I think too many unknowns on both sides of the ball to say one way or another. I think 50-50 is a good bet. We just do not know what the attitude of the Ducks will be in this game.
Just want to point out that we've lost to both Illinois and Purdue in the last couple of years, both will be road games. Your toss-up games are exactly that.On paper, I can see why Vegas would do that.
Basically new offense, with a new QB, with no returning starters except OL, which was lackluster last year.
New defense.
The upside: NU has building to this kind of offense for 2+ yrs, and the QB is not a rookie.
The defense is led by a very good DC in Diaco.
I think NU will have 5 wins for sure:
09/02 ARKANSAS STATE TBA
09/16 NORTHERN ILLINOIS TBA
09/23 RUTGERS TBA
09/29 @ ILLINOIS TBA
10/28 @PURDUE TBA
4 toss up games:
10/07 WISCONSIN TBA
11/04 NORTHWESTERN TBA
11/11 @ MINNESOTA TBA
11/24 IOWA TBA
3 upsets, if they are wins:
09/09 @ OREGON TBA
10/14 OHIO STATE TBA
11/18@ PENN STATE TBA
So if NU wins the 5 for sure wins, plus half the toss ups, that gets them to 7 wins. I think NU can win all the toss ups, and that would get them to 9. I think the real over-under might be 8.
Both teams have a lot to prove and this game will be a chance to make a statement.
agreed. I think the winner goes on to have a pretty good season.
Also lets not forget about this incident. http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2017/01/oregon_ducks_workouts_hospital.html
Why should it be a loss? This is a game NU should win, needs to win. If they can't beat a 4-8 Oregon team, how the hell are they gonna beat the better teams in the BIG? Is the new coach that good he can just come in there and turn it around in year 1?
Wow you are super psychic knowing that UO will be 4-8 this year.
They were 4-8 last year. That's all we've got to go on. Maybe they will be another team to turn it around in year 1 while NU is going on year 3 and vegas (whom isn't in the business of losing money) seems to think NU is good for about 6 wins. Wow, just WOW.
Here is the thing though EVERY YEAR IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS DIFFERENT. Just because a team was 4-8 last year means nothing this year. Preseason predictions rarely work out as expected. So by your admission if we lose to UO our season is lost even if both teams go undefeated thereafter. let's just look at MSU the last 8 years.
