Nebraska football: Will Huskers make College Football Playoff in 2025?

Nebraska is gearing up for Year 3 of the Matt Rhule era in Lincoln. Historically, that’s a great sign for programs, but the pressure is on the head coach to continue that trend once again.

At his previous college destinations, Rhule has systematically delivered a Year 3 breakthrough each and every time. Nebraska is hoping that the Huskers are next in line for that kind of breakthrough, especially if it means double-digit wins for the program.

The Huskers have not been back to 10+ wins since 2012, and it could be particularly significant if the program reaches that mark this fall. With the new era of the expanded College Football Playoff, any team approaching 10 wins from a power conference should feel like they have a solid case to reach the postseason, and Nebraska is no different.

So, let’s dive into the full review of the returning production and schedule for the Huskers to examine their true Playoff outlook this fall.

Nebraska roster and returning production

The good news for Nebraska is that the Huskers have a solid amount of production returning. According to the returning production rankings compiled by ESPN’s Bill Connelly, Nebraska is 50th nationally with 60% of its production coming back.

The offense is the better unit in that measure, coming in at 68%, a mark that ranks 34th in the entire country. That provides a positive outlook for the first season with Dana Holgorsen as the full-time offensive coordinator.

Under center, Dylan Raiola returns after starting all 13 games as a true freshman in Lincoln. The growing pains of a Big Ten season for a true freshman were evident, but he also showed plenty of flashes, including some especially positive moments after Holgorsen’s arrival.

In the backfield, Emmett Johnson returns as the primary option after a versatile 2024 campaign with a team-high 884 yards from scrimmage. Holgorsen was especially vocal about his frustration with some of the running backs upon his arrival in Lincoln, and Johnson’s return to the program as the primary option ultimately resulted in Dante Dowdell and Gabe Ervin Jr. leaving for new destinations.

At wide receiver, Nebraska underwent a large makeover, though expectations are still high for the group. With Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks off to the NFL, along with tight end Thomas Fidone and Jaylen Lloyd, and with Malachi Coleman transferring, Jacory Barney is the top returning receiver to the program.

Barney is a true versatile weapon for Nebraska, but he alone is not enough for the passing attack. That’s why the Huskers added a trio of receivers via the transfer portal, including former Kentucky WR Dane Key. The former Wildcat was rated as the No. 10 WR transfer by 247Sports.

Altogether, there should be enough talent on the offensive side of the ball for Holgorsen to put pressure on the majority of defenses he faces.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Huskers lose some stalwart production with Isaac Gifford, John Bullock, Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson off to the NFL. Mikai Gbayor and Jimari Butler also left via the transfer portal.

There is some good news with DeShon Singleton, Malcolm Hartzog, Ceyair Wright, and Cameron Lenhardt returning, but the Huskers will be looking for more production from new pieces on the defensive front.

Former 5-star recruit Williams Nwaneri (Mizzou) is among a key core of transfers to contribute on the defensive front. Elite linebacker transfer Dasan McCullough also arrives after a year at Indiana and 2 years at Oklahoma. If McCullough can rediscover the playmaking ability that he displayed as a true freshman, he will be a marquee defender in Lincoln.

Nebraska’s 2025 schedule

Nebraska ventures back into the world of neutral-site season openers this fall, facing Big 12 foe Cincinnati inside Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The hope is Dylan Raiola can transfer some of that Patrick Mahomes lookalike energy vs. the Bearcats, but the Huskers will be favored in that matchup.

If Nebraska gets through the opener unblemished, the rest of the nonconference slate should provide no issues. The team gets Akron and Houston Christian at home, and a 3-0 Huskers squad would set the table for a marquee visit from Michigan on Sept. 20.

Historically, the Wolverines have won the last 4 matchups in the series, with Nebraska’s most recent win coming all the way back in 2013. However, Michigan is still in a rebuilding phase under Sherrone Moore, and the Wolverines will not even have their head coach for the game due to a self-imposed suspension.

That showdown vs. Michigan has a chance to set the tone for the rest of the season, especially if Nebraska comes out with a season-opening win over Cincinnati. Games 5-10 include home vs. Michigan State, at Maryland, at Minnesota, vs. Northwestern, vs. USC and at UCLA.

For a program that is still figuring out how to win the close games and avoid a letdown, any of those games could provide a surprise. But if the team stays healthy, they will be favored in the majority of those games.

The season ultimately concludes with 2 of the toughest games on the entire schedule, with Penn State on the road and Iowa at home. Even if the Huskers have a strong season, it’s hard to envision a win in Happy Valley, and the history with the Hawkeyes is unavoidable. The season finale is likely to come down to the final handful of plays in the game.

On paper, getting to 8 regular-season wins should be a very realistic goal for Nebraska. If the Huskers can pull off a couple of plays in some of the other games, then we’ll be talking about a true dark horse Playoff team.

---

Will Nebraska reach the Playoff in 2025?

Nebraska’s admittedly a long shot to reach the College Football Playoff this fall. ESPN’s Football Power Index has the Huskers at just 10.3% to reach the Playoff, but that also means Nebraska is 1 of 6 Big Ten teams with a percentage that reaches double digits entering the season.

What else does that number mean? Nebraska has a chance, but the Huskers will need some things to fall their way — multiple times — in order to come close to a final bid to the field.

Still, it’s not something to immediately write off with 2024 Playoff darling Indiana and a preseason dark horse in Illinois coming in far below Nebraska’s own odds.

Fans looking for more evidence of a potential breakout only need to look at the trajectory of Rhule’s previous college programs. He won 10 games in his 3rd season at Temple and 11 games in his 3rd season at Baylor, and both of those marks bode well for Nebraska.

If the Huskers approach double-digit wins this fall, they should be in the conversation to sneak into the Playoff field. Admittedly, that’s a big if, but it’s there nonetheless.

PICK: Nebraska to miss the Playoff (-1200 via BetMGM)