B1G Bias - Nebraska Edition

[PvilleHuskerTim]

For those of you who think there isn't a B1G bias against Nebraska, consider this as just the latest example. Just checked the official B1G conference website. With Nebraska's win yesterday against the pee birds, that created a 3-way tie for 2nd place with Michigan State and Illinois. Nebraska has the tiebreaker(s) and the 2nd seed for the conference tournament. The standings show NU in the 4th place position despite the 2nd seed (Illinois shows in 2nd and Michigan State is 3rd). All 3 teams tied with a 15-5 record, but Nebraska has the best overall record among them.

This may seem immaterial but usually they show any teams tied in the standings in the order in which they own the tiebreakers. I won't be surprised if/when the deserving Husker players and coaches are slighted when it comes to post-season honors.

Nebraska men's BB is one of the best stories of the year. Also, kind of anticipating the B1G conference reps lobby the NCAA selection committee to drop them down to a 4 or 5 seed (mostly joking on that, but still....).

 

[HuskerInCarolina]

So Nebraska, Michigan State, and Illinois are tied in standings. Typically, ties are listed in alphabetical order, which would explain why it’s Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska. It doesn’t really matter if you’re listed first of the T-2 or 3rd of the T-2. A tie is a tie and you’re all 2nd.

 

[Charlie Marlow]

Alphabetical. Whoever created the alphabet is biased against Nebraska too

 

[PvilleHuskerTim]

OK. Guess I was wrong about that. My bad.

 

[HuskerInCarolina]

OK. Guess I was wrong about that. My bad.

I’ll definitely agree that I believe there’s a bias against Nebraska in this conference. We see it in officiating amongst nearly every sport and it was on big display at the conference tournament for wrestling this weekend.

 

[ridge222]

If you look on the standing on ESPN or CBS Sports it has Nebraska listed right behind Michigan in the standings for the Big Ten.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Why would officials...most of whom would hardly remember NU NOT being in the Big Ten...care?

It would mean

1. They were fans of different teams
2. They were fans of teams playing against NU
3. They were anti-NU

Just seems like a stretch.

I have a hard time thinking some kid grew up a Hooser football fan and now is finally getting their chance to "screw over" NU.

 

[mr.michigan]

For those of you who think there isn't a B1G bias against Nebraska, consider this as just the latest example. Just checked the official B1G conference website. With Nebraska's win yesterday against the pee birds, that created a 3-way tie for 2nd place with Michigan State and Illinois. Nebraska has the tiebreaker(s) and the 2nd seed for the conference tournament. The standings show NU in the 4th place position despite the 2nd seed (Illinois shows in 2nd and Michigan State is 3rd). All 3 teams tied with a 15-5 record, but Nebraska has the best overall record among them.

This may seem immaterial but usually they show any teams tied in the standings in the order in which they own the tiebreakers. I won't be surprised if/when the deserving Husker players and coaches are slighted when it comes to post-season honors.

Nebraska men's BB is one of the best stories of the year. Also, kind of anticipating the B1G conference reps lobby the NCAA selection committee to drop them down to a 4 or 5 seed (mostly joking on that, but still....).

Out of curiosity, what has Nebraska brought to the Big Ten as compared to say, Maryland?

 

[Huskers+123]

Out of curiosity, what has Nebraska brought to the Big Ten as compared to say, Maryland?

In the 2024-25 LEARFIELD Division I Final Standings, Nebraska finished in 21st (7th in the Big Ten). Maryland finished 57th (15 in the in the Big Ten). And do we really need to get into the numbers of fan support and TV viewers that the 2 have?

I know you made this post because you are a Michigan fan, therefore your level of arrogance is off the charts. However, if you want to compare NU to Maryland you are not only arrogant, but deluded or just a pot-stirrer.

Better cross your fingers that there's not another coaching scandal at Michigan in the time it takes you to read this.

 

[Steely Dannebrog]

I’ll definitely agree that I believe there’s a bias against Nebraska in this conference. We see it in officiating amongst nearly every sport and it was on big display at the conference tournament for wrestling this weekend.

Agree that it's alphabetical, but neither you nor OP is incorrect. As I am sure you recall, in 2020 the football team went something like 450 defensive snaps (almost 6 games) without drawing a holding penalty on the opponents offense. We were the only team in the conference to have that happen which, as a statistic, is such an outlier that there's no way there wasn't some level of coordinated intention.

 

[Steely Dannebrog]

Out of curiosity, what has Nebraska brought to the Big Ten as compared to say, Maryland?

How are your coaches plea deals coming along?

 

[big red23]

For those of you who think there isn't a B1G bias against Nebraska, consider this as just the latest example. Just checked the official B1G conference website. With Nebraska's win yesterday against the pee birds, that created a 3-way tie for 2nd place with Michigan State and Illinois. Nebraska has the tiebreaker(s) and the 2nd seed for the conference tournament. The standings show NU in the 4th place position despite the 2nd seed (Illinois shows in 2nd and Michigan State is 3rd). All 3 teams tied with a 15-5 record, but Nebraska has the best overall record among them.

This may seem immaterial but usually they show any teams tied in the standings in the order in which they own the tiebreakers. I won't be surprised if/when the deserving Husker players and coaches are slighted when it comes to post-season honors.

Nebraska men's BB is one of the best stories of the year. Also, kind of anticipating the B1G conference reps lobby the NCAA selection committee to drop them down to a 4 or 5 seed (mostly joking on that, but still....).

My guess it is due to I being before M and M being before N in the alphabet...

I am more pissed about Nebraska dropping out of the Top 10 for losing to a team that is 18-1 @Home and somehow UConn losses to a 11-19 Marquette team and the media writers are like "Nothing to see here"... well just act like that didn't happen and drop them a couple spots...

 

[HuskerInCarolina]

Agree that it's alphabetical, but neither you nor OP is incorrect. As I am sure you recall, in 2020 the football team went something like 450 defensive snaps (almost 6 games) without drawing a holding penalty on the opponents offense. We were the only team in the conference to have that happen which, as a statistic, is such an outlier that there's no way there wasn't some level of coordinated intention.

100%!!!!!

 

[PvilleHuskerTim]

Why would officials...most of whom would hardly remember NU NOT being in the Big Ten...care?

It would mean

1. They were fans of different teams
2. They were fans of teams playing against NU
3. They were anti-NU

Just seems like a stretch.

I have a hard time thinking some kid grew up a Hooser football fan and now is finally getting their chance to "screw over" NU.

Officials and referees most certainly have teams that they are fans of in every sport. While there may not (always) be obvious instances where a ref "screws over" a team, over the course of many years there is still a bias built up. Bias is different than screw job. I've said for many years that certain teams in the B1G are allowed to play however they want because "that is who they are". Teams like Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois (and to a lesser extent, Michigan and Maryland) can play more physically. If a person watches enough games (not just those teams against NU), I think most people would objectively say the same thing. How many times all season in the B1G were opposing teams allowed to really bully Sandfort (pushing, grabbing, holding, etc.)? Although I think the pee birds actually got called 1x for that yesterday.

You also have to understand that, most likely, being a BB referee is that person's main livelihood? They are well compensated and many of them have been with the B1G for a while. They can be average / below average and not suffer any consequences as they as they don't hurt the "B1G brand".

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Officials and referees most certainly have teams that they are fans of in every sport. While there may not (always) be obvious instances where a ref "screws over" a team, over the course of many years there is still a bias built up. Bias is different than screw job. I've said for many years that certain teams in the B1G are allowed to play however they want because "that is who they are". Teams like Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois (and to a lesser extent, Michigan and Maryland) can play more physically. If a person watches enough games (not just those teams against NU), I think most people would objectively say the same thing. How many times all season in the B1G were opposing teams allowed to really bully Sandfort (pushing, grabbing, holding, etc.)? Although I think the pee birds actually got called 1x for that yesterday.

You also have to understand that, most likely, being a BB referee is that person's main livelihood? They are well compensated and many of them have been with the B1G for a while. They can be average / below average and not suffer any consequences as they as they don't hurt the "B1G brand".

I mean, this can't be something that came down from the conference...

That would be insane.

 

[PvilleHuskerTim]

I mean, this can't be something that came down from the conference...

That would be insane.

In a letter or email on official B1G letterhead, of course not. Are there ongoing meetings between the head of officiating for each sport and the referees, which may (probably) give off certain vibes and desires, most likely.

 

[regoratsginrom]

Officials and referees most certainly have teams that they are fans of in every sport. While there may not (always) be obvious instances where a ref "screws over" a team, over the course of many years there is still a bias built up. Bias is different than screw job. I've said for many years that certain teams in the B1G are allowed to play however they want because "that is who they are". Teams like Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois (and to a lesser extent, Michigan and Maryland) can play more physically. If a person watches enough games (not just those teams against NU), I think most people would objectively say the same thing. How many times all season in the B1G were opposing teams allowed to really bully Sandfort (pushing, grabbing, holding, etc.)? Although I think the pee birds actually got called 1x for that yesterday.

You also have to understand that, most likely, being a BB referee is that person's main livelihood? They are well compensated and many of them have been with the B1G for a while. They can be average / below average and not suffer any consequences as they as they don't hurt the "B1G brand".

That happens in every league. West Virginia and Houston play extremely physical (Iowa State does as well), grabbing and holding. If the refs called absolutely everything they would have a 4 hour game. So it ends up looking like they are biased. They're not. They're just trying to call a decent game and not be the center of attention. Are there some bad officials? Sure. Just like there are bad coaches and bad players.

I've been to nearly every home game of Fred's career. I love how the fans have responded to him and the team. The passion is typical Nebraska (which is a very good thing). One thing I don't love is how so many of our fans boo at every call against the team. K-State and Iowa State are two of the worst at this. It shows a lack of knowledge about the game. I hear people yelling "over the back!!!" which is not an actual call by rule. Or "3 seconds" when a player has the ball in the lane and is attempting a shot. We sit by a fan who starts yelling at the refs within the first minute of the game. It's annoying as h*ll and he doesn't know his a** from a hole in the ground regarding the rules of basketball.

But back to the topic. I refuse to believe that the refs (or this conference) has it in for DONU. Moreso, it wasn't until this year that we've enjoyed the fruits of winning. As the old saying goes, "winners win and losers complain about the refs. It's good to be winning now!

 

[HuskerInCarolina]

That happens in every league. West Virginia and Houston play extremely physical (Iowa State does as well), grabbing and holding. If the refs called absolutely everything they would have a 4 hour game. So it ends up looking like they are biased. They're not. They're just trying to call a decent game and not be the center of attention. Are there some bad officials? Sure. Just like there are bad coaches and bad players.

I've been to nearly every home game of Fred's career. I love how the fans have responded to him and the team. The passion is typical Nebraska (which is a very good thing). One thing I don't love is how so many of our fans boo at every call against the team. K-State and Iowa State are two of the worst at this. It shows a lack of knowledge about the game. I hear people yelling "over the back!!!" which is not an actual call by rule. Or "3 seconds" when a player has the ball in the lane and is attempting a shot. We sit by a fan who starts yelling at the refs within the first minute of the game. It's annoying as h*ll and he doesn't know his a** from a hole in the ground regarding the rules of basketball.

But back to the topic. I refuse to believe that the refs (or this conference) has it in for DONU. Moreso, it wasn't until this year that we've enjoyed the fruits of winning. As the old saying goes, "winners win and losers complain about the refs. It's good to be winning now!

so then why do we have rules if the refs aren't going to call the game by the rules? who cares if the game takes 4 hours. We have rules for a reason.

 

[regoratsginrom]

so then why do we have rules if the refs aren't going to call the game by the rules? who cares if the game takes 4 hours. We have rules for a reason.

Sure, I get that. But it goes both ways. Rienk Mast crashed into two guys from behind yesterday on a rebound nearly knocking them down. No foul called. My point is, there's no grand conspiracy against Nebraska.

 

[HuskerInCarolina]

Sure, I get that. But it goes both ways. Rienk Mast crashed into two guys from behind yesterday on a rebound nearly knocking them down. No foul called. My point is, there's no grand conspiracy against Nebraska.

should have been called. and while there may be no provable grand conspiracy like an offseason resort meeting of the officials before each season to determine that Ohio State, Michigan, and whoever else is the darling of the year be protected, but there is implicit bias in sports, We've seen it throughout the history of sports in America. What's the explanation for Nebraska defense not receiving an opponent holding call on offense for a statistically improbable stretch of time? surely Nebraska didn't have "blind" refs every single time. Especially when Nebraska was getting called for those on offense just about every game.

 

[Poster FKA schuele]

I've never felt there was an anti-Nebraska bias with Big Ten BB officials. But I do believe there are conference darlings that get favorable treatment, and the Huskers are not one of them. Purdue has the two biggest floppers/foul merchants in the conference in Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. If you think NU's guards (or guys from Rutgers, Minnesota, etc.) are going to get those same calls, you and I have been watching different sports.

And Lord only knows what happens to an official who gets on the bad side of an incessant crybaby like Tom Izzo. Probably ends up working Patriot League games that are not even available on ESPN+.

I don't want Fred to become another Izzo or Bill Self or Danny Hurley just to get more calls. But those guys absolutely wear down and intimidate officials, more so than coaches in any other sport on the planet are allowed to.

 

[regoratsginrom]

should have been called. and while there may be no provable grand conspiracy like an offseason resort meeting of the officials before each season to determine that Ohio State, Michigan, and whoever else is the darling of the year be protected, but there is implicit bias in sports, We've seen it throughout the history of sports in America. What's the explanation for Nebraska defense not receiving an opponent holding call on offense for a statistically improbable stretch of time? surely Nebraska didn't have "blind" refs every single time. Especially when Nebraska was getting called for those on offense just about every game.

One explanation is good players get called for penalties/fouls far less often than bad/lesser players. It’s no secret that our football team (and its players) just hasn’t been very good for quite a while.

 

[Sporty]

Usually when there are ties in conference standings the teams are listed by their overall records. Use this example: https://www.google.com/search?q=Big...lg;/g/11xv_8d5lw;3;/g/11ckvf54fz;st;fp;1;;;;9

 

[Mack In Motion]

How are your coaches plea deals coming along?

There is no way to answer that.

You're going to need to be way more specific.

 

[PTHUSKER]

Out of curiosity, what has Nebraska brought to the Big Ten as compared to say, Maryland?

Well might be more of a what we haven’t brought to the conference such as child molesters, video sign cheating and other assorted *** munchers such as yourself.

 

[Redscarlet]

Well might be more of a what we haven’t brought to the conference such as child molesters, video sign cheating and other assorted *** munchers such as yourself.

Nailed it.