Nebraska Cornhuskers: The Big Ten’s Enigma

As the college football season approaches, teams are starting to analyze the schedules and look at what the key games will be. At this point, most analysts have a good idea of where each team will finish in their conference. And then there are the Nebraska Cornhuskers. When I did my Michigan season preview, I debated for awhile of whether to put the game against Nebraska as a key game. It is impossible to know what to do with the Cornhuskers. Nebraska is the Big Ten’s enigma.

2021 Season

Nebraska’s 2021 season is truly baffling. They went 3-9 but easily could’ve been 9-3. Their average margin of defeat was just over 6 points. They didn’t lose a game by double digits. It wasn’t like they were playing all bad teams either. They were pushing the best in the country to the brink.

• Oklahoma: Lost by 7
• Michigan State: Lost by 3 in OT
• Michigan: Lost by 3
• Iowa: Lost by 7

These are all ranked teams one of them being a College Football Playoff contender. Another wild statistic for you. When the Cornhuskers sat at 3-8, they had a positive point differential of +70. I’m not sure how that is mathematically possible. As we move into the 2022 season, the big question is what Nebraska can be this year.

Outlook for 2022

Scott Frost is still at the helm. I give Nebraska credit for not canning him after last season. There was so much good amongst the agonizing heartbreak. The offense looks to build on last year. They were second in the Big Ten last year in total offense and they improved at key positions especially at the WR position. There is a new QB at the helm after Adrian Martinez left via the transfer portal but the coaching staff is confident there are enough weapons to have a top offense.

The defense has some questions. While they do return some key starters, the run defense is the biggest question mark. In the Big Ten, you have to stop the run. In a conference with Wisconsin, Michigan and Michigan State, an inability to stop the run means you are going to have a bad time. It’s worth noting that the special teams have also had an overhaul which often gets overlooked. Nebraska had some boneheaded special teams mistakes last year and they look to eliminate those.

2022 Schedule

According to CBSsports, Nebraska has the fifth easiest schedule in the Big Ten. Home games against Oklahoma and Wisconsin are helpful. The Cornhuskers played both these teams tough last year and maybe they can take one of these especially because it seems Wisconsin is not quite as good this year. Their toughest road games are Michigan and Iowa. Michigan is probably still favored but that team has definitely taken a step backward from a talent perspective especially from a defensive standpoint. Iowa is always a tough game. They are a well coached team that can always pull off an upset. Outside of those games, every other game is against a bottom half team in the Big Ten. No Ohio State and no Michigan State this year is helpful.

There is always an element of luck throughout the season and I’m pretty sure the entire Nebraska team broke 20 mirrors before the season started. These things have a tendency to balance out and I expect Nebraska to be able to win a close game this season. However, I could also see them having the exact same season, or worse. Nebraska is the Big Ten’s enigma. Who knows what will happen this season.