College football trick or treat: 10 biggest surprises and flops of 2019

Trick: Nebraska

Coming into this season, Nebraska was the preseason pick to win the Big Ten West and there was a lot of optimism surrounding the program. The Cornhuskers finished the last six games of last season 4-2, with one of their losses being to Ohio State by only five points. Head coach Scott Frost had gone undefeated with UCF in his second season and he didn’t have Adrian Martinez in Orlando. Even with an early loss to Colorado, their game against Ohio State was the most hyped game in Lincoln in recent memory.

Unfortunately for the home crowd, Ohio State showcased their dominance, quieting the stadium by the second quarter. They are sitting at 4-4, in danger of not making a bowl game and the remainder of their schedule is no cakewalk. The Huskers play Wisconsin and Iowa at home, and Purdue and Maryland on the road. ESPN’s FPI has them projected as underdogs in all four games.

Nebraska was overhyped this year, but there is still reason for optimism next year. Martinez returns, and with two years of Frost’s system under his belt, he could be a dark horse in the Heisman race (this time for real!). In addition, Frost’s recruiting classes should start seeing more of the field. On the other hand, the defense hasn’t exactly been inspiring this year and (according to ourlads.com), the Cornhuskers will be losing six starters on that side of the ball.

If the Huskers finish below .500, the Scott Frost era will be under even more scrutiny next year. Going back to your alma mater often brings a prolonged honeymoon period, but that should be running out at the end of this year.