How do Nebraska football fans feel this time of year? I think I know...it's a lot like Christmas! All of us Husker fans know the feeling before the season begins. There's a lot of hype prior to the first game of the season, and everyone is feeling great about the team. In the past few seasons, that feeling has left, pretty much, right after the first game of the season. Illinois in 2021, Northwestern (In Dublin, Ireland) in 2022, and Minnesota in 2023.
2024 was different in that aspect. The Huskers started off 3-0...and 5-1 through the first 6 games. It propelled Nebraska to it's first Bowl Game since 2016. The win over Colorado was one of the highlights of the 2024 season. However, the team, specifically the offense, had some troubles towards the latter half of the season.
Nebraska ended the regular season at 6-6, and finished it off with a 20-15 Pinstripe Bowl victory over Boston College, to finish over .500 for the first time since 2016.
So, what is the main difference in 2025? What will make THIS Nebraska team different than the previous seasons that we all thought would be "The Year"? For me, it's one, NO, two guys. Dana Holgorsen & Mike Eckler.
Dana Holgorsen can juice up the Nebraska football offense in a way not seen under Matt Rhule
Holgorsen was brought in towards the last half of 2024, took over play-call duties against USC, and finished out the rest of the seaon as Offensive Coordinator. Husker fans saw what the new-look offense could be...against Wisconsin, when the offense put up 44 points, and exercised the demon of consecutive losses to the Badgers.
Now, after an entire off-season with starting Quarterback, Dylan Raiola, Holgorsen looks to fine-tune the Nebraska offense, and try to put the fear of God into opposing defenses.
Mike Ekeler needs to fix the Nebraska football special teams, fast
Mike Eckler, new Special Teams Coordinator, and a Nebraska native, came home after a 4-year stint with the Tennessee Volunteers. His punt & kick return units were some of the best in the nation during his 4-year tenure. Eckler has a crazy amount of energy, enough so, that guys are willing to run into a wall for him. Nebraska's special teams, at least for the past few seasons, have been below average.
The snapping and Field Goal kicking have been well below average for the most part. This off-season, Eckler has brought in a new Field Goal kicker and Punter. Kyle Cunanan is a transfer place kicker from Cal-Berkeley. Archie Wilson is a Rugby-style Punter from Australia. You may remember Wilson's breakdown at the podium when asked if it was his first time away from home!
So, with the anticipation of the 2025 season building, I think this Nebraska football team has the capability of winning 11 games and making the College Football Playoff. Will that happen? Most of you are thinking...probably not! But then again, isn't that what this time of year is for?