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Post by stevehorn on Oct 15, 2024 16:58:45 GMT -5
Not sure it makes much difference than being #2 or most any other season. Top teams like Nebraska and Texas always have a big target on their back even when they aren't #1. I agree with you, but I do think that recent incarnations of Nebraska have not played as well when they are the "hunted" vs. the hunter. Last season, even though people knew they were good they were still considered a bit of an underdog behind Wisconsin and I think that the pressure of not being the favorite to win helped a lot. This season, I think they felt the weight of expectation of themselves and the fans with everyone expecting them to waltz back into the finals. Obviously, they are still playing well, but it's something I think they had to get used to from a comfort standpoint. My point is that as Nebraska, you have that big target on your back if you are #5 or #2 or #1. Being #1 vs. #5 doesn't really change how other teams are going to play you. The other team, and their fans, are going to circle the date they play you regardless of your ranking. Now your point about how your team approaches it from year to year may change, but again it is likely that your exact ranking isn't going to change that. |
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Post by ay2013 on Oct 16, 2024 16:15:50 GMT -5
I didn't vote this week as I was traveling, but I find myself perplexed as to the inclusion of Arkansas. We are now 8 weeks in and their best win is a 5 set home win over Georgia and they have a loss to Tulsa. Why does that make them a top 25 team?
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Post by gazelle1 on Oct 17, 2024 1:59:18 GMT -5
I agree with you, but I do think that recent incarnations of Nebraska have not played as well when they are the "hunted" vs. the hunter. Last season, even though people knew they were good they were still considered a bit of an underdog behind Wisconsin and I think that the pressure of not being the favorite to win helped a lot. This season, I think they felt the weight of expectation of themselves and the fans with everyone expecting them to waltz back into the finals. Obviously, they are still playing well, but it's something I think they had to get used to from a comfort standpoint. My point is that as Nebraska, you have that big target on your back if you are #5 or #2 or #1. Being #1 vs. #5 doesn't really change how other teams are going to play you. The other team, and their fans, are going to circle the date they play you regardless of your ranking. Now your point about how your team approaches it from year to year may change, but again it is likely that your exact ranking isn't going to change that. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with you, but I do know John Cook feels being ranked number 1 at this stage of the season puts a target on his team's back, thus he prefers to not be ranked #1 mid-season. If he feels that way, it stands to reason the rest of his team feels that way too. |
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