Gym Cracks By Jim October 4, 2002 THE RATING GAME Computer ratings say NU is #34 of 240, but Air Force at #14? By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com Western Nebraska I usually don't pay much attention to the Sagarin football ratings. The Sagarin system rates 240 Division 1-A and 1-AA football teams. I did check this rating system after the Huskers had lost games to Penn State and Iowa State. Nebraska is currently ranked in the 34th slot. The two teams to have defeated the Huskers--Penn State and Iowa State--are in the 28th and 11th positions, respectively. The Huskers have defeated Arizona State (35th), Troy State (108th), and Utah State (113th). This week's opponent McNeese State is ranked 76th. Nebraska is also ranked ahead of these future opponents: Colorado (37th), Missouri (45th), Oklahoma State (70th), and Kansas (105th). The Huskers are rated lower than Kansas State (5th), Texas (6th), and Texas A.& M. (27th). Let's assume the Sagarin ratings are valid and no changes would be made for the remainder of the season. The Huskers would finish with an 8-5 record. I'm on record for a 10-3 season for the Huskers. It may be difficult to achieve, but it is still possible. I really believe the Huskers can beat Texas A. & M. That would give me my 9th win. Then if this Husker team could upset either Kansas State or Texas, I would still have my 10-3 prediction come true. For us old-timers, it is very difficult to think that Kansas State will be the favorite in their game with the Huskers. The Sagarin system has its doubters. How many bettors would take the Kansas State Wildcats over the Texas Longhorns? Florida State is still rated 4th with a loss to Louisville and the scare with Iowa State. The Air Force Academy is ranked 14th! There are probably other ratings that one should question. Nebraska was just rated 33rd prior to the blowout in Ames, so the Huskers actually only dropped on notch. The Cyclones were ranked 16th prior to their win over the Huskers. Sagarin's Big Twelve ratings for the two Big 12 divisions: Kansas State: 5 Texas: 6 Iowa State: 11 Oklahoma: 9 Nebraska: 34 Texas A. & M.: 27 Colorado: 37 Texas Tech: 39 Missouri: 45 Oklahoma State: 70 Kansas: 105 Baylor: 130 I plan on watching the Wyoming Cowboys (124th) battle the Air Force Academy (14th) later this month in Laramie. Do I have tickets for this game? There isn't any reason to purchase a ticket in advance. The Cowboys are working on a second consecutive losing season. When a team's consecutive losses are in double-digits, it is not hard to obtain tickets. A grenade, or even bigger explosive, could be detonated in the War Memorial upper deck, with few, if any, injuries occurring. How fortunate we are to be Husker fans, even with a 3-2 record, and if you believe in the Sagarin football ratings to be rated 34th out of 240 teams. Feedback Previous Gym Cracks: 09-22-02: Fans Panned Gym Cracks By Jim 09-12-02: World Herald Calling Gym Cracks 09-05-02: Bit By Baseball Bug Gym Cracks 08-29-02: Caring Coaches Gym Cracks 08-22-02: Nebraska "Storm" Hits Colorado Gym Cracks 08-15-02: Cubs Win, Wallet Drained Gym Cracks 08-08-02: To Coors For Cubs Gym Cracks 07-25-02: Major League Madness Gym Cracks 07-18-02: Nebraskans In The Majors Gym Cracks 07-11-02: Kile Death Sheds Light Gym Cracks 07-04-02: Couch Potato Parking Gym Cracks 06-23-02: Top 10 Nebraska High School Nicknames Gym Cracks 06-06-02: Better In The 50s Gym Cracks 05-30-02: Dangerfield of Nebraska Gym Cracks 05-16-02: Baseball Sneak Aways Gym Cracks