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Nebraska Bowl Projections Heading Into Crucial USC Matchup

If the Huskers can finally clinch a bowl berth, here is where they would be most likely to go.

Tanner Johnson

Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Kwinten Ives (28) catches a kickoff against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium.
Nov 2, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Kwinten Ives (28) catches a kickoff against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
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Nebraska football is still trying to clinch a spot in its first bowl appearance since 2016. 

The Huskers started this season 5-1 and appeared destined to compete for the Big Ten championship. Instead, they have since lost three games in a row and are 5-4 with a big road game coming up against USC. Nebraska is desperately trying to break its bowl game drought and its losing streak in games where it can clinch a bowl appearance.

ESPN writers Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach updated their bowl projections after Week 11. They agree on which bowl game the Huskers will play in, but they each have a different predicted opponent for Nebraska. They predict Nebraska will play in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Both of the projected opponents are Big 12 teams in Texas.

Bonagura predicts the Huskers will play against Baylor. The Bears have turned their season around by winning three games in a row after starting the year 1-4 and with head coach Dave Aranda starting the year on the hot seat. The Bears are playing really good football and have been moving up in the Big 12 standings. They would be a difficult matchup for Nebraska.

Schlabach predicts that the Huskers will take on Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have also been one of the most surprising teams in the Big 12 this season. They are 6-4 overall and are coming off a 41-27 loss to Colorado. They have the best offense in the Big 12 and have scored more points than any other team in the conference this season. They would make for an interesting matchup against Nebraska’s stellar defense.

First things first, Nebraska needs to win one of its final three games to qualify for the postseason. The longer the Huskers go without getting that win, the more nerve-racking the end of the season will become.

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Tanner Johnson
TANNER JOHNSON

Tanner Johnson is a sports writer and journalist who has experience covering multiple sports, collegiate and professional. He reports on a national level using his knowledge of teams from all over the country. He has provided coverage for the Tennessee Titans, Tennessee Volunteers, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Florida State Seminoles. He is also a co-host of Triple Option A College Football Podcast. On this podcast, he provides a national coverage of college football and engages with fans and members of the media.

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