Forgive me, but I am having a hard time recognizing these Nebraska Cornhuskers, you know the team that will face the USC Trojans in a little over a week at the National University Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

First, I just can’t get comfortable that they play in the Big Ten. Whatever happened to the Big 8 and that titanic traditional rivalry with Oklahoma? When was the last time the Cornhuskers won a national title? You hate to live in the past, but these can’t be today’s Big Red, can they?

But be careful USC Trojans (8-4), because even in this obvious transitional period in Lincoln, these Cornhuskers were still 9-3 during the 2014 regular season, and still have some weapons with a dreaded dual-threat, athletic quarterback and a remarkable I-back to pressure your defense.

And let’s not forget the history between the two storied programs.

Although the Trojans have played the Cornhuskers just four times, USC has a 3-0-1 advantage. Yet, there has always something special when these two programs have meet on the gridiron, as rare as it might be.

That’s why the 37th National University Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27 in San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium (5 p.m. PT) still means something by the nature of their legendary programs. In watching the Trojans and the Cornhuskers have at it, fans in attendance and watching on ESPN will get a chance to see two of college football’s royalty and don’t think for a minute the players aren’t aware at some level what it all means, especially considering this is the first time the two have met in postseason play.

And that’s the point – at some level. Do the current Trojans really know that Nebraska was once one of the crown jewels of college football? Sure doesn’t seem that way. Not with the current state of Cornhuskers football. I mean, the Trojans will be facing a team with an interim coach, a guy named Barney Cotton, which sounds more like a character from the old Andy Griffith Show.

Now when I think of Nebraska football and I am sure the current Trojans don’t, I think of Hall of Fame coaches Bob Devaney and Dr. Tom Osborne. Devaney won two national championships (1970-71). Those two Devaney powerhouses were nearly as good as it gets. The names of quarterback Jerry Tagge, tailback Jeff Kinney, linebacker Jerry Murtaugh, and, of course, electrifying wingback Johnny Rodgers, a native San Diegan, were college football household names back in the day.

Least we forget, those 1970 National Champion Nebraska Cornhusker that finished the season at 11-0-1? That 21-21 tie was courtesy of the USC Trojans before 73,768 in the Coliseum.

As for Dr. Tom, who was Devaney’s offensive coordinator before establishing into his own fabled Cornhuskers run (1973-1997), he recorded three national championships (1994, 1995, 1997).

How many of today’s Trojans that will face the Huskers have probably never heard of Nebraska legends such as Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Eric Crouch, Heisman I-back Mike Rozier, or Heisman wingback Johnny Rodgers.

Honestly, why should any of the current Trojans know any of these Cornhuskers? The same, of course, could be true of the current Nebraska players as it pertains to the Trojans glorious history and tradition.

I remember the early days of the series when the Trojans and Nebraska were both on top of their game. I was a young man back in 1969 when the Men of Troy traveled back to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln for the first meeting. The game was such a big deal that the Trojans had the game shown on closed circuit television in the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, but it was only for USC students and staff.

Okay, Father, I must admit my sin; I weaseled my way into the Sports Arena, thanks to a compassionate usher at the glass door. With a huge student turnout and a contingent of the Trojans Marching Band, the feel was like being in Lincoln. It was a great game for the Trojans, an impressive 31-21 win.

Times, however, are different today for both the Trojans and the Cornhuskers. For the Cardinal and Gold, they’re hoping under first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian to recapture some of the magic from the Pete Carroll era and divest itself entirely from the dark shadow of the unjust NCAA crucible of sanctions.

The Huskers have their own issues, having fired the ornery Bo Pelini in hopes of returning to the glory days. Ironically, Nebraska has placed its hopes in former Trojans offensive coordinator and former Oregon State head coach Mike Riley. Riley is a great guy, but if the Cornhuskers faithful are awaiting to see the vaunted power attack of Bob Devaney and/or vaunted triple-option scheme of Tom Osborne, well, those days are as long gone.

Riley will be on hand at the National University Holiday Bowl to watch his future team, much like Steve Sarkisian was placed in the same position last bowl season, watching his future Trojans team perform in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. Sometimes reality is stranger than fiction.

So, be careful Trojans. You are solidly favored to beat the Huskers, a team in transition, but be assured the Nebraska team you’ll face in Qualcomm Stadium knows its history and takes great pride in it. They know the expectations just like you do your own. That much both you both have in common.

And what both also have in common is a tradition of winning, steeped in excellence, and some high motivation to win in the National University Holiday Bowl at the expense of the other’s college football lore.