OWH: Huskers, Hawkeyes Trade Trajectories

[Mavric]

Nebraska had won eight of its last 10 games entering Selection Sunday, like a thoroughbred who surges at just the right time. Iowa, meanwhile, threw a shoe and limped to the finish line. Lost six of seven, including a brutal Big Ten tournament defeat to Northwestern.


If you asked five objective observers in March 2014 which team had the brighter future, four would’ve said Nebraska.

Both programs made the Dance in 2014, losing their opening games. Both had excellent sophomore classes to build on. By any standard, they were basically in the exact same place in 2013-14. Dead even.

Fast forward 22 months.

Nebraska has dropped 12 straight Big Ten games. The Hawkeyes have won nine straight regular-season league games.
I watched Tuesday night’s mismatch in Iowa City and thought of “Cast Away,” where Tom Hanks comes home from a deserted island and finds a strange man living with his wife.

OWH

 

[Mavric]

Also thought this was interesting:

Let’s say Nebraska finishes 13-18 and 5-13 in the Big Ten — that might be optimistic. Miles would be 60-67 in four seasons, 26-46 in conference.


Even if we throw out his rookie year, he’d be 45-49 (21-33 in conference).

Compare those numbers to years two through four of his predecessors:

» Barry Collier: 42-47, 15-33 in conference.

» Doc Sadler: 53-44, 17-31 in conference.

 

[GBRFAN]

Also thought this was interesting:

Let’s say Nebraska finishes 13-18 and 5-13 in the Big Ten — that might be optimistic. Miles would be 60-67 in four seasons, 26-46 in conference.


Even if we throw out his rookie year, he’d be 45-49 (21-33 in conference).

Compare those numbers to years two through four of his predecessors:

» Barry Collier: 42-47, 15-33 in conference.

» Doc Sadler: 53-44, 17-31 in conference.

These numbers are interesting, however Big Ten and Big 12 are two different conferences. Big 12 has a couple nice teams at the top, however things drop off quickly after that.