Nebraska's weak schedule

[Eternal Return]

Nebraska lost "close" games to Northwestern, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue (although that one wasn't all that close) and yet they somehow get respect for those losses by national pundits. Iowa, meanwhile, beat all of those teams and somehow the Hawks have played a "weak schedule." So which is it? Did Nebraska have impressive close conference losses to good teams or did Nebraska have four close losses to weak teams? If it's the latter, which is what pundits seem to think about Iowa's schedule, then why is Nebraska considered any good at all. I mean, if it's unimpressive for Iowa to have won 11 games against many of the same opponents then how is it possible that it's impressive that Nebraska lost close games against the same pitiful competition? Michigan State? Is that it, is that the difference? If that's the case, then I guess Nebraska would be an impressive team even if they had lost ten close games yet won against MSU. I'm not sure what type of ridiculous logic is being used in college football right now, but I'll take the Hawks against this ridiculously small spread -- thank you very much, Vegas!!!

 

[huskersoup]

Nebraska lost "close" games to Northwestern, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue (although that one wasn't all that close) and yet they somehow get respect for those losses by national pundits. Iowa, meanwhile, beat all of those teams and somehow the Hawks have played a "weak schedule." So which is it? Did Nebraska have impressive close conference losses to good teams or did Nebraska have four close losses to weak teams? If it's the latter, which is what pundits seem to think about Iowa's schedule, then why is Nebraska considered any good at all. I mean, if it's unimpressive for Iowa to have won 11 games against many of the same opponents then how is it possible that it's impressive that Nebraska lost close games against the same pitiful competition? Michigan State? Is that it, is that the difference? If that's the case, then I guess Nebraska would be an impressive team even if they had lost ten close games yet won against MSU. I'm not sure what type of ridiculous logic is being used in college football right now, but I'll take the Hawks against this ridiculously small spread -- thank you very much, Vegas!!!

What National guys are giving us respect? Not that we deserve much.

 

[swihawk]

I think I've missed that "national" husker respect too. On paper, they should be better. They earned a 5-6 season on the field. It is what it is.

 

[Eternal Return]

What National guys are giving us respect? Not that we deserve much.

Well, they're not giving you national ranking respect, but I've heard it said on ESPN and other shows over the past few weeks that "Nebraska's the best 6-loss team in the country." I don't know why that would be if Iowa's schedule is so weak. In other words, why are close losses to UW, NW, ILL, and PUR considered "good losses" if they're not being considered good wins for Iowa? It just strikes me as ... completely irrational. ... Obviously, this has nothing to do with Nebraska fans or even Nebraska's performance; I'm trying to figure out if there is any logic involved in thinking close losses are meaningful when so many of those losses came against teams Iowa has beaten.

 

[Eternal Return]

I think I've missed that "national" husker respect too. On paper, they should be better. They earned a 5-6 season on the field. It is what it is.

Look at the point spread for this Friday's game. That's the biggest example. But I've heard (and read) opinions stating that Nebraska is better than its record and that Iowa is worse than its record ... which is weird. Why? Because, again, the same losses that Nebraska has on its schedule are the wins Iowa has on its schedule.

 

[huskersoup]

Well, they're not giving you national ranking respect, but I've heard it said on ESPN and other shows over the past few weeks that "Nebraska's the best 6-loss team in the country." I don't know why that would be if Iowa's schedule is so weak. In other words, why are close losses to UW, NW, ILL, and PUR considered "good losses" if they're not being considered good wins for Iowa? It just strikes me as ... completely irrational. ... Obviously, this has nothing to do with Nebraska fans or even Nebraska's performance; I'm trying to figure out if there is any logic involved in thinking close losses are meaningful when so many of those losses came against teams Iowa has beaten.

I gotcha. If I had to guess, the people that are saying that are guys who are just trying to further push along their anit-B1G agenda.

 

[talmid27]

Well, they're not giving you national ranking respect, but I've heard it said on ESPN and other shows over the past few weeks that "Nebraska's the best 6-loss team in the country." I don't know why that would be if Iowa's schedule is so weak. In other words, why are close losses to UW, NW, ILL, and PUR considered "good losses" if they're not being considered good wins for Iowa? It just strikes me as ... completely irrational. ... Obviously, this has nothing to do with Nebraska fans or even Nebraska's performance; I'm trying to figure out if there is any logic involved in thinking close losses are meaningful when so many of those losses came against teams Iowa has beaten.

It's a fair question....but we lost four games on the last play of the game. And our Pursue loss was on the shoulders of a 2nd string QB who threw 5 INT'a

Implementing a new coach and systems with previous coach's recruits.

The transition is beginning to take hold.

Transitions are hard. You guys should know this. KF's first year at Iowa was 1-10

I do believe that judging us based on record is a mistake. The national media realizes that. Many Hawkeye fans do not.

 

[Eternal Return]

I gotcha. If I had to guess, the people that are saying that are guys who are just trying to further push along their anit-B1G agenda.

You might be right. It'll all work itself out the next couple of weeks, I guess.

 

[CFSaturday]

Nebraska lost "close" games to Northwestern, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue (although that one wasn't all that close) and yet they somehow get respect for those losses by national pundits. Iowa, meanwhile, beat all of those teams and somehow the Hawks have played a "weak schedule." So which is it? Did Nebraska have impressive close conference losses to good teams or did Nebraska have four close losses to weak teams? If it's the latter, which is what pundits seem to think about Iowa's schedule, then why is Nebraska considered any good at all. I mean, if it's unimpressive for Iowa to have won 11 games against many of the same opponents then how is it possible that it's impressive that Nebraska lost close games against the same pitiful competition? Michigan State? Is that it, is that the difference? If that's the case, then I guess Nebraska would be an impressive team even if they had lost ten close games yet won against MSU. I'm not sure what type of ridiculous logic is being used in college football right now, but I'll take the Hawks against this ridiculously small spread -- thank you very much, Vegas!!!

IOWA opponent W-L 49-62
Nebraska opponent W-L 68-41

Might have something to do with it? Just saying.

 

[swihawk]

I do believe that judging us based on record is a mistake. The national media realizes that. Many Hawkeye fans do not.

'Bama fans probably aren't watching many nebby games, Iowa fans probably aren't watching many FAU games. For most fans, the W/L record is how teams are measured. It is measured field performance. That's why they play the games instead of comparing rosters or flipping coins.

Most folks realize this. No matter whose fan you are.

 

[talmid27]

'Bama fans probably aren't watching many nebby games, Iowa fans probably aren't watching many FAU games. For most fans, the W/L record is how teams are measured. It is measured field performance. That's why they play the games instead of comparing rosters or flipping coins.

Most folks realize this. No matter whose fan you are.

Well, if we beat you on Friday, that blows that theory all to hell. If we aren't potentially better than our record then take the W....no point in playing.

 

[WORTHYWISH]

IOWA opponent W-L 49-62
Nebraska opponent W-L 68-41

Might have something to do with it? Just saying.

Numbers are a little off, but a good point.

 

[MIHawk]

IOWA opponent W-L 49-62
Nebraska opponent W-L 68-41

Might have something to do with it? Just saying.

Actually, by my count, Iowa's opponents are a combined 62-70. Nebraska's are better mostly because of our game against a 1-10 North Texas team, and of course, they play an 11-0 Iowa. Obviously they played MSU, but so will we in all likelihood.

 

[Eternal Return]

IOWA opponent W-L 49-62
Nebraska opponent W-L 68-41

Might have something to do with it? Just saying.

It looks striking when put that way, but it's essentially a one-team difference: Nebraska played Michigan State (10-1) while Iowa played Maryland (2-9). Nebraska even beat their best opponent, but that doesn't explain their four conference losses to the same teams Iowa beat. In other words, other than Michigan State, Iowa and Nebraska have played mostly the same level of competition all year. And if you just consider the B10 West, Iowa is 5-0 and Nebraska is 1-4 against the same teams. So I don't buy this "Nebraska has played a tougher schedule" business because Iowa is killing them when it comes to common opponents.

 

[Eternal Return]

It's a fair question....but we lost four games on the last play of the game. And our Pursue loss was on the shoulders of a 2nd string QB who threw 5 INT'a

Implementing a new coach and systems with previous coach's recruits.

The transition is beginning to take hold.

Transitions are hard. You guys should know this. KF's first year at Iowa was 1-10

I do believe that judging us based on record is a mistake. The national media realizes that. Many Hawkeye fans do not.

My original point was that the national media thinks Nebraska is better than their record, but it's basing that on close losses and one good win against MSU (never mind the ref stuff). Meanwhile (I can't believe I'm having to write the same point this many times for the message to get across) Iowa's wins against the teams that Nebraska had close losses to are not considered very good wins at all. The bottom line is that Nebraska is considered better than their record and Iowa is considered worse than their record in spite of the fact that the teams have played five common opponents and Iowa went 5-0 against those opponents while Nebraska went 1-4 ... and none of the teams Iowa has beaten was a serious threat in the fourth quarter except for Pitt. Not one of Iowa's wins was questionable because the game came down to the final play (Iowa broke the tie with Pitt with a last second field goal--the danger was going to overtime, not losing in regulation)

 

[storyhawkeye]

IOWA opponent W-L 49-62
Nebraska opponent W-L 68-41

Might have something to do with it? Just saying.

You do realize that 11 of those losses for teams that played Iowa ..... were from Iowa, right?

Maybe if Nebraska could quit being so average and actually win some games their opponents would have more losses? See how that works?

 

[Joes Place]

Nebraska would likely have garnered a LOT of 'Mulligan Awards' already this year...

http://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threa...ards-website-for-the-eye-test-rankings.62024/

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

You do realize that 11 of those losses for teams that played Iowa ..... were from Iowa, right?

Maybe if Nebraska could quit being so average and actually win some games their opponents would have more losses? See how that works?

Exactly! Iowa's opponents records are bad cuz we beat them all. Neb is the opposite.

 

[singlet]

Yet, on the morning before the game, money is almost even. So why is that? It may be that people who have been paying attention realize that the Huskers this week aren't the same team that lost to Purdue. And the line seems about right to me. No reason for Iowa fans to feel like they are going to lose, but also no reason for Nebraska fans to feel like Nebraska can't win. Here's to a good game.

 

[cg8284]

Yet, on the morning before the game, money is almost even. So why is that? It may be that people who have been paying attention realize that the Huskers this week aren't the same team that lost to Purdue. And the line seems about right to me. No reason for Iowa fans to feel like they are going to lose, but also no reason for Nebraska fans to feel like Nebraska can't win. Here's to a good game.

To answer the OP question - there aren't any national pundits giving the Huskers respect. When they discuss the game they have to say something, so they say, "well they should have more wins."

 

[Slappy Pappy]

Wouldn't Texas be the best 6 loss team in the country? Oklahoma is higher ranked than MSU.

 

[HawktimusPrime]

IOWA opponent W-L 49-62
Nebraska opponent W-L 68-41

Might have something to do with it? Just saying.

Your team definitely isn't helping our SOS. I'd have to imagine that you playing us helps yours though.

 

[HawktimusPrime]

Yet, on the morning before the game, money is almost even. So why is that? It may be that people who have been paying attention realize that the Huskers this week aren't the same team that lost to Purdue. And the line seems about right to me. No reason for Iowa fans to feel like they are going to lose, but also no reason for Nebraska fans to feel like Nebraska can't win. Here's to a good game.

Here's the thing, you are the same team that lost to Purdue. Live into reality buddy.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

Actually, by my count, Iowa's opponents are a combined 62-70. Nebraska's are better mostly because of our game against a 1-10 North Texas team, and of course, they play an 11-0 Iowa. Obviously they played MSU, but so will we in all likelihood.

Also keep in mind 11 of our opponents losses are from us....Nebby gave its schedule 6 wins, so make that adjustment and now we have a non issue

 

[icu81222]

POINT SPREADS ARE FOR ATTRACTING BETTORS! This isn't hard

 

[icu81222]

Also, some of the factors for why Nebraska pulling a huge upset sounds feasible is that most in the know realize just how hard it is to go undefeated for an entire season. Statistically, it is very hard

and to do it on the road

Facing a team fighting for a bowl spot

That has been playing their best ball all year

And the home team is on 12 days rest and the visitor is on 5 days rest.

Over all, it is a formula ripe for an upset.

 

[TerryHoitz13]

Yet, on the morning before the game, money is almost even. So why is that? It may be that people who have been paying attention realize that the Huskers this week aren't the same team that lost to Purdue. And the line seems about right to me. No reason for Iowa fans to feel like they are going to lose, but also no reason for Nebraska fans to feel like Nebraska can't win. Here's to a good game.

I'm showing 70% of plays on Iowa +74% of $.

 

[whoboppin]

Iowa is in the race for the national title. No one would be talking about their schedule if they were 9-2, but scrutiny rises when you are in the hunt.

 

[Eternal Return]

POINT SPREADS ARE FOR ATTRACTING BETTORS! This isn't hard

Exactly. It's all about the vig.

 

[Eternal Return]

Also, some of the factors for why Nebraska pulling a huge upset sounds feasible is that most in the know realize just how hard it is to go undefeated for an entire season. Statistically, it is very hard

and to do it on the road

Facing a team fighting for a bowl spot

That has been playing their best ball all year

And the home team is on 12 days rest and the visitor is on 5 days rest.

Over all, it is a formula ripe for an upset.

This is the best, most realistic argument in the whole thread.