Predicting every game for Nebraska football in 2024

When the preseason college football AP poll came a few weeks back, the Nebraska football team was not in it. No surprise there.

But it doesn't matter. Preseason polls are silly. What are they based on? How well you performed in a bowl game with dozens of players opting out? Returning production? Your transfer portal recruiting class?

The only thing more silly than preseason polls is trying to predict the outcome of every game of the season before the season starts. And yet that's why I'm doing here.

But you have to be careful. It can lead to crazy things--like picking Nebraska to get to the Big Ten tile game. Have mercy. Could you imagine?

Before last season--Matt Rhule's first at Nebraska--I said it would have been absurd to try to predict Nebraska's record. There's a part of me that still feels that way.

But with an improved roster and a legitimate quarterback taking snaps, I feel a bit more confident gauging how the Huskers will perform.

Nebraska football pounds the UTEP Miners

It's Nebraska's first seasoner opener at home and against a non-conference opponent since 2019. What a welcome relief. UTEP was 3-9 last year and has a new head coach.

Dylan Raiola shines, but mostly because he doesn't turn the ball over. Nebraska's receivers run wild and Jamal Banks eclipses 100 yards receiving. Walk-on kicker John Hohl goes 1/2 on field goals.

It'll be a rough day in Lincoln for the Miners.

Huskers win, 38-14 (1-0).

Huskers squeak one out vs Colorado

The game everyone has circled. It will likely be the most electric atmosphere Memorial Stadium has seen in a while since...2014 Miami? 2008 Colorado? 1992 Colorado?

Colorado seems like a program that is falling apart from the inside out. But they still have some exceptional athletes at key positions.

But those players haven't played in an environment like the one they'll see on September 7.

It'll be a brawl to the end. Nebraska's defense shuts down the Buffs. Tommi Hill returns an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Mayhem ensues. Victory for Big Redwe go streaking in the quad.

Huskers win, 31-24 (2-0).

NU romps against Northern Iowa

We'll make quick work of this one. Nebraska has never lost to an FCS team. And while Northern Iowa is a worthy opponent, that streak won't end this year.

Lots of yards on the ground in this one as Nebraska pounds away against an undersized Panther defense.

Huskers win 42-17 (3-0).

Cornhuskers suffer their first upset vs Illini

If there's a game in the first seven where Nebraska stubs its toe, it might be this one. It's a Friday night game so everyone's routine will be thrown off. I don't like Friday games and no one will either after this night.

Nebraska matches up well against Illinois. And certainly Illinois' QB Luke Altmeyer doesn't scare you. But there's something about Bret Bielema-coached teams that do crazy things when you least expect it.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think this will be one of those games. It's the one time in the first seven games when Nebraska doesn't have a positive turnover margin. And they'll pay for it.

Huskers lose, 23-20 (3-1).

Nebraska football bounces back against Purdue

Nebraska has had some epic games with Purdue. Second year head coach Ryan Walters will have something to prove after last year's 31-14 Husker win.

Unfortunately, for the Boilermakers, I just don't see them having enough offensive firepower to make a dent in the Blackshirt defense.

It'll be a great flight home for Nebraska after a big day for Raiola through the air--he'll pass for a sneaky 300 yards. Nebraska football gets back in the win column.

Huskers win, 35-10 (4-1).

Huskers continue to roll vs Rutgers

Everyone is talking about Rutgers this year. Kirk Herbstreit even said the Scarlet Knights are a dark horse in the Big Ten to get to the CFP. No offense, Kirk. But no.

Greg Schiano has a nice team. But their offense isn't anything to write home about and their transfer QB Athan Kaliakmanis doesn't move the needle much for me.

Nebraska's offense struggles--we all realize Dylan Raiola is human--but the defense nearly pitches a shutout against the dark horse Scarlet Knights.

Huskers win, 17-3 (5-1).

Matt Rhule and company wipe out the Hoosiers

Indiana has a chance to redefine itself in the post-Tom Allen era. Maybe they'll figure that out at some point this year, but it won't be this night.

Nebraska rolls the Hoosiers just like they did in basketball (ahem, three times), and they celebrate their first bowl berth in eight years. The curse is broken!

Huskers win, 49-14 (6-1).

Nebraska Cornhuskers not quite up to snuff against Buckeyes

How many time has Nebraska been riding high going into the Ohio State game only to blow it on a national stage? Seems like 47 times in the last 10 years, right?

This may be one of Ohio State's best teams in years. But how far they go will depend on Will Howard, their transfer QB from Kansas State. Consider me unconvinced at this point. That makes a prediction about this game in August seem silly.

But that's what predictions are after all. Nebraska keeps this one close for a while. But Ohio State just has too much 5-star firepower for the Big Red. Someday, the Huskers will match up with the Buckeyes. Today is not that day.

Huskers lose, 35-17 (6-2).

Beat down of the Bruins

Let's be honest. We hope it snows in early November for this game, right? Right. The Bruins and new head coach Deshaun Foster from Los Angeles (that's where UCLA is located) come to Lincoln and it could be a rude awakening.

The Huskers are a part of a horrific seven-game stretch for UCLA: LSU, Oregon, Penn State, Minnesota, Rutgers, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Wow. UCLA may win one game in there. Welcome to the Big Ten, UCLA. The Blackshirts get six sacks and a couple picks. It's a short field all day for the Husker offense.

Huskers win 38-20 (7-2).

Trojans horse around for Nebraska win

This is the one game on the schedule that really has me scratching my head. Without Caleb Williams, what is USC? Unknown commodity Miller Moss now takes the reins at quarterback. But even with a great QB, we saw USC collapse often last year because of a defense that was bend and break.

By November, of course, teams are who they are. And I expect USC's defense to be improved with new defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn (who was at UCLA last year and vastly improved their defense).

USC will want a shootout. Nebraska doesn't. Expect a close game that comes down to the wire.

A one-score loss for the Huskers, but a valiant effort through and through. USC hits a field goal with under a minute to give the Trojans the win.

Huskers lose, 41-38 (7-3).

Revenge on the Badgers

Nebraska hasn't beaten Wisconsin since 2012. Then they followed up that win with a 70-31 loss in the Big Ten title game. And nine more losses. Ten--10!--straight wins for the Badgers. It's the longest losing streak Nebraska has against any Big Ten team (next is Ohio State at seven).

Maybe I'm drinking the Rhule-aid but I think this is the year that streak ends. The home crowed brings the energy and it fuels the Huskers. This is the game you'll point back to and say, "Dylan Raiola is something special."

Huskers win, 27-21 (8-3).

Husker heartbreak against Hawkeyes again

The season finale at Kinnick. Outside of Colorado, this is the one you want the most, right? Iowa has a world-class defense. But can they score? The Hawkeyes have a new offensive coordinator and Cade McNamara has returned from injury. He's struggled in fall camp, according to reports. Can he clean it up throughout the season? By November?

With Iowa's defense and special teams, it may not matter. They play a brutal brand of football. It's misery to watch. But it produces wins.

And they'll win on Black Friday. I really hope I'm wrong, but...

Huskers lose (on a last second field goal...again), 17-14 (8-4).

Strangely specific season total predictions for Nebraska football

• Dylan Raiola will start every game and throw for 2,872 yards, 22 TDs, 8 INTs, and add another 123 yards rushing with 2 TDs.
• Jamal Banks will break Trey Palmer's school record for receiving yards with 1,058. He'll catch 9 TD receptions, short of Quincy Enunwa's school record 12.
• Rahmir Johnson will stay healthy and have a senior breakout season and rush for a team-high 768 yards with 11 TDs and tack on another 318 receiving yards.
• Nebraska will have a +5 turnover margin for the season.
• Tommi Hill will have 6 INTs and return one for a TD against Colorado.
• The Huskers will use two field goal kickers this year and hit 68% of their field goals.
• Cam Lenhardt will lead the Blackshirt defense in sacks with 8.5 for the year.

Nebraska Cornhusker football is finally here

I think most of you would take 8-4 after the last seven seasons. I sure will.

Saturday at 2:30 can't come soon enough. Let's make this Nebraska football season one to remember.