Nebraska football is the underdog for the first time this season against Indiana. Yet, there seems to be a quiet confidence around the program.

Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola both talked about the role of the underdog. For every other game, Nebraska has been the favorite — the team with the pressure — the team expected to win.

On Saturday, for the first time, the Huskers will be playing with house money. Indiana is 6-0 and ranked 16th in the AP Poll. No one will be surprised if the Hoosiers extend Nebraska’s losing streak to ranked teams.

However, like the Huskers themselves, I’m confident they can get a positive result in Bloomington, and here are three reasons why Nebraska will beat Indiana.

The defensive line

Indiana’s offense is explosive. The Hoosiers average more than 500 yards of total offense per game. They are also averaging 47.2 points per game, which is second in all of college football.

However, Indiana hasn’t played a strong schedule. It also hasn’t faced anyone like the Nebraska defense, especially the Blackshirts D-Line.

Ty Robinson and James Williams each rank in the top five in the Big Ten with four sacks each. MJ. Sherman also has 2.5. Nash Hutmacher leads a run defense that allows just 2.6 yards per attempt.

Kurtis Rourke has been dynamic this season. Attacking the Indiana offense won’t be easy and they have only allowed six sacks so far in six games.

But, until you face a defensive line as good as Nebraska’s, it’s hard to prepare for it and I really think that Indiana is going to struggle to run the ball and protect.

Dylan Raiola

Northwestern and Maryland scored a combined 52 points against Indiana. The two teams also threw five touchdown passes and averaged more than 260 passing yards against the Hoosiers offense. No disrespect to either of those teams, but the Nebraska pass offense is better.

Not only are the weapons better, but Dylan Raiola is the best quarterback Indiana has faced this season. Nebraska football hasn’t won these kinds of games since T-Magic was the quarterback and that’s not a coincidence.

You need elite quarterback play to win games like this. Raiola has that ability and it feels like he will rise to the occasion.

The Huskers are due

Nebraska hasn’t made a bowl game since 2016. The Huskers haven’t beaten a ranked team since 2016. Both of those streaks could end on Saturday.

I can’t count how many times Nebraska has broken my heart over the past decade. They have gotten close, only to be denied too many times to count.

It’s not scientific but it feels like Nebraska is due. Beating Colorado was one thing, but winning this game would truly tell us that the Huskers are back (to being relevant)>

Call me crazy but it just feels like they are due for a big win.

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