5 bold predictions for Dylan Raiola as Nebraska football starting QB

Now that we know Dylan Raiola will be the Nebraska football starting in eight days when the Huskers take the field against UTEP, we can start making predictions about what will happen.

We tackled this topic on the Husker Big Red Podcast earlier this week, but it also seemed worth a separate post. I’ve always thought Dylan Raiola would start and turn into one of the best quarterbacks Nebraska football has ever had.

I believe he’ll hold every single Nebraska football passing record when his career is all said and done. Looking ahead to the 2024 season though, here are five bold predictions for the true freshman starting quarterback.

Dylan Raiola won’t look like a true freshman

This is more of a vague prediction. There might be not number attached to it, but I’m just going to predict that Raiola will not look like a freshman.

Get ready to hear commentary about how mature and experienced he seems for a freshman. Because he is. Raiola is as prepared as maybe any starting quarterback in college football history to do what he’s doing.

Peyton Manning is in that same category, but the way Raiola understands the QB position, as well as the offensive line and truly, the entire field, is special. It’s not normal to have a freshman quarterback who can do that and that’s why when Matt Rhule says Dylan Raiola is special, it’s not hyperbole. He is and it will be noticeable from the first snap he takes.

Raiola will pass for 3,000 yards

Joe Ganz holds the single-season record (3, 568) for Nebraska football and Raiola would need to average 276 passing yards per game to break it.

That’s probably a little too far-fetched for this season, but I believe Raiola will own that record before his career is over. This Nebraska football offense won’t remind you of any you have seen before.

It’s just different when you have an elite quarterback, who also has some elite pass-catching targets. As far as 2024, Raiola will need to average 230 yards per game to hit 3,000, assuming Nebraska makes a bowl game and I feel like he’ll hit that number (3,000) with room to spare.

Dylan Raiola makes a run at touchdown pass record

The Nebraska football record for touchdown passes is held by Zac Taylor who threw 26 back in the 2006 season under Bill Callahan.

Nebraska was a pass-happy team back then and in the next couple of years, they are going to throw the ball, a lot. Matt Rhule won’t forget about the running game.

That’s going to be a huge part of the offense. Nebraska wants to play-action pass. But in terms of the 2024 season, I definitely see Raiola throwing over 20 touchdown passes. I think he’ll finish between 20-25 but by the time the bowl game rolls around, he could still have a shot at Taylor’s record.

Under 10 turnovers

The most important stat for Nebraska football QB Dylan Raiola isn’t touchdown passes or yards — even completion percentage. The stat that will determine wins and losses will be turnovers.

Nebraska football quarterbacks had more turnovers at their position than any in the FBS last season. It was a huge problem and the main culprit for a 5-7 record. The Huskers turned the ball over an average of 2.6 times per game.

You just can’t win playing football like that and since the quarterback touches the ball on every single play, they play a huge role in protecting the ball.

Dylan Raiola will be elite in that area as well. I’m predicting fewer than 10 total turnovers for him and if that happens, an 8-9 win season will follow.

Raiola will make Iowa fans eat their words

Iowa fans have mocked Dylan Raiola. They have tried to say he’s overrated and you can tell, it’s jealousy. I mean their starting quarterback went 7-of-21 in their open practice for 20 yards.

I’d be envious too.

I just have a feeling that when Nebraska football goes into Kinnick Stadium, Raiola is going to have a day. He’s going to protect the ball and make the throws needed to win in the end.

He’ll be the anti-Adrian Martinez against Iowa and will lead the Huskers to a win over their arch-rival to cap his first regular season as the starter in style.

For More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and Subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel. You can also find our podcast on Apple or Spotify.