The 2024 Nebraska Cornhusker football season is SO CLOSE, and this is a pivotal season for our beloved team. Today’s blog is pretty simple.. I am going to go through all 12 of Nebraska’s regular season games and give a score prediction, and some quick notes! Remember, these are just some quick notes, and I will give a more comprehensive preview of each game the Thursday before each game! Let’s get started!
Starting with UTEP, with new and young Head Coach Scotty Walden, this roster is completely overhauled. I am interested to see the passing game from UTEP in this game, they have some weapons but quarterback play on such a huge stage is a huge question mark. Nebraska should look to make big plays on BOTH sides of the ball to set the tone for they year. I am on record saying that Nebraska need to focus on the results of their process as opposed to the final score. Negative plays will happen, but it is all about how we respond to them. Nebraska 38 – UTEP 10
Colorado is such a polarizing game and team, I feel I don’t need to go fully into that one yet. I have covered that game before and why is important, and on September 5th will include a full breakdown of that game. Whether you think Colorado is one of the best teams, or worst teams in the nation, you cannot deny they have legitimate speed at their skill positions. Lacking lots of depth in the trenches and no real team culture, but with new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmer, I do expect a more “traditional” offense this season from the Buffaloes. Nebraska need to make this game an ugly, old school brawl… hard hitting, intensity from the crowd and the field.. If that happens, I am predicting a one score WIN against a rival for once… Nebraska 27 – Colorado 21
Northern Iowa is in a bit of a tough spot this season, with only two defensive starters returning and a switch to the air raid with new OC Trey Tinsley. This is another game Nebraska needs to focus more on themselves, and preparing themselves for where they need to be. Nebraska 31 – UNI 14
Opening up Big 10 play.. Illinois is a team we should beat. But… with this being a weird Friday night game, the celebration of the 400th sellout, all this weird pressure.. I am very worried. Nebraska tends to lose some games to teams they shouldn’t especially on a big stage, and sadly I am predicting this one to go down that way. Illinois is a very good tackling team with an outstanding group of linebackers that will make the run game tough to get going. Hate to see it, but this might be the heartbreaker. Nebraska 20 – Illinois 23
Purdue is in a spot this year to hope for bowl contention, but last season’s defense was atrocious. Worst pass defense in the conference last year, Nebraska HAS to take advantage of that with all the weapons we have right now. Defensively, the gameplan is simple, make them run the ball. 2023 Purdue went 4-1 when it got past 405 yards and 0-7 when it got fewer. I think we can do this, but the Boilermakers will put up a fight. Nebraska 24 – Purdue 17
This isn’t going to be your typical Rutgers team this season. Greg Schiano has something cooking in New Jersey right now, and it worries the hell out of me. This team looks on paper to me, to be “Iowa-Lite” Run the ball, control the clock, play great defense.. Who wants to be in a fight that can come down to one slip-up, one mistake, one mental error that causes the game to go the other direction? History says certainly not Nebraska. Nebraska 17 – Rutgers 23
Indiana has a whole new coaching staff coming in, and lots of players following them over from James Madison University. This coaching staff does well against the run, so expect the same at IU this season, so we will need to use our playmakers effectively. Defensively, we need to absolutely bully them, bring pressure and play OUR game. We do that, we are in a good spot. DO NOT TURN OVER THE FOOTBALL. Nebraska 24 – Indiana 20
The game against potentially the best team in the country. Ohio State is loaded pretty much everywhere, and could be in “National Championship or Bust” mode this season. Nebraska is going to have to make it ugly, win the turnover battle and make plays when needed.. I just don’t see it this season, Ohio State is loaded. I think we keep it closer than some think, but the game will be out of reach late. Nebraska 20 – Ohio State 38
UCLA is in LA (sorry, had to) and has some really fantastic coaches on staff. Eric Beiemeny as an OC is a big deal, and he is going to want to run the ball, and do WHATEVER it takes to win. Nebraska can and should be fine in this game, the offense just needs to get TOUCHDOWNS on the board, and not “Chase 3”. Nebraska 28 – UCLA 20
Lincoln Riley is one of the best offensive coaches in this generation, truly. The problem is, his staffs have been some of the worst defensive staffs in the country statistically. This season, their defense defintely has the talent, but when has a Riley team had a good defense? With USC, if the defense can just be average, they are playoff bound, if not, looking at 7 wins. Their offensive firepower currently worries me, and I do partially believe the defense will be a LITTLE better.. Nebraska 24 – USC 34
Wisconsin just seems to have our number, right? Nebraska hasn’t won since.. 2012? Yikes. Wisconsin had a solid running attack in 2023, but yet didn’t commit to it. I expect them to in 2024 and expect a solid scoring defense again. Our offensive line could be the difference in this one, but with it being late in the season… I am worried. Nebraska 23 – Wisconsin 24
Last game of the regular season. We should already be Bowl bound, so no pressure there.. sure , this is now a primetime game, but we will see a few of those this season. Yes, Iowa plays a tough style to crack.. But we will have already seen a similar style this yeat in Rutgers. I truly believe we learn from the mistakes, play them close, play smart offense and get the win, potentially killing an Iowa playoff bid! Nebraska 17 – Iowa 13
So as of this moment I have us at 7-5. Yes, that is lower than many predictions and not as optimistic as I usually am. But here is the thing- after last season, weren’t we all just begging for 6-7 wins? Really, weren’t we? More than just focusing on the wins and losses, we should be looking at how the team evolves throughout the season. Are we seeing progress in key areas? Are the players responding well to the coaching staff? How well is the team handling adversity and learning from their experiences? Rhule wants to build this thing into a real program, not a one season winner.
So while 7-5 might seem modest compared to the sudden high hopes we have for the program, it reflects a season of growth and potential. Each game offers a chance to build towards a stronger future. As always, the true measure of success will be in the development of the team and their readiness to compete at the highest level.
