Nebraska heads to the West Coast this week as underdogs, looking to regroup after a heartbreaking 21–17 home loss to USC. The defeat was compounded by devastating news — freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola suffered a broken fibula and will miss the rest of the season. The Huskers led 14–6 at halftime before the Trojans mounted a comeback, leaving Big Red fans with a bitter taste and big questions heading into the stretch run.
FanDuel currently lists UCLA as 2.5-point favorites, and with Raiola sidelined,
that line may widen as kickoff approaches.
The TJ Lateef Show Begins
With Raiola out, the spotlight now shifts to freshman TJ Lateef, who will make his first career start at quarterback. The dual-threat signal caller has flashed promise in limited action, showing poise and mobility in earlier blowout wins. However, against USC, he looked like a freshman — tentative and rushed in the pocket.
Lateef’s legs will add a new dimension to Nebraska’s offense, something Raiola’s more traditional pocket style lacked. But with persistent offensive line struggles, the young QB will need to make quick decisions and rely on his athleticism to stay upright against a physical UCLA front.
Finding a Way Forward
At 6–3, the Huskers are already bowl-eligible, but head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen want more. This final stretch of the season is an opportunity to build momentum for 2026 and prove that Nebraska’s resurgence is more than a flash in the pan.
Without Raiola, expect Nebraska to lean heavily on its ground game, which has shown signs of life in recent weeks. Holgorsen will need to get creative with play-calling to ease Lateef into the starting role — perhaps more designed quarterback runs, quick passes, and tempo to keep defenses off balance.
It won’t be easy, but the Huskers have made a habit of defying expectations this season. Their next chance comes Saturday in Pasadena, where the TJ Lateef era officially begins.
