Does Nebraska have a legitimate chance to play in the National Championship game this year?

[308_Husker]

Not this year. New OC, new conference with the nation's hardest schedule. Not gonna happen.

 

[The Dude]

Yes.

 

[skersfan]

And what gives you the idea that we will. Just curious.

 

[It'sNotAFakeID]

To be literal, every team has a chance to win the MNC in this upcoming season, because all the teams are undefeated.

To be realistic, no, I don't think we have much of a chance at winning it all this year, but who knows, I think the offense is going to be much more consistent than last years. Now I say consistent because it wasn't like we didn't have an offense last year. We did, but it only showed up when it wanted to (Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Missouri, 1st half Oklahoma, Washington (first time)). The games we lost were lost because of an inconsistent offense and I think that all changes this year. The offense may not be where it needs to be to win MNC, but at least we will be getting consistent production from that side of the ball.

Combine this new offense with a schedule that will probably be the toughest schedule in college football next season and you've got a very tough road to the national championship game.

We do get Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan State at home, so if we could get a win at either Wisconsin or Penn State then it will be very likely that we could get to the first Big Ten CCG and potentially a BCS Bowl bid.

Odds at winning the MNC: 2.2222222%

Odds of winning the B1G: 40%

Odds of winning 10 games (again): 75%

 

[Enhance]

I don't like these kinds of questions, and I'll tell you why.

Every team in the Top 25 has a "legitimate" shot to play in the title game. Even teams outside of the Top 25 have their opportunity. Last year, Missouri began the season unranked and made it all the way to the sixth spot in the country before losing to Nebraska. If they had continued to win, they probably would have jumped Oregon in the BCS standing and played in the national title game given a victory in the Big 12 Championship game.

The better question to ask is will Nebraska be in position at the end of the season to play for the national title game?

The even better question is will Nebraska be in the national title game?

Both of these questions I have to answer no. Nebraska has a legitimate shot, just like many other teams, but they won't get there in my opinion.

 

[melscott62]

And what gives you the idea that we will. Just curious.

i dont think anyone is saying we WILL. just that we could. I think the pieces are there. strong D, talent on the line, solid RB , and a QB who needs to mature, but has the talent to be very very special in a offense the works to his strengths. but like you said lack of experience both with the players and with the coachs coupled with a tough schedule(lets not forget we would have to beat OS and Wisc, pus one of them again in the CC game)makes it unlikely.

 

[melscott62]

To be literal, every team has a chance to win the MNC in this upcoming season, because all the teams are undefeated.

To be realistic, no, I don't think we have much of a chance at winning it all this year, but who knows, I think the offense is going to be much more consistent than last years. Now I say consistent because it wasn't like we didn't have an offense last year. We did, but it only showed up when it wanted to (Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Missouri, 1st half Oklahoma, Washington (first time)). The games we lost were lost because of an inconsistent offense and I think that all changes this year. The offense may not be where it needs to be to win MNC, but at least we will be getting consistent production from that side of the ball.

Combine this new offense with a schedule that will probably be the toughest schedule in college football next season and you've got a very tough road to the national championship game.

We do get Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan State at home, so if we could get a win at either Wisconsin or Penn State then it will be very likely that we could get to the first Big Ten CCG and potentially a BCS Bowl bid.

Odds at winning the MNC: 2.2222222%

Odds of winning the B1G: 40%

Odds of winning 10 games (again): 75%

seems reasonable... though i dont know if i would put our chances of winning the big 10 at 40...seems high to me

 

[knapplc]

I originally voted Yes, but changed my vote to No. I don't see our chance as "legitimate." It's a chance. Not a good one.

 

[Pedro Guerrero]

And what gives you the idea that we will. Just curious.

Because Watson and Gilmore are gone?

Because Bo is the Head Coach?

Because Tim Beck is the only miss piece to the puzzle and if he was running the offense we would have played in the NC at least one of the last two years?

Because “T-Magic” is back and he is a once in a lifetime talent and those types of players take teams to National Championships?

Because the Big 10 really isn’t that good of a conference?

Because Barney will finally be able to teach the OL to block the way he wants instead of that sissy WCO style he was forced to the last 3 years?

Because T.O. is the AD and he is the Greatest Coach Ever?

Because Niles Paul is gone and we won’t have to put up with his inconsistent play anymore?

Because we had the #15 rated recruiting class?

Because “We are Nebraska”?

:dunno

 

[robsker]

This is a serious question. I vote yes b/c of the defense, Nebraska's defense will be top 5 in the country, maybe even #1.

Offensively, there are serious question marks. Theres some potential but serious question marks. Probably too many question marks for a team that wants to play for a national championship. But I feel like the defense will be sick & Nebraska cant be counted out.

The answer simply stated is NO.

NU has a better chance of finishing the regular season at 7-5 then they do of running the table. Now, the most likely record will be either 8-4 or, perhaps 9-3. In order of probability --- most likely regular season record 8-4 --- next most likely, 9-3, next most 7-5. No other record is very likely at all.

And none of these constitute any sort of shot at a MNC.

 

[bleedNUred]

I voted no. Our schedule is too tough to get through with a good enough record to make it to the BCS title game with the team that we will have.

 

[Skull&Bones]

With Bo's Defense? Hell Yeah!!! All we need is a spark on offense and we can stand toe to toe with anybody in the country. :koolaid2:

 

[sdhusker82]

And what gives you the idea that we will. Just curious.

Because Watson and Gilmore are gone?

Because Bo is the Head Coach?

Because Tim Beck is the only miss piece to the puzzle and if he was running the offense we would have played in the NC at least one of the last two years?

Because “T-Magic” is back and he is a once in a lifetime talent and those types of players take teams to National Championships?

Because the Big 10 really isn’t that good of a conference?

Because Barney will finally be able to teach the OL to block the way he wants instead of that sissy WCO style he was forced to the last 3 years?

Because T.O. is the AD and he is the Greatest Coach Ever?

Because Niles Paul is gone and we won’t have to put up with his inconsistent play anymore?

Because we had the #15 rated recruiting class?

Because “We are Nebraska”?

:dunno

I agree taylor martinez would have been an OUSTANDING safety.

 

[kchusker_chris]

And what gives you the idea that we will. Just curious.

Because Watson and Gilmore are gone?

Because Bo is the Head Coach? and he wasn't the last 3 years

Because Tim Beck is the only miss piece to the puzzle and if he was running the offense we would have played in the NC at least one of the last two years? huh? maybe BSC game, not MNC

Because “T-Magic” is back and he is a once in a lifetime talent and those types of players take teams to National Championships? lets give him the Heisman now (sarcasm)

Because the Big 10 really isn’t that good of a conference? we'll see

Because Barney will finally be able to teach the OL to block the way he wants instead of that sissy WCO style he was forced to the last 3 years? Except Barney can't teach...

Because T.O. is the AD and he is the Greatest Coach Ever? which translates into how many wins per year?

Because Niles Paul is gone and we won’t have to put up with his inconsistent play anymore? so is Prince, Haag, Gomes, etc, etc.

Because we had the #15 rated recruiting class? and all 10+ of those 4* recruits will get starting roles by August? #15 rated bunch of near non-contributers in 2011

Because “We are Nebraska”? didn't work for Marshall

:dunno

coming from you I think this has to be sarcasm...

 

[Hercules]

Of course there's a chance. If Nebraska wins all of its games, it'll play for the national championship. They'll have a chance to win every game they play this year. Just need to take it one at a time.