With the Oklahoma Sooners knocked out of the super regionals, the Women’s College World Series field feels wide open. Is it open enough for the Nebraska softball team to sneak in and get its first national title? Vegas oddsmakers certainly think the Huskers have a shot. In fact, NU is currently sitting with the fourth-best odds of any team in the WCWS field, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Being right in the middle of the eight-team field means that plenty of people will think the Cornhuskers got quite a bit of respect. However, considering how much they dominated the postseason so far, ranking No. 4 might still be an indication that Jordy Frahm and company aren’t quite getting enough love.
Nebraska dominated the regionals with its pitching, allowing just 2 runs across 3 games. Then it knocked off Oklahoma State in the super regionals by a combined score of 17-2. They even run-ruled the Cowgirls in the decisive super regional elimination game. So with a powerhouse like the Sooners now out of the running, how are the Huskers still ranked right in the middle, as opposed to closer to the top?
As of Wednesday morning, the Cornhuskers sit at +500 (5-to-1 odds) to win the WCWS. That has them behind Texas at 4.5-to-1, UCLA at 4.3-to-1, and Alabama at 4-to-1. The nice note about those odds is that it’s clear that Vegas Oddsmakers believe almost anyone in the top rung can win the whole tournament.
Jordy Frahm gives Nebraska softball a real chance to outperform its WCWS title odds
Texas Tech is tied for fourth with Nebraska at 4-to-1 odds, while the teams behind the Huskers and Red Raiders’ chances get worse quite quickly. Tennessee has a 7-to-1 chance, Arkansas has 9-to-1 odds, and Mississippi State has the longest odds of the pool with 20-to-1 odds.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Nebraska, which has talked often about needing to keep a cool head and make sure it doesn’t let emotions get the best of it, will have an immediate chance to make the Razorbacks’ chances for a Women’s College World Series bid get worse. NU and Arkansas face off in the first round of the double-elimination tournament. Depending on the score and who wins, Rhonda Revelle’s squad could rocket up the odds if they can win their first game and win it convincingly. At the same time, real struggles against the SEC team in its first-ever WCWS appearance will make those odds much worse.
The Huskers are currently 51-6 and are winners of 26 consecutive games. They sit one victory shy of tying the school record for wins in a season. The winning streak is the longest in program history and currently the longest active streak in the country. All of that would seemingly convince oddsmakers they’re better than a middle-of-the-pack contender. Instead, they need to prove the naysayers wrong a few more times.
With Player of the Year Jordy Frahm leading them, Nebraska has one heck of a 1-2 punch in its pitching staff. It’s also got an offense that can explode. Bets against the Huskers might not be wise.
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