Nebraska is looking to get back to its winning ways in 2021. It’s been four years since the program has played a game after the month of November and the team hasn’t had much success in the first three season under Scott Frost.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), the Huskers might be in store for another long year.

Last year, Nebraska finished with a 3-5 record, defeating Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers. The Huskers are 12-20 under Frost and have not appeared in any bowl game. But with an experienced and talented team returning this fall, there’s a lot of optimism in Lincoln.

However, ESPN’s FPI predictions have Nebraska as the favorite in just four games for the upcoming season. That’s not the best outlook, but there’s a reason games aren’t played on paper.

Here’s a look at ESPN’s projections:

  • Aug 28: at Illinois — 64.8% (W)
  • Sept. 4: vs. Fordham — 99.3% (W)
  • Sept. 11: vs. Buffalo — 68.5% (W)
  • Sept. 18: at Oklahoma — 5.6% (L)
  • Sept. 25: at Michigan State — 38.3% (L)
  • Oct. 2: vs. Northwestern — 48.7% (L)
  • Oct. 9: vs. Michigan — 47.5% (L)
  • Oct. 16: at Minnesota — 39.6% (L)
  • Oct. 30: vs. Purdue — 62.5% (W)
  • Nov. 6: vs. Ohio State — 13.2% (L)
  • Nov. 20: at Wisconsin — 25.2% (L)
  • Nov. 26: vs. Iowa — 42.4% (L)

From a traditional record standpoint, Nebraska is projected to finish 4-8 based on those winning percentages. However, ESPN’s formula for FPI predicts a slightly different outcome, projecting a win-loss of 5.6-6.5.

Based on that, there’s a real shot the Huskers get back to a bowl game in 2021.

Nebraska will open its 2021 season on the road against Illinois in Champaign. The two teams will open the college football campaign in Week 0 at noon ET.