Nebraska football not feeling the love in PFF’s ELO power rankings
There’s plenty of optimism around the Nebraska football team from fans. However, Pro Football Focus’ rating system isn’t quite as positive.
We’re still a long way from finding out just what kind of team Nebraska is really going to have this year. There’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about what Matt Rhule and his staff have done so far. Still gotta play the games.
Nebraska football fans, and even some analysts are going with their gut when they talk about the possibility of a resurgent season. However, when it comes down to analytics and a rating system, count the PFF ELO system as one that isn’t buying into the hype just yet.
Pro Football Focus released their ELO system over the weekend, where they ranked nearly every single team in FBS. Nebraska football isn’t looking great. Especially in the Big Ten.
In fact, Barstool Big Ten very helpfully compiled the ratings of every team in the conference and where the ELO system has them ranked. Turns out the Huskers are 11th out of 14 teams. Only Rutgers, Indiana and Northwestern are ranked behind them.
B1G Football Power Rankings according to @PFF’s ELO system
— Barstool Big Ten (@BarstoolB1G) June 25, 2023
1. Ohio State
2. Michigan
3. Penn State
4. Minnesota
5. Illinois
6. Iowa
7. Wisconsin
8. Maryland
9. Purdue
10. Michigan State
11. Nebraska
12. Rutgers
13. Indiana
14. Northwestern
Nebraska football not loved by PFF’s ELO system
So just what is the ELO system? It turns out that quite a bit of the preseason rankings are likely based off what they did a year ago. The good news here is that the Huskers have a chance to jump up the ratings this year if they outperform expectations.
Here’s the official explanation of the PFF ELO:
"“Like all ELO systems (including our version for the NFL), PFF ELO is an iterative system that updates each team’s rating after each game based on two things: how well they played against their opponent and how well they were expected to play against their opponent. The PFF ELO rating system measures the former using our unique offensive, defensive and special teams grades, while the latter is determined by the PFF ELO ratings leading up to the game and where the game is played.”"
While the Huskers aren’t shown much love in the Big Ten, PFF doesn’t love Nebraska football on a national scale either. Matt Rhule’s squad opens the season rated 65. Very few ways to move but up.