Game week is only 2 weeks away which means Husker Nation, as well as the rest of the college football world, will be on edge regarding every bit of news that's released from now until fall camp concludes. Soon, the tailgating lots will be filled with rejoicing football fans cooking brats, hot dogs, burgers and the rowdies pounding some beers, all in order to take in a college football Saturday the way it's supposed to be done.
Can you feel it??
Man, I am giddy at the thought of Husker Nation congregating once again in Lincoln.
With that being said, let's go through each game and predict the outcome of this brutal schedule. I expect Nebraska to be an effective pace and space offense and a "bend but don't break" defense that improves as the season progresses.
Week 1: Akron @ Nebraska
The Akron Zips will most likely be the worst opponent NU will face all season. After a surprising 7-7 finish last season, the Zips will need to replace several skill positions and adjust to a new defensive coordinator/scheme. Nebraska will steam roll this team.
Prediction: W, 45-17 (1-0)
Week 2: Colorado @ Nebraska
An old Big 12 north rivalry will be renewed when the Buffaloes come to Lincoln on September 8. Not much is expected from a Colorado team that just two seasons ago captured the Pac-12 South title but regressed and finished 5-7 last season. The Buffs will need to replace 3 top receivers from last season as well as mend a defense that was picked apart last year.
Prediciton: W, 42-24 (2-0)
Week 3: Troy @ Nebraska
Troy may be on upset alert in week 3 when they visit the Huskers in Lincoln. Last year, the Troy Trojans managed to upset LSU on the road and the year before, in 2016, nearly took down Clemson. Troy will need to replace a four-year starting QB as well as their top RB. However, with the top defense in the Sun Belt last season, the Trojans could give Nebraska some issues.
Prediction: W, 34-21 (3-0)
Week 4: Nebraska @ Michigan
Scott Frost will experience his first Big Ten road game at the biggest stadium in the country when Nebraska faces Michigan September 22. With transfer QB Shea Patterson from Ole Miss and a defense as stout as any in college football, Michigan will be tough to beat at home early in the season. That being said, if Michigan starts the season sluggish, Nebraska could make this a close game if they can get consistent offensive production by spreading out the Michigan defense and get after the QB defensively.
Prediction: L, 28-34 (3-1)
Week 5: Purdue @ Nebraska
Purdue actually has fairly high expectations for the 2018 season returning their starting QB and RB. I've seen multiple predictions with Purdue upsetting Nebraska but I don't see it happening this year considering the momentum Nebraska has built since hiring Scott Frost. Nebraska will overwhelm Purdue with their speed on the field and energy from the home crowd in Memorial Stadium.
Prediction: W, 38-14 (4-1)
Week 6: Nebraska @ Wisconsin
This will be Nebraska's toughest opponent to date and Wisconsin, yet again, is no joke as a complete football team. RB Jonathan Taylor and QB Alex Hornibrook along with arguably the best offensive line in the country all return for the 2018 season. The Badgers also return a good chunk of players on defense which is always stout. The Huskers have not had any kind of good luck at Camp Randall and this year, unfortunately won't be any different. The key is to stay competitive until the final whistle.
Prediction: L, 24-37 (4-2)
Week 7: Nebraska @ Northwestern
Northwestern is another team, like Purdue, that doesn't typically receive much hype going into the season but rather play with a chip on their shoulder as the under-dog. Things are different for Pat Fitzgerald's squad this season with most predictions having Northwestern finishing higher in the Big Ten standings than the Huskers. I don't buy it one bit. I admire Northwestern with how hard they play with inferior talent but with Husker Nation filling up half of Ryan Field on October 13th as a technical home game, I think the Huskers will run away with it.
Prediction: W, 41-27 (5-2)
Week 8: Minnesota @ Nebraska
P.J. Fleck is annoying. I don't care what anyone says, the guy just gets on my nerves and his football team will not reflect how I feel about him. The Gophers are looking for a new QB and RB due to their former star RB getting injured and out for the season and former QB leaving the program. Minnesota's roster doesn't point toward success this season but rather plenty of uncertainty. Nebraska needs to avenge the blow out loss from last season. Bowl eligibility will be earned.
Prediction: W, 35-17 (6-2)
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Nebraska @ Ohio State
Who knows how the Ohio State football team will respond to the Zach Smith/Urban Meyer domestic abuse scandal, however one thing is for sure, the roster will not the problem. If the Buckeyes can find solid leadership to replace their head coach and receivers coach they will remain CFB Playoff contenders. Regardless, Nebraska will not have the talent to overcome one of the best teams in the nation.
Prediction: L, 27-45 (6-3)
Week 11: Illinois @ Nebraska
Illinois had to play several young guys last season and struggled. The same story might be the case for the Illini this season while also having to implement a new offense under new offensive coordinator, Rod Smith. The Huskers shouldn't have any problems with the Illini at home.
Prediction: W, 44-20 (7-3)
Week 12: Michigan State @ Nebraska
This should be a fun one. The Michigan State Spartans visit Lincoln on November 17th and these two teams always put on a show when they play one another. Exchanging blows since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011, this match up is always highly anticipated for both teams and overall expectations are similar for both teams going into the season. It's hard to say how these two teams look at this point in the season but you can count on a competitive match up that will most likely come down to the end of the game.
Prediction: L, 27-30 (7-4)
Week 13: Nebraska @ Iowa
We. Need. To. Beat. Iowa. It's beyond embarrassing seeing Nebraska natives playing for the Hawkeyes and running all over us and this is the year it ends. Iowa returns their starting QB, Nate Stanley but have to replace a few positions on defense and their star RB Akrum Wadley from last season. I expect Nebraska to play angry and pull out a gritty win in Iowa City to cap off a surprising regular season.
Prediction: W, 28-20 (8-4)
8-4 regular season record
Finishing the season 8-4 would be a huge success for Scott Frost in his first season at Nebraska. Would I bet money on these predictions? Absolutely not. Chances are the Huskers will drop a game they aren't supposed to but I'm optimistic. This outcome is very possible for Nebraska.
Cover Image by the Omaha World Herald
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