Ranking teams: schedule vs quality of team

[Dagerow]

After seeing that the Big10 writers picked NU 3rd in the west division, and seeing people's comments, people are using scheduling to grade how good NU is. I don't think scheduling should be valued that way. Scheduling should be included in a win loss analysis, but that's not the same as quality of the team. So, with my Kool aid in hand, I'm going to say that, in my mind, NU is up there after Ohio State. Yes, Wisconsin and Michigan State are up there too, but I would take NU over both of them, assuming everything else is equal. (Our biggest issue this year is going to be the health of our lines, and obviously with a more demanding schedule, that gets taxed the most, allowing a lesser team to beat us).

 

[True2tRA]

As far as talent goes, I think Nebraska is easily right there with Ohio St.

 

[huKSer]

Preseason - what do you have to go on? Returning talent which may improve or get worse (or lack there of), perceived schedule strength with home/away games factored in and coaching? Injury plays a big part of the end record, but how can you predict these?

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

As far as talent goes, I think Nebraska is easily right there with Ohio St.

Do you really think so? Ohio State went 24-0 in the last two regular seasons and only lost to eventual Rose Bowl champion Michigan State and a talented Clemson team. Nebraska, meanwhile, was one hail mary from finishing the season 7-5 and we've fielded a wildly inconsistent team for the last several seasons.

 

[Abdullah the Butcher]

For sh#ts and giggles what would Ohio State's record be if Bo had been their head coach in your opinion?

 

[hskrfan4life]

As far as talent goes, I think Nebraska is easily right there with Ohio St.

Do you really think so? Ohio State went 24-0 in the last two regular seasons and only lost to eventual Rose Bowl champion Michigan State and a talented Clemson team. Nebraska, meanwhile, was one hail mary from finishing the season 7-5 and we've fielded a wildly inconsistent team for the last several seasons.

That was the last two season, but they didn't win the big games. Lost in the Big Ten Championship game and lost in the bowl game.

 

[True2tRA]

As far as talent goes, I think Nebraska is easily right there with Ohio St.

Do you really think so? Ohio State went 24-0 in the last two regular seasons and only lost to eventual Rose Bowl champion Michigan State and a talented Clemson team. Nebraska, meanwhile, was one hail mary from finishing the season 7-5 and we've fielded a wildly inconsistent team for the last several seasons.

I was just speaking on talent alone. I think a lot of our players could step on the field for Ohio St., heck I think Ohio St. even tried to get a few of them.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

As far as talent goes, I think Nebraska is easily right there with Ohio St.

Do you really think so? Ohio State went 24-0 in the last two regular seasons and only lost to eventual Rose Bowl champion Michigan State and a talented Clemson team. Nebraska, meanwhile, was one hail mary from finishing the season 7-5 and we've fielded a wildly inconsistent team for the last several seasons.

I was just speaking on talent alone. I think a lot of our players could step on the field for Ohio St., heck I think Ohio St. even tried to get a few of them.

I'm not saying that some of our players couldn't step on the field with them (I'm sure Alabama would love to have Randy Gregory), but top to bottom their roster is superior to ours. It's why they've had quite a bit more success than we have and likely will continue for at least the next few seasons.

 

[True2tRA]

As far as talent goes, I think Nebraska is easily right there with Ohio St.

Do you really think so? Ohio State went 24-0 in the last two regular seasons and only lost to eventual Rose Bowl champion Michigan State and a talented Clemson team. Nebraska, meanwhile, was one hail mary from finishing the season 7-5 and we've fielded a wildly inconsistent team for the last several seasons.

I was just speaking on talent alone. I think a lot of our players could step on the field for Ohio St., heck I think Ohio St. even tried to get a few of them.

I'm not saying that some of our players couldn't step on the field with them (I'm sure Alabama would love to have Randy Gregory), but top to bottom their roster is superior to ours. It's why they've had quite a bit more success than we have and likely will continue for at least the next few seasons.

I guess I don't see that as the reason why at all. Maybe in a couple previous seasons, the lack of talent was a contributing factor. I'm sure Urban Meyer would have loved Helu, Amukamara, Nikes Paul, LaVonte David, Ndamukong Suh, Rex Burkhead all those NFL guys of the past. I think we have even more of that level of player on our current roster, and not just Randy Gregory. Sure Ohio St. pumps out NFL talent too, but that's not why they've had quite a bit more success. There's other reasons you are overlooking.

 

[TheSker]

Urban Meyer publically called out every Big 10 team to improve their recruiting last year for a reason.

 

[SouthAfricanHusker]

We are right there with first string talent. The problem is when someone goes down as we saw last year. There will always be some positions that you are thin at. Top notch coaches ensure those positions are never OL or DL.

Bo is learning in that department. A few years ago he started taking ~4 OLs every year. He was close at DL a few years ago but attrition took it's toll. If you look at the depth chart he is setting himself up for some great years of depth along the lines. Hopefully he will be here to coach it.

 

[True2tRA]

Urban Meyer publically called out every Big 10 team to improve their recruiting last year for a reason.

What's wrong with the guys we have on the field now? You don't like the incoming recruits as well? Maybe a few seasons ago when Meredith was playing DE/DT we could say we were lacking in recruiting. Bo admitted there were young guys on the roster that should have seen the field. We are seeing those guys now. We are doing fine in recruiting IMo, and Urban Meyer can talk all he wants, he's a good coach, but that doesn't make him an expert in all things. For some reason, the last thing I want Nebraska to do is follow Urban Meyers example as a recruiter.

 

[Redux]

As far as talent goes, I think Nebraska is easily right there with Ohio St.

Do you really think so? Ohio State went 24-0 in the last two regular seasons and only lost to eventual Rose Bowl champion Michigan State and a talented Clemson team. Nebraska, meanwhile, was one hail mary from finishing the season 7-5 and we've fielded a wildly inconsistent team for the last several seasons.

You really like bringing up the hail mary argument. Regardless, we won that game and didnt have 5 losses.

Now, if you compare our talent with our schedule to Iowa and Wisconsin I think we win on both team talent and strength of schedule. If all three teams take care of business we will all come out looking good. Nebraska has a chance to do something special this year. Talents in place to do it and the schedule isnt overly brutal as long as we handle the road schedule with a purpose.

 

[skersfan]

If you go by recruiting classes, we are not even close. Certain positions possibly, depth not even close. In a conference that is so physical, as most have stated, depth is a key issue. You are comparing a MNC winner to Bo. That tells you who has done the better job and has more credibility to produce. We are not close to Ohio State in overall talent I am afraid.

 

[Redux]

If the only number you look at is where each respective class finished in the rankings on signing day.

I Like our current roster better than Iowa and Wiscy regardless of where they were ranked whn signed.