Nebraska Football Listed as a Big Ten ‘Dark Horse’ for 2025 Season
As the 2025 college football season approaches, whispers are turning into confident predictions: Nebraska is no longer just rebuilding — they’re reloading. Once a perennial powerhouse, the Cornhuskers have found new life under second-year head coach Matt Rhule, and national analysts are beginning to take notice. Several outlets, including Sports Illustrated and Athlon Sports, have tabbed Nebraska as a “dark horse” contender in the Big Ten, and for good reason.
Nebraska closed the 2024 season with a 7-5 record, their first winning season since 2016. While they narrowly missed out on a bowl win, the late-season momentum was undeniable. A decisive win over Iowa and a gritty performance against Wisconsin showcased a team growing in confidence, maturity, and toughness. With a strong returning core and a top-20 recruiting class, the Huskers are poised to turn heads in 2025.
Leading the charge is quarterback Dylan Raiola, a former five-star recruit who transferred from Georgia in 2024 and has since become the face of the program. Now a redshirt sophomore, Raiola combines arm strength, vision, and leadership that Husker Nation hasn’t seen since the Tommy Armstrong era. Backed by an improved offensive line — anchored by All-Big Ten tackle Gunnar Gottula — Raiola will have more time to execute in Rhule’s increasingly dynamic offense.
But it’s not just Raiola who’s raising eyebrows. The Huskers boast a deep stable of running backs, led by rising junior Emmett Johnson, who rushed for over 1,100 yards last season and added nine touchdowns. Flanking him in the backfield are two explosive freshmen: four-star recruit Marcus Franklin from Texas and Nebraska’s own Tyrese Hall, a lightning-fast speedster from Omaha North.
Defensively, Nebraska is expected to make significant noise. Coordinator Tony White returns to lead a Blackshirt defense that ranked third in the Big Ten in total yards allowed last season. Junior linebacker Javin Wright has emerged as a team captain and enforcer, while the defensive line features havoc-wreaking end Princewill Umanmielen, who recorded 9.5 sacks in 2024. The secondary, led by veteran cornerback Malcolm Hartzog, is aggressive and opportunistic.
Perhaps the biggest shift, though, is cultural. The Huskers are no longer playing not to lose — they’re playing to win. Rhule’s disciplined, blue-collar approach has resonated with fans and players alike, bringing back echoes of Nebraska’s dominant past. Memorial Stadium is once again a place opponents dread.
The 2025 schedule won’t be easy — early games against Michigan and USC will test their mettle — but if Nebraska can start strong, they could emerge as a serious challenger in the newly expanded Big Ten. A divisionless format gives them a clearer path to the title game in Indianapolis.
Make no mistake: Nebraska isn’t just hoping for a bowl game anymore. With a blend of top talent, tough coaching, and rising expectations, the Cornhuskers might just stampede their way into the College Football Playoff conversation.
This time, the Big Red is ready.
