Early Over/Unders Put Husker Wins at 8
5 comments so far
July 23, 2009 by
Among the milestones leading up to a new football season, it’s always fun to take a look at the over/under regular season win total benchmarks for each team that come from the sportsbooks in Vegas. It tells us what the bookmakers think is the tipping point to where there’s even money to be wagered that the team will win more games or that the team will win fewer games.
Texas leads the conference with an over/under of ten and half regular season wins. Oklahoma is next with nine and half. Oklahoma State is third with nine wins. Texas Tech maintains their also-ran status in the Big 12 South with eight wins. Perhaps surprisingly, Texas A&M edges out Baylor with an over/under of five and a half wins to five.
Nebraska shares the lead in the Big 12 North with Kansas at eight wins. Missouri is third at seven and a half. Colorado’s mark is six and a half wins and Kansas State’s mark was five wins. Iowa State didn’t appear to have a number yet (the smallest number I see is three wins, perhaps the don’t go lower than that?). For those scoring at home, that might make NU the likely favorite among the betting public to win the Big 12 North considering the Huskers game against Virginia Tech. With all the predictions we’ve seen for Kansas to win the North based on a returning quarterback and receiver, it’s encouraging to see that Athlon, Phil Steele, and now the oddsmakers might like the Huskers more.
It’s also good to see Nebraska gaining ground in these predictions. A year ago the regular season over/under for NU was seven wins. The eight wins is a sign that the betting public is gaining confidence in the Huskers (despite the loss of some key starters like Joe Ganz and Nate Swift). That’s a positive trend and shows how Bo Pelini is moving the perception of the program in the right direction.
No eight wins still doesn't put the Huskers in elite company. But it appears good enough to contend in their division, which is what really matters in the regular season.
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darren Jul 23 09
"For entertainment purposes only" of course, I'd take 8. I'm down.
Though it is funny to compare these odds to the early line on the NU - KU game, in which KU is favored.
Ahh... Vegas.
caveman99 Jul 23 09
Man I am gone on vacation and I come back to a boat load of great reads here. Good stuff BRN! I am also down with 8 wins as an over/under. That is pretty close to the over/under of the elites, which is generally 9. I mean if NU does as many of us think they can then we should expect at least 9 wins including a bowl, and frankly I think 10 is quite possible. I know it is all based on pre-season looks, but I am buying what is being sold right now.
Iggy Jul 23 09
Well if one were to use my 2009 Dynasty for a benchmark I'd say its a little low. Currently, with ISU @ NU kicking off at 7:30 PM tonight Nebraska is 6-0 and #5 in the country. Lee has has an Amazing year so far with just under 2000 yards Passing, a 76% completion percentage, 23 TDs to 4 INTs. The TE haven't done much but Dre Young has been special in place of McNeill who was injured against FAU. Holt and Paul have been go to guys and keep swapping the lead in receptions, but Brooks has been the star and currently leads the big 12 in TD catches. The Running game has been underwhelming unfortunately although Castille is a stud on the Goaline with 7 TDs(everyone is stuffing the box against me!)
The Defense has been stout, Suh and Turner have been doing well and keep swapping the lead in tackles and TFLs, Yancy has stepped in for an injured Allen and leads the team in sacks. Dillard leads the team in INTs. (I play alot of cover three which puts him in just the right place to make offenses miserable)
I'll deal with Baylor tomorrow morning.
The game with #1 OU should kickoff tomorrow evening so we'll see what happens there
James Moore Jul 23 09
Nine, with a bowl win bumping it to 10. Last year we got 9 wins on grit, guts, and some great on-field leaders. We go into the upcoming season with a LOT more confidence and a system in place. If the offensive line can perform, Lee shows the ability to maintain composure and make plays, and we get our WR's to emerge at Blacksburg then we will be able to walk out of that game (win or loss) knowing that this is the best team in The Big 12 North. Win in Blacksburg and then the idea that you can beat anyone remaining on the schedule, becomes feasable (not probable, this is referring to Oklahoma). . .
This team is weird in a way to put your finger on. You can make a compelling case for 9/10/11 wins if they get some breaks and perform to expectations. You can also make a case that if Lee doesn't grab the job by the throat and perform (possible), no WR steps up as a true No. 1 option (possible), the LB's have a steeper than expected learning curve in game experience (possible), then you could say maybe 7 or 8. These guys seemed to have worked a bit too hard, have too much focus, and have a quiet collective confidence about them as a group that makes a "worse than expected" scenario unlikely. . .
Lol, Iggy I'm 5-0, ranked No. 6 heading into a showdown with Texas Tech, but brother my run game is seriously POUNDING the rock. Stick with them. 34 Iso Blast is lethal with both of these guys (think I, and HB Blast is how the game calls it) Helu and Castille are as good a combo as ANY Dynasty (yrs 3/4 and beyond) IB's have had. Front 7 is vicious ("Suh MIGHT be Suhy enough" after what he did last night) and Thenarse/Asante will be hard to replace. They've come up for me big, especially Thenarse. . .
Bill in Iowa Jul 23 09
As a betting man I would say we lose to V-Tech, Oklahoma, and stumble one more time to either Mizzou, Kansas, or T-Tech for a 9-3 season. T-Tech scares me more than Kansas or Mizzou, but we have T-Tech at home and Kansas and Mizzou away.
If our defense shows up and we can run with the football, we don't need Lee to be Joe Ganz or are WR's to be Swift and Peterson. You win games with defense and a running game. That being said, it would not surprise me at all if we do have a successful passing game this season.