Nebraska rested up this past week with its bye and now enters the latter half of the season 5-2, the third straight year. The Huskers struggled in the second half of the season over the past decade. However, Nebraska is in a position to get over that hump and close out the season strong.
A few teams fell big this past week in many different ways. A couple of other teams rested up on their bye weeks. Then, one team pulled off another much-needed win. However, despite these outcomes, little changed in the Huskers' rankings.
Here are the rankings for the remaining Nebraska opponents following the bye week.
No. 5: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers sits at No. 5 following a 42-14 blowout loss at No. 24 Northwestern this past weekend. The Wildcats dominated from the start, scoring 21
points in the first quarter alone. The Scarlet Knights didn’t score their only touchdown until late in the third.
Rutgers surrendered 502 total yards on offense, including 283 rushing yards on 41 carries. Caleb Komolafe gained 150 yards on 13 carries. Quarterback Aidan Chiles tallied 83 yards on 12 carries. If Nebraska can regain its run game, the Scarlet Knights could struggle.
Chiles also sliced up the Scarlet Knights’ secondary, throwing 19-of-25 for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony Colandrea has found his moments in the air and could do serious damage. If Rutgers can’t find a way to get to Colandrea, the defense is in for a rough November clash.
The Scarlet Knights found some success on the ground, totaling 244 yards on 39 carries for a 6.3 average. Multiple running backs topped 100 rushing yards and even broke off 40-plus-yard runs. But Northwestern has struggled against the run in past games, and Nebraska has held strong.
But Rutgers also took a hit at quarterback when Dylan Lonergan left in the first quarter with an injury. AJ Surace took over, but struggled against the Wildcats. He threw 7-of-18 for 64 yards and one interception, and he also took three sacks. Sean Ashenfelder also took some snaps, but finished 2-of-9 for 36 yards and one interception.
Lonergan’s return remains to be seen. But if Surace or Ashenfelder starts against Nebraska, or both end up playing, the Scarlet Knights are in for a challenge. Michigan and Wisconsin will be the true indicators of where Rutgers can go from here. But right now, this is the weakest opponent on the Huskers’ remaining schedule.
No. 4: Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini emerged from their bye week and pulled off a 21-10 win over Oregon, despite finishing with under 100 passing yards. Illinois scored 21 unanswered points on three key drives. This was primarily done on the ground with the team totaling 225 yards on 39 carries.
Dylan Raiola threw 27-of-41 for 246 yards but no touchdowns, finding himself in tough spots at times. The Ducks also rushed for 180 yards on 32 carries. Yet despite these numbers, Oregon failed to score. The Ducks missed three field goals and fumbled once. On top of that, offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer was fired the day after the loss.
Though Oregon’s dealing with a flock of injuries, the offense still didn’t seem on point. This allowed Illinois to pull out the win. Michael Clayton II and even Carson Boyd didn’t need to put up massive numbers in the air, combining for just 12-of-19 for 89 yards. Clayton, however, did throw two touchdowns, delivering blows when needed.
Aidan Laughery delivered the game-changer for the Fighting Illini, going untouched for a 75-yard score right before halftime. He finished with 123 rushing yards on 13 carries. Illinois then scored to start the second half, delivering the swing to take the lead. The rest of the Fighting Illini combined for 102 yards on 26 carries, finding holes in Oregon’s defense and wearing it down.
This is arguably Illinois’ biggest win of the season. But beyond the run game, the team didn’t need to do anything extreme to win. The quarterback situation remains for at least a few more weeks, so if the Fighting Illini keep relying on the run, Nebraska can contest it.
Illinois’ defense will also face Maryland, whose offense has found some success this season. But the Terrapins fired their defensive coordinator and head coach during their bye week, so it’s hard to say what’s in store.
The unpredictability of this upcoming matchup and Oregon's current status keep Illinois at No. 4. If Maryland’s offense slices up Illinois’ defense, the Fighting Illini may be in trouble when Nebraska comes to town.
No. 3: Washington Huskies
Nebraska’s upcoming foe for Halloween night, Washington got a bye week alongside the Huskers. The Huskies’ 4-3 record is mixed, but the team managed to get a big win at Purdue before their bye week. Now, Washington comes to Nebraska with a chip on its shoulder.
The Huskies, however, are also coming in with a quarterback situation. Demond Williams Jr. is still listed as questionable, which could give Elijah Brown his second consecutive start. Brown’s strong overall performance against Purdue poses a challenge for Nebraska’s defense, especially if the secondary allows explosive plays, as it has done numerous times this season. Washington’s run game also found success against the Boilermakers, adding another factor for the Blackshirts.
Nebraska’s main concern, however, is the Huskies’ defense. Washington allowed Purdue’s Ryan Browne to throw for 273 passing yards and a touchdown. But the Huskies also picked him off twice and limited him to 21 of 41. Washington also limited the run game, holding the Boilermakers to 98 yards on 27 carries, with 59 yards on one run. With Nebraska’s recent offensive woes, the Huskies have the advantage.
Washington can continue its rebound, especially with its roster and recent road win. Plus, the bye week provides an unpredictable element to the rankings. This is what keeps the Huskies above Illinois. Washington could easily come to Nebraska and spoil its Halloween night
No. 2: Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa suffered its second loss of the season this past weekend, falling to Minnesota in a messy game. Like Oregon’s loss to Illinois, Iowa made numerous miscues that led to the Golden Gophers’ win.
The Hawkeyes started by allowing a blocked punt, which led to a Minnesota field goal. Multiple interceptions inside the Golden Gophers’ 40 also robbed Iowa of two potential field goals. The Hawkeyes’ defense also slipped up in the second half, allowing 10 points, including a field goal on the final drive.
Iowa’s defense did keep Minnesota’s offense in check for most of the game, though. Drake Lindsey threw for 137 yards on 14-of-26. The Golden Gophers also ran for just 72 yards on just 35 carries.
Iowa’s offense also scored a touchdown on a four-play, 98-yard drive. Hank Brown accounted for 94 of those yards, throwing two completions and a touchdown. However, he finished 11-of-21 for 136 passing yards, never finding breathing room outside that one drive.
Jeremy Hecklinski didn’t find success either, finishing 9-of-16 for 62 yards and one interception. This, along with the Hawkeyes rushing for just 90 yards on 30 carries, really kept Iowa’s offense in rough form. But the Hawkeyes are used to low-scoring games because of their struggling offense. However, a close game full of miscues is an outlier for Iowa.
Now the Hawkeyes can show that this loss was an outlier before hosting Nebraska. Wisconsin, Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois all provide unique matchups for Iowa. But unless the Hawkeyes keep slipping up and drop all four of these upcoming games, this team remains at No. 2.
No. 1: Ohio State Buckeyes
The other opponent with a bye, Ohio State rested up this past week and desperately needed it. Julian Sayin’s injury timeline remains uncertain, so Luke Fahey could start for the rest of the season. But even with Sayin out, the Buckeyes are still in a prime position to finish out 11-1.
Jeremiah Smith’s presence on the field already diverts attention from opposing defenses. But even when he’s limited in receptions, he still finds a way to do some damage. That, paired with Ohio State’s defense, sets up a game for Nebraska that will likely resemble Indiana.
The Buckeyes can strike with other receivers and their run offense at times has made some plays. They can also help Fahey, especially if the offensive line gives up more sacks. Across seven games, Sayin suffered 14 of them.
With a struggling USC and Oregon ahead, Ohio State could pull out some wins and ease Fahey into the bigger games left on the schedule. Northwestern is now the big ranked opponent awaiting the Buckeyes before taking on Nebraska. If Ohio State arrives at Lincoln 10-1, the Huskers will have a long day.
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Ranking Nebraska's remaining opponents following the bye week
