Hardest schedule in Nebraska’s History? A different view, and a clear trend.

[Courtesy Flush]

Could the 2021 season be the hardest schedule in Nebraska’s history? The B1G has never had 5 teams in the top 10 at the same time until this year (MSU, Mich, PST, OSU, Iowa). 
 

All but 4 of the teams that Nebraska has played were ranked at some point during the season.

Team - Highest Rank - Current Rank - Record

OU - 3rd - 8th - 8W 0L

MSU - 3rd - 3rd - 8W 0L

Mich - 6th - 7th - 7W 0L

Minn - 20th - 20th - 6W 2L

Pur - 25th - N/A - 5W 3L

OSU - 3rd - 5th - 7W 1L

Wisc - 12th - 21st - 5W 3L

Iowa - 2nd - 22nd - 6W 2L

When has NEB ever played a schedule like that? Did that ever happen in the Big 8/Big12? Has it ever happened in the B1G? Not that I can recall. Not even close.

Take away 1 turnover a game and the Huskers are easily 7-1 and ranked in the top 10, playing a 7-1 OSU team this weekend. The only loss would have been to Minnesota using this methodology.

Turnovers: 

Illi - 2AM Fumble

OU - 2AM Int in Redzone

MSU - 2AM Fumble, 2AM OT INT

Mich - 2AM INT, 2AM fumble

Pur - 2AM INT(s)

The Huskers are tied at 87th in the country in turnovers lost with 13. 
 

This has been one interesting season. 

 

[Courtesy Flush]

Take away 1 turnover a game and the Huskers are easily 7-1

*I should say one turnover that led to points for the other team, took potential points off the board for Nebraska, or resulted in a key game ending play (MSU, Mich).

 

[JJ Husker]

How is this team supposed to shoot itself in the foot if we hypothetically take that away from them? 

 

[thexyz]

 People want results! At this point we've shot not one but both feet repetitively. Enough trying and excuses. 

 

[gobiggergoredder]

Let's be honest....several of these teams that are ranked highly are not that great. 

OU is going to get blasted if they make the playoff.  Neither of the Michigan teams are really that great.  We lost to Illinois and Purdue.  Purdue came off a bye week. 

 

[knapplc]

When has NEB ever played a schedule like that? Did that ever happen in the Big 8/Big12?

Maybe 1995, when Nebraska had played four teams that finished in the top ten. Colorado, Florida, Kansas State and Kansas.  I honestly can't remember how good any of the other teams were that year. Looks like none of them were ranked at the end of the season.

I did notice that there were only 18 bowl games that year. 

 

[Hedley Lamarr]

You have to take into account what would have happened differently in all of those games if we didnt have a turnover. What is our record in 1 score games? How many game winning drives has our offense converted on? If ifs and buts were candy and nuts it'd always be Christmas morning. 

 

[knapplc]

Let's be honest....several of these teams that are ranked highly are not that great. 

I'm not so sure. 

So, legit four of our opponents belong in the Top Ten per McClintock's model and the Playoff Committee rankings.  Iowa is somewhere in the Top 25. 

That's a decently difficult schedule. 

 

[Toe]

buT tHe BiG tEn WeSt Is ThE wEaKesT diVIsIoN iN fOOtBaLl HiStoRy!!!1

 

[Hedley Lamarr]

buT tHe BiG tEn WeSt Is ThE wEaKesT diVIsIoN iN fOOtBaLl HiStoRy!!!1

If you would have told me that over the last 4 years Frost would have at best a .500 record against any of the B1G West teams I would have laughed at you. Now knowing this is actually a reality just makes me cry instead. 

 

[Hilltop]

Assuming we win with one different play is assuming a lot.  We have found ways to lose at the end even when we have a late lead.

Our players truly know how to lose better than anyone I have ever seen.

It would be amazing in many ways to see them turn that around these last 3 games.

 

[Ulty]

Maybe 1995, when Nebraska had played four teams that finished in the top ten. 

Sounds like a brutal schedule. Does anyone remember the results? Did we at least keep it close?

 

[gobiggergoredder]

I'm not so sure. 






So, legit four of our opponents belong in the Top Ten per McClintock's model and the Playoff Committee rankings.  Iowa is somewhere in the Top 25. 

That's a decently difficult schedule. 

Love the models.  Pretty soon no one will even need to play.

 

[knapplc]

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