Nebraska Looks to Rutgers for Bowl-Berth Win
The Huskers, now 5-4, face a 2-7 Rutgers team in Lincoln on Saturday as their final realistic chance at a postseason berth.
By Marco Alvarez ·
Nebraska fans must watch a 2-7 Rutgers team on Saturday if the Huskers hope to secure a bowl berth. The Huskers have lost four straight games and stand at 5-4, meaning they need a sixth win to reach the postseason standard of six victories.
The path to that win is narrow. Nebraska's remaining schedule includes trips to Ohio State and Iowa, both of whom currently hold winning records. Rutgers, playing in Lincoln at SHI Stadium at 11:30 a.m. CT, appears as the most accessible opponent. The Scarlet Knights are 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the Big Ten.
Rutgers suffered another setback this weekend, dropping a 31-10 decision at Wisconsin. The Badgers’ freshman backup quarterback, Ryan Hopkins, threw for three touchdowns in that loss. Despite the poor record, Rutgers has shown recent competitiveness, pushing visiting USC to 42-35 and holding Michigan to 28-21 before falling to both teams in the fourth quarter.
Nebraska’s offensive struggles have been severe. The team averaged just 13.5 points across its four consecutive losses. The final loss of that streak came Friday night against Illinois, where the Huskers fell 24-13. Head coach Matt Rhule responded by firing offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen over the weekend. The Illini, meanwhile, extended their winning streak to four and will play at UCLA Friday night.
The Ohio State game on November 21 offers little hope for a comeback. The Buckeyes were routed 41-28 by Oregon in Columbus. Oregon’s offense exploded after a successful fake punt, scoring 38 consecutive points. Quarterback Dylan Raiola completed 25 of 40 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns, throwing with minimal pressure. Ohio State remains 6-3 but has lost its last two games since starting quarterback Julian Sayin was injured.
The Iowa game on November 27 at Kinnick Stadium presents a different challenge. Iowa is 7-2 and kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive with a 24-10 win at Northwestern. If Iowa wins its next two games against Purdue and Illinois, the season finale against Nebraska could decide whether the Hawkeyes secure a CFP spot.
Other Big Ten teams have seen their fortunes shift. Michigan State defeated Michigan 15-6, forcing four turnovers and scoring on five field goals. That win left Michigan at 5-4 and in danger of missing the bowl picture. Michigan fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck, who was reportedly the highest-paid in the nation at $3 million per season. Indiana, the only 8-1 team in the conference, enjoyed a bye and will play USC this weekend.
Washington lost 28-25 to Penn State after trailing by 22 points at halftime. The Huskies are 5-4 and play at Michigan State Saturday. UCLA extended its winning streak to nine games with a 34-20 win over Minnesota, staying undefeated at 9-0.
