[Husker] Good start, time to finish

[aroundomaha]

Each season I tend to do a fan's statistical analysis of the Huskers and
their opponents (don't expect a Bapi Gupta power rating though! :)

Since 2000 the Huskers have started the season through the end of October
with only one loss three times; 2000 (7-1), 2001 (9-0), and 2003 (8-1). So
while many are looking at the implications of the Missouri game on 10/30 in
terms of bragging rights I see something else, another step back to the
previous level of excellence. With that in mind what I'm interested in is
how the Huskers finish up October from a higher level perspective.

2000: 7-1, final record 10-2, last four games: 3-1
2001: 9-0, final record 11-1, last four games: 2-2
2002: 6-3, final record 7-7, last four games 1-3
2003: 8-1, final record 10-3, last four games 3-1
2004: 5-3, final record 5-6, last four games 1-3
2005: 5-3, final record 8-4, last four games 3-1
2006: 6-3, final record 9-5, last four games 2-2
2007: 4-5, final record 5-7, last four games 1-3
2008: 5-3, final record 9-4, last four games 4-0
2009: 5-3, final record 10-4, last four games 3-1
2010: 7-1 or 6-2,

Thus far Bo Pelini's teams have finished the season well so either way the
season looks good at this point. However there is a lot of fan expectation
to go out of the B12 on a high (told you so) note.

If Nebraska wins (going 7-1) then this would be the fourth time since 2000
that they finish October with 1 loss or less. If they lose (going 6-2)
they're still better than at any point at the season since 2003. The
interesting part will be seeing how the season finishes up and whether Bo
Pellini's team is consistent in doing so with a strong record (he stands at
7-1 in Nov/Dec/Jan).

What this game represents is more of a litmus for the rebuilding effort. If
NU fails this "quiz" then it doesn't mean the final grade will be bad, we
just won't make the Dean's List :)
---
David Elfering
aroundomaha at gmail.com