Biggest surprise

[Huskerpapa]

Which team is the biggest surprise in the Big Ten this year?  Good or bad.  Our beloved Huskers were picked last.  Repeat...last.  We have had our EKG moments, yet at this moment, I believe that most of the league would put us at (or near) the top of that list.  What do you think?

[Swan88]

Illinois: top 25 at beginning of season; alone at bottom of the league right now; Rivals-stars galore on the team; a young coach that nearly everyone wanted to hire; next door to one of the largest population centers in North America; etc. 

[MichHusker]

I would have to throw northwestern in there

[AuroranHusker]

Illini, no question, has tanked in B1G.

Nebraska, on the other hand, has identified their strengths & are playing to them.

[Norm Peterson]

On the upside, we have to be the biggest surprise.  There's no one else really in the running at this point.  Yeah, Northwestern and Penn State have had some shocking road wins.  But they were both picked ahead of us and, after tonight, we'll be ahead of both of them.

 

For downside, you'd have to say Illinois.  And, if I'm an Illini fan, I'd be really sick to my stomach thinking about the length of this Groce guy's contract and how much the buyout would be if this continues.  They should have been better this year.  He cleared a lot of roster space and brought in his guys.  He has players.  And they are underachieving.

[tcp]

Illinois wasn't actually picked to do well this season. Their non conf was the surprise, not as much where they are now. I think we are the top surprise--picked last, totally unknown team with unknown players. PSU was expected to be better with Frazier back. Northwestern had some returning talent off a decent team, but a new coach.

I think it's pretty much us and, voila, Michigan in the top two surprise slots (Michigan lost a ton off that team last year. No one thought they'd do this well).