Posted 26 February 2012 - 09:11 PM
Taking a very early look at the 2012 schedule here's how I forsee it going. Please note that I have done zero research and I'm just going off of what I remember from last season and projecting towards '12.
Southern Miss...Win--95% probability. The Golden Eagles looked very impressive in their drubbing of Houston in the bowl game. But the Eagles lost their head coach to another team, their starting QB to graduation, along with a host of other players who had started for several seasons. In short, So Miss will essentially be starting over from scratch.
@ UCLA...Win--90% probability. New coach, new system and more than likely it will be a pro-style. Which plays right into the kind of defense Nebraska likes to play, meaning rush the front four, drop seven into coverage and play a match-up zone. The questions I have are, how will Devin Fuller be used, will he redshirt, or will new head coach Jim Mora roll the dice and play a true freshman? If I were Mora, I'd design an offense around what Fuller can do and take the lumps with a true freshman starting at QB.
Arkansas St...W--99.999999999999% probability. The only way the Red Wolves win, or even have a shot, is if Nebraska has another -8 turnover day like they did against Iowa State a couple of years ago.
Idaho St...W--99.999999999999% probability. See Ark st.
Wisconsin...W--50% probability. There are two upsides, 1) the game is in Lincoln and 2) no more Russell Wilson. Even still this will be a tough physical game for the Huskers. One thing is certain though Nebraska's DL and indeed whole defense will have to step up big time in the tough and physical department.
@ Ohio St...L--60% probability. On the road, versus a shifty, agile, mobile, QB and a defense that well, quite frankly, gets embarrassed too frequently by mobile QBs. If Nebraska can contain Braxton Miller and avoid turnovers they can pull it out, but it will be an intense uphill climb.
@ Northwestern...L--50% probability. The biggest question I have is will Nebraska actually take the Wildcats seriously this time around? Sadly, I doubt it. And while Northwestern loses a lot of people their biggest difference maker, Cain Kolter, returns.
Michigan...L--75% probability. Unless Bo changes or tweaks his defensive philosophy, this is another probable loss. I hate to harp on it but look at the way Michigan State played Michigan and then contrast it with the way the Huskers played the Wolverines. The Spartans blitzed and pressured Robinson and the Huskers played a soft coverage. Well the results of those two games are a stark reminder of why I do not really like Nebraska's chances here.
@ Michigan St...W--75% probability. Kirk Cousins, their two top WRs, and one RB are gone so there will be some retooling. This is another on the road dangerous game that if Nebraska doesn't take seriously they could lose.
Penn St...W--85% probability. This is a program in shambles. The new head coach for the Lions has his work cut out for him to say the least. This could be an ugly year for them.
Minnestoa...W--96% probability. The Gophers just don't have the personnel to compete.
@ Iowa...W--65% probability. Nebraska typically doesn't struggle against Iowa the way other Big 10 teams do, although now that we're in the Big 10 there will be much more familarity as we'll play every season. But for now, the Huskers have the edge.
Best case scenario: Undefeated season with a conference and national title as well.
:dumdum
Okay, now that the laughter has subsided, I think the best case scenario for '12 is a 10-2 regular season. I see Nebraska more than likely losing to Michigan and Ohio State. I think that Nebraska loses due to how Bo plays his defensive scheme not because I think the Huskers aren't talented enough to compete or win.
Worst case, and this could get real ugly real fast, Nebraska loses to Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan State, and Iowa and tanks to 6-6.
I'll sort of split the difference and say 9-3 in the regualr season with losses to MU, OSU and some unranked team at home.
What say you my fellow revelers of the Red?
