NEBRASKA IS OFFICIALLY BACK: 2025 EDITION

Ajay Allen - July 14, 2025

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Nebraska is back.

Every offseason, Husker fans lean into the hype, but this time, there's something different in the air in Lincoln. It's not just wishful thinking anymore. As the 2025 college football season approaches, Nebraska is drawing serious attention as a legitimate dark horse in the Big Ten. With new firepower after their first bowl victory in nearly a decade, the Huskers may finally be ready to live up to the annual “We’re Back” promise.. for real this time.

Nebraska finished 2024 with a winning record and a bowl victory. That postseason appearance marked the program’s first bowl game since 2016 and their first bowl win since 2015 competing in the Foster Farms Bowl against UCLA.

In other words, fans didn’t just have a reason to cheer in December; they had a reason to believe. The Cornhuskers now enter 2025 with one of the conference’s most improved and balanced rosters.

Key offseason additions, the development of quarterback Dylan Raiola, and a schedule that plays to their strengths have analysts across the country cautiously whispering what Nebraska fans have been shouting for years.

According to ESPN’s latest offseason rankings, Nebraska had the sixth-best offseason in the Big Ten.

That boost came thanks to key moves in the transfer portal and smart decisions on the coaching front. Wide receivers Dane Key (Kentucky) and Nyziah Hunter (San Jose State) are expected to add instant explosiveness to the passing game. In the trenches, offensive linemen Elijah Pritchett (Alabama) and Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame) are set to bring much needed toughness and experience. Defensively, Nebraska landed a monster in five star edge rusher Williams Nwaneri, who redshirted at Missouri but is now ready to unleash chaos in the Big Ten.

One returning name flying a bit under the national radar, but not for long,  is running back Emmett Johnson. After flashing extraordinary potential in 2024, Johnson is expected to be a centerpiece of the Husker offense this fall. Coaches have praised his patience, burst, and improved vision, and he showed during spring ball that he’s ready for a full workload. If Holgorsen’s offense wants to keep defenses honest and take pressure off Raiola, Johnson is going to play a major role. Don’t be surprised if his name starts popping up in All Big Ten conversations by midseason.

After defensive coordinator Tony White left for the NFL, the Huskers kept things stable by promoting John Butler and retaining longtime defensive guru Phil Snow. On the offensive side, they made waves by hiring Dana Holgorsen, the former head coach at Houston and West Virginia, to install a fast paced spread attack tailored to Raiola’s skillset. Spring ball already showed promise, with better timing, fewer turnovers, and more confidence across the board.

Raiola, a former five star and one of the most anticipated prospects Nebraska has ever landed, presented amazing potential as a true freshman. Now with a full offseason under his belt and a more aggressive system in place, expectations are rising fast. In 2024, Raiola threw for 2,480 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. If he takes the leap many expect in his sophomore year, Nebraska won’t just be “better”,  they’ll be a real problem.

The 2025 schedule might be Nebraska’s biggest ally. It opens at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City against Cincinnati, a neutral site game that could instantly raise eyebrows nationally. Then come winnable non-conference matchups against Akron and Houston Christian, which should give the Huskers room to build momentum before Big Ten play heats up. Michigan visits Lincoln on September 20 in what could be the loudest home game in years. From there, it's a mix of tests and opportunities, including road trips to Penn State and home games against USC, Iowa, and Minnesota. According to Corn Nation, Nebraska’s overall schedule ranks in the bottom half of Big Ten difficulty, a rare and very welcomed development.

The case for Nebraska as a Big Ten contender is strong. The top tier transfer class has added proven contributors at key positions. Coaching staff changes were targeted and strategic, helping to stabilize culture and play calling. Young players like Nwaneri, linebacker Dasan McCullough, and freshman wideout Elijah Jenkins bring an infusion of speed and explosiveness. And most importantly, the team already proved last December that they can win postseason games, defeating Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl and ending the season on a high.

Betting odds still place Nebraska as a long shot (+4000) to win the Big Ten, but internal confidence is growing. Nebraska may be the ultimate trap game, or trap season, for some of the conference’s biggest names. If the Huskers can stay healthy and keep the turnover margin in check, there’s real potential to exceed expectations and enter November with postseason implications on the line.

“If we handle our business and focus week to week, there’s no ceiling for this team,” Raiola said after the spring game. “We’re not here to rebuild anymore. We’re here to win.”

A tradition rich program with five national championships and 46 conference titles, Nebraska Football is entering a new era of competitiveness under Head Coach Matt Rhule. With one of the nation’s most loyal fanbases and a history of dominance, the Cornhuskers look to re-establish themselves as a Big Ten powerhouse.

They’ll get their first shot to prove it in style, literally. Nebraska opens the season under the lights at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City against the Cincinnati Bearcats, where a sea of red is expected to take over an NFL venue once again. And if they handle business, don’t be surprised when the “Nebraska is back” memes hit your timeline... this time with receipts.


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