The final five games on Nebraska’s slate are Northwestern, Southern Cal, UCLA, Penn State and Iowa. Before the Minnesota game, many people opined on Twitter/X and other social media that winning out was
very possible. After the 24-6 drubbing, those opinions whiplashed 180 degrees into bowl eligibility being in danger. What thoughts would a survey – which relies solely on vote totals and not the loudest voices howling over and over – show at least from the confines of Corn Nation?
And while we’re at it, what are the hopes – or lack thereof – for the beleaguered offensive line who followed their best performance of the season against Maryland with their worst?
- As it turns out, the clear majority are in the middle boat – a 2-3 or 3-2 finish. To be honest, that’s how I leaned both before and after the Gopher loss. Northwestern and UCLA are both hot. USC has lost 2 out of 3, but still looks superior. Penn State is in the biggest slide, but is still a team who was in last season’s CFP semi’s. And Iowa has won 9 of the last 10 in our series.
- The pendulum’s biggest swing, however, is with the downside as 33% believe it’s another crawl towards six wins and a bowl which is the upcoming challenge as a full slide is unavoidable.
- And only 9% believe the ship can be righted to a 9 or 10-win season.
- 82% combined believe the offensive line’s woes are permanent for 2025 with 47% believing this will cost Donovan Raiola his job, which, if it does come to pass, will immediately shift attention to whether this affects Dylan Raiola’s (and, by extension, Dayton Raiola’s verbal) commitment to the team.
- The other 35% believe Raiola will keep his job and be given a chance reverse course for the group up front.
- Meanwhile, only 18% believe the line will significantly improve this season.
A COUPLE OF NATIONAL POLLS
- If Penn State is the best job out there, I believe Matt Rhule remains at Nebraska since he is not the best candidate who could be available. It’s not an insult – Penn State fired James Franklin for the same issues which also currently beset Coach Rhule. He has not yet made it over the hump and has a terrible record against the top 10. It’s just a fact, but it’s also something which makes him a better fit for the Huskers.
So let me understand this – Indiana, a 2024 playoff participant who went 11-1 in the regular season, is more than 3-times a bigger surprise to be undefeated than BYU (10-2) or Texas A&M (8-4) ??
