Husker Dan Takes a Peek at the 2024 Nebraska Football Schedule

One opponent is likely to have a special meaning for a certain Husker athletic director

Matt Rhule's Huskers take the field before their 2023 game against Northern Illinois. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

With the 2024 Husker football season less than 140 days away, it's time to take a sneak peek at what is in store for Matt Rhule's second year as the Husker head football coach.

 1) UTEP Miners (Aug. 31)

• Last year’s record: 3-9
• Conference: Conference USA
• Head Coach: Scotty Walden (First year at UTEP)
• Series history: 0-0

2) Colorado Buffaloes (Sept. 7)

• Last year’s record: 4-8
• Conference: Big 12
• Head Coach: Deion Sanders (2nd year)
• Series history: NU leads 49-21-2
• Last year’s score: 36-14 Colorado

3) Northern Iowa Panthers (Sept. 14)

• Last year: 6-5
• Conference: Missouri Valley
• Head Coach: Mark Farley (24th year)
• Series history: 0-0
• Note: New Husker Athletic Director Troy Dannen graduated from UNI and served as the school’s AD from 2008 to 2015.

4) University of Illinois Fighting Illini (Sept. 21)

• Last year: 5-7
• Conference: Big Ten
• Head Coach: Brett Bielema (4th year)
• Series history: NU leads 14-6-1
• Last year’s score: 20-7 Huskers

5) @Purdue Boilermakers (Sept. 28)

• Last year: 4-8
• Conference: Big Ten
• Head Coach: Ryan Walters (2nd year)
• Series history: Tied at 6-6
• Last year’s score: 31-14 Huskers

6) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Oct. 5)

• Record last year: 7-6
• Conference: Big Ten
• Head Coach: Greg Schiano (5th year in his second stint at RU))
• Series history: NU leads 6-0
• Last year’s score: DNP

BYE WEEK (Oct. 12)

7) @Hoosiers (Oct. 19)

• Record last year: 3-9
• Conference: Big Ten
• Head Coach: Curt Cignetti (1st year)
• Series history: Indiana leads 10-9-3
• Last year’s score: DNP

8) @Ohio State Buckeyes (Oct. 26)

• Record last year: 11-2
• Conference: Big Ten
• Head coach: Ryan Day (6th year)
• Series history: OSU leads 9-1
• Last year’s score: DNP

9) UCLA Bruins (Nov. 2)

• Record last year: 8-5
• Conference: Big Ten
• Head coach: DeShaun Foster (1st year)
• Series history: NU leads 7-6
• Last year’s score: DNP

BYE WEEK (Nov. 9)

10) @Southern California Trojans (Nov. 16)

• Last year’s record: 8-5
• Conference: Big Ten
• Series history: USC leads 4-0-1
• Head coach: Lincoln Riley (3rd year)
• Last year’s score: DNP

11) Wisconsin Badgers (Nov. 23)

• Last year’s record 7-6
• Conference: Big Ten
• Series history: Wisconsin leads 13-4
• Head Coach: Luke Fickell (2nd)
• Last year’s score: 24-17 Wisconsin

12) @Iowa Hawkeyes (Friday, Nov. 29)

• Last year’s record: 10-4
• Conference: Big Ten
• Series history: NU leads 30-21-3
• Head coach: Kirk Ferentz (25th year)
• Last year’s score: 13-10 Iowa

And there you have it. How will the Huskers fare this fall? As the opener with UTEP nears, I’ll offer my predictions for the 2024 season.

How 'Bout Them Huskers

In this week's podcast, grandson Will and I talk about the two latest 2025 Husker football commits and take a look at spring football practice.  We also discuss Amy Williams'  newest transfer, who hails from Denmark. In addition, we review the recent Husker baseball struggles and the success of Rhonda Revelle's softball team.