitt. Why are they in the ACC?

Nebraska in football is much like Florida State. Both schools had legendary coaches that lead them to national titles, and both fan bases have very high expectations for their football programs.

Cobcast Ryan: I would say we are a better version of Pitt mixed with Miami. I have nothing to back that up with except that we historically have had a lot of Florida boys on our squad and are/were known to be tough as nails.

Cobby: WELL, LETS SEE. GEORGE STRAIT SAND ABOUT OCEAN FRONT PROPERTY IN ARIZONA. I'LL TAKE THAT TO BE A RECKONING ABOUT MAKING DUE WITH WHAT YOU GOT. WHICH MEANS SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU'RE TOO IMPARED TO DRIVE, YOU JUST DRINK THE BUSCH TILL YOU RUN OUT, PEE A LITTLE, AND WAKE UP WITH A REMINDER IN YOUR PHONE TO SPLURGE ON HIGH LIFE NEXT TIME YOU HIT UP HYVEE.

Brian: That's Cobby above. He's the former mascot. Got a big payment for subscribing to a bunch of Publishers Clearing House stuff and didn't JG Wentworth it.

As far as Nebraska... I would say Florida State is a good call. Pitt, really Ryan? Damn. Steve Pederson can join Dan Marino and die of gonorrhea and rot in hell, right Mrs. Finkle?

Husker Mike: Miami. A few years where the football team was downright legendary, and the basketball program occasionally rises above mediocrity to be OK, but still doesn't accomplish much.

Athletic Facilities: The Huskers play their football at Memorial Stadium, one of the premier stadiums in all of college football. Memorial Stadium has been the home of the Huskers since 1923 and holds over 90,000. The game day atmosphere at Nebraska is known to be one of the best in the country. Between the Tunnel Walk, the releasing of red and white balloons and the Sea of Red, it’s something worth experiencing. It’s certain a trek from College Park to Lincoln, but if you want to see college football done right, go to Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska’s basketball arena, Pinnacle Bank Arena, is brand new. It seats 15,147, and in the arena’s inaugural year, the Cornhuskers had no problem filling it up. Pinnacle Bank Arena replaced its much less awe-inspiring counterpart Bob Devaney Sports Complex, and it seems Nebrasketball has found themselves a comfortable new home. The atmospheres in Lincoln this last season were some of the best in the Big Ten. Again, it’s quite a trip from Maryland to Nebraska, but if you have the ability to go see the Terps play at Nebraska, it’s something I would strongly recommend checking out.

Non-Revenue Athletics: At Nebraska, football rules all. However, they do have some competitive teams in sports outside of football. Women’s volleyball at Nebraska has won three national championships, all since 1995, and made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in 2014. Men’s gymnastics has won eight national championships, but hasn’t won a championship in 20 years. This last season, Nebraska’s women’s basketball team won the Big Ten Tournament as the three seed. We all know how well Maryland’s women’s basketball team did this season. Nebraska could be a school to provide Maryland with some competition the near future. In baseball, Nebraska finished second in the Big Ten with a 41-21 record. Maryland is an up-and-coming baseball program, and the Terps and Huskers could be battling for Big Ten baseball titles in the near future.

Food, Beer & Town:

Again, we turn to the folks at Corn Nation.

Tell me a little bit about the city of Lincoln and the area around the university. What are the best places to eat? Where is a good place to grab a beer? What makes Lincoln charming? Any places to make sure you see and any places to definitely avoid? Attractions, things to do, etc. Just let your feelings about Lincoln flow basically.

Jon: What makes Lincoln charming? Probably the fact that the University is the central focus of the town. The state capital is there, and the capitol building is considered a great piece of architecture, but it's the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that makes the place. I haven't lived there since 1987 and I still miss the Zoo Bar.

Cobcast Ryan: I grew up there until I was 24 so I'm a lot biased. Heres my list: 1) Go to Misty's Friday before the game. 2) Unless you are  a frat boy don't go to bars downtown for the game because it can get pretty bro-y. 3) Tailgates are where its at or a good ol' fashioned garage party. 4)If you can, be at the Osborne/Berringer statue and watch the team come in (maybe an hour before the game). 5) If you are cool to everybody then everybody will be cool to you no matter what your team. Lincoln on saturdays is the best place for opposing teams to watch a game. You will be treated like family, Unless you're a jerk then you will be treated like a jerk.

Cobby: N STREET DRIVE IN. EASY ACCESS, CASES OF HYPNOTIQ AND SAILOR JERRYS TO TAKE TO YOUR TAILGATE, PLENTY OF CHAIN RESTAURANTS FOR FOLKS TO DIVULGE BOLD FLAVORS INTO, AND JUST ENOUGH TRAFFIC TO SEND YOU INTO ROADRAGE AS YOU LEAVE WITH A LOSS.

Brian: Nebraska fans are pretty nice, almost to the point of annoying the shit out of you. To mirror Ryan's sentiments, they will say welcome, give you freebies to fill you up while you tailgate, and wish you home safely no matter the result of the game. Some folks will be donks, but there's enough folks to call out the donks and will make sure you have a overall great time. Hit the Haymarket, eat at Misty's the night before, find some time to get Vals and Runza into your diet (or take it home, cause freezing and dry ice!) and try to enjoy your weekend in Lincoln.

How likely is Maryland to develop a rivalry with this school?

Based upon proximity and what sports each school values, it’s not very likely. Maryland and Nebraska are on absolute opposite ends of the Big Ten landscape geographically. In addition, Maryland requires a rival who places a lot of emphasis on basketball, while Nebraska needs a school to care more deeply about their football. Not to mention Maryland and Nebraska will not be playing each other often in football due to being in different divisions. Unless something controversial happens, there probably won’t be much bad blood between Maryland and Nebraska, and even then it’s not likely.