Matt Rhule enters his third season in Lincoln with some actual momentum, after snapping the Husker’s seven year bowl drought. Meanwhile, we’re dealing with our own quarterback questions and hoping Tim Lester’s second season brings the consistency we desperately need. This year’s Heroes Game might actually feature two teams trending in similar directions for once.
Last year’s matchup wasn’t much fun to watch, well, until it was:
The Schedule
Week 1: Saturday, August 30 vs Albany
Week 2: Saturday, September 6 at Iowa
State
Week 3: Saturday, September 13 vs UMass
Week 4: Saturday, September 20 at Rutgers
Week 5: Saturday, September 27 vs Indiana
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Saturday, October 11 at Wisconsin
Week 8: Saturday, October 18 vs Penn State
Week 9: Saturday, October 25 vs Minnesota
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Saturday, November 8 vs Oregon
Week 12: Saturday, November 15 at USC
Week 13: Saturday, November 22 vs Michigan State
Week 14: Friday, November 28 at Nebraska
Series History
Nebraska leads the all-time series 30-22-3, but that doesn’t tell the story of this rivalry’s evolution. The dynamics have shifted dramatically since Nebraska’s move to the Big Ten. While the Huskers dominated this series during their Big 12 powerhouse days, we’ve held our own in the conference era.
For a rivalry that dates back to 1891, it’s remarkable how the geographic proximity never translated into consistent annual meetings until conference realignment forced the issue. Now that it’s a permanent fixture, this game has taken on genuine importance for both programs’ bowl aspirations.
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Matt Rhule (3rd year at Nebraska)
Offensive Coordinator: Dana Holgorsen (promoted mid-season 2024)
Defensive Coordinator: TBD (searching after Tony White’s departure to Florida State)
Rhule signed an eight-year contract worth $74 million in November 2022, bringing NFL experience from his time with the Carolina Panthers and previous college success at Temple and Baylor. The Holgorsen promotion was the most significant mid-season move I’ve seen in years – bringing in a former head coach to salvage an underperforming offense shows Rhule isn’t afraid to make tough decisions.
The loss of defensive coordinator Tony White to Florida State is a significant blow, as White had built Nebraska’s defense into a respectable unit. The 2024 defense allowed just 19.5 points per game, ranking 17th nationally, which was the bright spot of an otherwise inconsistent season.
Rhule’s coaching philosophy emphasizes culture and process – the kind of approach that takes time but can build sustainable success. His track record of program turnarounds gives Nebraska fans legitimate reason for optimism, even if the on-field results have been mixed through two seasons.
Previous Season Results
Overall: 7-6
Conference: 3-6
Nebraska’s 2024 season ended with their first bowl victory since 2015, defeating Boston College 20-15 in the Pinstripe Bowl. While 7-6 doesn’t look impressive on paper, it represented genuine progress for a program that had been mired in mediocrity for nearly a decade.
The Huskers averaged just 23.5 points per game (103rd nationally), highlighting offensive struggles that led to the mid-season coordinator change. However, their defense was stellar, allowing only 19.5 points per game and ranking 17th nationally.
Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola set a Nebraska freshman passing record with 2,826 yards, showing flashes of the talent that made him a five-star recruit. The bowl victory provided momentum heading into 2025, ending what had become an embarrassing postseason drought.
The 3-6 Big Ten record tells the real story – Nebraska still struggles against quality conference competition. Until they can consistently win those 50-50 games against peer programs, they’ll remain on the outside looking in at divisional contention.
Key Departures
RB Dante Dowdell (Sophomore) – Transferred to SEC –
RB Rahmir Johnson (Senior) – Graduated after 1,000-yard career
WR Jaylen Lloyd (Sophomore) – Transfer Portal – 13 catches, 255 yards in 2024
DL Multiple departures following coaching changes
DC Tony White – Florida State – Architect of 2024 defensive improvement
Johnson’s graduation removes a steady veteran presence who provided leadership in the backfield. The transfer portal losses aren’t devastating individually, but with 38 players leaving via the portal, roster continuity remains a challenge.
The coaching departures, particularly White’s move to Florida State, represent the biggest losses. Defensive coordinator changes can be program-altering, especially when the defense was the team’s calling card in 2024.
Key Returners
QB Dylan Raiola (Sophomore) – 2,826 passing yards, Nebraska freshman record
RB Emmett Johnson (Junior) – 1,002 career rushing yards, 40 receptions in 2024
OL Bryce Benhart (Senior) – Set Nebraska record with 54th career start
DL Ty Robinson (Senior) – Veteran defensive leader
LB Vincent Shavers Jr. (Sophomore) – Rising defensive star
Raiola has a chance to emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten, and his development will determine Nebraska’s ceiling. His 2,826 passing yards rank seventh on Nebraska’s single-season list, impressive for a true freshman operating in a struggling offensive system.
Emmett Johnson’s versatility (68 rushing yards and 5 catches in the bowl game) makes him a valuable dual-threat option. The offensive line, anchored by the experienced Benhart, should provide stability for the offensive improvements expected under Holgorsen’s full-season leadership.
Transfer Portal/New Additions
Incoming Transfers: 18 players joined via transfer portal
Notable Addition: Rocco Spindler (OL) – Notre Dame transfer, 1,325 career snaps
WR Dane Key (Kentucky transfer) – Expected to boost receiving corps
Spindler started 23 games over two seasons at Notre Dame and helped lead the Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Adding experienced offensive line depth is crucial for protecting Raiola and establishing consistent running lanes.
The Huskers recognized the need to bolster their receiver corps through the transfer portal, and Kentucky transfer Dane Key should provide the playmaker boost they desperately need.
The new 105-roster limit has forced significant roster changes across college football, and Nebraska is adapting to this new reality while trying to maintain competitive depth.
Season Expectations
Wins: 7.5 O/U
Big Ten Championship: +3500
College Football Playoff: +650
FanDuel has juice on the over at 7.5 wins, suggesting eight regular-season victories for just the second time since Bo Pelini’s firing in 2014. Based on the schedule, eight wins is a doable number for Nebraska, with the toughest games being at Penn State in November and an earlier home tilt against Michigan.
Nebraska should benefit from one of the most manageable schedules in the Big Ten, avoiding powerhouses like Ohio State and Oregon. The real test lies in winning games against teams like Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, and UCLA – programs with similar talent levels.
Oddsmakers give Nebraska +10000 odds to win the national championship, meaning a $100 bet would pay $10,000. Those odds reflect cautious optimism about Rhule’s program trajectory without expecting immediate championship contention.
Game Details
Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
Time: TBD
Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
TV Network: TBD
Trophy: Heroes Trophy
Fun Fact
The Hawkeyes are 9-4 against Nebraska in the conference era, including that memorable 2016 beatdown where we hung 40 points on them. Even more telling: Iowa has outscored Nebraska 346-274 in those 13 meetings. If nothing else, in this matchup, the “state of the Iowa football program” has been pretty solid over the last 15 years.
I worked Black Fridays in retail for more than a decade in, and after, college. Once I no longer had to work Black Friday, I made it a point to stay as far away from the crowds as I could, then in 2011 I was gifted a perfect excuse to stay home and do some day drinking as well, and that’s a tradition I think we can all embrace.
It’s hard to believe that we’re just 5 days away from the start of another college football season.
As always, GO HAWKS!!!
