Rivals: Concerning Starts

[Mavric]

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3. NEBRASKA

Record: 1-2

 

Why it’s so concerning: Losing at Oregon is one thing. Getting upset by NIU in Lincoln is another. The fact that the Huskers looked less than impressive in a 43-36 win over Arkansas State is the cherry on top of a mildly disgusting sundae. The 1-2 record isn’t the problem here. The bigger issue is that there’s little reason left to think the slow start is a fluke. It’s hard to find signs of a competitive Big Ten program in the Huskers’ first three games.

 

Best-case scenario: Next up on the schedule are back-to-back games with Rutgers and Illinois, so Nebraska should find itself over .500 again soon. Logic dictates that the Cornhuskers will find a way to gather six wins, but that won’t be enough to appease fans and boosters that are expecting more from Mike Riley. Rightly or wrongly, the Nebraska faithful still view the program as a blueblood in hibernation, so even the best-case scenario will produce some eye rolls.

 

Worst-case scenario: Looking at the schedule, you can imagine a way in which the Huskers go 5-7. It’s not particularly likely, as the doomsday scenario includes home losses to Northwestern and Iowa. Then, this is a bunch that just lost to NIU in front of 89,000 of its own fans, so you never know.

 

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