3 reasons Nebraska football will end the bowl drought in 2024

It’s been a long time since Nebraska football played in a bowl game. Frankly, it’s been too long (2016). We all thought that the streak would end under Scott Frost.

I was actually certain of it. But in life, nothing is given, especially in sports, where fairytales often turn into nightmares. The storybook ending is never promised as Nebraska football fans have learned.

That’s why even though the excitement for this season is palpable, Nebraska football fans are more cautious about drinking the Kool-Aid than ever.

Yet, I believe in my heart of hearts that Nebraska will reach a bowl game in 2024, and here are three reasons why you should believe it too.

1. Matt Rhule and the second-year jump

Nebraska is the third head-coaching job in college football for Matt Rhule but he’s found success at Temple and Baylor. He coached the Owls to a conference championship. He also got Baylor to the Big 12 title game two years after a one-win season.

Both programs took big leaps in their second year under Rhule so it’s reasonable to expect that again. Temple improved by four wins in year two. Baylor improved its win total by six.

That’s an average of a five-win improvement. If Nebraska football does that, it would be 10-2 and make the College Football Playoff.

A five-win improvement is a big ask, but improving by 2-3 games isn’t. Nebraska just needs to improve by one to go bowling and this is a big reason Husker fans should feel confident.

2. Dylan Raiola

It’s crazy the amount of pressure that Dylan Raiola is facing this season. Nebraska quarterbacks were the worst in college football at protecting the ball and the Huskers lost five one-score games because of it.

So Raiola doesn’t need to be an All-American. He doesn’t even need to be All-Big Ten. The former five-star just needs to keep the Huskers on track. Let the defense do its thing and don’t lose the game.

Of course, Raiola can be much more than that, but if he can just do a better job of protecting the ball, Nebraska football should easily qualify for a bowl game.

3. A nasty defense

As excited as I am to watch Dylan Raiola play quarterback, I’m just as excited to watch Nebraska play defense. Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher are a dominant tandem up front, plus you have Jimari Butler, Cameron Lenhardt, Kai Wallin, James Williams, Riley Van Poppel, Princewill Umanmielen, and more.

That’s just the defensive line too. I really like the linebacker group and the secondary is deep, especially at safety. If Nebraska can figure out the second cornerback spot, this could be a top-10 defense.

Tony White is back for another season as defensive coordinator and frankly, I’d be stunned if this wasn’t a top-20 unit in scoring defense once again.

Add it all up and it means a postseason bowl game for Nebraska. At the very least.

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