Predicting Nebraska football’s last five games after the bye week

Nebraska football is off this week after crushing losses to Indiana and Oregon.

The Huskers trailed for a combined five minutes in the two losses. Nebraska football led Indiana by 11 points, and Oregon led by eight.

As Matt Rhule said this week, Nebraska should be 7-0 and ranked in the top 10. The Huskers should be getting talked about as a College Football Playoff contender, as opposed to a team that still can’t win big games or finish.

We’ll see if that narrative continues into November. Rhule has said this is his best team. The head coach has made progress with back-to-back bowl games. Yet, if the Huskers suffer another November swoon, it will be hard to argue that true progress has been made.

Looking ahead to a critical five-game stretch for Nebraska football, here are our predictions for each game down the stretch.

Predicting Nebraska Football’s Final Five Games

Oct. 31 vs. Washington — 7 p.m. CT, Big Ten Network (W)

This will be a blackout game. Demond Williams, the Huskies’ star quarterback, has returned to practice this week. It remains to be seen if he will play next week. Elijah Brown has completed 77 percent of his passes over the past two games, throwing for 251 yards against Iowa and 302 against Purdue, although he did have three interceptions along with three touchdowns in the last game.

If Nebraska truly has improved, though, it will win this game by double digits. That’s my prediction.

Nebraska 34, Washington 20.

Nov. 6 at Illinois — 7 p.m. CT, FOX (W)

Illinois is allowing 248 passing yards per game. The Fighting Illini might have their backup quarterback, just like Washington.

The timing of this game will be a challenge. Nebraska has to play on a Friday night. At least it’s after a home game, not after a trip to Washington or something like that.

Michael Clayton II, the backup QB, has eight pass attempts and two touchdowns. Who knows how good he will be? This feels like a nail-biter, but Colandrea will have a big game rushing the ball, helping the Huskers escape by the skin of their teeth.

Nebraska 20, Illinois 17.

Nov. 14 at Rutgers — Kickoff time and TV information TBD

Rutgers is turning the ball over nearly two times per game. Playing them in New Jersey makes it much more difficult. Greg Schiano will need to beat someone with a pulse, and Nebraska would get a solid win.

The Huskers could get caught looking ahead to Ohio State. Nebraska could be 7-2 if they beat Washington and Illinois. Winning back-to-back road games, three overall in the Big Ten, would be another sign of progress.

Getting to 8-2 would set up some meaningful games against Ohio State and Iowa. Rutgers won’t be able to run the ball. The Scarlet Knights’ offense will be limited, and the Huskers will win three in a row.

Nebraska 27, Rutgers 13.

Nov. 21 vs. Ohio State — Kickoff time and TV information TBD

This feels like it has Big Noon written all over it. Julian Sayin may or may not be back, but as long as Jeremiah Smith is out there, the passing game shouldn’t struggle too much.

Andrew Marshall could cement himself as a first-round pick with a solid game. The Ohio State defense hasn’t been quite as good as I expected this season. I’m not sure Nebraska is able to run the ball well enough to take advantage of that.

Colandrea will have to be great. It will need to be the Indiana game all over again, except with better red-zone production. Still, it’s hard not to predict another heartbreak.

Ohio State 24, Nebraska 17.

Nov. 27 at Iowa — 11 a.m. CT, CBS

It may not be the College Football Playoff, but a win over Iowa and a nine-win season would be progress. The Hawkeyes will be ranked, so Matt Rhule can kill two birds with one stone: beat a top-25 team and Nebraska’s biggest rival.

Nebraska football feels every bit as good as Iowa on defense. The Huskers need to be able to run the ball. Iowa’s QB-run game has been a big difference. Colandrea will be an X-factor in this game as the Huskers find a way, finally, to beat the Hawkeyes.

Nebraska 20, Iowa 17.

More Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and subscribe to the Husker Big Red YouTube Channel.