5 Nebraska football conference rivals in Top 10 secondaries for 2024

If you curious just how tough a road back to contention the Nebraska football team was going to have in the new Big Ten, look no further than just how good so many of the Huskers’ conference rivals defenses are supposed to be in 2024.

More specifically, look at how Pro Football Focus views the secondaries for several Big Ten powerhouses. Should the Cornhuskers want to really make a statement the next few years, they’re primarily going to have their work cut out for them when trying to move the ball through the air.

PFF recently released their Top 10 returning secondaries for 2024 and exactly half of the rankings are made up of Nebraska football’s conference rivals. Take a deep breath before you wade into just how good the conference is going to be in 2024.

Nebraska football conference rivals dominate Top 10 secondaries list

Right at the top of the list for the top returning secondaries are the Ohio State Buckeyes. That’s hardly a surprise considering they’re one of the early favorites to win the National Championship.

At No. 2 is Iowa. It appears that the Iowa Hawkeyes are still going to have a formidable defense, according to PFF, especially against the pass. No. 3 is Notre Dame but then No. 4 is Michigan, showing that even with the departure of Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines are going to be a strong squad.

No. 5 is one of the newest additions to the Big Ten in Oregon. The Ducks are also considered one of the top contenders for a National Title. 

Wisconsin rounds out the five Big Ten teams in the Top 10 at No. 8 on the list. 

If there’s a spot of good news in this rather intimidating list, it’s that the Nebraska football team will only have to play three of the five, unless they make the Big Ten Title Game. Michigan and Oregon are not on the regular season schedule.