Nebraska football misses the postseason in latest bowl projections

Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jack Tuttle (13) passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jack Tuttle (13) passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports /
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It appears that Nebraska football’s performance against Michigan convinced analysts that the Huskers don’t have four more wins in them.

With Nebraska football’s loss to the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, the Huskers fell to 2-3. Their margin for error if they want to make a bowl game has gotten slimmer.

When it comes to at least one set of the most recent bowl projections, it appears Nebraska football’s window has closed for 2023. That certainly isn’t a total shock. But one has to wonder if the Huskers are really going to miss out on four more wins this year.

Brett McMurphy put together the latest set of bowl projections and the Huskers miss the cut. Adding insult to injury is the fact that he does have a whopping eight Big Ten teams making the cut.

Among the teams from the B1G that he does have going to the postseason is Minnesota, whom Nebraska football should have beaten in the season opener. The Golden Gophers are expected to go to the Quicklane Bowl against Ohio, according to McMurphy.

Considering the Huskers were projected for that bowl last week, it would seem Minnesota is thought to get that spot now.

Among the group of Big Ten teams to make a bowl Nebraska football might be looking at is this week’s opponent. Illinois is struggling almost as much as the Cornhuskers this season but they are projected by McMurphy to got the Music City Bowl.

The Huskers could change both assumed destinies if they’re able to knock off the Illini on Friday night.

Nebraska football not going bowling

Perhaps the biggest slight in these projections is that a non-conference opponent the Nebraska football team had no problems dispatching in Northern Illinois, are going to have a postseason while the Huskers sit at home.

Northern Illinois is expected to make the Arizona Bowl and face off against San Diego State.

It would certainly be more than a little annoying if Nebraska football missed out on a game that the Huskies are able to play in.