2025 Nebraska Predictions on the HG
Jake Wimberly
Ross Gaskin Contributing
What’s to like:
Head Coach Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers have had a very rough go of it for the past few years, but they now have a glimmer of hope as they have a young QB who looks solid. The Cornhuskers started freshman Dylan Raiola, and not only does he look like Patrick Mahomes, he also kind of plays like him.
In 2024, Dylan Raiola threw for 2,819 yards and 13 TDs. Raiola is a young QB who thinks he can make every throw, and that showed as he also threw 11 INTs. If the Cornhuskers give the kid time, and build around him, Raiola can become a great QB.
What’s not to like:
The biggest thing going against Nebraska in 2025 is that they are losing key pieces to that offense. At WR, the Cornhuskers are losing both Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor. These two combined for 1,042 receiving yards and 8 TDs.
Matt Rhule will also have to lean on a different RB as they lose their bell cow, Dante Dowdell. Dowdell will be transferring to Kentucky after rushing for 614 yards and 12 TDs. If Matt Rhule can find a way to replace these guys, that Nebraska offense will be scary.
What does the Hourglass say?
Nebraska- Big 10 (9-3)
Power ranking 94.49. 18th toughest schedule in the Big 10.
2025 Nebraska Analytics
National recruiting rating (three year metric): #26- inside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking:
Matt Rhule- 48th in Power 5 and 16th in the Big 10.
2024 coaching value= 5 (average 2025 Power 5 coaching value=9.3) Matt Rhule ranks on the lower tier for coaches in college football.
ODE analytics 2024 Nationally:
Offensive Ranking: 49th
Defensive Ranking: 19th
Quarterback Play: Raiola- ranked 55th in the Power 4, 13th in the Big 10; 2024 QB value= 9.5 (Power 4 average- 14.41)
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: Nebraska has an Impact Ball Catcher Metric of 2. This puts the Cornhuskers at the lower level for the Big 10 in this metric.
From Vegas:
Nebraska ATS in 2024: 7-4-2
Nebraska at home: 4-2-1
Nebraska on the road: 2-2-1
Nebraska neutral site: 1-0
Final thoughts:
The Nebraska Cornhuskers finally have a chance to get back to greatness. Matt Rhule has put together a very talented team being led by the most promising young QB in college football. If they can just keep moving forward and keep doing what is working, the Cornhuskers will be a team to look out for in 2025.
2025 Schedule analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
Editors Note: All photos courtesy of 247sports.com
