6 bold predictions for Nebraska football’s last six games

It feels weird to have a fall Saturday without a Nebraska football game to look forward to. But after a 5-1 start, the Huskers deserve a bye week and this is the first of two.

Coming out of the bye, Nebraska football will play at 19th-ranked Indiana. The Hoosiers are 6-0. They are one of the Cinderella stories of college football.

Nebraska isn’t quite there yet. But, the Huskers are one win from ending their bowl drought, which dates back to 2016. At any rate, we peered into the crystal ball, and here are six bold predictions for the last six games.

Nebraska gets bowl-eligible

This might not be a bold prediction but it has been eight years since the Huskers have reached six wins. Last season, they fell one win short of reaching a bowl game.

That’s not going to happen this time around. The final six games aren’t easy. UCLA and Wisconsin at home are the best chances for win No. 6. Nebraska football plays Indiana, Ohio State, USC, and Iowa on the road and none of those wins will be easy to come by.

But there’s no way this Nebraska is going 0-6 down the stretch. This team is too talented and too well-coached. There are hiccups at times, yet the Huskers are learning how to overcome those things to win and my prediction is they finish with at least a winning record (7 wins).

Ranked losing streak ends

Another losing streak that needs to end is against ranked opponents. I’ve gotten sick of counting all the losses to ranked teams, but the Huskers haven’t beaten one since Oregon in 2016.

That changes next weekend in Bloomington. Maryland is the most challenging opponent Indiana has faced so far this season. However, the Hoosiers have won each of their games by at least 14 points.

So you have to give credit where credit is due. The Nebraska pass defense needs to hold up but I think the Huskers pull the upset in Bloomington.

Dylan Raiola passes for 3,000 yards

Through six games Dylan Raiola is throwing for 226 yards per game. He’s got nine touchdown passes compared to just three interceptions. In short, he’s been everything Nebraska football could have wanted and more.

Even against Rutgers, Raiola wasn’t stellar. He threw an interception, but he also made 2-3 throws on scoring drives that helped make the difference.

Big Ten defenses have done a good job containing Raiola but it feels like the game will start slowing down for him a little in the second half of the season. Nebraska will make a bowl game and with that extra game, Raiola hits that 3,000-yard passing mark.

James Williams gets 10 sacks

This is a bold prediction because 10 sacks are hard to get. However, James Williams had multi-sack games against Rutgers and Purdue. At this point, Williams should be on the field for every third down and even more than that. He’s Nebraska’s best EDGE rusher and one of the best in the Big Ten.

Against teams like USC, Indiana, and Ohio State, there should be plenty of pass-rush opportunities. 10 sacks feels like a stretch but with six games and probably a seventh, it’s possible, especially with the way Williams has been playing in recent weeks. He got eight pressures last Saturday so averaging just under a sack a game down the stretch doesn’t sound all that crazy.

The kicking game will recover

There’s lots of panic about the placekicking for Nebraska football and for good reason. The Huskers are likely 6-0 right now if John Hohl hits a 39-yard field goal.

Tristan Alvano has missed too this season but just as he started gaining confidence he got hurt. If he can get healthy and return after the bye week, that will be huge.

Ed Foley and Rhule will get the long-snapping figured out, as well as the protection issues. Down the stretch, the operation will be cleaner and at some point, maybe against Iowa, Tristan Alvano hits a game-winner.

Nebraska football will beat Iowa

Iowa is tough. It’s always a close game but over the years, the Hawkeyes have relied on the Huskers to make mistakes. Last season was a perfect example.

If Dylan Raiola was quarterback, Nebraska would have won the game by two scores. I’m not saying that will happen in Iowa City this season, but all things being equal — one team has Dylan Raiola and one doesn’t.

Nebraska will beat Iowa and finish the regular season 9-3.

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