For 2018, FPI ranked NU 50th among FBS teams with a projected record of 5.5-6.5. That's the same record FPI projected last season, which sent off alarm bells for the year to come, especially among coach Mike Riley's biggest critics. Nebraska finished 4-8.
Frost, fresh off an undefeated season at Central Florida — which smashed ESPN's FPI record projection of 7.6.-4.7 in 2017 — has no such critics at NU. But the projections are based on 10,000 simulations of the formula, not feel-good vibes, so the metrics suggest a tough year, in part because of Nebraska's schedule.
The Huskers are predicted to finish 3-6 in the Big Ten. The FPI gives Nebraska only a 28.5 percent chance of beating Northwestern, followed by Iowa (23.7), Michigan State (19.2), Wisconsin (10.4), Michigan (10.0) and Ohio State (6.6).
OWH