Nebraska football will head into its 2025 season with added motivation due to being overlooked in early rankings.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, ESPN published its “way-too-early” college football top 25 rankings, highlighting Ohio State as the champion of the College Football Playoff over Notre Dame. Ohio State topped ESPN’s initial list for next season, while Nebraska was merely acknowledged as a “team to consider.”
Mark Schlabach, the writer behind the rankings, placed six Big Ten teams ahead of Nebraska, including potential 2025 opponents Penn State and Michigan. The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 3 after a 13-3 season, while the Wolverines are ranked No. 21 with an 8-5 finish. Other Big Ten teams in the ranking are No. 1 Ohio State, No. 6 Oregon, No. 13 Illinois, and No. 17 Indiana, with Nebraska, Washington, and Iowa also in consideration.
Under second-year head coach Matt Rhule, the Huskers concluded their 2024 season with a record of 7-6 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten. They achieved a top 25 victory noted in the final Associated Press rankings, defeating Colorado 28-10 in Week Two.
The SEC placed nine teams in the rankings, led by No. 2 Texas, No. 5 Georgia, and No. 8 LSU, among others. The Big 12 had four teams represented, with No. 9 BYU in the top ten, while the ACC matched that with No. 7 Clemson making an appearance.
In terms of personnel, Nebraska will bring back several key players, including quarterback Dylan Raiola, who will lead an offense revamped under coordinator Dana Holgorsen. He will be supported by receiver Jacory Barney and running back Emmett Johnson, among others, as they look to build on improved performances in the final stretch of the last season.
On defense, however, the team will face challenges due to the departure of coordinator Tony White and other key coaches and players. Notably absent will be defensive stalwarts such as Ty Robinson and Josh Bullock, but returning players like Malcolm Hartzog Jr. and Ceyair Wright will play vital roles.
As for upcoming events, Nebraska has not yet announced the date for their 2025 Red-White Spring Game, and details surrounding spring practices are still pending. The 2025 season is set to kick off on August 28 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, where they will face Cincinnati.
