10 preseason questions for Matt Rhule's Nebraska ahead of 2024 season

There's optimism around Nebraska football, which alone might be big news. The Huskers have endured seven consecutive losing seasons.

Before that run, the last time Nebraska had two straight losing seasons was 1960-1961. Second-year coach Matt Rhule could end the negative streak, but here are 10 questions lingering for Nebraska in 2024.

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Ten questions for Nebraska in 2024

Rover Isaac Gifford could be key to Nebraska's 2024 run to end a brutal streak of losing seasons. (Photo credit: IMAGN)

#1 Can Rhule turn the culture?

Let's be candid. Nebraska football needs a reboot. There was a culture of denial around the two-decade slide of the program that has finally come to a head with seven straight losing seasons.

Tom Osborne and the glory days aren't returning, but hiring Rhule and starting afresh is a good move to make a big-time shift.

#2 Is Dylan Raiola going to be ready?

A season ago, Nebraska's passing game was awful, throwing for just 136 yards per game and completing 52% of their passes.

Enter highly touted freshman Dylan Raiola. It's difficult to believe that he couldn't be an improvement over an incumbent starter who completed less that half his throws with seven touchdowns to as many interceptions. Raiola could be a top half of the Big Ten QB from day one.

#3 Can the anemic ground game get started?

The other dirty secret was that the running game wasn't very good. Nobody rushed for 500 yards last year.

Gabe Ervin battled injuries but could be the best back of the bunch, although sophomore Emmett Johnson (411 yards) had some nice moments. There doesn't seem to be one star, but production has to go up.

#4 Is there a big play receiver here?

The transfer portal might have been Nebraska's best hope at a big-play receiver. Tight end Thomas Fidone (25 catches, 260 yards) is solid, but the top pass catcher is up for grabs.

Wake Forest transfer Jahmal Banks and Texas transfer Isaiah Neyor are two possible suspects for WR1, but it isn't a great group.

#5 Can this defensive line be game changers?

The best thing about Nebraska's 2023 team was the defensive line. The Huskers went from allowing 27.6 points per game in 2022 to 18.3 last year, in part because the line clamped down on opposing rushers, holding them to 3.0 yards per rush and increasing sacks from 21 in 2022 to 32 last year.

They're also all back, with massive tackle Nash Hutmacher (40 tachles, eight tackles for loss) leading the way.

#6 Could linebackers be a hidden stregnth?

Meanwhile, starting linebackers Javin Wright and John Bullock are a pair of battle-tested seniors.

Each logged 50 tackles last season and will bring plenty of experience, and hybrid safety/linebacker Isaac Gifford was the leading tackler a year ago. That could be a great crew, and if Nebraska has a program-shifting season, the linebackers will likely be in the middle of it.

#7 How big is the Colorado game?

Colorado matters in a serious way. A year ago, a Colorado team on its way to 4-8 blasted Nebraska 36-14, passing for nearly 400 yards. This is a home game and a chance for Nebraska to show the continuity that Coach Prime and Colorado seem to turn up their noses around.

#8 Can Nebraska start 6-1?

Colorado is also big because it could be the biggest obstacle to an excellent start. Win that game and opening the Big Ten with home games against Illinois and Rutgers and trips to Purdue and Indiana doesn't seem so tough. The recipe is there for a 6-1 start. Even 5-2 wouldn't be awful.

#9 What would make a good season for this team?

A seven-win season is a realistic goal. Games at Ohio State and USC are probably out of reach, as is one at Iowa. That leaves Wisconsin and Rutgers as season-swing games. Win one of those, Nebraska is poised to end the losing-streak slide.

#10 Will this year end the losing streak?

Frankly, yes, Nebraska will likely win seven games in 2024. A schedule that sets up for a good start should put them in position early to avoid the late-season swoon that kept 2023 from ending the losing streak.

For the Huskers, getting to a bowl and getting an extra month of practive heading into 2025 will be massive.

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