From: steinse@eng.auburn.edu (Scott E. Steinbrink)
Subject: Big 8 Prediction....
Reply-To: steinse@eng.auburn.edu
Organization: Auburn University Engineering
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 22:23:34 GMT


First, don't let the return address fool you.  I am a grad student at Auburn, but I
graduated from CU, Boulder.  I do, therefore, have some knowledge of and interest in
Big 8 football.  Also, the opinions stated here are just my guess, based on the best
facts available to me here in the land of SEC.  Any flames based on emotion are, 
therefore, both inappropriate and unwelcome.  If you think my facts are wrong, or 
something, then that's different.  Flame away.

I read recently that the Big 8 was "finally, grudgingly, admitting that the forward
pass exists."  So it seems.  I, for one, am not happy about it, particularly because
my beloved Colorado Golden Buffaloes are leading the trend, along with the Sooners of
Oklahoma.  I concede the necessity, but the change scares me.  It's a whale of a risk;
if it doesn't pay off, then the Nebraska Cornhuskers will likely win the conference
championship by default.  Woody Hayes once said that three things can happen when you
throw the football, and two of them are bad.  CU and OU might even end up behind 
Kansas or K State.  I'm sorry to say that neither Missouri, Iowa State or Oklahoma
State has much chance to win the conference, though any of these could win over any
other Big 8 opponent, with hard work and a little luck.

Nebraska will be sticking to basics, to the brand of football which has consistently
won games for them in the past.  In view of the gamble being undertaken by CU and OU,
Tom Osborne's offensive decision is brilliant.  If CU and OU fail, NU will win the 
conference, and might win if CU and OU succeed.  NU's defense isn't perfect, but 
overall, it's strong.  Look for that to make a difference.  NU's offense is, as ever,
quite good.

Colorado is, as previously stated, making a change. coach McCartney has been angling 
towards this for several seasons, yet questions of preparedness exist.  Both of the 
lines are strong, and linebacking is not a problem. Offensive backs and receivers are
yet to be tested, but so long as they play as a team, they should be okay.  the defense is good enough to win quite a few games, as long as the offense produces *something*.

Oklahoma has some advantages over Colorado in a proven QB and RB's, but the offensive
line appears weak, and the defense doesn't appear strong, except at linebacker.  Gary
Gibbs is smart, and he'll make the most of what he's got, but overall, in a strongly
defense-oriented conference like the Big 8, I don't think OU has what it takes this 
year.  OU is, however, off probation and will soon return to their former level of 
greatness and, with the adoption of the passing game will emerge stronger than ever
NEXT YEAR.

Knasas and Kansas State are a tossup.  Both have new (5th and 4th year) head coaches, 
and programs on-the-rise.  Conventional wisdom seems to favor KU over KSU, but I've a
feeling it'll be the other way 'round, in conference.  I understand that this last is
an unsupported assertion, but I've got to go with my gut on this one.


SO, MY PREDICTIONS:

Nebraska is always strong, and familiarity with their own offensive scheme will be an
edge.  Furthermore, NU hosts CU this year, and that's a big edge -- aside from the 
Cornhuskers, NOBODY likes to play in Lincoln.  Nebraska will emerge as the Big 8 champ,
but it won't be a runaway.

Colorado will be second, on the strength of their defense, but if Kordell Stewart can 
throw, CU might move to number one (in conference, *NOT* nationally).

Oklahoma will be third, second with luck, or fourth if luck and injuries are against
them.  If the Sooners drop, look for KSU to take third, with the reservation stated
above.  Otherwise, KSU fourth, KU fifth, and toss a coin between MU, ISU and OSU.


SUMMATION:

Nebraska      10-1-0, with a loss to U. Washington,
Colorado       9-1-1, losing to Nebraska, tying Iowa,
Oklahoma       8-3-0, losses to NU, CU, U. Texas;


Nebraska in the Orange bowl, Colorado somewhere on Jan. 1, Oklahoma in a bowl.




Just my $0.02 worth.

Scott Steinbrink
WAR BUFFALO !!!!



BTW, I hope this will shut up "Husker Henderson," who claims that no CU fan can talk
rationally about their team (like Nebraska fans are SOOOOOOOO objective.)  Sounds to 
me like his own emotion is getting in his way; like it's really hard for him to 
accept that the Huskers aren't the only big boy in the conference any more, but rather
the only one not to win a national championship in the last decade (or the last TWO 
decades, for that matter.....)