Athlon sports ranks the Big Ten coaches so you don't have to.

[Saunders]

People are criticizing Northwestern for their win/loss last year,but they played Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State (and Nebraska). We only played 2 of those 4. Do you think we would have won 5 Big Ten games if Wisconsin and Ohio State were on our schedule?

See: 2011, 2012

 

[Junior]

People are criticizing Northwestern for their win/loss last year,but they played Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State (and Nebraska). We only played 2 of those 4. Do you think we would have won 5 Big Ten games if Wisconsin and Ohio State were on our schedule?

See: 2011, 2012

So 2011 OSU is the same as 2013 OSU? K....

 

[Saunders]

His standing here is probably a statement about the power of public relations. If he was a bit chummier with the press he might sit third or even second on the list. Link

Which is bullsh#t because Dantonio acts just like Pelini, but he's considered "Old School"

The media gives Dantonio a break because he had a heart attack

Bo had the Flu and left in an Ambulance. Doesn't that count?

 

[StPaulHusker]

People are criticizing Northwestern for their win/loss last year,but they played Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State (and Nebraska). We only played 2 of those 4. Do you think we would have won 5 Big Ten games if Wisconsin and Ohio State were on our schedule?

See: 2011, 2012

So 2011 OSU is the same as 2013 OSU? K....

Actually, they pretty much were the same. Except for the HC.

 

[Saunders]

People are criticizing Northwestern for their win/loss last year,but they played Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State (and Nebraska). We only played 2 of those 4. Do you think we would have won 5 Big Ten games if Wisconsin and Ohio State were on our schedule?

See: 2011, 2012

So 2011 OSU is the same as 2013 OSU? K....

Gonna steal the "moving the goalposts" statement from NUPolo8 here....

 

[StPaulHusker]

Bo had the Flu and left in an Ambulance. Doesn't that count?

Clearly not.

 

[Landlord]

Well, it appears to me that the original list is devoid of validity. At least I haven't seen any validation of it in this thread or the original article.

It appears to me to be simply put together by a reporter that just threw darts at the wall.

Again, if that makes you feel better... but it doesn't mean you are correct. As you said, it is largely subjective.

why do you keep saying it makes me feel better? Are you trying to convince yourself of something?

Landlord's post at least has some type of facts to go along with it. As he just said, it isn't all encompassing. But, at least it's a starting point with some facts behind it. The original article has nothing to validate it at all other than some hack's opinion.

You are definitely right about it not being all encompassing. He did nothing more than look at basic records. Did he look at schedule strength? Take into consideration that Nebraska had 7 home games last year and still struggled to get to 8 wins in the regular season?

People are criticizing Northwestern for their win/loss last year,but they played Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State (and Nebraska). We only played 2 of those 4. Do you think we would have won 5 Big Ten games if Wisconsin and Ohio State were on our schedule?

So Landlord's post has the facts of a very basic win/loss record, but absolutely no analysis.

I'm not interested in a dissertation, but let's just keep in mind that Northwestern was 3 points away from going winless in conference. 0-fer. Yes, they had a tough schedule. Tougher than ours. I don't think we would have won five conference games with that schedule, but (since we're fine diving into pure baseless speculation mode), I think we would have been a lot further away from the possibility of going winless.

Not only that, but while Fitzgerald is absolutely a good coach and should be proud of what he has done there, the ways that Northwestern is prone to losing speaks to his coaching ability as well. When they are in close games, they generally falter and fail. That happened every single time last season sans Illinois, happened 2 of 3 times in 2012 in games decided by one score, and happened 2 of 3 times in 2011 as well.

In comparison, we went 5-0 in games decided by one score or less last year, 4-1 in 2012, and 3-1 in 2011. Again, not anywhere close to the whole picture, but more analysis in Bo's favor. Winning close games is, overall, reflective of good coaching.

 

[Junior]

I'm not interested in a dissertation, but let's just keep in mind that Northwestern was 3 points away from going winless in conference. 0-fer. Yes, they had a tough schedule. Tougher than ours. I don't think we would have won five conference games with that schedule, but (since we're fine diving into pure baseless speculation mode), I think we would have been a lot further away from the possibility of going winless.

They were also a ridiculously lucky hail mary away from beating us at home and having 2 wins. So let's not play the speculation game.

Northwestern and Nebraska common opponents in 2013:

MSU - both lost

Michigan - Northwestern lost in 3OT, Nebraska won on essentially the last play of the game.

Minnesota - both lost

Iowa - both lost

Illinois - both won

 

[zoogs]

Are you sure Auburn is going to be a daunting opponent next year?

2010 undefeated

2011 8-5

2012 3-9

2013 undefeated

Which team is it going to be?

Hey, anything could happen to any team in any year. Is Michigan State going back to their 7-6 2012 year, or are we considering them the 13-1 powerhouse they were in 2013?

Of course, it goes without saying, that the more relevant SOS indicators are going to show in the actual W/L tallies after the season. But we don't have that.

 

[Landlord]

I'm not interested in a dissertation, but let's just keep in mind that Northwestern was 3 points away from going winless in conference. 0-fer. Yes, they had a tough schedule. Tougher than ours. I don't think we would have won five conference games with that schedule, but (since we're fine diving into pure baseless speculation mode), I think we would have been a lot further away from the possibility of going winless.

They were also a ridiculously lucky hail mary away from beating us at home and having 2 wins. So let's not play the speculation game.

How lucky was it when their players completely and utterly failed to do the one simple and fundamental thing you have to do to defend a Hail Mary; don't let anyone behind you.

Glad we are now, all of the sudden, not playing the speculation game, though, even though you seem to keep going back and forth. I thought speculation was allowed since not speculating meant we couldn't have an answer, and you yourself asked if we would have won 5 games against Northwestern's schedule.

Can we just make up our minds if we can speculate or not!?

 

[sd'sker]

People are criticizing Northwestern for their win/loss last year,but they played Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State (and Nebraska). We only played 2 of those 4. Do you think we would have won 5 Big Ten games if Wisconsin and Ohio State were on our schedule?

See: 2011, 2012

So 2011 OSU is the same as 2013 OSU? K....

Gonna steal the "moving the goalposts" statement from NUPolo8 here....

what? the initial question was, essentially, "how would neb. have done with nw's schedule last year." you brought up 2011 and 2012 (frankly, not seasons i really want to remember, even for purposes of demonstrating we did better than nw). so the goalposts were moving from the get-go.

 

[Junior]

I'm not interested in a dissertation, but let's just keep in mind that Northwestern was 3 points away from going winless in conference. 0-fer. Yes, they had a tough schedule. Tougher than ours. I don't think we would have won five conference games with that schedule, but (since we're fine diving into pure baseless speculation mode), I think we would have been a lot further away from the possibility of going winless.

They were also a ridiculously lucky hail mary away from beating us at home and having 2 wins. So let's not play the speculation game.

How lucky was it when their players completely and utterly failed to do the one simple and fundamental thing you have to do to defend a Hail Mary; don't let anyone behind you.

Glad we are now, all of the sudden, not playing the speculation game, though, even though you seem to keep going back and forth. I thought speculation was allowed since not speculating meant we couldn't have an answer, and you yourself asked if we would have won 5 games against Northwestern's schedule.

Can we just make up our minds if we can speculate or not!?

Where's my speculation? I'm looking at schedules, common opponents, and the head to head matchup. People seem to be pretending that we are heads and shoulders better than Northwestern here, but the data doesn't support that.

 

[sd'sker]

Where's my speculation? I'm looking at schedules, common opponents, and the head to head matchup. People seem to be pretending that we are heads and shoulders better than Northwestern here, but he data doesn't support that.

while others are saying that there are no gimme's. confusing times, indeed. but either way, nebraska is performing at/near expectations.

 

[Landlord]

Where's my speculation? I'm looking at schedules, common opponents, and the head to head matchup. People seem to be pretending that we are heads and shoulders better than Northwestern here, but the data doesn't support that.

People are pointing out that we are better than them. Not pretending that we are heads and shoulders better, but realizing that we are, in fact, better. You just asked everyone if they thought we would win the same amount of games if we played their schedule. You are inviting speculation as to whether or not we are any better than they are. Asking a question without a real answer is the definition of speculation.

Northwestern and Nebraska common opponents in 2013:

MSU - both lost

Michigan - Northwestern lost, Nebraska won

Minnesota - both lost

Iowa - both lost

Illinois - both won

Northwestern and Nebraska common opponents in 2013:

MSU - both lost - Nebraska was competitive and within one score halfway through the fourth. Northwestern managed two field goals and was blown out.

Michigan - Northwestern lost, Nebraska won - Nebraska allowed half the yards, first downs and points that Northwestern did and won close. Northwestern lost in three overtimes.

Minnesota - both lost - Northwestern played closer, both teams had similar performances.

Iowa - both lost - Nebraska lost - Northwestern lost in overtime, Nebraska didn't really compete well at all with a third-string quarterback at home on senior day.

Illinois - both won - Nebraska blew Illinois out and won by three scores. Northwestern won by three.

 

[Junior]

Where's my speculation? I'm looking at schedules, common opponents, and the head to head matchup. People seem to be pretending that we are heads and shoulders better than Northwestern here, but the data doesn't support that.

People are pointing out that we are better than them. Not pretending that we are heads and shoulders better, but realizing that we are, in fact, better. You just asked everyone if they thought we would win the same amount of games if we played their schedule. You are inviting speculation as to whether or not we are any better than they are. Asking a question without a real answer is the definition of speculation.

Now HERE is where I will speculate: Now given the program prestige, academic entrance requirements, history, fan bases, and resources of the two programs, should Nebraska be a finger tip better than Northwestern? So who's done the better coaching job? Fitzgerald or Pelini?