Nebraska's Road to Redemption Just Got a Whole Lot Bumpier – Their Final Foes Are Fired Up and Ready to Rumble!
Imagine cruising through the college football season, fighting tooth and nail for every win, only to face two opponents who are suddenly roaring back to life. That's the dramatic scenario Nebraska finds itself in as it heads into the last two regular-season games against Penn State and Iowa. These aren't your run-of-the-mill matchups; they're clashes with teams that have just proven they can hang with the elite, sending shockwaves through the college football world. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Nebraska's recent success built to last, or are these tough tests going to expose some cracks in their newfound confidence?
After a grueling campaign where victories felt hard-earned, the Huskers – currently sitting at 7-3 following a nail-biting 28-21 triumph over UCLA – are bracing for even more challenges ahead. Of course, this is a step up from their 6-6 finish in 2024, and fans were hopeful for some growth both on and off the field. That progress is evident in their overall record, but if anyone was dreaming of a walkover win like the glory days of the 1990s, it's time to wake up – those easy rides are a thing of the past.
Nebraska will benefit from a much-needed bye week, giving the team a chance to recharge and strategize before traveling to Penn State on November 22. (For a full schedule, check out this link to all the upcoming games.) And let's just say, the Nittany Lions are anything but dormant right now. If you thought Penn State's season was winding down after coach James Franklin's firing on October 12 and the loss of starting quarterback Drew Allar to injury, think again. This 3-6 team (0-6 in the Big Ten) defied the odds by nearly pulling off an upset against No. 2-ranked Indiana at home on Saturday, falling just short at 27-24.
The Hoosiers, who are undefeated at 10-0, had to dig deep to hold on. They capped off an incredible rally with two clutch passes in the game's final moments, the last one being a miraculous toe-tap catch by Omar Cooper Jr. along the end zone's back edge – so close it was barely in bounds. The Athletic hailed it as the play of the year, and for good reason: Indiana absorbed a huge blow when Penn State clawed back from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter. With the Nittany Lions driving down the field and just needing one more first down to seal the deal with two minutes left, it looked like they might steal the show. Instead, the Hoosiers staged a 10-play, 73-yard comeback in the final two minutes, showing the resilience top teams are known for. This near-miss has Penn State buzzing, signaling to upcoming opponents like Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers that bowl eligibility isn't just a pipe dream.
And this is the part most people miss: If Penn State can topple Michigan State next Saturday, Nebraska might be walking into a hornets' nest two weeks later. It's a reminder that underdogs can turn into contenders overnight, especially in a conference as unpredictable as the Big Ten.
Now, let's talk about Iowa – a rival that's been a thorn in Nebraska's side for what feels like forever. The Hawkeyes have dominated the last 12 meetings, claiming 10 wins, and they've racked up six straight victories at Memorial Stadium. The past seven encounters have all been decided by one score or less, with Iowa taking six of those, four ending on dramatic walk-off field goals. Last year's heartache in Iowa City is still fresh: Nebraska led 10-3 heading into the fourth quarter before dropping a 13-10 decision on a 53-yard field goal.
Their Black Friday showdown in Lincoln for the regular-season finale promises to be electric. On Saturday, Iowa (6-3, 4-2) went toe-to-toe with sixth-ranked Oregon (8-1, 5-1), pushing the Ducks to the limit before losing 18-16 on a last-second field goal. The Hawkeyes nearly flipped the script with 1:51 remaining when they attempted a two-point conversion that could have given them a three-point edge, but the receiver stepped out of bounds just after the catch. It's games like this that highlight Iowa's grit, and for Nebraska fans, it's a familiar foe that's plagued them for over a decade. Earlier this summer, The Athletic ranked the Nebraska-Iowa series as the 44th-best rivalry in the nation, describing it as one of the fiercest born from conference realignment. It pits two passionate fan bases from neighboring states that discovered their mutual disdain through annual battles, turning what could have been indifferent neighbors into heated adversaries.
Looking back on Nebraska's season, ease has been a rare commodity – aside from convincing wins over lesser opponents like Akron and Houston Christian. Four of their other victories came down to one score: against Cincinnati, Maryland, Northwestern, and UCLA. They dominated Michigan State by 11 points, but losses were similarly tight, with one-score defeats to ranked foes Michigan and USC, plus a 24-6 drubbing at Minnesota. Big Ten football, much like college football overall, is a brutal grind where blowouts in conference play are anomalies. Teams prepare for wars, not skirmishes, and that's exactly what the Huskers should anticipate in these closing games – no handouts, just pure competition.
But here's where it gets controversial: In a sport full of upsets and comebacks, is Nebraska's 7-3 record a true sign of progress, or are they just riding a hot streak that could cool off against these revitalized teams? Some might argue that the pressure of rivalries like Iowa tests character in ways other games don't, potentially revealing whether the Huskers have what it takes to climb higher. Others might counter that Penn State's resurgence under interim leadership shows the value of resilience, suggesting Nebraska could learn a thing or two.
What do you think – can Nebraska punch their ticket to bowl eligibility against these tough opponents? Is the Nebraska-Iowa rivalry overrated, or does it deserve even more national attention? Do you believe Penn State's near-upset against Indiana changes how we view their season? Share your opinions in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
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