Final regular season FPI rankings

[9and4]

The Football Power Index is an ESPN measure of each team based on results, but also heavily relying on statistics and score differentials.

On offense, Nebraska finished as the 34th most-efficient offense, the 27th most-efficient defense and the 128th most-efficient (third least efficient) special teams.

We knew that, but it's fascinating to see a statistical analysis confirm it.

It's also fascinating to see the overall rankings:

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Notre Dame
6. Oklahoma
7. Cincinnati
8. Oklahoma State
9. Iowa State
10. Pittsburgh

Given that the top 10 shows the validity of the statistical analysis and how things played out on the field, let's see where Nebraska ranked in the Big Ten and nationally in FPI:

1. Ohio State (3)
2. Michigan (4)
3. Wisconsin (13)
4. Penn State (14)
5. Michigan State (21)
6. Purdue (25)
7. Minnesota (33)
8. Nebraska (34)
9. Iowa (35)
10. Illinois (65)
11. Maryland (75)
12. Rutgers (82)
13. Indiana (84)
14. Northwestern (95)

That written, statistical comparisons are for losers, but they can provide hope. If Frost hires a good ST coordinator and an offensive staff with a focus on fundamentals and details, it's not hard to imagine a four-game swing or better in our favor.

It's also not hard to imagine Frosty guiding us through another 4-8 or 3-9 season.

The devil is in the details.