Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers’ upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective.
This week, I asked Andy Ketterson of Corn Nation six questions about the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He even answers a bonus question for us!
Nebraska comes into Dinkytown to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota has won five straight over the Huskers while P.J. Fleck is 6-1 against Nebraska as the coach of Minnesota. The Gophers have yet to lose at home this season and look to continue that streak.
Huge thanks to Andy for sharing his thoughts with us!
1) The 2025 season marks year three for Nebraska under Matt Rhule. The 2024 season was a significant one for Nebraska, for the first time in seven years, they finished over .500 and went to a bowl game. The Huskers entered 2025 with plenty of optimism and momentum. What were the expectations for this Huskers team entering the season? Now that we are halfway through the schedule, have they met those expectations?
For the fans – expectations ranged from, “Meh, 5-7 again,” to “Yo, CFP, here we come!” For myself, I was looking at 8-4 to 9-3, and I still think those tracks. If we beat Minnesota to go to 6-1 (and that’s a BIG if, I don’t care what the spread is), the remaining five are Northwestern, USC, UCLA, Penn State, and Iowa. Yeah, predict that. Anything from 1-4 to 4-1 seems possible, and a finish in the middle would make me look smart. That which gives me hope is our 4th quarter play – we’re suddenly tough there, outscoring opponents 41-9 over the last three games instead of giving games away as usual. I’ll say right now we’re meeting expectations and will finish 9-3, but I’m not betting on it.
2) Nebraska is coming off a nice comeback win at Maryland. They are now looking to win back-to-back road games for the first time since 2006 (what a crazy stat that is). What went right for the Huskers against Maryland? What is an area that caused concern moving into the Minnesota game?
What went right: The offensive line, Emmett Johnson, Nyziah Hunter and 4th quarter Dylan Raiola. Caused concern: Lack of QB pressure and 2nd & 3rd quarter Dylan Raiola – 3 picks, Ouch.
3) The Huskers’ offense averages 450 yards per game, which is fifth in the Big Ten. Their 310 passing yards per game is the second-best in the conference. QB Dylan Raiola has taken the next step in his sophomore season. How has he improved since last year? Are there any weaknesses in his game?
One thing that helped tremendously was upgrading the WR room. He was much better than people thought last year; there was just wasn’t anyone open very often. The other was bringing in Dana Holgorsen and his offensive witchcraft. Dylan can cycle through reads and, quite frankly, make throws no one else can – see the passes to Luke Lindenmeyer and Heinrich Haarberg. Weaknesses – after going without a turnover in the first three games, he has thrown 5 picks in the last three. 16 touchdowns against that doesn’t look too bad, but he needs to clean up those middle quarters.
4) The Huskers’ defense ranks in the Top 5 in the Big Ten, allowing 269 yards per game. What is the strength of this Nebraska defense? In what ways have other teams had success against the Blackshirts?
It is the secondary, hands down. They lead the country in fewest pass YPG (118). They are 15th nationally in completion % allowed (55.8%). Their fewest passes given up for 20 or more yards (5) is also 1st in the country. And they have only allowed 2 TD passes, one of only four schools to do so. The biggest success against them was Michigan with the run, although Maryland did move some chains with a shorter passing game.
5) Who on this Nebraska roster (offense, defense, or special teams) should Minnesota and its fans be most worried about — someone maybe flying under the radar?
For me, right now, that’s linebacker Javin Wright. The 7th year senior, who has come back from multiple severe injuries and blood clots, is flying high right now with three consecutive games of 10+ tackles – and no one is making much of a big deal about it.
6) Nebraska travels to Minneapolis and has the No. 25-ranked team in the country. The last time Nebraska beat the Gophers in Minneapolis was back in 2015. P.J. Fleck has won five straight against the Huskers, but his Minnesota squad finds itself an underdog this season. What does Nebraska need to do to walk out of Dinkytown with a victory? What is your prediction for the game?
Offensively, just keep doing what they’re doing and mix up the air attack with the hammer of Emmett Johnson on the ground. His 176 rushing yards against the Terps were a career high and you know the Minnesota native wants to show out for his friends and family. Defensively, Minnesota running a little more of the offense with a freshman, non-mobile QB who has been under 60% in three of his last four games, seems to play into the Huskers hands. The rushing game has only averaged 3.6 YPC this season and it doesn’t seem to be the Gophers’ bread and butter. The secret weapon has been the special teams, which have gone from abysmal to a real threat. Jacory Barney had 4 punt returns for 120 yards against the Spartans (and had a TD called back), and Kenneth Williams returned a kickoff 85 yards last week and found a scholarship waiting for him in the locker room. We’ve been favored before and come away losers in 5 straight. But I do think finally break the string- Let’s say Huskers 27 Minnesota 19
7) Bonus Question: Matt Rhule’s name has been mentioned in coaching‑rumor circles (e.g. Penn State). How much of a distraction is that, or how is the team managing off-field noise this week? What is the atmosphere like in Lincoln with the Penn State job being linked to Rhule across the country?
He appears to have all but removed himself with his answers on the Pat McAfee show yesterday where he referred to Nebraska as a destination job, not a jump-off. Pointed out he has a young talented team. And said he was confident PSU AD Pat Kraft would find the right guy for the job. As for the players, Raiola Tuesday seemed to find the whole humorous saying “He’s not going anywhere.” And then pointing out that Rhule’s wife decides where they live and she doesn’t want to leave. So whatever Rhule’s told them seems to have them in business as usual mode for now.