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So win the last two and they are a lock to host?

I'd argue that teams are coming back to the pack as much as teams are "rising." Nebraska seems to be the only legitimate top 10 team in the B1G this year. Certainly in relation to past years, but we're damned close to it being true literally.

Hoecke joins next year, as well as Crosson and Kraft.

Unfortunately, they are now showing it.

Unless B+ has decided they can't be bothered.

Aren't they in major trouble if they need an OH in addition to Wucherer, Acevedo, Kinney and Crosson? They need another opposite for depth and a backup setter. Otherwise, their roster for 2026 looks fine. I'd argue they are probably OK on the right with their OH depth too. Now, if the players...

What we REALLY have to hope is that other programs don't end up stealing the players the U develops. Like Barnes and Booth.

Not going to happen. Sorry. Not the final 4 anyhow. They would have to go all-in on the Penn State/Kentucky/Wisconsin/Pitt, etc. model and they will not (and good for them!). Plus they have to compete against the teams with even better recruits, like Nebraska, Stanford and Texas. Seriously...

Oh, they aren't a bad team. Easily top 40 out of 300+ schools. I just don't think they are top 25. But, yes, the B1G is down this year. And, yes, other teams are also losing (and getting upset). I'm sure it makes sense. But it doesn't stop my mind from being boggled. The Gophers have not...

I know how rankings work. By definition, they are relative. But it still boggles my mind that the Gophers could be convincingly to Wisconsin and Nebraska and move up two spots. Like I said, I know this means other teams did worse than that last week. I know both the Badgers and Huskers were (and...

Oh, and great strategy to set Myers 5 times this match and 5 times against Wisconsin. Just brilliant. Minnesota will never be competitive with the Huskers again. Those days are long gone. Not in this new era of pro ball and Nebraska hype.

Doesn't hurt when you add an Italian pro and Landfair. Nebraska isn't winning solely because he played the frosh. Also doesn't hurt that they get the pick of the top recruits AND all the publicity (and the two things are related). I still think this is bad for the sport. Great for Nebraska...

Hey! What's this "even Ruffda"? 😉

Yes and no. Nebraska, sure. But Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue are all several levels below Nebraska (and where one thought they'd be). And that Iowa, Maryland, Rutgers stretch is about as easy as you can get in the B1G. As I posted here before, I thought they could easily be in an 0-7...

I find it odd Acevedo and Minatee are not on the bench. Is this significant?

But, damn, they have had a lot of matches they should have won: Michigan, UCLA, Purdue, Oregon, USC. Going 1-3 against the Pac12 is particularly annoying.

Michigan is 5-6 and PSU is not that good this year (not surprising without their setter). But Oregon would have been an even better example. They are 4-7. Gophers could be 12-0 with maybe one fewer injury and/or more consistent play. Can't help but feel like this has been a missed opportunity...

They are only as good as Julia is offensively. It's not a sustainable winning formula. And when she goes cold, they can lose to ANYBODY. Like Michigan, for instance. Props to Gilk, but they need even more from her, something from their middles and Kinney needs to at least hit .200.

To think 11-0 was a real possibility with this schedule ...

The sad truth is that Nebraska and Texas will most likely always be better. Just like the Yankees and Dodgers have a huge advantage in baseball. I HATE this but it's where we're at. All we can hope is that we catch lightning in a bottle every decade or so. I really think we're better off...