Know Your Opponent: Week Eight Nebraska Cornhuskers

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The No. 16 Indiana Hoosiers (6-0,3-0) are coming off a bye week and returning for a Homecoming matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, 2-1) as the marquee game of the Big Ten in week eight. The game is Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff game and is sold out.

Head Coach: Matt Rhule (2nd Year at Nebraska)
Overall Record: 57-51(.538) 9th Season
At Nebraska:  10-8 (5-5)
Nebraska Bowl Games: 53 (Last one in 2016)
Last Year’s Record: 5-7 (3-6)
This Year’s Record: 5-1 (2-1)
Mascot: Herbie Husker and Lil’ Red
Colors: Red and White
Outfitter: adidas
National Titles: 5
Conference Titles: 46
Heisman Winners: 3

FUN FACT:

•  Nebraska has sold out 401 consecutive home games.

1. The Husker Offense is Jekyll and Hyde

The Cornhuskers have yet to consistently put together a full game. In many games the offense will look great one half and then disappear the next or vice versa. Nebraska scored 28 points in the first half against Colorado and then were shutout in the second half. The opposite held true against Purdue. Zero in the first half, 28 in the second. Against Rutgers, they jumped out 14-0 in the first half and the game ended 14-7. They cannot afford to have inconsistencies like that against Indiana.

The fluctuations make sense with a true freshman quarterback. Even though Dylan Raiola is ultra talented, he is still learning and growing. Coming off a bye week could accelerate his growth and help him and the offense put four quarters together.

2. The Defensive Line can Wreck Opposing Offenses

The strength of the Nebraska team is along the defensive line, especially Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher. Those two are future NFL players who move around upfront and create all sorts of havoc. They have combined for nine tackles for loss and six sacks. The Hoosier offensive line, who has performed well all season, will be put to the test. Robinson and Hutmacher are a major reason why Nebraska has a top-10 defense nationally.

3. Special Teams are Atrocious, Like Really Bad

This is not hyperbole, the Cornhusker special teams unit has been atrocious in 2024 and it starts with protection on punts and extra points. Nebraska has had five kicks (three punts, two field goals) blocked through six games in 2024. Some of it is due to personnel issues and injuries, but that’s a lot of blocks in just half a season. The Cornhuskers are just 4-of-9 on field goals, they are perfect on extra points though.

The Cornhuskers’ troubles also show their face on kick and punt returns. While they have not given up a score, Nebraska is allowing 11.8 yards per punt return and 20.7 yards per kick return. The Hoosiers have Myles Price who is an aggressive punt returner who may break one sooner or later and Solomon Vanhorse at kick returner who has been terrific when he has had the chance to return kicks. A close game could be turned by the play of Nebraska’s special teams unit.