LINCOLN - Even people who are not football fans can be grateful that it exists. Otherwise, it is frightening to contemplate what Kyle Vanden Bosch might do with his extra time.

Anyway.

Nebraska's spring game is over and what do we have to show for it?

We got a preview of what will be the best offensive line in the country next year. I consider it an honor just to be in the same state as this offensive line.

The kind of mature, controlled viciousness was evident, just ask Bobby Newcombe (elbow seperation) or Randy Stella (left game with shoulder stinger) or freshman quarterback Joe Crisman (leveled by Vanden Bosch on one of his three sacks.)

The speed on defense is there as evidenced by the chunk of green jersey stuck in Vanden Bosch's teeth.

We didn't really get a feel for how much we are going to miss the Browns (Mike and Ralph.) But, you know it's going to be a bunch.

We have running backs 'til who laid the rail. Alexander, Diedricht and Buckhalter are tough. Judd Davies is the real deal at fullback. The long list of backs may have just gotten longer with redshirt freshman Chris Butler's 118-yard effort.

A young woman suited up and kicked the ball. P>Special teams looked good.

The bottom line is that Nebraska has the foundation on which to build another run for all the marbles ... if Crouch stays healthy for the whole year.

And this is the real story, isn't it? The coaches are going to take the film, tweak a few things, talk to some players about technique and footwork and stuff like that; and then spend the next several months trying to come up with a contingency plan so that, in case Crouch gets hurt, the road to a Championship does not get derailed. Quite a challenge, I would think.

As for us, well thank God we have baseball to keep our brains warm until we get to go out to South Bend and kick the mutton stew out of Notre Dame, right in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus.

Have a nice summer.