Big Ten analyst expects Nebraska to end bowl game drought this season

To call last season disappointing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers would be underselling the word. After bringing in former NFL and Baylor head coach Matt Rhule and touting a top-25 recruiting class, the Cornhuskers were expected to finally return to consistent play and win meaningful games last season.

Unfortunately, after a hot 5-3 start, the Huskers lost their final four games by one possession and failed to reach the postseason for the seventh straight year. Now bringing in another top-20 recruiting class, including the top-rated quarterback prospect in the country, Dylan Raiola,  Nebraska is again picked to take serious strides as a program this season.

While nobody anticipates a national championship run or Nebraska's rise to the top echelon of the Big Ten conference, many expect the Cornhuskers to win a respectable number of games and return to a bowl game for the first time since 2015.

Prominent Big Ten analyst Gerry DiNardo further validated that sentiment this past weekend during the Big Ten media days when he stated that the Cornhuskers should be breaking their bowl game drought this season. “I have to believe a bowl game is attainable with their schedule and Matt’s second year. It takes him a year to put in his system on and off the field, and my guess is they’re going to go to a bowl this year.”

Many experts and analysts believe Nebraska will be a better team this season, especially with Raiola as the quarterback. With the team only being one win away from bowl eligibility last season, it is reasonable to expect Nebraska to finally end their bowl game drought this year. While the expectation for Matt Rhule and his program isn’t just to make a bowl game, qualifying for one would be a step in the right direction for the Cornhuskers to find their way to the top of the conference in years to come.