CFB Futures – 2024 Nebraska Cornhuskers Win Total Odds

There was a time not long ago when the Nebraska Cornhuskers were annually a legitimate national championship threat. Over the last several seasons, though, they are just another school with a football team. In the 124-year history of the program the Huskers have had just 29 losing seasons. Seven years ago that number was at 22. During that 7-year span the Huskers have had four head coaches and none of them won more than five games. The once proud program hasn’t even been to a bowl game since 2016. Given the ability of Matt Rhule to transform lost programs and the arrival of blue-chip prospect Dylan Raiola, there is optimism in Lincoln with a win total of 7.5 at BetMGM.

Regular Season Wins for the Nebraska Cornhuskers

Over 7.5 ( -120 )

Under 7.5 ( +100 )

During previous stops at Temple and Baylor it took Rhule a few years to work out the kinks, but he eventually did. Two years after winning two games at Temple the Owls won 10 games and entered the national rankings. Following another 10-win season Rhule departed for Baylor going from one win in 2017 to 11 victories and a Sugar Bowl appearance in 2019. His stay in the NFL didn’t last long but it did bring the coach back to his college roots and he appears to have the Huskers on the fast track after going 5-7 in 2023.

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Roster

The offense delivered little last season and somehow Nebraska won five games and was this close to becoming bowl eligible. Four losses to close the year ended that. You can’t blame the defense for that skid since the group held two opponents to 13 points and didn’t allow more than 24 in the other two. And that was pretty much the story for the year. The Huskers ended the season eighth-best nationally against the run and 11th-best in total defense. However, they were among the worst in the country scoring more than 20 points once against a Power opponent.

Not to put any pressure on Dylan Raiola, but the entire Nebraska offense rests in his hands. Most major recruiting services had Raiola as a consensus top 10 recruit after a standout high school career. He verbally committed to Ohio State before changing his mind and opting for Georgia. Once again Raiola did the okey-doke and chose Nebraska. It’s one thing to have all the tools and be a star in high school it’s another to do that at the highest level of college football without taking a snap. But I guess the Huskers can’t be any worse than they were last season.

What should help ease the transition is a run game that will be much better. QB Heinrich Haarberg led the team with 477 yards but that will change with Gabe Ervin Jr. back. He rushed for nearly 200 yards before going on the shelf with an injury in Week 3. You can also expect Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell to get snaps.

Due to how horrific the offense was last year, the fellas on the other side of the football often got overlooked. They got worked by Colorado and Michigan but otherwise held their own giving the team a chance to win games. Four of their losses were by a field goal and another by a converted touchdown in overtime. Three of the top four tacklers are back along with the entire defensive line. The linebackers are solid but the secondary could be a mystery. Tightening up in the red zone would also help after allowing opponents to score on 82 percent of their trips in 2023.

Schedule

The good news is that the Huskers don’t have to play Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Washington in Big Ten action. And it’s probably not a bad thing that Michigan State, Minnesota and Maryland aren’t on the schedule. But the Huskers have a demanding slate nonetheless. If the program is to climb the ranks the schedule is manageable to do so. A Week 2 date with Colorado is likely the only thing that stands in the way of a 3-0 non-conference record. And with Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers and Indiana ahead of their Week 9 tilt with Ohio State, the Huskers have a chance to do something special. 

Prediction

I don’t think we can question the credentials of Raiola, but giving him the keys to an offense that did nothing last year is a big ask. Even if he exceeds all expectations how much can the unit improve? The players are there to be better than a 5-win team, but just how much better? They have a good base with Rhule having rebuilt programs before and the Huskers are trending up, but eight wins just seems like too many for this group.

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