Despite the first year head coach, Mike Riley and Nebraska was picked to be #30 in the nation per the 2015 Preseason Consensus, so despite the 5-6 record for the Huskers, they were supposed to be a challenging team.
Yes, I would say the Golden Age has burst, when you look at Nebraska, Penn State, USC ...
Clemson was only picked #14, though they had some suggesting #6 or #9. The Tigers have won three straight bowls thought with wins over LSU (25-24), Ohio State (40-35) and Oklahoma (40-6), so they have clearly been on the national radar and relevant.
#3 Iowa (11-0, 7-0 B1G West) wasn't expected by anyone to be this good, this strong and even contending for the Big Ten West Division, let alone the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff, Who's In?
Iowa was picked 4th, which was surprising, but that is how the so-called experts picked Iowa for the Big Ten. Well, Iowa is currently the #1 team in the Big Ten, though Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State may have something to say about that.
Win or lose, Iowa plays for the Big Ten Championship on December 5th. A program first, just like the 11-0 start. Iowa has finished 8-0 in the Big Ten before. The 2002 team ran through the Big Ten in 2002, just like Ohio State.
No one has ever won the College Football Playoff undefeated. It is extremely hard to finish unblemished, as every Big Ten team has found out in the Big Ten, except for one odd exception in 2015. It will be difficult, with two remaining undefeated teams to project it will happen this year.
There are plenty of flaws in College Football today.
PASS EFFICIENCY G COMP. ATT. INT. PCT. YARDS TD EFFIC.
Ohio State 7 109 160 2 68.1 1313 11 157.2
Michigan 7 140 218 4 64.2 1729 13 146.9
Indiana 7 131 221 4 59.3 1783 13 142.8
Michigan State 7 129 236 4 54.7 1792 14 134.6
Iowa 7 102 181 2 56.4 1338 7 129
Nebraska 7 125 235 11 53.2 1701 14 124.3
Minnesota 7 130 222 5 58.6 1469 9 123
C.J. Beathard vs. Tommy Armstrong ...
GAINED LOST
TURNOVER MARGIN G FUMB. INT. TOTAL FUMB. INT. TOTAL MARGIN PER/G
Iowa 7 7 8 15 3 2 5 +10 +1.43 #1 in the Big Ten
Nebraska 7 1 5 6 3 11 14 -8 -1.14 #13 ahead of only the Terrapins
Maryland 7 8 4 12 5 16 21 -9 -1.29
How much will Turnovers be in the game?
Iowa's linebackers had a B1G day last time in Lincoln in 2013. On defense, it is interesting to see a S as the leader of the defense. Nate Gerry is a good player, but most would rather see LBs leading one's defense in tackles.
One can expect all three phases of the game will play big roles in the outcome between Iowa-Nebraska.
Iowa is 5-0 vs. common B1G opponents, while Nebraska is 1-4.
A close game clearly favors the home team. It will be an interesting Black Friday game in Lincoln.
peace
