Nebraska is #25 in ESPN’s updated FPI rankings

[lee_carvallo_12]

If I were unbiased (which I am not) I'd probably rank all of them above Nebraska preseason.

I'd rather have it that way. I've read this story before with a "right at 25" ranking and then a back of the pack B1G team wins 10 games out of nowhere - see F. Pat Fitzgerald reference.

 

[HuskerDocCo]

JFC! ESPN is the biggest UT dick riders I have ever seen! There is absolutely no real football reason for them to be ranked #1 in anything but a “run your mouth poll”

do you have an 8 incher freightpimp?

 

[HuskerDocCo]

I'd rather have it that way. I've read this story before with a "right at 25" ranking and then a back of the pack B1G team wins 10 games out of nowhere - see F. Pat Fitzgerald reference.

howdy Lee boy! how’s that Texas sized 8 incher hangin this mornin ?

 

[whoboppin]

I think Illinois will be fine, but I think they are getting a little bit overrated this offseason. They were just the anti-Nebraska last year and went 5-1 in 1 score games. I doubt that happens again, but I have said the same thing about Nebraska having a bad 1 score game record for about a decade now and here we are.

 

[Cornicator]

I think Illinois will be fine, but I think they are getting a little bit overrated this offseason. They were just the anti-Nebraska last year and went 5-1 in 1 score games. I doubt that happens again, but I have said the same thing about Nebraska having a bad 1 score game record for about a decade now and here we are.

I will continue to argue Nebraska has been a terrible 1-score losing team because of special teams. Illinois has a terrific punter, return game, kicker, and special teams operation.

For instance, their kicker was 17 out of 20. And their punt returner, Hank Beatty, finished the season 4th Nationally in Punt Return yardage at 14 yards per return. Their kickoff team finished 5th nationally for fewest return yards allowed. Their punter, who didn't have a big leg, did place 10 punts inside the 20 yard line and only 3 of his punts ended up as a touchback. All those dudes are returning.

They were basically playing Cockeye caliber special teams but with a much more competent and explosive offense.

Compare that to Nebraska:
- Huskers miss more than 50% of their kicks.
- Huskers have multiple extra points blocked.
- Huskers only averaged 4.3 yards per punt return.
- Huskers allowed almost 8 yards more per kickoff return than Illinois.

Where Illinois has some things to prove is at receiver:

I honestly believe Pat Bryant is going to eventually become a star for the Broncos. And Zakhari Franklin is with the Raiders. Both those dudes were better than Nebraska's top 2 wideouts last season.

RB Josh McCray pissed Coach Fat Ass Bielema off in late April when he shocked everyone by announcing a transfer to Georgia. McCray is a future NFL running back and was highly productive for the Illini last season with 11 TDs. However, Illinois has plenty of good running backs and I think they will still be successful there.


The losses of Bryant, Franklin, and McCray are the primary reason why Illinois is lower in the FPI rankings.

 

[FreightPimpDawg]

do you have an 8 incher freightpimp?

Ask your Mom.

 

[Cornicator]

Ask your Mom.

LMAO at your avatar:

 

[redzoner]

I will continue to argue Nebraska has been a terrible 1-score losing team because of special teams. Illinois has a terrific punter, return game, kicker, and special teams operation.

For instance, their kicker was 17 out of 20. And their punt returner, Hank Beatty, finished the season 4th Nationally in Punt Return yardage at 14 yards per return. Their kickoff team finished 5th nationally for fewest return yards allowed. Their punter, who didn't have a big leg, did place 10 punts inside the 20 yard line and only 3 of his punts ended up as a touchback. All those dudes are returning.

They were basically playing Cockeye caliber special teams but with a much more competent and explosive offense.

Compare that to Nebraska:
- Huskers miss more than 50% of their kicks.
- Huskers have multiple extra points blocked.
- Huskers only averaged 4.3 yards per punt return.
- Huskers allowed almost 8 yards more per kickoff return than Illinois.

Where Illinois has some things to prove is at receiver:

I honestly believe Pat Bryant is going to eventually become a star for the Broncos. And Zakhari Franklin is with the Raiders. Both those dudes were better than Nebraska's top 2 wideouts last season.

RB Josh McCray pissed Coach Fat Ass Bielema off in late April when he shocked everyone by announcing a transfer to Georgia. McCray is a future NFL running back and was highly productive for the Illini last season with 11 TDs. However, Illinois has plenty of good running backs and I think they will still be successful there.


The losses of Bryant, Franklin, and McCray are the primary reason why Illinois is lower in the FPI rankings.

I agree special teams is a big issue that keeps games close and produces 1 score losses.

But, also we have really lacked many game changing players on either side of the ball. We have had serviceable RB, WR, and TE but I don't think we really have had anyone that we can rely on to make a big play outside of running QBs. Who do other teams really have to game plan for? We got a little bit of that from Barney last year and I'm hoping our new WR trend in that direction. RB is still underwhelming to me from a game changing standpoint.

On defense we had Ty who could blow up some plays but it would be really nice to have a big threat to get home on 3rd and long to create more turnovers and short fields.

We are trying to grind everything out without enough big plays from O, D, and ST. It makes the margin to win games much tighter.

I'd kill for an Ameer Abdullah type of player this year.

 

[Blakejc]

And their punt returner, Hank Beatty, finished the season 4th Nationally in Punt Return yardage at 14 yards per return.

A decent offense is around 14 yards per point. So 14 yards/return is equivalent to 1 pt. If that dude gets 3 returns a game his effort alone is worth a FG. Game changing if you play a lot of one score games…

 

[TampaBaySkers]

howdy Lee boy! how’s that Texas sized 8 incher hangin this mornin ?

Live look @HuskerDocCo

 

[Cornicator]

I agree special teams is a big issue that keeps games close and produces 1 score losses.

But, also we have really lacked many game changing players on either side of the ball. We have had serviceable RB, WR, and TE but I don't think we really have had anyone that we can rely on to make a big play outside of running QBs. Who do other teams really have to game plan for? We got a little bit of that from Barney last year and I'm hoping our new WR trend in that direction. RB is still underwhelming to me from a game changing standpoint.

On defense we had Ty who could blow up some plays but it would be really nice to have a big threat to get home on 3rd and long to create more turnovers and short fields.

We are trying to grind everything out without enough big plays from O, D, and ST. It makes the margin to win games much tighter.

I'd kill for an Ameer Abdullah type of player this year.

Your point about playmakers is why I'm finally excited about the offensive personnel additions. Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter are both dramatic upgrades over Neyor and Banks.. Year two of Barney will just be the icing on the cake. Nebraska can also go into a season now where a developmental and experienced player like Bonner is a valuable 4th option.

Special teams must prove to be a dramatic upgrade though. I won't put that all on Ekeler though. Rhule has been here for 2.5 years now. He is absolutely responsible for the special teams personnel at this point.

 

[Kaladin]

Is ESPN changing their FPI algorithm to put more SEC teams in these rankings?