Happy Week 0 and welcome back to College Football! We finally have football back on our TVs today and I could not be more excited to kick off this season. This post will highlight my Oddly Specific Predictions for the Huskers this fall along with Week 0 game predictions. Check out how I did with last year's Oddly Specific Predictions and enjoy this year's post!
2024 Oddly Specific Husker Prediction Results: 4.5/9
A few half points given for UTEP score, Dylan Raiola's numbers, a 6-6 record instead of a 7-5 record and the Huskers having 3 receivers over the 400 mark. Of course I had half a point for the special teams struggles with 10 blocked kicks. I'm not sure if they were the primary reason for losses, but it was still a messy unit.
2025 Oddly Specific Husker Predictions
1. Big step forward for Dylan Raiola with Dana Holgorsen calling plays.
Raiola showed flashes of some great arm talent in 2024, and I really appreciated his leadership within the offense through the season, especially when they were a bit stuck in the mud. Growing into his Sophomore season with Holgorsen calling plays should open more of Raiola's 5 star potential. I think Dylan bumps up his numbers thanks to extra talent around him to 3,200+ yards with 15 TDs and 9 interceptions.
2. Emmitt Johnson totals over 1,000 yards on offense.
I truly hope Johnson can become the first Husker RB to break 1,000 yards in a season since Divine Ozigbo did it back in 2018, but I'm not quite sure he'll rack up 1,000 with the run defenses on the schedule. However, with his tremendous catching ability out of the backfield and Holgorsen knowing how to utilize his talents better, I think Emmitt racks up over 1,000 yards of offense for the Huskers this season combined with rushing and receiving. I'll throw in 10 TDs as well.
3. Husker Offense averages more than 30 points per game.
I've told everyone who's asked me about this team all summer long that they will not be successful without the offense leading the way. If the Huskers aren't scoring 30-35 points per game, I don't think they'll be able to win many games. With a new defensive coordinator and lots of new faces, there's a level of experience which will take time to build on that side of the ball. Plus, with a full offseason to learn Dana Holgorsen's offense, Dylan developing and gaining new weapons all over the field, this unit has potential to be one of the best in recent history for Nebraska. Last time the Huskers averaged 30 points per game was 2018, but I think they break that mark this year, hopefully above 35 points per game.
4. Wide Receivers break out in 2025.
Last year I thought the Huskers had enough talent out on the edge to do some damage, but compared to this team, it really wasn't much. I'm adding to my prediction from last year saying the Huskers have an 800+ yard receiver, a 600+ yard receiver and a 400+ yard receiver. Transfers Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter bring experience to a younger position group and Jacory Barney Jr. should bring the explosiveness after 55 catches for 447 yards in his freshman year. Don't forget about TEs Heinrich Haarberg, Carter Nelson and Luke Lindenmeyer.
5. Husker turnover woes continue for another year.
The Huskers haven't had a positive turnover margin since 2016 and last broke even in 2019. Every other year has been in the negatives as the Huskers often give the ball away, primarily in the worst possible moments of the game. While the offense will improve, there's always some dangers with high flying attacks. In addition, I'm not sure the defense will be forcing many turnovers throughout the year. I think they will need to be opportunistic when given the chance, but first and foremost they need to get experience of their own. Huskers stay negative in the turnover margin for 2025.
6. Huskers improve in the red zone.
In all fairness, this isn't the highest of bars to reach for as Nebraska ranked 118th last season, finishing with 40 scores (29 TDs & 11 FGs) out of 53 chances. As the rest of my predictions will indicate, I'm putting a lot of trust in the offense being the strength of this team. If they can improve to a mark in the top half of the country (84% conversion rate last season), that will be a big step in the right direction. Let's score some points!
7. Blackshirts step back a bit under new coordinator John Butler.
It's not that I don't think Butler isn't capable, because he very much is. However, this unit has been a top 20 defense in both scoring and total defense each of the last two seasons. With only a couple of experienced players to lean on, this group has a very steep learning curve with a tough conference slate. I'm thinking the Blackshirts will stay in the top 50 this season of both categories this season, but a step back from previous years.
8. Marques Watson-Trent is a top 5 tackler in the BIG 10.
The Georgia Southern transfer racked up 120 total tackles (52 solo) last season on his way to winning the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year award last season. He's set to make an immediate impact for the Blackshirts and should be a fan favorite quickly. I think his abilities and experience should land him among the best in the conference.
9. Jacory Barney Jr. breaks off a big punt return.
I'm very bullish on Nebraska's Special Teams unit this season due to the return of Mike Eckler. I sat in on Coach Eckler's Special Teams session at the Nebraska Football Coaches Clinic back in April and also chatted with him one-on-one about some return concepts I could bring to Standing Bear High School. It's clear he wants his unit to not just be cleaning up the mistakes, but making plays of their own. Barney has the talent and Eckler has the know-how. I'm hoping it's for a TD, but give me just 1 punt return with 30+ yards on the return to flip the field.
10. Nebraska finishes 8-4 but once again has a losing record on the road.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and while Year 3 under Matt Rhule is typically "the year", I'm not sure the road schedule is a favorable one for Nebraska. I do think the Huskers are a solid BIG 10 rep for a bowl game, and should boost their win total by at least 2, if not 3 games with the bowl. However, I want to see this team prove me wrong in their play on the field rather than the offseason hype before I give them their flowers. Headed in the right direction, but not the playoff team some are prediction. And don't act like any of you would be upset with a 9 win bowl game season, because we haven't done that in a very long time. GO BIG RED!
Week 0 Predictions
#22 Iowa State vs #17 Kansas State (Farmmageddon)
The traditional Irish Kickoff we've come to love with Week 0 College Football features two ranked rivals from the Big XII as the Cyclones and Wildcats open up the season. Both are heavy contenders in the conference this season, and arguably more importantly, they're the two winners of the Poptarts Bowl Games. The Poptart Mascots are in Ireland themselves for this one, and they should see some fireworks quickly as they sip on their Guinness. QB Avery Johnson and RBs Dylan Edwars and Joe Jackson give the Wildcats a 3-headed rushing monster for the Cyclones to deal with out of the gate. ISU gave up nearly 190 yards per game on the ground last season, ranking 110th. Offensively, they should put up some points of their own with a passing attack with Rocco Becht slinging it, but he lost two 1,000+ yard receivers to the NFL. Give me K-State with a dynamic rushing attack to win in Ireland 33-21.
Idaho State at UNLV
The Dan Mullen era officially begins in Las Vegas as he takes over for Barry Odom who now resides in West Lafayette with the Boilermakers. Mullen brought in a number of transfers to boost up the roster and former Michigan QB, Alex Orji is the focal point. We know Mullen's history with dual threat QBs, and I expect him to have the Rebels up and running fairly quickly. UNLV handles this one and covers the 30 points as they win 45-10.
Fresno State at Kansas
The Jayhawks open their new stadium by inviting a very savvy Bulldog team to Lawrence from out in the Mountain West. Fresno State is always an upset-minded program and should have a stronger 2025 campaign after battling injuries for much of 2024. The QB battle is what you should watch here as Jalon Daniels returns for Kansas as E.J. Warner (son of Kurt Warner) gets the nod for Fresno. Daniels accounted for more than 3,000 yards and 20 total TDs last year while battling injuries, but if he can stay healthy, Kansas has a chance themselves at the Big XII Crown. Rock Chalk as KU wins 28-17.
Sam Houston State at Western Kentucky
CUSA foes square off for an early season conference battle with the Bearkats visit Bowling Green, Kentucky. WKU QB Maverick McIvor looks to lead the Hilltoppers after following his OC from Abilene Christian where he threw for over 8,000 yards with 61 TDs and 21 picks over the past 3 years. The Bearkats are rebuilding a bit after their previous HC left for temple and the team returns just 5 starters from a year ago, none of which are on defense. That will make it hard to slow down WKU and the Hilltoppers win 31-20.
Stanford at Hawai'i
A traditional CFB nightcap, the Rainbow Warriors host the Cardinal from Stanford to close out Week 0 games. Hawai'i was so close to making a bowl game (and confirming my prediction of that) last season, but fell just short at 5-7. Stanford struggled in their first season with the ACC, but did have a couple of last second field goals to beat Syracuse and Louisville. They had a mix of close and not close at all losses throughout the season, but GM and Stanford legend Andrew Luck is trying to turn things around. He brought in his former NFL coach Frank Reich to help the team get on track this season. Regardless, I think Timmy Chang and the Rainbow Warriors are primed for a big year, so give me the home team to win out on the islands 37-31.
Thanks for reading my Oddly Specific Husker predictions and the Week 0 game predictions. I hope you're all excited for the season to start, so let's kick back and watch some football. GO BIG RED!
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