Many Nebraska fans cannot wait for the switch to the Big Ten to create new rivalries. Others are concentrating on the farewell year in the Big Twelve that gets underway on Saturday. To get prepared, one Omaha family hosted an early tailgating party -- complete with former UNL marching band members performing.

For the 4th year, Jeff and Jen Fitzke turned their backyard into a makeshift football field. "Everyone had fifty-yard line seats," says Jeff.

To make the experience seem like Memorial Stadium, they even recreated the menu. "We have all the stadium food. We catered in Valentino's, Fairbury hot dogs, and Runza's."

The UNL graduates do this as a way to practice for the real thing this weekend. The party keeps growing says Jen Fitzke, "Maybe 25 our first year and 60 this year."

In addition to the food, they used landscaping paint to paint the yardage markers on the ground. And just like a game -- approximately two hours into their party -- it was halftime.

Jeff played his alto sax. Jen on her trumpet. Several other former Husker marching band members joined in. The tuba players even remembered some of the choreography.

Neighbors didn't seem to the mind. "Except for a few Colorado fans down the street," says Jeff.

This time next year, tailgaters may set their ire on fresh opponents -- but the songs remain the same.

<a href="http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/102033778.html?ref=778tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/102033778.html?ref=778Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:51:43 GMT 00:00">Tailgating Like None Other