Schedulla Oblongata

[Hunchback Johnny]

So anywhays, I just read an article suggesting HCU will be the worst team to come to Lincoln in perhaps ever. Coming off the 68-0 drubbing of Akron, I find that statement disturbing.

I proceeded to look at the non-con sked for the upcoming seasons and my simple brainstem is having a hard time processing it. The Cincinnati team that has now won 9 of its last 27 games will be the toughest non-conference opponent the Huskers will play the next 3 years, and the only P4 team until Arizona comes to town in September 2028.

2026
Ohio
Bowling Green
North Dakota

2027
Northern Illinois
Miami (Ohio)
Northern Iowa

2028
UTEP
South Dakota St
Arizona

Not sure game reps against this schedule will prepare the Huskers for the rigors of the B1G, but as Mark Pelini once said "At the end of the day, it is what it is."

 

[Doc Fumble]

So anywhays, I just read an article suggesting HCU will be the worst team to come to Lincoln in perhaps ever.

We'll have to wait and see. As of this moment, I would give that modern day honor to the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University!

I proceeded to look at the non-con sked for the upcoming seasons and my simple brainstem is having a hard time processing it. The Cincinnati team that has now won 9 of its last 27 games will be the toughest non-conference opponent the Huskers will play the next 3 years, and the only G4 team until Arizona comes to town in September 2028.

For whatever it's worth, I don't need a powerhouse non-con schedule to keep me in my seat. When you're working to bridge the gap between the conference's Big Dawgs and the "second tier," you want to pad your wins for the pollsters who never pay attention and, more importantly, give your back-ups as much playing time as possible.

Some folks act like a powder-puff non-con schedule is a new development--it's not. Our non-con schedule has always had three 'pretty sure-fire wins' (sigh, until they weren't--thanks Riley and Frost!) In recent years, our one semi-decent power conference opponent (like Cincinnati this year) was replaced by a tougher, nine-game conference slate. And let's face it, playing teams like Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois has been A HECK OF A LOT different than the old days of playing Kansas, K-State, and Iowa State.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

We'll have to wait and see. As of this moment, I would give that modern day honor to the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University!
For whatever it's worth, I don't need a powerhouse non-con schedule to keep me in my seat. When you're working to bridge the gap between the conference's Big Dawgs and the "second tier," you want to pad your wins for the pollsters who never pay attention and, more importantly, give your back-ups as much playing time as possible.

By Year 5 of the Matt Rhule Era, I was hoping to be one on the Big Dawgs, and not a second-tier team stacking wins against the likes of Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio), and Northern Iowa.

I get it, Dr Fum. I don't want the Huskers running the gauntlet every year, but in a 4-year span they are playing 2 P4 teams, 6 G5 teams, and 4 FCS schools. In the spirit of true competition, I would like to think the Huskers could do better. In the next 2 seasons the Huskers will be at a minimum 3 touchdown favorites in every non-con game they play, and in most cases, probably five. In the month of September the next two years, it would be nice to see a game that keeps our interest past halftime. We better hope someone like Northern Illinois doesn't Notre Dame us, or all hell will break loose!

 

[Doc Fumble]

By Year 5 of the Matt Rhule Era, I was hoping to be one on the Big Dawgs, and not a second-tier team stacking wins against the likes of Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio), and Northern Iowa.

I'm not the most objective person to debate this subject with you because I love to watch the Huskers play against anybody. But I will note that one of the biggest of Big Dawgs this century -- Alabama -- has played the following teams in NOVEMBER the last few years: New Mexico State, Austin Peay, Chattanooga, and Mercer. And this season, the Crimson Tide will have a November slobberknocker against... Eastern Illinois.

The way I look at it, the sport is evolving to the point where (right or wrong) conference championships are becoming irrelevant and everything is leading up to a sixteen-team playoff for the national championship. That means a top tier team could play up to sixteen games over the course of the season. When you think about the physical demands of the sport, that's brutal when you think about the age of these players. A few warm-up games to me are no big deal.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

I'm not the most objective person to debate this subject with you because I love to watch the Huskers play against anybody. But I will note that one of the biggest of Big Dawgs this century -- Alabama -- has played the following teams in NOVEMBER the last few years: New Mexico State, Austin Peay, Chattanooga, and Mercer. And this season, the Crimson Tide will have a November slobberknocker against... Eastern Illinois.

.

I don't like the tone of your voice if you're disrespecting the NM State Aggies. @Husker99, would you like to straighten this guy out, or shall I?

 

[Uenth]

I don't like the tone of your voice if you're disrespecting the NM State Aggies. @Husker99, would you like to straighten this guy out, or shall I?

Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight!!!!!

 

[Doc Fumble]

I don't like the tone of your voice if you're disrespecting the NM State Aggies. @Husker99, would you like to straighten this guy out, or shall I?

YIKES! Looks like some of Coach Rhule's halftime moxie has rubbed off on Hunchie!!!!

<< Fumble mumbles 'good luck,' and shakes Hunchie's hand while staring at his shoes, thinking he never wants to debate that guy ever again! >>

 

[Husker99]

By Year 5 of the Matt Rhule Era, I was hoping to be one on the Big Dawgs, and not a second-tier team stacking wins against the likes of Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio), and Northern Iowa.
I get it, Dr Fum. I don't want the Huskers running the gauntlet every year, but in a 4-year span they are playing 2 P4 teams, 6 G5 teams, and 4 FCS schools. In the spirit of true competition, I would like to think the Huskers could do better. In the next 2 seasons the Huskers will be at a minimum 3 touchdown favorites in every non-con game they play, and in most cases, probably five. In the month of September the next two years, it would be nice to see a game that keeps our interest past halftime. We better hope someone like Northern Illinois doesn't Notre Dame us, or all hell will break loose!

I agree. I think Nebraska should play 1 premiere out of conference team every year. The strength of the B1G can ebb and flow from year to year, as can the schedule we play. So yeah, we should be playing 1 opponent from any of the following conferences each season: SEC, Big 12, or Pac 12.

We're Nebraska and we shouldn't be "ducking" anyone.

 

[Husker99]

YIKES! Looks like some of Coach Rhule's halftime moxie has rubbed off on Hunchie!!!!

<< Fumble mumbles 'good luck,' and shakes Hunchie's hand while staring at his shoes, thinking he never wants to debate that guy ever again! >>

Yeah, that's what I thought. Don't ever disrespect the New Mexico State Aggies!!! They're my adopted, root for them on rare occasion, team.

 

[Doc Fumble]

We're Nebraska and we shouldn't be "ducking" anyone.

I shouldn't be limping back into this debate after getting a tag-team butt kicking by you and Hunch, but, for the record, we didn't duck anyone.

We asked to reschedule the Tennessee game (after we had granted their similar request a few years earlier.) Their AD used to be at UCF and thought he'd use it as media-fodder. The guy is still butt-hurt we stole his coach back-in-the-day. (I guess it's okay that HE left for greener pastures. Anyhoo, we gave Frost back to UCF so we should be all good now.)

 

[Husker99]

DrFumble ...but, for the record, we didn't duck anyone.

Kinda feels like we did, especially with Frost and Oklahoma.

Here's the thing, with a 12, and likely 16 at some point, team playoff, a team doesn't have to worry about 1, 2 or potentially 3 losses. Imagine this scenario:

Nebraska plays @ Tennessee next year in the OOC and loses.
Then we go through league play and have 2 losses but still make the conference title game and win it.

So yeah, we'd have 3 losses, but as B1G champs we'd still get an automatic playoff berth.

I get your, and Coach Rhule's rationale for not wanting to schedule any premiere teams in the OOC slate, but with the expanded playoffs, losses to name opponents aren't going to penalize a team like a loss to Northern Illinois would (Notre Dame being the exception where the Irish lose to the Huskies and rise in the rankings.)

 

[Removed Spleen of Jordan]

We have lost to Northern Illinois, Troy and Georgia Southern within the last decade. Indiana didn't get penalized for their schedule last year getting into the playoffs. Just win.

 

[Cigarman]

The problem with lining up non-conference foes is multiple. First, any even average team will want a home and away contract. NU and other blue bloods don't want an away game. Every home game is a big paycheck. A home game brings in over $8 million. It also means millions to the Lincoln community. That is hard to overlook when scheduling. Second, playing a powerhouse like Nebraska is probably going to end up as a bujtt kicking. It is hard enough for a non-top tier team to recruit even without an embarrassment on the schedule. A 68 point beat down also does not do much for establishing confidence within your team.

In truth, unless you are willing to give up a home game, you are not going to be able to line up a good team for your non-conference. Economically, is it better to line up another home game or have to do a home and away with a team like Cincinnati?

However, looking at next year, all three of those teams are descent teams. Ohio (post Solich) has dominated the MAC. They have 10 or more wins for each of the last 3 years. Bowling green is capable of pulling off an upset if you don't take them seriously. North Dakota while not a serious threat, will give a good effort and solidify our recruiting efforts in the Dakotas.

 

[Righteous Red]

I still would love to do “reunion” schedules with our old buddies in the Big 8. Missouri, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and Colorado. It would really hype up fan interest, many of our fans would gladly travel in droves again to those places for away games. Not only that, it will give us more exposure in the Kansas City and St Louis and Denver areas for recruiting.

 

[valiantsailor]

By Year 5 of the Matt Rhule Era, I was hoping to be one on the Big Dawgs, and not a second-tier team stacking wins against the likes of Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio), and Northern Iowa.

I get it, Dr Fum. I don't want the Huskers running the gauntlet every year, but in a 4-year span they are playing 2 P4 teams, 6 G5 teams, and 4 FCS schools. In the spirit of true competition, I would like to think the Huskers could do better. In the next 2 seasons the Huskers will be at a minimum 3 touchdown favorites in every non-con game they play, and in most cases, probably five. In the month of September the next two years, it would be nice to see a game that keeps our interest past halftime. We better hope someone like Northern Illinois doesn't Notre Dame us, or all hell will break loose!

You are aware of the cupcake schedule of OSU and Alabama et al......right? NU also played those cupcakes when Oz was the HC. Its a time honored schedule by the big boys. Rhule can play with the puffs and still claim the high ground

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

You are aware of the cupcake schedule of OSU and Alabama et al......right? NU also played those cupcakes when Oz was the HC. Its a time honored schedule by the big boys. Rhule can play with the puffs and still claim the high ground

This probably isn't the time to use OSU and Alabama as examples. OSU opened with #1 Texas this season and plays Texas on the road next year. Alabama opened with perennial power Florida State and plays them again next year. The irony of ironies is Alabama and OSU start a home and away series with one another in 2027. Let's try this again. Find a Big Boy program over a 4-year stretch that has a non-con schedule similar to what Nebraska has lined up from 2025 to 2028.

2 very average P4 teams, one on "neutral" field Arrowhead, the other at home
6 average G5 teams. all at home
4 FCS teams at home

...............GO!!!!!!!!!

 

[j d]

Imagine this scenario:

Nebraska plays @ Tennessee next year in the OOC and loses.
Then we go through league play and have 2 losses but still make the conference title game and win it.

So yeah, we'd have 3 losses, but as B1G champs we'd still get an automatic playoff berth.

Without conference divisions, the chance of getting to the championship game with 2 in conference losses is pretty low.

 

[valiantsailor]

This probably isn't the time to use OSU and Alabama as examples. OSU opened with #1 Texas this season and plays Texas on the road next year. Alabama opened with perennial power Florida State and plays them again next year. The irony of ironies is Alabama and OSU start a home and away series with one another in 2027. Let's try this again. Find a Big Boy program over a 4-year stretch that has a non-con schedule similar to what Nebraska has lined up from 2025 to 2028.

2 very average P4 teams, one on "neutral" field Arrowhead, the other at home
6 average G5 teams. all at home
4 FCS teams at home

...............GO!!!!!!!!!

Grambling? Monroe? ROFLAO. THEY ALL DO IT. OSU is a victim of being in the B1G this year, ( we all have to play B1G conferennce games) but we werent necessarily talking about this season. Furthermore, scheduling is not an exact science. Check out past K state teams for Bill Schneider. I get what your saying butttttttttt Im sure alot of those ncom games were there to make up for Frostbite and not made by the current regime.

 

[valiantsailor]

Without conference divisions, the chance of getting to the championship game with 2 in conference losses is pretty low.

Unless your Alabama and OSU

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

Grambling? Monroe? ROFLAO. THEY ALL DO IT. OSU is a victim of being in the B1G this year, ( we all have to play B1G conferennce games) but we werent necessarily talking about this season. Furthermore, scheduling is not an exact science. Check out past K state teams for Bill Schneider. I get what your saying butttttttttt Im sure alot of those ncom games were there to make up for Frostbite and not made by the current regime.

Tennessee was replaced with Houston Baptist this season by Rhule and Company. You are bringing up single games on the schedule and have chosen to ignore comparing the entire non-con schedule. Of course, all teams schedule one or two weaklings every year. Let's try this a third time. Find a team that has scheduled 12 vastly inferior opponents over a four-year period the way Nebraska has from 2025-28.