[Husker] News and Notes

[Steve Reichenbach]

> Hello Husker Fans,
> 
>    A couple of tidbits to get you through the day as we ponder KU in
>    Lincoln.
> 
>    ABOUT KU:
>    
>    1) NU is an early 19.5 point favorite vs KU.  NU has covered the
>    spread in all of it's games this year (Nicholls did not have a
>    spread that I'm aware of).
> 
The spread has gone to 21.

>    2) Sagarin has KU @ #63 and NU @ #22.  By Sagarin's 'mathematical'
>    lines, NU should be around a 14.03-point favorite (NU: 81.8 + 3
>    point home field adv - KU 70.77)
> 
The way I read Sagarin's predictors, NU is 86.92 (the 10th highest
ranked predictor rating), Kansas is 70.90 (#59 predictor), and the
homefield advantage is 3.57, so Sagarin's spread is 19.59.

>    I can't see us losing this one at home.  I just can't.  Not with
>    the way we dismantled everyone but USC.  This is probably the 2nd
>    best team we've played to date, but a VERY distant 2nd.
> 
>    My guess: NU 35 - KU 7
> 
I'd like to see NU better KU's 40-15 score last year and think that
they might.  NU 41-10.

>    BIG XII:
> 
>    1) Missouri joins NU, Texas, OU, TT as ranked teams (in AP poll
>    anyway, TT ranked in coaches, not AP)
>    
The mratings.com consensus has Missouri ahead of NU, although six of
the ten best sources have NU ahead of Missouri:
  http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare.htm
I think one reason that NU has been able to beat Missouri over the
years is that NU has been able to raid some of Missouri's best players.
One reason for that is that MU doesn't have the same state-wide appeal
even though it is the only big school in a much more populous state.
Another is that NU's success has bred success.  Taking a top player
from Missouri helps NU and prevents talent from going to a rival.  I
hope NU continues to recruit well in Missouri.