Nebraska Bowl Hopes: Rutgers Game Offers Best Path to Sixth Win
After four straight losses, the Huskers face a 2-7 Rutgers team in a matchup that could decide their season.
By Jack Weber ·
Nebraska enters Saturday with a 5-4 record and four consecutive losses on the books. The Huskers need one more victory to become bowl eligible, a threshold they have not yet met this season. Their remaining schedule features Rutgers, Ohio State, and Iowa, making the upcoming game against the Scarlet Knights the most attainable target.
Rutgers lost to Wisconsin on Saturday, falling 31-10 on the road. The Badgers used freshman backup quarterback Ryan Hopkins, who threw for three touchdowns, to secure the victory. Rutgers now sits at 2-7 overall and 1-5 in Big Ten play. Despite the loss, the Scarlet Knights have shown resilience against higher-profile opponents, battling both USC and Michigan into the fourth quarter during the previous two weeks.
Nebraska's offensive struggles have been evident in their recent defeats. The team averaged 13.5 points across its last four losses. Head coach Matt Rhule dismissed offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen over the weekend in an effort to revitalize the scoring unit. The Huskers host Rutgers at SHI Stadium at 11:30 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
The following week presents a significant challenge with a trip to Columbus to face Ohio State. The Buckeyes suffered a 41-28 loss to Oregon on Saturday, a game that featured a dramatic turnaround. Trailing 14-3 in the first quarter, Oregon scored 38 consecutive points after a fake punt play set up by linebacker Teitum Tuioti. Quarterback Dylan Raiola completed 25 of 40 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns in the win, which improved Oregon to 6-3.
Ohio State remains at 6-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Buckeyes have lost two games since starting quarterback Julian Sayin was injured against Indiana. They will host Northwestern next week before concluding their regular season schedule.
Nebraska's final regular-season game is on the road in Iowa on November 27. The Hawkeyes kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive with a 24-10 victory over Northwestern on Saturday. Iowa improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. They face Purdue next week and then travel to Illinois before hosting the Huskers.
Other Big Ten teams also saw roster changes and shifting momentum. Michigan fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck on Sunday after falling to 5-4. The Wolverines were outscored by Oregon and now face a difficult stretch against UCLA and Ohio State. Meanwhile, UCLA extended its winning streak to nine games with a 34-20 victory over Minnesota, maintaining a perfect 9-0 record.
