Big Ten analyst sees Nebraska football ending bowl drought

There’s some serious expectations around the Nebraska football team in 2024. After having not been to a bowl since 2016, almost everyone believes they’re headed to the postseason this year.

“Almost everyone” includes Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo. Despite the fact that the analyst won’t be able to see the Huskers up close and personal this fall practice session, he believes what he’s seen from afar is enough to convince him the Cornhuskers are going bowling.

Nebraska football is going bowling according to another analyst

“I have to believe a bowl game is attainable with their schedule and Matt’s second year,” DiNardo said about the Nebraska football team on Thursday at Big Ten Media Days. “It takes him a year to put in his system on and off the field, and my guess is they’re going to go to a bowl this year.”

It feels like his comments carry even more weight, precisely because he’s not totally sold on just how good the Huskers are. While he thinks they’re going bowling, he’s not someone who believes they are going to shock and surprise to the point of making the playoffs.

DiNardo also stopped well short of suggesting Nebraska would contend for a berth in the Big Ten title game, to be played in Lucas Oil Stadium. The league has moved to an 18-team standings format, with the top two programs, potentially through tiebreakers, facing each other in Indianapolis.

The new format replaces the East and West Division framework of the 14-team era.

“Nebraska had a lot of chances when it was East and West that they didn’t take advantage of,” DiNardo said, “and now it depends on their road games and their traveling.”

For this year, Nebraska football fans will absolutely take that. Six wins is all we need in 2024. Worrying about things like taking the next step is for when they take the first step.