Nebraska Absent From EA Sports College Football's Offensive, Defensive Power Rankings

Despite a top-15 finish in total defense in 2023, the Blackshirts defense doesn’t find the red block “N” in the top 25, according to EA Sports College Football.

Enrique Alvarez-Clary | Jun 27, 2024

Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher (0) celebrates after getting a stop on fourth down against the Maryland Terrapins during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

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No love for Nebraska football's Blackshirts.

Nebraska retained defensive coordinator Tony White after a breakout season for the defense under the first-year DC. EA Sports doesn’t think the Huskers can repeat that feat.

During this week, dubbed “Rankings Week” by the new EA Sports College Football video game which releases July 19, Nebraska has found itself on the outside looking in for the three rankings released.

On Tuesday, Memorial Stadium was absent from the “Toughest Places to Play” list, while Thursday debuted the game's top 25 offenses and defenses, where the Huskers find themselves in an unfortunately familiar place, unranked.

Offensively, it was no surprise as Nebraska finished the season tied with Charlotte for 115th in the nation in total offense. That number is largely related to the passing offense, which ranked 126th in the nation, fifth-worst in the country, one spot above Iowa. The rushing offense, carried by team rushing leader quarterback Heinrich Haarberg, ranked 38th in the country.

With the addition of five-Star QB Dylan Raiola and co-offensive coordinator/QB coach Glenn Thomas, those numbers are expected to rise.

Nebraska will face three of the top 25 ranked offenses, however, in the form of Ohio State (5), Colorado (8) and USC (25). Other notable teams in the rankings are Georgia (1), Oregon (2), Missouri (9), Penn State (12), Kansas (14) and Oklahoma (23).

Colorado is probably the biggest question mark as the Buffs' offensive rankings from last season are as follows: scoring (57th), total (78th), passing (14th), rushing (133rd) and sacks allowed (132nd).

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Gesa Field

Nov 17, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

For comparison's sake, as stated earlier, in those same stats Nebraska finished the season 120th in scoring offense, tied for 115th in total offense, 126th in passing offense and 38th in rushing offense.

On the defensive side of things, the Huskers finished the season as one of the best defenses in the country with the 11th-best total defense, eighth-best rushing defense, and 40th-best passing defense.

Regardless of those numbers, EA Sports College Football snubbed the Blackshirts from a top 25 ranked defense in the game. The Big Ten, not well represented in the offensive rankings, flexes its muscle in these rankings with Ohio State leading the way as the best-ranked defense in the game.

Nebraska will face off against five of the top 25 defenses as Colorado (20), Ohio State (1), USC (16), Wisconsin (15) and Iowa (13) will attempt to take down the Nebraska offense.

NU returns seven defensive starters headlined by the star defensive line duo of Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson. The Huskers also added defensive pieces to fill the voids left by linebackers Luke Reimer, Nick Henrich. Former North Platte and Montana LB Vince Genatone and LB Stefon Thompson, who played under Tony White at Syracuse, transferred in this offseason.

Nebraska also added Saint Francis transfer defensive back Blye Hill, although he suffered a knee injury during the Red-White Spring Game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ty Robinson, linebacker Luke Reimer, and defensive back Isaac Gifford celebrate

Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Ty Robinson (9), linebacker Luke Reimer (4), and defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) celebrate after recovering a fumble against the Maryland Terrapins during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

The final list will be released Friday and will showcase the overall team power rankings. For the full lists, head to EA Sports' Rankings Week Showcase.

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking All Huskers, following HuskerMax on X, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

Published Jun 27, 2024|Modified Jun 27, 2024

ENRIQUE ALVAREZ-CLARY

Enrique Alvarez-Clary, better known as Rico, is the Assistant Program Director at 93.7 The Ticket in Lincoln, Nebraska as well as the Executive Producer for the Supernovas Radio Network which broadcasts every Omaha Supernovas match during the inaugural season of the Professional Volleyball Federation. A native of Nebraska, Rico first graduated from the prestigious Bellevue West High School and went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he also competed in Track & Field. Being behind the scenes for so long, Enrique has shifted into a more on-air role co-hosting the "Happy Hour" and lending his voice to many other shows on 93.7. Enrique focuses his coverage of Nebraska on football, volleyball, mens & womens basketball, softball, and track and field. When Enrique isn't covering Huskers Athletics you can find him hanging out with his wife Rachael and their two children Elliot (daughter) and Kade (son). Rico can be reached at rique2688@gmail.com or on Twitter/X @RadioRicoAC