I would guess that the line will be VT by at least 3. I'd be stunned if NU is favored. And, it is not so much what VT has (though they are likely a solid top 20 team, maybe top 15 --- who knows -- talk is that they will be down from their previous level of play, and, if so, they still should be fringe top 25 anyway). rather, it is what NU has (or rather has not).
NU comes in with a defense that was near the worst in all of NCAA football --- and 7 of their starters from that defense are gone (among them at least 3 or 4 of the top 5 or 6 we had on defense). Yes, expect 100% effort and expect better coaching from that defense. But.... talent. The LB's are inexperienced and slow. The DL has not a single proven talent on the crew (yes, one could argue that as a freshman that DE Barry Turner showed promise --- but since then? --- and Suh, potential sure, performance, no). At best NU will have a top 50 defense (that is, mid-lower to lower major conference-level defense). We need realize that NU's talent is #6 or 7 or so in the conference --- and such talent rarely beats a VT team --- even at home. Now, maybe the injuries and attrition has made it such that VT is not a typical VT team --- if so, there my be a chance. But VT should and will be favored.
Maybe we'll shock them. I do hope so. But if so --- well, it would be an upset.
you're "expect the worse-case-scenario guy" aren't you ? I know this because I'm the same way sometimes but I just don't get why seemingly everyone and their dog is marking that VT game down as a loss...I see that game's final score at like 13-10 or 14-13 or something like that ... i see your points on the Husker D though too..