One stat shows just how manic Nebraska football is in 2024

The Nebraska football team has been rather manic this season. There’s been some high highs, and some low lows for Matt Rhule and his club.

Remember when they blew out the Colorado Buffaloes? Remember when the Indiana Hoosiers blew them out?

It’s not just how different the first six games of the season were compared to the outcome of the last four Nebraska football games. There’s been a distinct dividing line that demonstrates just how up and down this season has been. It’s the Huskers’ record compared to every other team that’s held an opponent to 10 points or less.

Nebraska football has an identity crisis

Interestingly enough, considering how much blame Tony White and his defense has gotten for NU’s struggles this season, the Cornhuskers are one of just six FBS teams that have held an opponent to 10 points or less in five or more games.

The other five teams are Army (9-0), Ohio St. (9-1), Texas (9-1), Tulane (9-2), and Ole Miss (8-2).

And then of course, there’s Nebraska at 5-5. It’s worse than that though. The Huskers are 5-0 when they hold a team to 10 points or less. They’re 0-5 if a team goes over 10 points. 

Granted, when they clear that bar, they clear it by a good margin. Ohio State is the only team to score more than 10 and less than 27. 

In short, Nebraska football’s defense is either very good, or incredibly mediocre if not outright bad. And yes, Tony White’s squad has been mostly mediocre to bad in the second half of the season.

The bright side is that it should be fairly easy to tell how the Cornhuskers final two games are going to go. If they allow more than 10, they’re sunk. Hold a team down, and they win. Easy Peasy.