Wednesday, August 29, 1984
Daily Nebraskan
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Coach Osborne prefers
low profile to top rating
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By Jim R&smusscn and Stu Pospisil
Di!y Nebresinn SerJor Reporters
Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne Tuesday
said he isn't sure he wants his Corn
huskers to be ranked No. 1 in the wake of
Auburn's 20-18 loss to Miami.
The Huskers would appear to be in
prime contention for the tOD soot, as they
were ranked second hehind Auburn in
the pre-season wire service rankings.
Td just as soon maintain a low profile,"
Osborne said. "That wire-to-wire No. 1
ranking is a little wearing on the coaches
and players, with all the attention."
Osborne speaks from experience, as
Nebraska was ranked first from the pre
season to the Orange Bowl last year.
"You get a lot more media attention,
and more phone calls and interviews, just
because you're there (in the No. 1 spot)."
Osborne said. "And there's something
about that No. 1 rating that seems to
bring out the best in your opponents."
Osborne said he isnt concerned with
national rankings at this point.
"I really think most rankings are based
on last year's records," Osborne said. "I
just hope we're one of the top four teams
in the Big Eight, let alone second in the
country, I think that's awfully optimistic
thinking."
Miami, with its big win over Auburn,
may move up to the top position. But the
Hurricanes have a tough schedule. They
must travel to Tampa Saturday for a
game against rival Florida.
Things don't get easier, as Miami plays
at Michigan and Purdue before returning
home to face Florida State.
Osborne did not say who he would vote
No. 1 on his UPI coaches' poll ballot. He
said he was Impressed with Miami's play
Monday.
"Ill Just wait and see what happens this
Saturday," Osborne said.
AP voter Dave Webber, sports director
at WOW-TV in Omaha, said he thinks
Nebraska will be No. 1 in the next poll.
"I will put them at No. 1 , because Texas
and Clemson are of unknown quality"
Webber said.
Webber said he ranked NU fourth in
the pre-season poll.
Ralph Routon of the Colorado Springs
Coloradan, another AP voter, said he will
rank Miami first if the Hurricanes beat
Florida. If Florida wins, he said, he will
rank Nebraska first.
"If Miami beats Florida, then I think
they will move into the top spot. They will
get my vote then," Routon said.
"If Miami should lose that game, then 1
don't think there's any question that
Nebraska would become No. 1," Routon
said.
Webber said he did not think his fellow
AP voters would move the Hurricanes
from No. 10 to the top spot, even if the
Miami squad defeats Florida.
"There was a 100-point difference bet
ween Nebraska and Miami," Webber said.
"I don't think they can move up that far."
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