Which 3 games will define the 2024 football season for Nebraska

[scarletred]

Well first and foremost it’s beating the Clarkeyes in the season finally, and not far behind is beating Colorado in a night game in Lincoln which should be a ruckus crowd in game two…

The third could be a few of preference like upsetting Bucknuts in Columbus or getting our first win ever against USC, but third for me is beating Wisky at home in Lincoln were we’ve had plenty opportunities in 2015, 2016, 2022 and last season in Madison..

Which are your 3 games that will define the 2024 football season?

 

[king_kong_]

1 (by far) - CU
2 (by far) - Wisc
3 - @ USC

first two are programs that currently hold long winning streaks against us and hired their coaches in the same exact cycle as we hired Rhule. these are true measuring stick games.

#3 is a road game against a more talented opponent. would be nice to not lose by 5 TDs.

nobody cares about the meaningless turkey hangover snoozefest

 

[huskerfan66]

Great question. I'm going to say utep and Colorado as 1a and 1b. We will see really quickly if DR is the real deal and will be important to convincingly stomp utep otherwise the Husker faithful might be uneasy leaving the stadium. Colorado is also a must win.

After that I would say Wisconsin and Iowa. Gotta get those monkeys off our back. Win those means/meant that the rest kinda took care of themselves and we're clearly bowling again

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

I think CU, by a wide margin. I'll let others rank the rest. If we lose to that cock suckin toeless asshat again this year, it's..."Here we go again...."

 

[leodisflowers]

The CU game is huge, but from there the stretch of Rutgers, Indiana and Ohio St is huge. I feel like Rutgers and Indiana actually could be pretty decent and definite losable games. You don't want to have a skid and after the CU game that could make or break our season.

 

[TampaBaySkers]

1 (by far) - CU
2 (by far) - Wisc
3 - @ USC

first two are programs that currently hold long winning streaks against us and hired their coaches in the same exact cycle as we hired Rhule. these are true measuring stick games.

#3 is a road game against a more talented opponent. would be nice to not lose by 5 TDs.

nobody cares about the meaningless turkey hangover snoozefest

Good list. Season will already be defined before Iowa game.

 

[scarletred]

Good list. Season will already be defined before Iowa game.

Very true, but it also is a must win for Rhule staff in year two..

 

[shine003]

Colorado, Purdue, Rutgers. I could sub in the Illinois and Indiana games. This team needs 6 wins before going to Columbus. 5 at bare minimum. Until we prove we can beat who we should beat, those are the defining games. Start 4-3 before going to Columbus and we could be in real trouble.

 

[BrighteRed24]

I’m going to cheat here and put 4 games.

This 4 game stretch below MUST be 4-0 in order for us to have the season we want to have. No more losing to inferior Big Ten programs this year

Home vs Illinois
Road vs Purdue
Home vs Rutgers
Road vs Indiana

 

[bama_husker]

Good list. Season will already be defined before Iowa game.

I sure as heck hope so. I guess there's an outside shot one of these teams could be angling for a playoff spot or CC game spot given their relatively easy schedules.

 

[Landomatic]

sCUm
Ohio St
USC

If any of the rest are season defining, then we've still got a loooooooong way to go and the season is defined as crap.

 

[huskerfan1414]

1. Colorado. It'll feel like a big, monkey off our back type win. If we lose it's a terrible omen for Rhule and staff.

2. Rutgers. This isn't the same old Rutgers anymore. They will be a good team this year and if we beat them it would be a very good win and it would probably mean we beat purdue, illinois, and indiana, too. If we lose it means we aren't improving and they are.

3. Wisconsin. As Kong said, CU and Wisky hired coaches when Rhule was hired. But beyond that, Wisky is a team we need to start beating if we ever want to enter into the 10 win zone. They have owned us thus far. (I'm not saying if we beat Wisky we'll have 10 wins, I'm saying if we can't, we never will get 10 wins.)

If we go 3-0 in these three games, it guarantees 8 wins at minimum.

 

[scarletred]

1. Colorado. It'll feel like a big, monkey off our back type win. If we lose it's a terrible omen for Rhule and staff.

2. Rutgers. This isn't the same old Rutgers anymore. They will be a good team this year and if we beat them it would be a very good win and it would probably mean we beat purdue, illinois, and indiana, too. If we lose it means we aren't improving and they are.

3. Wisconsin. As Kong said, CU and Wisky hired coaches when Rhule was hired. But beyond that, Wisky is a team we need to start beating if we ever want to enter into the 10 win zone. They have owned us thus far. (I'm not saying if we beat Wisky we'll have 10 wins, I'm saying if we can't, we never will get 10 wins.)

If we go 3-0 in these three games, it guarantees 8 wins at minimum.

Like I mentioned if we beat Colorado, Wisky and the end the season beating the Clarkeyes it will be at least a 8 win season..

 

[RBigredMax]

CU

WI

IA

 

[Zeke2005]

CU
Wisconsin
Minnesota
We’ve got to stop the losing streaks to those teams. I also think we need to be unbeaten in non conference play the poor starts to the season need to stop as well.

 

[AVeritas]

this outsider sees a 7-0 start. cu being the huge, get-over-it victory. then, 8-1 after ucla. beating the rival - iowa - would be second most important. and then an upset over either usc or wisconsin, third.

Football 2024

Football 2024

huskers.com

 

[scarletred]

CU
Wisconsin
Minnesota
We’ve got to stop the losing streaks to those teams. I also think we need to be unbeaten in non conference play the poor starts to the season need to stop as well.

🤔Ahhh we don’t play the Gophers this year bud.

 

[huntered]

co
rut
wi
win these and we'll have at least an 8 win season. respectable

 

[Zeke2005]

🤔Ahhh we don’t play the Gophers this year bud.

Sorry, move Rutgers up in there. I’m stuck on the old division opponents, but next time
We play Minnesota we have to win

 

[cruelhalo]

Can’t name just three. I will go with “they better not lose” games:

UTEP
Colorado
Northern Iowa
Illinois
Purdue
Rutgers
Indiana
UCLA
Eastern Iowa

 

[Pennsyhusker]

CU (by a country mile)
Iowa
Wisconsin

 

[PeliniTheCrutch]

Surprised to see as many people post Rutgers, but I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Rocky Mtn Husker]

1. Colorado. It'll feel like a big, monkey off our back type win. If we lose it's a terrible omen for Rhule and staff.

2. Rutgers. This isn't the same old Rutgers anymore. They will be a good team this year and if we beat them it would be a very good win and it would probably mean we beat purdue, illinois, and indiana, too. If we lose it means we aren't improving and they are.

3. Wisconsin. As Kong said, CU and Wisky hired coaches when Rhule was hired. But beyond that, Wisky is a team we need to start beating if we ever want to enter into the 10 win zone. They have owned us thus far. (I'm not saying if we beat Wisky we'll have 10 wins, I'm saying if we can't, we never will get 10 wins.)

If we go 3-0 in these three games, it guarantees 8 wins at minimum.

In terms of CU-NU, both teams will be improved, and I still think we’re the underdog until proven otherwise. Crowd should be crazy but won’t be alot of a$$holes like their fans.

 

[konaki]

Only three weeks to go then all the prognostications will be put to bed. The bottom line is some are going to be right and some will be wrong and some way off. The one fact that I see is that this season will not be a cake walk for the Cornhuskers, there are some teams that are better than a lot of fans want to admit. Buckle up because it's going to be a fun and exciting year of Nebraska football and yes this will be the year our Huskers go to a bowl.

 

[Papa...Football]

1. CU. True Husker fans absolutely despise the puffs. Lose to them again and it will feel like the sky is falling.

2. Wisconsin. We have to start beating these cheese eating beer swilling copycats at some point. Besides, my relatives up there just laugh at us anymore. But they will give me points when we bet a bottle of whiskey on the outcome. Only way I’ve won any bets.

3. UTEP. Lose the season opener and the off-season championships are tarnished once again.

 

[SickOfPractice]

Colorado, Purdue, Rutgers. I could sub in the Illinois and Indiana games. This team needs 6 wins before going to Columbus. 5 at bare minimum. Until we prove we can beat who we should beat, those are the defining games. Start 4-3 before going to Columbus and we could be in real trouble.

This is close to my feelings as well. Losing to CU again would be almost unbearable to us old Big 8/Big 12 fans. It would generate a major funk in the fan base.

Losing to Illinois to open conference play would also be very depressing.

 

[baseball31ne]

Schedule with three most important games to me.

Utep- win, needs to be 28-35 point difference

(Vitally important) Colorado - will be closer game, pressure works and it’s 10-14 point win, lack of running game and it’s a crippling loss

UNI - another 28-35 point win

Illinois - tougher game because of the physicality of them. Should be 10-14 point win.

Purdue - always a pain in the neck team for the Huskers. Defense will get enough turnovers to get the win. 10-14 win and advance

(Sneaky needed) Rutgers - Schiano will make them better on defense and a tougher game than prefer. A 7 point win or less is likely.

Indiana - should be a blowout game, ends up a 21-28 point win

Ohio State - first truly complete team and test for the team. Being a fourth quarter game is a huge step up and will be a confidence builder for the team.

(Bounce back needed) UCLA - their HC looks overwhelmed so the game should be comfortable win with ball control and no turnovers. 21-28 point win

USC - if the new QB and an actual defense shows up for them this year, the game ends up a loss based on depth. If either isn’t there by this time, a sneaky win can happen.

Wisconsin - need to be physical and match the power. Play calling will be the key here to keep the offense moving and the defense needs a couple of turnovers. 50-50 game.

Iowa - end the season with a much needed win. Iowa will be better on offense because of the new OC. Have to punch them in the mouth and keep punching them all game. 50-50 game.

 

[JabroniBlvd]

1. Colorado
2. USC
3. Iowa

 

[BTF69]

Just the first 3 games...3-0 has NU ranked, probably in the top 15-20.

 

[scarletred]

CU (by a country mile)
Iowa
Wisconsin

Buddy we think similar alike.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

Buddy we think similar alike.

Like yourself and others, we've been fans for 60+ years and never been in a funk like this. At some point, the worm has to turn, but when? Everytime us fans start to catch a breath NU gets its teeth kicked in again from injuries, turnovers, coaching mistakes, lousy kicking game, its always something.

Like the old Huskers program didn't know how to lose, this program doesn't know how to win.

This team has so many checkpoints they have to meet for me. Beat the hell out of UTEP, beat Colorado's ass at home, have a good game AFTER the CU game, be able to sneak by what will be a good Rutgers team, not get caught looking ahead to OSU, and then play OSU a real game until the middle of the 4th qtr, then come back with a win following OSU. Lots of stuff to concern ourselves with.

 

[Sinomatic]

Colorado- First test

Ohio State- First big test

Wisconsin- End of regular season test

Postseason- Can Rhule better his bowl record?

 

[54T]

IMO, it’s the final 3 home games. Rutgers, UCLA, Wisconsin. Winning those 3 is important. Defending home field, especially in conference play, would be a huge positive sign that the program is headed in the right direction.

 

[The_Man_Behind_The_Man]

Well first and foremost it’s beating the Clarkeyes in the season finally, and not far behind is beating Colorado in a night game in Lincoln which should be a ruckus crowd in game two…

The third could be a few of preference like upsetting Bucknuts in Columbus or getting our first win ever against USC, but third for me is beating Wisky at home in Lincoln were we’ve had plenty opportunities in 2015, 2016, 2022 and last season in Madison..

Which are your 3 games that will define the 2024 football season?

I vote the exact same 3.

The turnovers made it too easy for a bad Colorado team last year. Time to beat an old enemy from the Big-8 at home.

Our record against Wisconsin is pathetic. Time we stop shooting ourselves in the foot against the cheeseheads.

Beat Iowa and their trolls will stay away from this board for a little while.

 

[phoenix4nu]

In terms of CU-NU, both teams will be improved, and I still think we’re the underdog until proven otherwise. Crowd should be crazy but won’t be alot of a$$holes like their fans.

Hopefully the crowd won’t be TOO loud, lol.

 

[charis56]

CU
Wisconsin
Minnesota
We’ve got to stop the losing streaks to those teams. I also think we need to be unbeaten in non conference play the poor starts to the season need to stop as well.

We have got to start rowing that boat.

 

[IM4NUalways]

Well first and foremost it’s beating the Clarkeyes in the season finally, and not far behind is beating Colorado in a night game in Lincoln which should be a ruckus crowd in game two…

The third could be a few of preference like upsetting Bucknuts in Columbus or getting our first win ever against USC, but third for me is beating Wisky at home in Lincoln were we’ve had plenty opportunities in 2015, 2016, 2022 and last season in Madison..

Which are your 3 games that will define the 2024 football season?

CU is the biggest game in the last 25 years. It's not close. If we lose that game, there will be a lot of fans checking out. Recruits also. Zero excuse not to win.

 

[scarletred]

CU is the biggest game in the last 25 years. It's not close. If we lose that game, there will be a lot of fans checking out. Recruits also. Zero excuse not to win.

I really don’t think we’re going to lose this game which is at night and a very ruckus crowd…

We are by far a better team today than what we were a year ago..

 

[ckriley]

UTEP by far. It's a tone-setter for the season and an indication of where the program is headed.

Colorado is second for all the reasons others have said.

Wisconsin is third for all the reasons others have said.

 

[itseasyas1-2-3]

CU is the biggest game in the last 25 years. It's not close. If we lose that game, there will be a lot of fans checking out. Recruits also. Zero excuse not to win.

In that game last year, NU had the ball on 13 possessions.
1 series was a 1 play drive where NU lost a fumble;
NU had 5 different 3 and outs, 1 ended with an INT, another was a lost fumble;
NU had 2/5 play series;
NU had 1/6 play serires;
NU had 1/8 play series;
NU had 2/9 play series.

And they say statistics are for losers.
Every time the offense turned the ball over, the NU defense allowed CU to score.
The games where you see "so-called" leaders disappear.