Want more Big 10 coverage? Here is a preview of the Big 10 season based on Vegas’ projected win totals. More Big 10 previews: Minnesota
Storylines Entering the Season
Entering the 2025 season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, led by third-year head coach Matt Rhule, are poised for a potential breakout year after a 7–6 record in 2024, which included a Pinstripe Bowl victory and their first winning season since 2016. Key storylines include:
- Dylan Raiola’s Sophomore Leap: Quarterback Dylan Raiola, a former five-star recruit, showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman year, completing 67% of his passes for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. With a full offseason under offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, expectations are high for Raiola to elevate Nebraska’s passing game, especially with new weapons like transfers Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter.
- Revamped Roster via Transfer Portal: Nebraska bolstered its roster with high-impact transfers, including offensive linemen Elijah Pritchett (Alabama) and Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame), wide receivers Dane Key (Kentucky) and Nyziah Hunter (Cal), and linebackers Dasan McCullough (Oklahoma) and Marques Watson-Trent (Georgia Southern). These additions aim to address depth concerns and elevate both sides of the ball.
- Defensive Rebuild Under John Butler: With defensive coordinator John Butler taking over full-time, the Blackshirts aim to maintain their 2024 strength (19.5 points allowed per game) despite losing key players like Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher. The defensive line and secondary, with veterans like Elijah Jeudy and DeShon Singleton, will be critical.
- Special Teams Overhaul: Special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler is tasked with improving a unit that ranked No. 86 in efficiency in 2024, with a new punter, long snapper, and a three-way kicking competition.
- Favorable Schedule: Nebraska’s 2025 schedule avoids Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana, offering a path to a 10-win season. However, tough matchups against Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa will test their mettle.
Nebraska Key Players
- Dylan Raiola, QB (Soph.): The cornerstone of Nebraska’s offense, Raiola’s ability to reduce turnovers and connect on deep passes will define the Huskers’ ceiling.
- Dane Key, WR (Sr.): A transfer from Kentucky, Key’s size and playmaking ability (587 yards in 2024) make him a primary target for Raiola.
- Emmett Johnson, RB (Jr.): The every-down back averaged over five yards per carry in November 2024 and is expected to be a dual-threat weapon.
- Dasan McCullough, LB (Sr.): A versatile transfer from Oklahoma, McCullough’s athleticism bolsters a linebacker corps aiming to replace departed starters.
- DeShon Singleton, S (Sr.): With 71 tackles in 2024, Singleton’s return provides stability to a secondary tasked with improving interception numbers.
Nebraska Depth Chart (Projected)
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Dylan Raiola (Soph.) | Marcos Davila (RFr.) |
| RB | Emmett Johnson (Jr.) | Kwinten Ives (RSo.) |
| WR-X | Dane Key (Sr.) | Cortez Mills (Fr.) |
| WR-Z | Nyziah Hunter (RSo.) | Demitrius Bell (RSo.) |
| WR-Slot | Jacory Barney Jr. (Soph.) | Quinn Clark (RFr.) |
| TE | Luke Lindenmeyer (RFr.) | Carter Nelson (Soph.) |
| LT | Elijah Pritchett (Jr.) | Gunnar Gottula (RSo.) |
| LG | Rocco Spindler (Sr.) | Justin Evans (RFr.) |
| C | Ben Scott (Sr.) | Jacob Hood (RSo.) |
| RG | Henry Lutovsky (Sr.) | Tyler Knaak (RFr.) |
| RT | Bryce Benhart (Sr.) | Grant Brix (RFr.) |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| LDE | Keona Davis (Soph.) | Williams Nwaneri (RFr.) |
| NT | Elijah Jeudy (Sr.) | Riley Van Poppel (RSo.) |
| DT | Cameron Lenhardt (Jr.) | Dylan Parrott (Jr.) |
| RDE | Kai Wallin (RSo.) | Sua Lefotu (RFr.) |
| LB | Dasan McCullough (Sr.) | Javin Wright (Sr.) |
| LB | Marques Watson-Trent (Sr.) | Vincent Shavers Jr. (RFr.) |
| CB | Ceyair Wright (Sr.) | Amare Sanders (Soph.) |
| CB | Blye Hill (RSo.) | Mario Buford (Soph.) |
| S | DeShon Singleton (Sr.) | Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (Sr.) |
| S | Rahmir Stewart (RFr.) | Donovan Jones (Soph.) |
| NB | Jeremiah Jones (RFr.) | Evan Taylor (Sr.) |
Special Teams
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| K | John Hohl (Sr.) | TBD (Competition) |
| P | TBD (Open competition) | TBD |
| KR | Jacory Barney Jr. (Soph.) | Emmett Johnson (Jr.) |
| PR | Jacory Barney Jr. (Soph.) | Demitrius Bell (RSo.) |
*Note: Kicker and punter competitions remain unresolved entering fall camp.
Full Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time/TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 28 | Cincinnati | Kansas City, MO (Neutral) | 8:00 p.m. ET / TBD |
| Sep. 6 | Akron | Lincoln, NE | TBD |
| Sep. 13 | Houston Christian | Lincoln, NE | TBD |
| Sep. 20 | Michigan | Lincoln, NE | TBD |
| Sep. 27 | at Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | TBD |
| Oct. 4 | BYE | – | – |
| Oct. 11 | at Maryland | College Park, MD | TBD |
| Oct. 18 | at Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | TBD |
| Oct. 25 | Northwestern | Lincoln, NE | TBD |
| Nov. 1 | USC | Lincoln, NE | TBD |
| Nov. 8 | at UCLA | Pasadena, CA | TBD |
| Nov. 15 | BYE | – | – |
| Nov. 22 | at Penn State | State College, PA | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | Iowa | Lincoln, NE | TBD |
Key Games Preview
- vs. Michigan (Sep. 20)
- Why It Matters: This early Big Ten matchup at Memorial Stadium is a tone-setter for Nebraska’s season. A win against a rebuilding Michigan team, bolstered by a top recruiting class led by Bryce Underwood, could propel the Huskers to a 4–0 start and ignite playoff talk.
- Key Matchup: Nebraska’s offensive line (Pritchett, Spindler) vs. Michigan’s defensive front. Protecting Raiola to exploit Michigan’s secondary with Key and Hunter will be crucial.
- at Minnesota (Oct. 18)
- Why It Matters: A road game against a Minnesota team with a strong rushing attack (Darius Taylor) and a new “HAVOC” defense under Danny Collins tests Nebraska’s revamped defensive line. A victory keeps the Huskers in the Big Ten race.
- Key Matchup: Nebraska’s linebackers (McCullough, Watson-Trent) vs. Minnesota’s run game. Stopping Taylor will force the Gophers to rely on unproven quarterback Drake Lindsey.
- vs. Iowa (Nov. 29)
- Why It Matters: The season finale against rival Iowa at home is a chance to reclaim the Heroes Trophy and cap a potential 10-win season. Iowa’s physical style will challenge Nebraska’s depth, but a favorable home crowd could make the difference.
- Key Matchup: Nebraska’s secondary (Singleton, Hartzog) vs. Iowa’s passing game. Forcing Iowa to rely on its run game could lead to turnovers and a Husker win.
Season Outlook
Nebraska’s 2025 season hinges on Raiola’s development, the integration of high-impact transfers, and improvements in special teams. With a manageable schedule—likely wins against Akron, Houston Christian, and Northwestern, and winnable games against Cincinnati, Michigan State, Maryland, Minnesota, and USC—a 10–2 record is within reach. However, losses to Michigan and Penn State are possible, and close games against Iowa and UCLA will test Nebraska’s ability to finish. If the Huskers capitalize on their talent and schedule, a College Football Playoff berth as an at-large team is a realistic goal.
