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Year Two of the Rhule Era, Nebraska is Ready

It feels like forever ago that Nebraska threw a pick to Iowa that pretty much sealed the Huskers bowl drought would last another year.

Chubba Purdy, who threw that pick is now a backup at Nevada.  Jeff Sims is a backup at Arizona State.  Henrich Haarberg is the backup in Nebraska.  That is three starting quarterbacks that are not expected to be starters with new teams, when they all had that opportunity in Lincoln in 2023.

So, what’s changed since last November?  

Dylan Raiola entered the chat.  Raiola is arguable the biggest recruiting win for Nebraska since Tommie Frazier over 30 years ago.  Yes, that is a long time.  You would have to live under a rock as a Husker fan not to know Raiola’s background and relationship with Nebraska prior to committing.  After spending over a year committed to Ohio State and then Georgia, the legacy felt the tug of “home” and chose to play in Lincoln.

The commitment also coincides with the expected second year bump of Matt Rhule’s overhaul of the Husker program.  Nebraska looked much improved last season from the prior year under Scott Frost and Micky Joseph, but the record didn’t reflect that improvement.  Nebraska lost their final four games of the season, almost all in the final minutes of one score games.  Husker fans have been taking gut punches for a half dozen years, but last year seemed to be the last straw.

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Rhule was working hard to bring it all together, but he needed to put a bow on the present for 2024.  After courting Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord, Raiola called up coach Rhule and told him he wanted to play in Lincoln.  When that happened, not only did excitement ratchet up, but expectations have as well.

Nebraska went to work in the portal and added three huge pieces on offense.  Jahmal Banks, Micah Mazzccua and Isaiah Neyor will all start in the opener against the University of Texas, El Paso.  Nebraska also closed on other prized offensive recruits like Carter Nelson and Jacory Barney, Jr.  This type of infusion of talent likely doesn’t transpire without the commitment of Raiola.

Adding these pieces, along with bringing back arguably the best defense of the Big Ten era, Nebraska hopes to make the bowl drought a long-lost memory.  Rhule has always seen a big jump in year two from his teams in his other stops.  Dylan Raiola will need to be the reason that jump happens for Rhule in Lincoln.  That last interception against Iowa seems so far away.

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ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last game prediction was Nebraska 17, Iowa 14.  The actual score was Iowa 13, Nebraska 10.  Everything about that game was ugly.  Nebraska’s defense played well, but when they needed a stop at the end, they couldn’t get it.  Nebraska’s offense often looked like they could make plays but always came up just short.  It was like the last four losses all rolled into one.  Nebraska lost three games by this score last season.  I’ll bet Nebraska scores more than 10 in every game this season.

Quick Notes:

Dylan Raiola…It’s reality.  Raiola has earned the starting job, and he needs to play well for Nebraska to have a shot at the season they want.  The kid has all the tools, and I mean all of them, to be successful.  Nebraska needs help Raiola out with protection.  If he takes minimal hits during the season, his arm will put Nebraska in multiple scoring positions and bring Nebraska bowling.

Jahmal Banks…An All-ACC receiver, Banks has come to Lincoln on a mission.  He was given the number 4, as a single digit and was the only offensive player to earn one.  By all accounts, Banks has delivered as a leader on the team and has helped drive the wide receiver room to be at their best.  I think Isaiah Neyor may have the better statistical season, but Banks is the leader of the skill players.

Nash Hutmacher…Hutmacher developed so well last year that he is considered a lock, along with Ty Robinson and Jimari Butler, to be an All-Conference type of player.  Hutmacher really changed the Blackshirts last year with his relentless play and consistent leadership.  If the growth curve continues with Hutmacher, after redefining his body by wrestling for the Huskers, he will be getting ready for the NFL season next year.

Tommi Hill…With all the Blackshirts coming back from last season, to me Tommi Hill is the most important.  Hill showed that he can be the best player on the field toward the end of last season.  When you have a cornerback that can take away the number one option on a team, it really changes the dynamics of how the team can play defense, allowing it to be much more aggressive.  I’ve made the call that Tommi Hill will be a first-round draft pick next year.  That means he needs to play like an All American.

Season Prediction:

Nebraska has the athletes to win 6 games in their sleep.  The problem is, they haven’t done it for seven seasons, so there is a bit of a mental hurdle that they need to get over.  I think Nebraska will go bowling this year, my floor for this team is 7 wins.  My ceiling is 11 wins.  That ceiling means that Dylan Raiola is as good as the hype, the Blackshirts are more dominant that last season and Nebraska avoids any major injuries.  Since the chances of that happening are slim, I’m going with an 8-4 season, along with a bowl win.  It’s not the breakout season that Husker fans probably are hoping for but winning 8 or 9 games after seven straight losing seasons will feel really good.

Score Prediction:  Nebraska 45, UTEP 17

This is such an old school prediction, something that I haven’t had the guts to make in years.  If Nebraska truly has improved as much as we all think they can on offense, they will certainly put up a lot of points tomorrow.  UTEP likely won’t score 17, but I think Nebraska will be on their fourth string defense by the end of the game on Saturday and will give up a touchdown late.  Nebraska is due for a perfect opening day, and I think they get it.  Let’s get this thing started!! GBR!!!

Nebraska, To Bowl, or Not to Bowl, That is the Question

What a heartbreaker this season has become for fans.  To start, the world was falling apart, Nebraska lost a Big Ten gut punch to Minnesota, then got routed on the road at hated Colorado.  Nebraska seemed to turn it around, winning 5 games out of 6 and everyone is thinking about possibly playing to win the West division.  November hits and Nebraska loses two games by a field goal and another in overtime and still hasn’t qualified for a bowl game.

Carriker Chronicles: Iowa Preview

Now Iowa comes to Lincoln with the West Division sewn up and not much to play for on their end, other than to slap their western rivals one more time before the divisions leave the Big Ten.  Iowa may not have much to play for this week, but believe me, Nebraska put a bad taste in their mouth last season and the last thing the Hawkeyes want is to have a losing streak against the Huskers.

If Nebraska wants to go bowling and I do believe that they hoped to have that clinched before this weekend, it makes Iowa a must win.  Nebraska didn’t want to be in this position, but horrible quarterback play in November has put them in a place that they can’t seem to escape.

Enter Chubba Purdy.  Purdy came out and blew the doors off the Badgers in Wisconsin last week in the first quarter.  More than that, Purdy didn’t turn the ball over until the overtime, on a basic last minute Hail Mary heave on fourth down with no one open.

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Purdy wasn’t an All American outside of the first quarter, but he did something that Nebraska has needed all season.  Someone to take care of the football.  

For the most part, 17 points is enough for the Huskers to win a lot of games this year.  Unfortunately, the way the Huskers have turned the ball over this season, it has forced the Blackshirts to burn a lot of energy just keeping Nebraska in games.  

If the Huskers want to go bowling tomorrow, the Blackshirts will have to take them.  Iowa’s offense, while starting to click, is no where near as potent as Maryland and won’t have a quarterback like Tanner Mordecai in Wisconsin that will force them to defend a running quarterback.  Iowa may try some trick plays, but if Nebraska can get to the quarterback, they should have ample opportunity to put Iowa in situations that they might produce turnovers.

All Purdy has to do is keep the ship afloat on offense.  Can Nebraska score enough points to make Iowa play from behind?  If they can do that, they will beat Iowa…if not, it will be another cold winter in Lincoln, with nowhere warm to go bowling.

ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last game prediction was Wisconsin 15 Nebraska 10.  The actual score was Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 17 in overtime.  I have to give Wisconsin a lot of credit.  Nebraska tried to put their foot on their throat early, but the Badgers just kept making plays to claw back into the game eventually taking a lead.  Nebraska’s inability to move the ball the entirety of the second half was a little confounding.  Wisconsin played tight on the young wide receivers and Nebraska was unable to make them pay in the passing game.  Iowa will play the same way on defense this week.  The passing game will have to step up.

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Quick Notes:

Chubba Purdy…Purdy not turning the ball over until the overtime was almost astonishing after watching Husker quarterbacks hand it over game after game.  Purdy played well enough to win, but he didn’t go take the game.  If Purdy can play just a little better and continue to take care of the ball, Nebraska can win on Black Friday.

Ty Robinson…A HUGE announcement this week that Robinson is coming back next season.  Finding veteran defensive lineman out of the portal is almost impossible and Robinson is better than almost anything Nebraska could have found.  If Nash Hutmacher comes back next year as well Nebraska should have one of the better defensive fronts in the Big Ten.  Not a bad place to be with the west coast teams joining the league.

Jalyen Lloyd…Lloyd had another long touchdown catch at Madison.  The growing pains this season for the freshman wide receivers should pay off next season.  Lloyd, Malachi Coleman and Jaidyn Doss will be lynchpins for the Husker passing game next season.  I expect Lloyd and Coleman to make some big plays against Iowa.  Top that off with supposed scout team star Demetrius Bell, and the Huskers should have a big jolt of experience and talent returning.

Billy Kemp…Nebraska needs Kemp on offense this week.  Kemp helped the Nebraska running game by taking short passes and busting up the field.  When Kemp started to get shut down, the Husker running game went with it.  Nebraska will need to use Kemp to keep Iowa spread out enough to allow Emmett Johnson to run the ball.  If Nebraska can’t rush for at least 150 yards, they have no chance of winning, unless they totally surprise everyone with the passing game.

Score Prediction:  Nebraska 17, Iowa 14

My head says no way Nebraska wins this game.  They simply aren’t talented enough or experienced enough on offense to beat a veteran team without some luck.  The Blackshirts, as good as they are, do not force enough turnovers.  And the special teams for the Huskers, has played about two games where they were better than the opposition.  Against Iowa, that won’t get it done.  My heart on the other hand says Nebraska takes a stand tomorrow.  The Huskers want to make a bowl game, they are at home for Senior day, emotions will be running high, and Iowa isn’t so much better that the Huskers can’t win.  Every fiber of my being says they won’t win, but screw fiber, it’s Thanksgiving and GBR!!!

WIsconsin Game Preview: The Yin and Yang of Husker Football

And “poof” just like that, Heinrich Haarberg is no longer the quarterback for the Huskers.

And almost just as fast, the Husker’s bowl hopes are dimming.  

It’s likely to be Chubba Purdy’s show this week.  It certainly can’t be Jeff Sims’ job, and even if he comes off the bench, you almost need to wonder how he can play?

Carriker Chronicles: Wisconsin Game

The turnovers that have affected the Huskers this season are as wild as they were in 1999.  I remember sitting in Potter, Nebraska when Nebraska lost to Ricky Williams in Texas that season.  Every game was an adventure.  How many fumbles would Nebraska have?  This season has the same quality, the problem is, there is no Eric Crouch and there is no chance to finish 12 and 1.

I don’t blame head coach Matt Rhule for all of the turnovers.  At a certain point as a coach, there isn’t much you can do, except try to match the play calling to the least expensive parts of the players skills.  Sims can make a ton of plays, but he is so careless with the ball, that teams are just waiting on him to drop the ball or throw into triple coverage off his back foot.  The same was true for Haarberg, teams were playing a center fielder on him, just waiting for him to float a ball over a receiver.

You can bet if teams are waiting for Nebraska to throw into coverage, they are just watching the quarterback’s eyes.  Neither Sims, nor Haarberg can throw accurate enough to get away with telegraphing where they are going with the ball.

And yet the Blackshirts continue, game after game, to give the Huskers a chance to win each week.  It’s amazing that they have played as well as they have and give credit to Coach Rhule and defensive coordinator Tony White.  They have kept the team afloat, despite the most deflating plays by the offense.

Nebraska made a run in the middle of the season that showed what this team and this staff are capable of.  Northwestern and Illinois have played great after playing Nebraska, so those wins were consequential.  If Nebraska is going to get any of that momentum back, they simply must keep the turnovers under three this week.  If not, the same three-point loss will haunt this team all offseason.

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ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last game prediction was Nebraska 24, Maryland 20.  The actual score was Maryland 13, Nebraska 10.  Nebraska had so many opportunities to win this game on offense, and all three quarterbacks just spit the bit.  Nebraska has such a good defense.  It is crazy that this team can’t take advantage of just giving up 13 points.  Nebraska has suffered a lot of injuries on offense, but worse than injuries, the quarterbacks have lost more games for this team than they have won.  I’m back in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode.

Quick Notes:

Emmett Johnson…Johnson has been so good since he started playing.  He might not lead the team in rushing, and if he does, it might not even be 500 yards.  However, he has been one of the few sparks that has been consistent, without making costly plays this year.  Whatever happens the rest of the season, Johnson has made it known that he will be a factor in Lincoln for however long he wants to stick around.  Nebraska needs to try and ride his surge to another victory.

Ty Robinson…As good as Nash Hutmacher has been this season, Robinson is now trading big plays with him, and exceeding Hutmacher with his play.  That says a lot, because Hutmacher is playing at an all-conference level.  I knew of Robinson’s dad when he played at Chadron State.  And let me tell you, his dad was a hell of a basketball player.  Ty has eclipsed his dad and has earned the right to go play in the NFL.  He has left it all on the field this season.

Javin Wright…And just like that, another Blackshirt has shown up and made huge plays to keep the Huskers in a game.  Wright has popped multiple times this season but had arguably his best game as a Husker against Maryland.  His interception was as good of a play as any I’ve seen this season.  Wright is just a Junior and him coming back next season will help keep the Blackshirts toward the top of the conference.

Billy Kemp…Amazingly enough, Kemp continues to make plays, despite the fact that every time someone throws him the ball, he is lucky if it is within 2 feet of him.  Kemp won’t have the catches that he had at Virginia, but this season he has been the leader a young wide receiver corps has needed.  Whatever Kemp does in his future, Nebraska owes him simply for being everything they could have hoped when the transferred in.

Score Prediction:  Wisconsin 15, Nebraska 10

Each throw makes me hold my breath.  And without the quarterback run game, the open receivers aren’t as open as they were.  To go along with that, when they are open, the throws are 50/50 if they are even catchable.  I know the Blackshirts will rise up to the occasion again, but I don’t know if you can trust Nebraska to keep the turnovers under four.  If the Huskers can keep it to two or less, then flip this score, but like I said before, I’ll believe it when I see it.  Can Chubba Purdy do what Jeff Sims and Heinrich Haarberg couldn’t?  I’m not so sure.  And yet I will still be watching NBC Saturday night, yelling at my tv hoping I can make a difference and GBR!!!

Forget Next Year, for Haarberg, Next Year is Now

There is always a “will they, won’t they” part of a sitcom that typically comes into play when there are relationships with a man and a woman.  Generally, the point of the story is, the buildup courtship is funny, and then eventually they get together, and more hilarity ensues.  It’s a tale as old as television, radios, or stories themselves.

So how long will Heinrich Haarberg and the Nebraska Cornhuskers remain together?

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At least as the starting quarterback?

Let us review the last three months to see how we have gotten here.  Jeff Sims was brought in last January, to fight for the starting job.  He won that job during the spring.  Sims started the first two games of the season, but turned the ball over in very costly situations, and Nebraska started 0-2.  Sims hurt his ankle against Colorado and had to come out. In comes Heinrich Haarberg.  Haarberg goes on to lead Nebraska to a 5-2 record in games he has started.  

Now, the current situation.  Haarberg has been running hesitant for the last three games.  You see that sometimes in quarterbacks after they take a few licks, because getting nailed by big nasty linebackers and defensive ends isn’t everyone’s favorite past time.  Sometimes players become hesitant because they aren’t sure what they are supposed to do on a given play.  Sometimes players lose their aggressiveness because they are hurt or want to avoid getting hurt worse.

I suspect one of these things is affecting Haarberg right now.  During Scott Frost’s tenure, it certainly happened to Adrian Martinez.  Adrian looked like he was going to be an All-American his freshman year at Nebraska, but over time, he too suffered an affliction to running hard on each play or figuring out how to stay healthy running the football at a high level.

I don’t blame players for this progression when it happens.  Playing quarterback is hard.  It’s especially hard when you are going to get beat up game after game.

Haarberg is not a polished passer.  If he isn’t running at a high level, the reason for having him out there in the first place is greatly diminished.

Matt Rhule made it clear that they are developing Haarberg for the future at Nebraska.  The kid is still young and will have two more years to play after this one.

Haarberg is also leading the team in turnovers, starting to make them at the same rate as Jeff Sims did when he was healthy. The same rate that led Sims to not get the starting job back in the first place.

So now we must wonder, will he, or won’t he (meaning Haarberg) come back to that freelance, running through defenders, quarterback he was the first few starts?  Or will he continue to make costly mistakes, not being aggressive enough in the run game?

It likely will determine if Nebraska finishes in a bowl game or sits at home for another season.

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ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last game prediction was Nebraska 30, Michigan State 14.  The actual score was Michigan State 20 Nebraska 17.  For the first time in a while, the Blackshirts weren’t perfect.  Michigan State had a solid game plan, made the defense defend the pass, and made trick plays and scored just enough.  I said it before, I don’t know that the defense will give up more than 20 points in a game the rest of the season.  I still think that.  At East Lansing, it wasn’t the Blackshirts fault the offense couldn’t do enough to win the game.  If the Blackshirts need to be perfect to win every game, I don’t expect many more wins this year.

Quick Notes:

Heinrich Haarberg…Haarberg was unable to pass to wide open receivers last week.  Whether he didn’t see them, or they dropped it, or they ran the wrong route, those are passes that are needed to win Big Ten games.  Haarberg is the leader on the team.  Last week was on him.  Receivers were open and he either threw a bad pass, or simply didn’t make it through his reads.  I understand the offensive line regressed a bit last week, but Haarberg held the ball way to long on too many plays.  Teams are wise that Haarberg isn’t throwing well.  The coaching staff needs to get back to the throws that he throws well and quit trying to do too much that Haarberg can’t.

Tommi Hill…After a two-interception performance against Purdue, you could tell that Hill was starting to figure out how to jump bad passes.  He almost did it again against the Spartans.  The problem is the defense is counting on him to pick those passes in each game.  Hill needs to bounce back this week with a big performance, against a Maryland team that will want to use his aggressiveness against him.  If Hill responds with a big game, it could swing the balance toward the Huskers.

Malachi Coleman…Coleman had two catches at the game in Michigan State.  Now is the time that the offense starts looking for him more.  Coleman is open on a lot of plays, and Haarberg doesn’t always get to him in his reads.  Coleman is as good at running crossing routes as anyone on the team and it’s hard for defensive backs to keep up with him when he gets past them.  Nebraska needs to use that to their advantage.  Coleman should be targeted at least as many times as Fidone.  If those are your main reads, fine, but make sure Coleman is getting a look when he is out there.

Nash Hutmacher…If Nebraska is going to make it to a bowl game, they are going to need a defender to step up and simply will them to a victory.  Hutmacher has been the most consistent player on the Blackshirts this season.  This week he needs to put the center into Maryland’s quarterback to disrupt his timing.  Maryland likes to throw short passes, quick passes, and give their players a chance to make plays in space.  If the defensive line can push the line back to disrupt that timing, Nebraska can take advantage of miscues.

Score Prediction:  Nebraska 24, Maryland 20

Nebraska did not play well in the second half against Michigan State.  It was a bit alarming that the defense played better, but the offense played worse and the special teams, especially the punt team put Nebraska in terrible field position what seems like the entire game.  The game against Maryland is supposed to be very windy.  I think that gives a big advantage to Nebraska.  I think the special teams will not play as bad as the week before either.  Maryland could easily win this game, they are favored.  I just think Nebraska has a lot left to play for, and I expect them to bounce back this week and clinch a bowl berth, while we are all screaming, GBR!!!

Huskers Set the Tone…Can it Continue?

After Nebraska lost to Minnesota, in a game I was convinced we would win, with about 6 minutes to play in the game, I didn’t know if or when I could trust Nebraska again.

It was hard to know that Nebraska would start with two bad losses at the beginning of the season.  It was harder to know where the team would be after 8 games.

I type all of this, because as good as it all has been, I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Odds are it likely still will before the season runs out.

I said when Nebraska started this run of four conference games after playing Michigan, they had to go 2 and 2 at worst, and hope for 3-1.  Anything less than that would likely mean no bowl game.  Now, I’m wondering if they are going to be 4-0, and could they possibly put themselves in position to be playing Wisconsin and Iowa to win the final year of the Big Ten West division? I can’t go there just yet.

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I get it, the three-game winning streak is nice.  Nebraska has the best defense in the Big Ten that doesn’t play in Ann Arbor or Columbus (and maybe Happy Valley) but it might not be as far off as it seemed after the Michigan game.

Luckily the offense will keep most fans humble.  The continued turnovers eventually will come home to roost.  It may be this weekend on the road with a wounded Michigan State team.  More likely it will happen when Maryland comes to town or in Wisconsin.  Henrich Haarberg has been stellar in leading the team, but the hits are taking a toll on him.  He doesn’t attack near as hard as he did his first three starts when he runs the football.

Can Haarberg stop turning the ball over?  Will he figure out the option pitch and make teams pay for trying to take him out?  Can the Huskers stay healthy enough to score 20 points a game?  That might be all it takes to win out.  

I don’t know if any of those things will happen or not, but how can you not be excited about this team moving forward?  Lean into it, enjoy it.  Matt Rhule has finally given us all hope.  After that first loss to Minnesota, I’d say that is something we can trust.

 

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ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last game prediction was Nebraska 24, Purdue 16.  The actual score was Nebraska 31, Purdue 14.  I don’t know when I’m going to learn, but I can tell you that the Blackshirts aren’t giving up more than 20 points in a game the rest of the season.  They are deep, talented, disciplined, and hungry.  It’s the best defense Nebraska has had since 2010.  If the offense plays a clean game, they are the best team in the West and probably the fourth best team in the league.  The fourth best team in the league will start to put opponents away.  If Nebraska truly is ready, they should roll this week.

Quick Notes:

Jaylen Lloyd…First it was Malachi Coleman, next it was Jaylen Lloyd.  Now can Jaidyn Doss get into the action?  The first-year receivers have been thrust into the fire due to injuries.  While the stats only show a couple of big plays for touchdowns, those plays have been very influential each game.  If the three of these speedsters can get better each week, the future is so bright for them all.  Haarberg needs to take care of them and give them some easy catches to continue to build their confidence.

Quinton Newsome…Isaac Gifford.  Omar Brown.  Deshon Singleton.  These four have all had huge games this season for the Huskers.  Now one of the most consistent defenders finally put a big stamp on a game.  Newsome blew up for the Huskers, returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown and recovering two VERY large fumbles.  Newsome doesn’t always get the credit he deserves because he shuts down his man and no one talks about the guy that doesn’t get thrown at.  Newsome continues to be another leader on this crazy good Blackshirt defense.

Princewell Umanmielen…He started out the season battling injuries, but this freshman has shown out now that he is healthy.  Like his counterpart, Cam Lenhardt, Umanmielen has been impressive in his initial season.  To play at this level and make plays that you expect Juniors or Seniors to make, has to make you wonder how great these guys will be in a few years.  Throw Riley Van Popple in the mix and if these three all stay healthy, Nebraska is in great hands moving forward. 

Tristan Alvano…It took him a few games, but Alvano looks to have his confidence back.  His 55-yard field goal in a swirling wind, after nailing a long one the week before into the wind, has proven that Alvano truly is special.  He may have been hurt at the beginning of the season, and that may have caused him to miss some easier kicks, but my trust in Alvano to bring it home the rest of the season is sky high.

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Score Prediction:  Nebraska 30, Michigan State 14

Nebraska has a defense that travels.  Michigan State has lost six in a row.  I expect the Spartans to come out and try to bully Nebraska, but this isn’t your previous year Husker team.  Nebraska’s defense can keep any team from scoring more than three times.  If the offense doesn’t turn the ball over in their own red zone, I just don’t see Michigan State scoring more than two touchdowns.  Part of me thinks the Huskers will get a shutout this season and maybe it’s this game.  I’m giving Sparty a lot of credit that they will rise up on Senior Day at home, but I expect the Huskers to dominate the second half of this game.  As they fly home, the Huskers will enjoy earning a bowl bid under a first-year new coach.  If that doesn’t make you say GBR, nothing will!!!

Another Chance for Husker Football to Break it Open…

So, the next offensive lineman left to play for Nebraska may have to turn out the stadium lights.

Seriously, with the luck the Huskers are having on offense, it’s a wonder that Nebraska has four wins.  Down four receivers, two running backs and 3/5 of a starting offensive line, not to mention playing the backup quarterback to start the season, I’m wondering if we can make it through the last five 

And yet, the Blackshirts, that group that just last season couldn’t stop a parked car, has been the biggest turnround in Lincoln since Bo Pelini started cranking out great defenses in the Big Twelve.

Nebraska has weathered the injury storm at a level I don’t think anyone could have predicted.  Coach Rhule has managed the defense, so if Deshon Singelton or Luke Reimer go down, it’s next man up, and there isn’t much drop off, and sometimes you see guys making huge plays in their place.

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This time though, the offensive line is where the team needs to hold it together.  Justin Evans-Jenkins played great last week in place of Ethan Piper.  Now he will be the starter.  Teddy Prochaska now must replace Turner Corcoran at left tackle, a place that Nebraska protects the quarterback’s blind side.  And Henry Lutovsky will replace Nouredin Nouili for at least a couple of games.  

It’s like trying to play scrabble without a couple of the vowels.  You can make it work, but it’s going to look a little lumpy.  

It is no secret that Nebraska’s remaining schedule is not filled with the Murderer’s Row of talent, but they certainly end the season with three games against bowl teams.

If Nebraska can survive Purdue and Michigan State and somehow get to six wins, Matt Rhule will have made a hell of a start in his time in Lincoln.  If he gets more than six, he should be getting votes for Big Ten coach of the year.  This team has been punched in the mouth over an over with offensive injuries.  If they can continue to play winning football into November, you have to feel, for the first time in a long time, that the Huskers are in good hands.

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ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last game prediction was Nebraska 27, Northwestern 14.  The actual score was Nebraska 17, Northwester 9.  As well as Nebraska moved the ball up and down the field against Illinois, the offense looked just as disjointed against Northwestern.  Luckily the Blackshirts continue to play at a high level.  There were three plays in that game, two tackles from behind on broken plays by Malcom Hartzog and Omar Brown, and an epic breakup of a screen pass by Isaac Gifford, that kept the Huskers from losing.  The defense may have to continue to play an extremely high level for Nebraska to get two more wins.

Quick Notes:

Malachi Coleman…All of us that have watched Lincoln East the last three or four years knew that Coleman was destined for big things on the gridiron.  To see him score a touchdown in Memorial Stadium with the “N” on his helmet brought a lot of smiles to the south side of his hometown.  Coleman is blessed with tremendous skill.  If he and Haarberg can continue to find confidence in each other, big things will be in this kid’s future.

Isaac Gifford…Gifford has had some plays this season that he just missed making.  A would-be interception at Minnesota that would have sealed the game and a blown assignment at Colorado stick out, because Gifford has been so stellar otherwise.  Against Northwestern, Gifford’s big play to stuff a screen pass, blowing past two blockers and then making a solo tackle, is a play that will go down in Husker lore.  Gifford has made so many strong tackles and covered so well, when he makes a mistake, it stands out.  Gifford is the kind of playmaker the Huskers had in JoJo Domann.  That is high praise indeed.

Nash Hutmacher…I’m starting to get worried that Hutmacher may end up leaving early for the NFL.  That’s how great he has played in 2023.  He has completely blown up the middle of the offensive line so many times, other players are starting to chomp at single coverage to get at the quarterback.  Hutmacher may not make all the plays, but his presence along with Ty Robinson is making the Huskers pass rush as good as it has been since the last Husker winning season in 2016. 

Emmitt Johnson…Nebraska needs a spark at running back, and Johnson may be the one to provide it.  Most people look at Johnson’s size and think that he can’t be an every down back, but I don’t see it that way.  His explosiveness out of the backfield allows his to get by the big fellas and force the linebackers to tackle low so they don’t get good angles to hit him.  Now that he has started to put rushing numbers on the board, it will be interesting to see if Nebraska continues to utilize him as the main running back.  He has impressed me so far. I look for him to break a long touchdown run this week against Purdue.

Score Prediction:  Nebraska 24, Purdue 16

I have a caveat for this game.  I don’t know that Nebraska’s offensive line will play well enough to keep the defense off the field.  This is a game that Purdue has the weapons on offense to win.  However, I trust Coach Rhule enough that he knows he will have an inexperienced offensive line and I expect him to use his running backs more in the run game and get Henrich Haarberg on the move to the edge.  This should negate some of Purdue and their blitz game.  I’m picking with my heart a little bit because I think this team has reached deep down and found a level, they didn’t know they had.  I am predicting a defensive score to seal this game and Purdue will miss at least one field goal and the Huskers will be in victory formation at the end. GBR!!!

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If you have warriors, now is the time…our football observations and predictions...

Is this a broken record?  How can this game against Northwestern be as important as the game on the road against Illinois?  How come Nebraska can’t just rest and know that being 11-point favorites at home is enough and that they can handle this game, grab a win, and move on to Purdue? (Predictions are at the end if you don’t want to read the rest!)

History.  

If we have learned anything the last eight years, we have learned that the Illinois, Northwestern, and Purdue games have been the Achilles heel for the Huskers.  

Purdue was Jeff Brohm and his ability to scheme our defense into giving up touchdowns at will when the Boilermakers needed one to win.  The quarterback, be it starer or third string, would make a completion when the game mattered most, often times to a wide-open receiver, because Nebraska would be caught with its pants down.

Illinois has always had talent, but in the last 8 years, they have beaten Nebraska as the underdog multiple times, stolen victory from the Huskers from sure defeat (2015 Tommy Armstrong still needs to just run the clock out).

And now, Northwestern.  Probably the one team in Nebraska’s time in the Big Ten, that the Huskers are as equally adept at making a game changing play at the end (a Hail Mary) as making an onside kick up eleven points and then watching that lead vanish as an otherwise good defense turns into boat with holes in it.

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Nebraska’s inability to consistently beat these three teams, and let’s throw Minnesota in there too, has kept them from being bowl eligible for 6 seasons.

Now that the Huskers have crossed Illinois off the list, comes the team that consistently gives Nebraska the craziest, closest games.  Northwestern is a program that has been held together with bailing wire, twine, and some duct tape this season.  Nebraska should take advantage of a porous run defense from the Wildcats.  And yet, Northwestern on offense completes third downs at a rate top ten teams are envious of, to go along with a good passing game. Again, it will be up to the Blackshirts to get off the field.

See, just when you think Nebraska has cleared their hurdles, another one pops up.  Someday Matt Rhule will have us all feeling comfortable about beating a team like this.  Right now, it still feels like second verse, same as the first.

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ON WITH THE REWIND…

Last game prediction was Illinois 27, Nebraska 21.  The actual score was Nebraska 20, Illinois 7.  When the Illini moved the ball down the field on their first possession, I wondered if the game would be another Michigan.  The Blackshirts blowing up the Illinois offense on consecutive goal to go plays at or inside the one-yard line completely flipped the script.  Illinois never recovered.  Nebraska bludgeoned them to death.  The only hold back on a 5-touchdown win was ghastly turnovers in the red zone and penalties on the offensive line.  There is still a LOT for the Huskers to work on, but man, beating up on a team like that on the road felt really good.

Quick Notes:

Marcus Washington…In case you thought losing Zavier Betts and Isaiah Garcia-Castenada wasn’t quite enough, the injury bug took out Marcus Washington for the rest of the season as well.  Washington was Nebraska’s best deep threat and was a big weapon for the Husker passing offense.  Nebraska will need to lean on Billy Kemp and Thomas Fidone a little heavier the remainder of the season.  Malachi Coleman has moved into the starting spot as a true freshman.  The former Lincoln East player needs to get his confidence going this week to help keep the offense from becoming that much more one dimensional.

John Bullock…The walk on from Omaha Creighton Prep continues to make plays for the Huskers.  With Luke Reimer out the last two weeks, Bullock has played well enough that Nebraska hasn’t skipped a beat.  Nebraska continues to be ranked in the top ten defenses in the country against the run.  With players like Bullock, Javin Wright, and Mikai Gbayor stepping in when needed, the depth at linebacker has been one of the more impressive performances of the season.

Jimari Butler…Butler is blossoming into a dog on the defense.  Butler came to Nebraska, having limited football experience.  He was a better high school basketball player.  However, coaches could see his potential as a defender and Butler is starting to come alive.  If Butler can continue to put pressure on the quarterback on obvious passing downs, the pass defense will continue to improve.  He is the one Blackshirt, not named Cam Lenhardt, that is starting to hit on all cylinders getting to the quarterback. 

Anthony Grant…Matt Rhule made it very clear during the bye week, that Grant simply cannot fumble in crucial moments any more this season.  It may be the difference between going to a bowl game or not.  The latest fumble against Illinois didn’t hurt Nebraska, but it put them in a position that the game was never truly put away until the final horn blew.  Grant can be the man on offense, but he can no longer be the goat.

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Score Prediction:  Nebraska 27, Northwestern 14

If you would have told me Nebraska would dominate Illinois offense as much as they did, I’d probably have said Nebraska could still win 8 games.  Without Luke Reimer and Deshon Singleton, the Blackshirts didn’t miss a beat.  Illinois simply could not run the football.  I don’t see another team on the schedule that should be able to bully Nebraska on the ground.  This especially is true with Northwestern.  The Huskers have to respect their passing game, but if they get the lead and make the Wildcats one dimensional, the flood gates should open, and Nebraska should cruise to a win and GBR!!!