Web posted January 4, 1998

 Osborne, Huskers satisfied with split title
 Happy Michigan fans share crown

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Odds are Nebraska might be too much for Michigan.

Nebraska would be favored by at least a touchdown over the Wolverines if the teams played, Las Vegas oddsmakers said Saturday.

``I would probably open Nebraska as a 10-point favorite in that game,'' said John Avello, race and sports book director at Bally's.

``I think you'd have to make Nebraska a seven-point favorite,'' said Larry Weiss, night supervisor at the sports book at The Mirage. ``I just think their defense would make them that way.''

Michigan (12-0) won the national championship in The Associated Press poll early Saturday, getting 51 1/2 first-place votes to Nebraska's 18 1/2 . The Cornhuskers (13-0) wound up No. 1 in the coaches' poll after Friday night's 42-17 win over Tennessee in the Orange Bowl.

If they played, though, the odds would be in Nebraska's favor.

``But that doesn't mean Nebraska is a 10-point favorite,'' Avello said shortly after the Orange Bowl ended.

``It really isn't our job to pick winners, but to put a number up so you will get equal action on the two teams. The best team in the country might be Florida State. They could probably beat Nebraska two out of three times.''