NU Opens as Three-Point Favorite
7 comments so far
December 5, 2006 by
Yesterday I wrote a piece about Nebraska getting a slight edge over Auburn in the Sagarin ratings, little did I realize that NU would open as a three-point favorite over Auburn. Say what you will about the Huskers' success or failure in "restoring the order" but Nebraska is now a favorite over a top ten team for the first time in a long time.
It's all the more shocking that the top ten team is an SEC team. The SEC team has had no lack of respect nationally. In fact, it's quite possible that Auburn would have gotten a BCS bid if not for the rule permitting only a maximum of two teams per conference. The Tigers finished ninth in the final BCS standings and of course ten teams go to the four major bowls or national championship game.
For those who want to discount the Huskers progress due to another four-loss season, Vegas disagrees. And where the money is, is exactly where Nebraska wants to be. When the experts take a hard look at Nebraska and Auburn, they think Nebraska has a better chance to win. That's only good news.
Update: There is some question as to the actual line on this game. Yahoo! has the Huskers as a 3 point favorite while some other sources show Auburn as a 3 point favorite. You didn't come here to bet anyway. :) The point remains, even a 3 point underdog to a top 10 team shows some respect for the Huskers.
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Brad Dec 05 06
Once again: will we turn the ball over?
In a lot of ways we are playing Oklahoma again. They have an amazing defense and an inconsistent offense. If we turn the ball over we are going to lose.
Mark Dec 05 06
I think that the team needs to use the disappointment from the OU loss in a positive way. Last year some said that Michigan was disappointed in their season and going to the Alamo Bowl and it impacted how they played against NU.
The team and coaches should be disappointed in the loss, but I hope they don't let it affect them in the Cotton Bowl in the same way that some think Michigan did last year. If we go into the bowl game still stinging from the OU game, I think it is more likely we lose.
Jason Dec 05 06
Couldn't agree more Mark. The Tigers won't be taking this one lightly (like they did last year when they lost to a lower ranked Wisconsin).
I think you'll see a well prepared Husker team for this game. They'll be angry from the OU loss and if you give Callahan a month to put together a game plan you know it will be solid. I feel sorry for the Callahan family though. They probably won't be seeing much of him over the holidays. :)
Steve Dec 05 06
Some post-script here. We're now seeing some lines reported as Auburn by 3. None of them are overlapping so hard to tell if you get different numbers in different places or not. Even if Auburn is a 3-point favorite that's a positive, since they are more than 10 notches higher in the major polls, but Nebraska may not be a favorite after all.
Sorry if I mislead anyone! I blame Yahoo Sports!
Ric Dec 07 06
Sorry, Guys, as the only team to beat one of the top two teams in the country, Auburn should kick butt and take names at the Cotton Bowl. That is, IF the offense shows up.
Steve Dec 07 06
Yes, sadly Yahoo Sports fixed the lines and Auburn is indeed the favorite (as one would expect).
But Ric, this game won't be played in Alabama like the Florida and LSU games were.
Katie Dec 07 06
Ric:
I would have to say that you beat the lesser of two greats-- don't get too cocky!
You better not be looking past the Huskers. We all know what that did to Michigan last year.
"SHOULD" and "IF" aren't big confidence statements.. your going to have to do better then that!
Go big Red!