5 bold predictions for Nebraska football in 2025

The 2025 season can’t get here soon enough for Nebraska football fans. Nebraka has put together a stellar offseason and recently, head coach Matt Rhule also said the Huskers are ready for a leap.

There’s good reason to believe that will be the case. Nebraska football has Dylan Raiola back as the starting quarterback. The defense lost some key pieces but also added some via the transfer portal, while Rhule also found key reinforcements on the offensive line and wide receiver.

Having Dana Holgorsen as the offensive coordinator for a full season will be huge. John Butler should do just fine as the defensive coordinator and Mike Ekeler was another big-time hire. Terry Bradden comes over to coach the defensive line from the Chiefs and on top of all that, Nebraska signed a talented recruiting class.

Nebraska football fans should be optimistic. The schedule is favorable and after a winning season in 2024, here are five bold predictions for 2025.

Nebraska football win nine games

I’m not going to predict a playoff berth for Nebraska but a 9-4 season seems very possible. The schedule is still difficult with road games against Maryland, Minnesota, UCLA, and Penn State.

However, if the Huskers can win two of those road games and go 7-1 at home (including the opener at Arrowhead), they’ll be in the playoff mix. That’s all much easier said than done. But winning three of those road games is doable. So is going undefeated at home.

Iowa, Michigan, and USC are slated to be the most difficult games at Lincoln Memorial Stadium next season but the Huskers are capable of winning all three.

Nebraska will take a leap — maybe not to the playoff — but they’ll win nine games, maybe with a bowl game win included.

The losing streak against ranked teams will end

Despite losing guys like Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher, Nebraska football could have a better front seven next season. It will at least be more athletic, especially if Williams Nwaneri can reach his potential.

Riley Van Poppel is another player that needs to step up. Keona Davis is another but all three of those guys have vast potential. Cameron Lenhardt is a former blue-chip recruit and Jaylen George is one of the more underrated additions via the portal.

So the D-line won’t suffer a huge dropoff. The run defense might not be as good, but the pass rush could be improved. The offensive line, quarterback, and wide receivers will all be better.

Dasan McCullough is another name to know. Dylan Raiola is going to be better. The team around him is going to be better and the Huskers will finally end that top-25 winning streak — potentially against Michigan in the Big Ten opener on Sept. 20.

Dylan Raiola earns All-Big Ten

Holgorsen will help get the best out of Dylan Raiola. Against Wisconsin, he threw for 298 yards and a touchdown on 28-of-38 completions.

That was the best performance from Raiola as a freshman and if that can be duplicated, this program will take off like a rocket. There are sure to be some ups and downs next season, Raiola will throw for over 3,000 yards and more than 20 touchdown passes.

Raiola will make quicker decisions, will have better protection, and will be a much better quarterback, at least good enough to earn first, second, or third-team All-Big Ten.

Emmett Johnson will rush for 1,000 yards

It will turn out that one of the biggest moves for Nebraska this offseason was keeping Johnson. He averaged 78.1 rushing yards once Holgorsen arrived. He also averaged 42 yards per game as a receiver.

However, Holgorsen has a history of developing strong running games. Nebraska upgraded its offensive line with the addition of Rocco Spindler. Raiola and the passing attack will be better and with Emmett Johnson the clear No. 1 running back, he’ll hit 1,000 rushing yards next season.

No blocked kicks

Saying that the Nebraska football special teams won’t suck isn’t really a bold prediciton. I do believe that though. However, Tennessee didn’t have any kicks blocked last season.

Mike Ekeler has proven to be one of the best special teams coaches in the country. Nebraska football also added a long snapper from the portal, which should help eliminate bad snaps, so my bold prediction is zero blocked kicks in 2025.

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