Nebraska’s non-conference schedule is complete with the Huskers going 3-0 against two MAC schools and an FCS school. During that three-game stretch we’ve seen a potent Nebraska offense that has been efficient and successful in the red zone, scoring 10 TDs and 1 field goal on 11 opportunities.

As fans we’ve already started talking about Colandrea returning for year 5. And why not, as he’s thrown for 692 yards, 8 TDs and 1 interception with a 68.8% completion rate this season. He’s wowed us with his quickness by adding 75 yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries. He brings the juice every play and is the spark that fires his teammates. He’s everything Nebraska has been missing at the quarterback position.

Then there is true freshman running back Jamal Rule, someone who flashed in the spring and gave us hope for the future but then exploded onto the scene in game one and kept right on going through game three. He leads the team in rushing with 329 yards and 5 TDs on 38 carries for an 8.7 yard per carry average. He’s added 4 receptions for 82 yards and another TD. He’s elevated himself as Nebraska’s top back heading into Big Ten play.

And what we proclaimed as the strongest position on the team all offseason has not disappointed us as the top four wide receivers, Jacory Barney Jr., Kwazi Gilmer, Nyziah Hunter, and Quinn Clark along with tight end Luke Lindenmeyer have totaled 43 receptions for 494 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

Yes, the Holgorsen led offense seems to be firing on all cylinders and is well balanced, averaging 257.7 yards passing and 263.0 yards rushing per game for 520.7 total yards and 46.3 points per contest. On top of that, they’ve been taking care of the ball.

Not to be outdone, we’ve watched Rob Aurich’s Blackshirt defense that was burned for a 68-yard pass on the first play of the season become a 5-sack defense in game three. They’ve gotten better each game, limiting opponents to 118.0 yards passing and 107.7 yards rushing for 225.7 total yards and 11.7 points per game. As a group they’ve registered 16.0 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown. After just three games the numbers are promising and Aurich seems to have things pointed in the right direction.

The single red flag, of the top five leading tacklers, only one isn’t a defensive back. You would like to see your leading tacklers be your linebackers, but don’t give up yet, if you look at the top seven, three are linebackers Dexter Foster, Owen Chambliss and Vincient Shavers Jr.

For all we know about the offense and the defense, we know nothing about the special teams. Are they good or are they bad. While they haven’t done anything to wow us, they aren’t ‘Ed Foley’ bad either, so who knows what we got. I suspect we’ll find that out at East Lansing Saturday, a place that has been a nightmare when it comes to Nebraska special teams in the past.  

So here we are headed into the Big Ten schedule feeling good but not knowing much more than we did before the Ohio kickoff. Our lack of competition leaves us guessing just how good the Huskers really are. If nothing else, you’d like to be able to point to consistency and say we’re on the right track. But it all starts in the trenches and while the Huskers seem to have improved on both sides of the ball, the real first test will come against Michigan State.

The Big Ten can be a mad dog that will rip the stuffing right out of you if you aren’t prepared. Say like what Michigan did to the Huskers in 2023, Indiana in 2024 or Iowa last season. What we still don’t know…Is this a Nebraska team that is no longer willing to let that happen?

We’ll soon find out against Michigan State. The Spartans aren’t the same pedigree as I just mentioned, but they aren’t Ohio, Bowling Green and North Dakota either. Notre Dame will tell you that.

So, we are about to find out who the real dogs of the Big Ten are, because as of now, we truly don’t know. This one counts, so the Huskers need to have a sense of urgency, because this is a must-win game.

GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!

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