Okay, call me a broken record, this is Matt Rhule’s year three, and as we all know, Rhule’s teams typically increase their win total by three to four games in year three. That would give Nebraska a record of 9-3 or 10-2 on the season. With the Husker’s schedule, from teams they play, and home games, that’s a realistic possibility.
But there are several things that must happen during the season to see 9 to 10 wins. First, Dylan Raiola must pass for over 3,200 yards, 30 touchdowns and have single digit interceptions. Emmett Johnson must have over 1,500 total yards from the line of scrimmage. Dane Key and Jacory Barney need to go over 800 yards apiece receiving with Nizaiah Hunter pushing 500 yards and Holgorsen’s offense must average over 30 points a game. Nebraska must also win the turnover margin and eliminate dead ball penalties.
Defensively, the Blackshirts must hold teams to less than 20 points per game, have more than 40 sacks and take the ball away over 20 times. Special teams must make plays taking the ball away, score points, flip field position, and kick game winning field goals. Ekeler’s squad must have a positive effect, even though flat line competency would be an improvement.
It’s hard to imagine Nebraska hitting those numbers, but if they’re for real then they will get close to meeting them. What really needs to occur is this team getting over the mental hurdle that has plagued them. If they can do that against Cincinnati, Michigan, Minnesota, and USC then look out.
Here is how I see the season going with a few oddly specific predictions.
August 28th
Nebraska vs Cincinnati
I don’t care what anyone says, this game is a must-win for the Huskers and will set the tone for the season. With moving the game to Kansas City and Arrowhead, the game has taken on a celebratory feel, but Cincinnati will show up and this game won’t be easy. Look for the Bearcats to test the Blackshirts D-line by trying to establish the run. Defensively the Bearcats have a strong front seven led by NT Dontay Corleone. Nebraska OC Dana Holgorsen likes a balanced attack and will run the ball often early straight at Corleone, but if Cincinnati plays zone as anticipated, Dylan Raiola will go to his receivers and light the Bearcats up. Huskers, 31-20
September 6th
Akron vs Nebraska
The last time the Huskers were supposed to play Akron Mother Nature stepped in and put a halt to the game. Akron head coach Joe Moorehead has assembled the best talent he’s had since taking over the Zips. However, Matt Rhule also has the best talent he’s had since coming to Nebraska. Rhule’s talent trumps Moorehead’s talent and the Zips wish Mother Nature took part in this one as well. Five husker receivers have over 50 yards in receptions. Huskers, 42-14
September 13th
Houston Christian vs Nebraska
While HCU is a good FCS football school, they have still not reached the level of a South Dakota State or North Dakota State. Nebraska’s starters play one to two series, scoring easily each time before the second unit comes in. Every Husker that suited up plays and TJ Lateef shines. However, Rhule doesn’t like running up the score on overmatched schools like Houston Christian and with both him and Holgorsen respecting head coach Jason Bachtel, they call the dogs off. But even then, the score gets away from them. Huskers, 42-10
September 20th
Michigan vs Nebraska
The Huskers will be 3-0 going into this game and looking to prove they belong. As a fan everything points to this resembling the Colorado game last season. The game is at home, and the Huskers were embarrassed the last time the two teams played. Michigan will be without their head coach, and the Wolverines will start freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. Michigan finished strong last season, beating eventual national champion Ohio State and then Alabama. This is the game Matt Rhule, and the Huskers must prove to fans that they are something different. But Michigan is still Michigan and Nebraska struggles early to find a groove. The defense competes and Holgorsen and company finally figure things out, but it’s too little too late. Wolverines 31-28
September 27th Open
October 4th
Michigan State vs Nebraska
While still kicking themselves for letting the Michigan game get away, the Huskers look to take it out on little brother, Michigan State. However, Spartans QB Aiden Chiles has different ideas and connects with wide receiver Nick Marsh and tight end Jack Velling when needed. Chiles also gets outside the pocket and scrambles for more yards than the Blackshirts like, creating a shootout between Raiola and Chiles. But the Blackshirts don’t back down and eventually Chiles’s arm betrays him as Ceyair Wright picks him off and takes it home. Johnathan Smith’s team is better than anticipated but the Husker special teams show up. Kyle Cunanan kicks three field goals, Archie Wilson pins the Spartans deep with a left footed punt and Jordan Ochoa sacks Chiles in the endzone for a safety. Huskers, 32-24
October 11th
Nebraska vs Maryland
Before the season everyone called this game a trap game. But the Huskers lost to Michigan and had to work to beat Michigan State while playing both games at home. Matt Rhule makes sure this team knows just showing up isn’t enough. The Maryland environment is dead and whatever juice the Huskers have they brought themselves. It isn’t impressive, but the Huskers methodically move the ball and score points while keeping the Terrapins in check. Huskers 28-13
October 18th
Nebraska vs Minnesota
PJ Fleck has owned Nebraska over the last five meetings and whatever could go wrong, has. That all changes in Matt Rhule’s second trip to Minneapolis. The feeling of losing that game still sticks with him and he isn’t going to let it happen again. Fleck has one of his better offensive lines, a strong runner in Darius Taylor, and knows how to play defense. However, Butler and the Blackshirts stuff the run, and Fleck is forced to put the ball in freshman QB Drake Linsey’s hands. The Blackshirt Jacks take over and Holgorsen and his crew get kicker Kyle Cunanan close enough to kick a 45 yarder and extend the lead to ten. Huskers, 34-24
October 25th
Northwestern vs Nebraska
Since joining the Big Ten this series has been far too even. But this time it’s lopsided in Lincoln as it becomes the Jacory Barney show. After a back and forth first half Barney goes off in the third quarter, and has a career day, scoring on a 24-yard reverse, a 43-yard reception and returns a punt for 65 yards and a touchdown. Archie Wilson and Kyle Cunanan carry their number one supporter off the field on their shoulders. Huskers 35-10
November 1st
USC vs Nebraska
At this point the Huskers are 7-1 and thinking a little too much of themselves. The game is at home and with the Huskers wearing alternate uniforms (traditional Nebraska uniform with black replacing red) the school has called for a blackout. It all adds up to the Huskers being out of sync due to being more concerned about how good they look in their black uniforms and the party going on around them. The weather is a balmy 52° and not a factor. The Trojans look right at home, and it takes Archie Wilson flipping the field and a Herculean effort by Emmet Johnson to get the win. Johnson rushes for over 150 yards and picks up another 100 yards receiving, scoring three total touchdowns. Huskers, 31-28
November 8th
Nebraska vs UCLA
With the loss to Michigan, the Huskers stand at 8-1 and know they still must face Penn State and Iowa. There is a good chance three losses would eliminate them from CFP contention. Embarrassed at home last season by UCLA in a game they were expected to win, the Husker go to the west coast and are all business. The game isn’t close, QB Nico Iamaleava doesn’t have the weapons and Raiola does, throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. Heinrich Haarberg has his biggest day as a TE receiving two of the scores. Huskers, 38-17
November 15th Open
November 22nd
Nebraska vs Penn State
All season long everybody has counted this game as a loss for Nebraska. But with Nebraska’s record at 9-1 and Penn State still undefeated, the Nittany Lions call for a white out game. It worked against Oregon, now it’s Nebraska’s turn. The game is close, still going back and forth late in the fourth quarter, but Penn State’s OC Andy Kotelnicki runs his version of the Black 41 Flash Reverse with Drew Allar and Kaytron Allen for the winning score and the lead. It rips the heart out of the Huskers. Penn State 31-28
November 28th
Iowa vs Nebraska
If the Huskers win this game, they’ll be 10-2 and have a shot at the CFP, lose and they fall to 9-3 and are probably out of it. Matt Rhule’s first two games against Iowa have been heartbreaking walk-off losses. The Huskers couldn’t have asked for more to play for and with the game in Lincoln on a Black Friday the crowd is stoked. Rhule, Holgorsen, and Butler have their players ready, and they play with a fire and intensity that hasn’t been seen since Colorado’s Bill McCartney brought a team to town. This one is never close, the Huskers come out and punch the Hawkeyes in the mouth and never look back moving the ball easily up and down the field. Huskers 35-10
Being a Nebraska fan and drinking the Kool-Aid, I have the Huskers going 10-2. It could be 9-3 or possibly 8-4, but I’ll stick with 10-2. I’ll let you flip a game, say a win against Michigan and a loss to USC, but there are only three games I’m really concerned about, Michigan, USC, and Penn State. Although, I’ve been burned enough over the last few years to know Nebraska always loses a game they shouldn’t. But this team is different, in fact I’ll say they are more than different, because these aren’t the Huskers of old, these are Matt Rhule’s Huskers.
Go Big Red!