Sporting News' 2014 Projections

[Redux]

Theres no question in my mind a conference title is a goal every year. Granted we have yet to see that through in 6 years and three tries. Obviously focus comes into question from time to time and repeat mistakes that shouldve been addressed years ago.

With that said, I still believe in what were doing and am happy with what I see moving forward. This year feels a little uncertain but different, in a good way. I'll be really upset if we dont make a stromg case for a conference championship. If we get there and fall short so be it, but we need to be in that conversation. The schedule sets up for a good run, its manageable and respectable.

The preseason mags and writers will mostly count us out even if we make the B1G title game. I think were gonna see some surprising things from a youthful squad.

 

[Guy Chamberlin]

One more win.

One less loss.

Half the turnovers

Fun to watch.

That would be better. And I would be happy.

Given all that went wrong last season --- and still resulted in 9 wins -- our returning pieces lead to this very reasonable expectation.

 

[Guy Chamberlin]

Unfortunately for the divide in Bo-haters and Bo-lievers this could still end up with a 10-4 season. Regular season 10-2, lose conference title and bowl game. If that's the case, hopefully it doesn't include any blowouts. If it doesn't then I would consider this a success and a building block to 2015.

I'd rather see an 11 or 12 win season to show definite improvement.

It is never as simple as a number in a column. Let's say we go 10-2 in the season, grind out a close loss in the CCG and a close loss against LSU, is that a failure? Be honest.

I'm an eternal optimist because of 31 years of being a Cubs fan. Even taking that into consideration I don't see a definite loss on our schedule and that includes the possible CCG. Will there be losses? Probably. But sheer number of wins and losses doesn't really show what direction a team is headed in.

Mizzou went 5-7 and then the next season was a win away from playing in the MNC. This game is crazy.

Yes, the scenario you described would be a failure.

In that it wouldn't be quite bad enough to fire Bo Pelini.

 

[Hooked on Huskers]

2014 Bowl Projections - AthlonSports

Nebraska, Big 10 #5-#7 vs. North Carolina, ACC #3-#6 at Pinstripe Bowl (Dec.27)

My guess, #3 or #4 in West conference.

Just pretend I'm a Athlon sportswriter. The worst scenario based on match-up for Bowl Projections ......

1. tOSU (East)

2. MSU (East)

3. Wisconsin (West)

4, Iowa (West)

5. Michigan (East)

6. ???

7. Huskers (West)

** Penn St. is still on probation (no bowls)

 

[Abdullah the Butcher]

2014 Bowl Projections - AthlonSports

Nebraska, Big 10 #5-#7 vs. North Carolina, ACC #3-#6 at Pinstripe Bowl (Dec.27)

My guess, #3 or #4 in West conference.

Ugh that game would f'ing suck.

 

[Hoosker]

2014 Bowl Projections - AthlonSports

Nebraska, Big 10 #5-#7 vs. North Carolina, ACC #3-#6 at Pinstripe Bowl (Dec.27)

My guess, #3 or #4 in West conference.

Just pretend I'm a Athlon sportswriters. The worst scenario based on match-up for Bowl Projections ......

1. tOSU (East)

2. MSU (East)

3. Wisconsin (West)

4, Iowa (West)

5. Michigan (East)

6. ???

7. Huskers (West)

That, my good sir, is a laughable prediction.

 

[Abdullah the Butcher]

2014 Big Ten Predictions
East Division Big Ten Overall

1. Ohio State (No. 3)7-1 12-1
2. Michigan State (No. 11)7-1 10-2
3. Penn State (No. 22)6-2 10-2
4. Michigan (No. 32)5-3 8-4
5. Maryland (No. 48)3-5 6-6
6. Indiana (No. 58)2-6 5-7
7. Rutgers (No. 73)1-7 4-8

West Division
1. Wisconsin (No. 15)7-1 10-3
2. Iowa (No. 26)6-2 9-3
3. Nebraska (No. 29)5-3 9-3
4. Northwestern (No. 51)3-5 6-6
5. Minnesota (No. 52)3-5 6-6
6. Illinois (No. 68)1-7 4-8
7. Purdue (No. 80)0-8 3-9 -

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-football-2014-predictions#sthash.pxRnTyYc.dpuf

We would be 6 or 7th in the Big Ten in their predictions being tied with Michigan. Remove Penn State from the order and it's 5th or 6th for bowl choice.

 

[hskrfan4life]

I don't think I could handle going to the Pinstripe bowl.

 

[Hooked on Huskers]

I don't think I could handle going to the Pinstripe bowl .....

....... because too cold outside? Or NYC rat-race? Maybe baseball field instead of football field?

 

[hskrfan4life]

I don't think I could handle going to the Pinstripe bowl .....

....... because too cold outside? Or NYC rat-race? Maybe baseball field instead of football field?

Just the last two.

 

[Count 'Bility]

I don't think I could handle going to the Pinstripe bowl .....

....... because too cold outside? Or NYC rat-race? Maybe baseball field instead of football field?

I would say because if we fell off bad enough to go there, that games probably taking place in the middle of a coaching search.

 

[Redux]

If we end up in the pinstripe bowl against a middle of the pack ACC squad, we may actually see a team less motivated than the one we sent to the 2010 Holiday Bowl.

 

[hskrfan4life]

If we end up in the pinstripe bowl against a middle of the pack ACC squad, we may actually see a team less motivated than the one we sent to the 2010 Holiday Bowl.

Is that possible?

 

[Abdullah the Butcher]

Bovada also released odds for the individual divisions in the Big Ten. First up, the West:

ODDS TO WIN BIG TEN WEST

Wisconsin 6/5

Nebraska 3/2

Iowa 5/1

http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/football/2014/7/9/5884667/big-ten-championship-odds-gambling-futures-iowa-football-2014

The quote feature was f'ing everything up so it posted weird. So that Vegas site is giving us better odds than the other few I've seen.

 

[alwayshusking]

Iowa at 5 to 1 to win the division seems low. Their schedule is just so good, they almost have to be in the hunt until the end.