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Nebraska football is heading into the 2025 season with high expectations with hopes of sneaking into the College Football Playoff.

Brandon Mesa

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola in 14-7 win over Rutgers
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola in 14-7 win over Rutgers / Dylan Widger / USA TODAY Sports
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Entering his third year as Nebraska football’s head coach, Matt Rhule will look to take a leap next season as sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola continues to develop in a highly competitive Big Ten Conference. After a strong 3-0 start to the 2024 season, the Cornhuskers earned the 20th spot in the AP college football rankings, showcasing improvement from their previous 5-7 season. Despite early success, Nebraska finished with a 7-6 record for 12th place in the Big Ten conference. However, the Cornhuskers' season ended on a positive note with a 20-15 victory over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl, their first bowl win since 2015. 

Rhule will look to repeat his coaching pattern of leading programs to double-digit wins and high AP rankings just like he did with Temple and Baylor, leading both programs to winning seasons and several bowl appearances. Nebraska will look to build on its young, promising defense, which was in full display against some of the best offenses in the country - holding the reigning national champions to 21 points and limiting a high-scoring Colorado offense to 10 points.

Yards don't win games, touchdowns do.

The Cornhuskers will need to improve their efficiency on second and third downs - ranking just inside the top 15 in both categories. In a conference where every down matters, 3.8 yards per carry will not be enough to compete with powerhouses like Ohio State and Oregon. Nebraska will look to rely on quarterback Dylan Raiola. who many expect to take a major leap his sophomore year, similar to Matthew Stafford's 2007 breakout season where he led Georgia to an 11-2 record.

This offseason, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, entering his first full year with the Cornhuskers, looks to expand the playbook for an offense with an abundance of talent. After scoring only 13 passing touchdowns and converting just over 40% of third downs, Nebraska’s offense ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten. This new-look offense is poised to be more efficient driving down the field both on the ground and through the air, as recent talented acquisitions add speed, versatility, and elusiveness to what looks to be a dynamic offense that can help second-year quarterback Dylan Raiola take the next step forward. Rhule will look to create more explosive plays outside the numbers and between the hashes.

Defense is the identity of Nebraska football

After the departure of defensive coordinator Tony White, Rhule appointed John Butler, former defensive backs coach for the Cornhuskers, as the new defensive coordinator heading into the 2025 season. Butler made his debut as the team's defensive coordinator in the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College, holding the Eagles to just two points in the first three quarters and forcing a turnover in the Cornhuskers’ first bowl win since 2015. Last season, Nebraska ranked inside the Big Ten’s top five for fewest rushing yards allowed and points allowed, while finishing in the top ten for most turnovers forced. Rhule confirmed that he will retain the 3-3-5 defensive scheme used under Tony White, continuing to build on previous defensive success and creating a more efficient and consistent play, generating pressure for opposing quarterbacks and forcing turnovers.  

The Cornhuskers aim to make noise this season, tying for 16th in the Big Ten in strength of schedule (.503), making this a pivotal season for Rhule. Rhule looks to improve and capitalize on recent success with a much improved roster that looks to compete with other powerhouse programs in the Big Ten and across the country. Heading into this season. Nebraska looks to rejuvenate its historic legacy of five national champions behind a standout second-year quarterback and a young, talented defense. With hopes of hosting a playoff game at Memorial Stadium come late December, the Cornhuskers are determined to put Nebraska football back on the map and bring another championship to Lincoln. 

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Brandon Mesa
BRANDON MESA

Brandon Mesa is a writer for Nebraska on SI, where he covers football and basketball. Prior to joining SI, he contributed to ESPN College GameDay and FOX Sports’ Big Noon kickoff coverage. Most of his articles offer a deep analytical perspective on the game, both on and off the field.

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