5 predictions for the Huskers’ offense in 2024

It’s hard to believe that we survived another offseason without Nebraska football but we made it. In six days, the Huskers will take on UTEP and all will be right with the world — assuming Nebraska wins.

Dylan Raiola will make his first career start against UTEP. It’s the start of a new era for the Huskers. Glenn Thomas has joined the staff as passing game coordinator and here are five predictions for the Nebraska football offense going into the 2024 season.

Dylan Raiola is Big Ten Freshman of the Year

I have already thrown out some predictions in terms of stats for Dylan Raiola but I believe that he’ll wind up as Big Ten Offensive Freshman of the Year.

Raiola was Preseason Freshman All-American according to just about every media outlet. He’s going to have prolific numbers and if he can avoid turnovers and the Nebraska defense doesn’t take a step back, Raiola could be quarterbacking a really good team.

I expect one of the best passing seasons in Nebraska history — maybe not quite the best — but enough to get Raiola Big Ten Rookie of the Year on offense.

No one hits 1,000 yards

We still don’t know who Nebraska football will start at running back on Saturday but I think there will be plenty of carries to go around between Emmett Johnson, Rahmir Johnson, Dante Dowdell, and Gabe Ervin.

Expect Heinrich Haarberg to be involved too as a running quarterback. I don’t know how much we’ll see that but that was a big reason Nebraska ranked in the top three in the Big Ten in rushing yards last season.

I don’t expect that to be the case in 2024, but I still believe the Huskers will rank in the top half of the conference. They won’t have a 1,000-yard rusher or a 1,000-yard receiver.

There are too many mouths to feed on offense. Nebraska also doesn’t have a bell-cow running back.

Thomas Fidone leads Nebraska football in at least one receiving category

6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end Thomas Fidone is expected to have a huge junior season. He’s healthy and he’s got an NFL-caliber quarterback throwing him the football for the first time.

The Huskers are loaded at receiver but they are also nearly seven-deep. Fidone is the top receiving target at tight end and he’ll be Dylan Raiola’s best friend, especially in the red zone.

I have a hunch that Fidone will lead Nebraska in receiving yards and touchdowns, but he’ll lead one of those categories in 2024. That’s my prediction.

Nebraska will average 30 points per game

Mark this down as a bold prediction but I have Nebraska football averaging 30 points per game in 2024. The Huskers averaged just 18 last season but Nebraska has upgraded in a huge way at quarterback.

The offensive line should be better, as long as Turner Corcoran holds up and the receiving group is much better. It’s night and day.

You also have a really good defense and a favorable schedule. It’ll be close. But for the first time since 2018, Nebraska will average 30 points per game.

1.5 turnovers per game

With a freshman quarterback, there will be some mistakes. Raiola will throw some interceptions. I’m sure there will be a fumble or two as well, especially against teams with an elite pass rush.

But I think Nebraska will average 1.5 giveaways per game or fewer. Considering they averaged 2.6 per game last season, that would be a massive improvement.

With Raiola, it’s very possible. The running game should be productive but the pass offense won’t be recognizable. that’s my hope at least. My other hope is that Nebraska finally quits turning the ball over like it’s going out of style.

That’s because if Nebraska can protect the ball at an elite level, it can contend for a playoff berth.

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