Since I last wrote a blog, Nebraska has won their bowl game, dropped their spring game, brought in a huge transfer class, had fall camp, handed out Blackshirts and single digit jerseys, and had recruits take pictures with a huge bull.
Talk about a full offseason!
Now Nebraska gets to kickoff the season in Kansas City against the Cincinnati Bearcats, a game that was supposed to be played in Cincinnati but conveniently was moved to Kansas City to provide more revenue for the Bearcats. Husker fans will be helping them out, filling out at a minimum 90% of the stadium on Thursday night.
And what do our wandering eyes get to see on Thursday night? A lot of change, but a lot of the same things as well.
Dana Holgerson is now the full-time offensive coordinator. John Butler is now the full-time defensive coordinator taking over for Tony White. And you can also toss in Mike Ekeler as the new special teams coordinator as well.
On the flip side, it is the same thing as last season that could have the biggest change and impact on the Huskers. It’s no secret that Dylan Raiola, playing as a true freshman, came with some bumps and bruises. Now, the hope is that Raiola will blossom in year two, into the beacon of light that the program has been searching for since Bo Pelini left Nebraska.
As much money as Nebraska poured into his surrounding cast mates, the time for Raiola to become a budding star is now. Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter at wide receiver, Elijah Pritchett and Rocco Spindler on the offensive line are just a taste of the new players on the Husker roster. Bringing back Emmett Johnson at running back and Jacory Barney at wide receiver, along with a strong tight end group should provide enough options for Raiola to open up the offense and keep teams guessing at which way the team will move the ball.
The Blackshirts added new players as well, although not all of them will play right away. Linebackers Marques Watson-Trent and Dasan McCullough, along with cornerback Andrew Marshall headline a group that should provide immediate input for the defense, that must replace the likes of Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher to continue to have an impressive defense under Head Coach Matt Rhule.
This has been one of the most exciting off-season’s in the last decade for Nebraska. Coach Rhule seems to have the culture in place that he wants, and the players and coaching staff that he worked so hard to put together. They say hope springs eternal, but for the first time in a long time, I start to see the full picture coming into focus for Nebraska. The question is, will this year be another small step, or a big leap? Dylan Raiola probably has the most to do with answering that question.
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last game prediction was Nebraska 30, Boston College 27. The actual score was Nebraska 20, Boston College 15. The game felt closer than it was, and Nebraska’s special teams continued to haunt the team, even in their bowl game. That’s why Mike Ekeler was brought in to shore up that unit. Nebraska arguably lost at least two games due to poor special teams last season. It’s time for them to at least make that part neutral in 2025. Getting the bowl win, and the “no postseason” monkey off of the teams back should free them up as well moving forward.
Quick Notes:
Emmett Johnson…Johnson entered the portal, oh so briefly, after last season. Along with Dante Dowdell, Nebraska had a solid two headed monster by the end of 2024, but Dowdell also entered the portal and took the money that Kentucky offered and left Lincoln. Despite all of this, Johnson decided to come back and should be the main leader of a backfield that is VERY young going into this season. That doesn’t mean they don’t have options, they have plenty, but it does mean that they will have a lot of inexperience beyond Johnson. Players like Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee will be forced into action and how they perform may tell us early if Nebraska will have depth to run the football to close out games. Also, keep an eye on Wahoo native Conor Booth, I have a feeling he may end up getting carries as well this season.
Dylan Raiola....There are so many reasons why this year could be the year that Raiola blows up and becomes an All Big Ten player. He has weapons around him, a top-notch offensive coordinator, a veteran offensive line and a year of playing in the Big Ten under his belt. I remember Eric Crouch’s sophomore year in 1999, and how much he improved from his redshirt freshman season. Raiola won’t have the team around him that Crouch did, but he could have just as much offensive success. This team will reflect so much of what Raiola does, if you predict a big season from Nebraska, it will require a big season from the sophomore quarterback. Raiola continues to stir the Husker’s drink, and as he plays, so will go the Huskers.
Keona Davis..…If the Blackshirts are going to be able to stop the run this year, Davis will need to be at the forefront of that effort. Losing Robinson, Hutmacher, Jimari Butler and John Bullock will leave big shoes to fill for the defense in the run game. I’m confident that Nebraska will be able to play the pass, and their pass rush should have more athletes than last season but being able to clog the middle was such a vital part of the defensive success. Players like Davis, Riley Van Popple and Elijah Jeudy must leave a mark on this defensive season to continue any of that success. It will be interesting to see how they start, as I feel like they will be much better as the season progresses.
Season Prediction…If you believe in the Matt Rhule third year jump, then folks, this season should be a great one for Husker fans! I think Nebraska is still a season away from really blowing up, but that doesn't mean that this year won’t be a good one. Despite all the NIL transfers and having Raiola back for a second season, this team is crazy young with around 90 total players that are sophomores, redshirt freshman or freshman. If Nebraska improved their special teams play last year, they were likely 8-4 instead of 6-6. I think this season, while maybe not at first, will have a much better special teams by the end of the year. The downside is the defense will likely take a step back in league play. If the offense improves enough to score 28 points per game, that will likely push Nebraska to 8 regular season wins. Anything above that number would be gravy. If you go beyond that, you could be in playoff contention at the end of the season. I’m going with 8-4 and another bowl game for the Big Red. It’s not quite the leap Rhule normally has, but it might be the final push to the top of the hill that the Huskers need to get back into college football royalty.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 34, Cincinnatti 17
I could see this game being relatively close in the first half, but I’m guessing Nebraska enjoys the lead at halftime. Cincinnatti is a good Big XII team, but Nebraska is and should be better than the mid-level team in a conference that is clearly a notch below the Big Ten. Nebraska will be breaking a lot of opening day skids by beating a Power four conference foe. The offense should be able to show off all their new toys and I expect to see some fireworks from the new punter/kicker combo. I think Nebraska uses the Husker energy that will take over Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday and put an exclamation on the first game of the season. It should be packed with Husker fans, hungry to push Nebraska to a big win. GBR!!!
