The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been facing significant challenges recently, and it’s clear they’re not performing at their peak, or even close to where we thought they could at the beginning of the year. Since their game against Illinois (or possibly even UNI), the Huskers have struggled to find their rhythm, and it’s showing in their gameplay.
One of the most glaring issues has been the defense. Even a quarterback who isn’t considered elite has been able to pick apart the Huskers’ defense in multiple occasions, exposing weaknesses that need to be addressed. This has put additional pressure on the offense, which has been struggling to get separation from their receivers downfield. Key players like Banks, Neyor, Lloyd, and Bonner have found it difficult to get open, making it easier for opposing defenses to play man-to-man coverage and shut down the run by putting a safety in the box.
Dylan Raiola has been lackluster over the last few games. Raiola, has shown extreme composure all year which is exactly what you want from a quarterback, but that composure seems to be effecting his ability to play with the necessary edge. While his calm demeanor can be a strength, it appears to be hindering his ability to take risks and make decisive plays under pressure. Raiola is still the quarterback of the future, but as he is seemingly having trouble adjusting to the speed of the game it is leading him to stare down receivers and predetermine where he will go with the ball.
Despite these challenges, there’s still hope for the Huskers. If they can put everything together, they have the potential to keep games like Ohio State interesting. Head coach Matt Rhule is known for his ability to pull off upsets, and he has a history of winning games when the odds are stacked against him. We will see this week if the team has “bought in” or if they are selling.
The key for the Huskers will be to find their identity and play to their strengths. If they can get their defense to tighten up and their offense to find some consistency, they can still make a mark this season. It won’t be easy, but with Rhule’s track record, it’s certainly possible. The sky is not falling, we still have a 96% chance of making a bowl game this year and an 71% chance of getting to 7 wins. A lot will be determined by how this team reacts to the 4 quarter beat down they received last week in Indiana.