The Nebraska Cornhuskers have the tools to contend for a Big Ten title despite their loss to the Indiana Hossiers.
Don’t Count Out the Cornhuskers Just Yet
A Strong Statement
Lincoln is hurting after the Cornhuskers fell to defending national champions, Hoosiers, despite leading for most of the game.
Coming into Saturday unranked but undefeated on the season at 5-0, Nebraska had won every previous game by more than three touchdowns.
The Cornhuskers came into the game against the Hoosiers looking like a team that can contend for a Big Ten title and a low-seed playoff berth. With all five of Nebraska’s wins coming against unranked opponents, Nebraska faced their biggest test of the season against the 7th-ranked team in the country.
Despite being the 7.5-point underdog, Nebraska led for almost 53 minutes and had nearly double the time of possession of Indiana, holding onto the ball for 39 minutes, 33 seconds. This is highlighted by the Huskers’ ability to extend drives, going 10 for 19 on third downs.
Nebraska’s five-game winning streak is snapped, but their first loss of the season made a statement to the rest of the Big Ten: Nebraska is here, they are serious, and the five wins against unranked opponents were no fluke.
An Efficient Husker Offense
The Cornhuskers are converting on third down 51% of the time this season, hitting that mark today against the Hoosiers. Their offensive rushing attack has amassed 1,155 rushing yards in only six games, averaging just under 6 yards per carry. Nebraska finished the day with 128 yards against a stout Hoosier defense.
In addition to a solid rushing attack, Husker quarterback Anthony Colandrea has played well this season, completing 65.7% of his passes and posting a 160.0 passer rating. His 13 passing touchdowns this season rank third in the Big Ten. With Nebraska’s ability to convert on third down and extend drives both on the ground and through the air, this becomes critical in wearing down the opposing defense for success in late-game situations.
An Experienced Coach
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, a previous Big 12 Coach of the Year at Baylor and former head coach for the Carolina Panthers, has proven rebuilding experience. After taking over the Baylor Bears in 2016, it took just three seasons to turn the school into a Big 12 title contender and secure them a spot in the college football playoff.
Given his track record at Baylor and at Temple—where he won an American Athletic Conference championship with the latter- his team’s performance against Indiana was a clear indicator that he has Nebraska pointed and headed in the right direction. Likely towards Big Ten contention. The conference is a gauntlet, though, as Rhule and the Huskers head to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks, in what will likely be their toughest matchup of the season. The Oregon Ducks were a pre-season contender for the national title.
The Last Word
Rhule has his Cornhuskers playing sound and efficient football. However, Indiana’s two scores in the fourth quarter were for 75 yards and the game-winning score for 44 yards. If Rhule can continue fine-tuning an already well-oiled machine, Nebraska might be a Big Ten Cinderella story waiting to happen.
Main Image: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
