[Husker] MNC Futures Odds

[Tommy Thompson]

All this talk of the Huskers being in the Top 10, and even competing for a 
National Championship has me a little worried.  While it's true that the 
Huskers are returning 10 starters on Offense, and should have a decent (if 
not great) Defense, I think it's a little bit early to start predicting the 
return to dominance for the Big Red.

Nebraska has many concerns coming into the new season.

1.  The loss of Suh, Turner, Dillard and Asante.    Of the 4, Dillard may be 
the biggest loss.  He really came on last year, and gave the linemen a 
little more time to get to the QB.  I don't think anyone is poised to take 
on that position.  I understand the Defense is changing to the "Peso", but 
I'm not certain that solves the problem.

2.  Offensive Line.  This has been an issue for several years.  The fact 
that 4 personnel return from an average line worries me a bit.  I'd like for 
them to start blowing some holes open.

Which leads me to...

3.  Running Game.  Don't get me wrong...I think Helu and Burkhead did well 
last year, but they didn't strike fear into anyone.  In addition, I've heard 
rumors that Watson is wanting the QB to have a bigger factor in the running 
game.  This poses a problem.  Lee isn't really a running threat.  Green 
isn't really a passing threat.  Martinez and Spano have zero experience.  If 
the O-line doesn't improve this year, then the running game may be in 
trouble.

So, what am I trying to say here?  I'm just thinking that the Huskers need 
to play a couple of games before fans start discussing high rankings.   I'd 
like to see them start the year around 12-18 and then prove themselves.  Any 
higher than that scares me.

Tommy Thompson (Pa)
"GO BIG RED"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Duane Feldman" <dlfeldman at ameritech.net>
To: "'Todd Richards'" <toddlowell at yahoo.com>; <Husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010 8:17 AM
Subject: RE: [Husker] MNC Futures Odds


> I've seen several early and unofficial rankings and NU is anywhere from #7
> (Athlon, I think) and #13 (SI I think).  Most have us in the bottom of the
> top ten.  The highest I have heard is Craig James of ESPN who has NU #2 on
> his personal ballot, but I think ESPN had us at #9 when all votes were
> tabulated.
>
> I don't worry about it and would NOT like us to be too highly ranked 
> early.
> We have plenty of early season chances to prove ourselves and move up via
> Washington, Texas and Missouri games.  The KSU game will be a Thursday 
> night
> game where we are the only game on (just prior to the Texas game).  Win 
> all
> of those and we are comfortably top five no matter where we start.
>
> On another front, I predict as many as two early season losses for Alabama
> as they lose 9, yes 9 starters on defense.  With early games against Penn
> State and Arkansas, they could be out of the top ten early only to return
> later in the season.  Yes, I know they have 9 starters back on O, but I
> believe they play too tough of games early to go undefeated.  They might 
> win
> the SEC, but I don't think they will play for a national title.
>
> Duane Feldman
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: husker-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:husker-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf 
> Of
> Todd Richards
> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 6:44 PM
> To: Husker at tssi.com
> Subject: [Husker] MNC Futures Odds
>
> I was reviewing the current betting odds for this years college football
> national championship. Nebraska is currently 12-1 to win the MNC. There
> are only 4 teams ahead of Nebraska who have odds of less than 12-1. 
> Alabama
> leads with odds of 4-1.
>
> Nebraska leads all other B-12 teams. Texas is next in line at 13-1 odds.
>
> How should this translate to the preseason polls. I think that Nebraska is
> likely to be ranked preseason in the top ten for sure, and more likely
> around 5-7.
>
> Now I don't need the lecture of how odds are made and what they mean. Most
> of us who've bet on games for 40 years are quite aware of how odds are
> posted and what they mean. I'm just wondering if the people who vote in 
> the
> polls will refer to these odds as a starting point for their preseason
> ballots?
>
> Things appear to be looking up for the program in general.
>
> Todd in Tennessee
>
>
>
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