Nebraska: +9
Wisconsin: +7
Illinois +4
Minnesota -4
NU -4
Notes:
Nebraska has won five straight games. Over last ten games they are 8-2!!! Are they for real? Five game winning streak includes four wins against lower division plus one very impressive win at MSU. They are likely to finish above .500 in B1G. Will be interesting to see how NCAA selection committee evaluates their resume. Right now they only have one other big resume building win (beat Ohio State at home on Jan 20).
Wisconsin has also won five straight games. Their wins are much more impressive than Nebraska's; three against NCAA locks including two on the road. That they are below Nebraska is a function of blowing out NU to start out their B1G campaign.
Illinois bump a function of a great game at Minnesota. Their only better than average performance against a B1G team not named Penn State. Doubtful it will last with white hot Nebraska coming to C-U next.
Minnesota may have a new coach, but they are still a team that struggles down the stretch in league play. They've lost three of four since Feb 9 (won at Northwestern). Not convinced firing a coaching legend for the son of a coaching legend was a smart move.
Northwestern's offense perking up ever so slightly, but this positive trend more than offset by opposing coaches solving the riddle of Northwestern's defense. Since Feb 9 NU's defense has well underperformed in three of four games (all losses). In the other game (Minny) NU's abysmal offense also resulted in a loss.
