{"id":14061,"date":"2023-08-19T03:23:29","date_gmt":"2023-08-19T08:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/?p=14061"},"modified":"2023-08-19T03:23:29","modified_gmt":"2023-08-19T08:23:29","slug":"espn-fpi-game-by-game-predictions-for-nebraska-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/espn-fpi-game-by-game-predictions-for-nebraska-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN FPI game-by-game predictions for Nebraska in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new era is officially underway at Nebraska<\/a><\/strong> as Matt Rhule<\/a><\/strong> gets ready for his debut as Cornhuskers head coach. It\u2019s sure to be an interesting year in Lincoln with so many new faces coming in, including a different starting quarterback with Jeff Sims<\/a><\/strong> taking the role.<\/p>\n

As for expectations, ESPN\u2019s Football Power Index (FPI)<\/a> projects the Huskers to be a borderline bowl-eligible team.<\/p>\n

Nebraska has made major changes since last year\u2019s 4-8 campaign under Scott Frost<\/a><\/strong> and Mickey Joseph<\/a><\/strong>. Rhule is in after spending the last two-plus seasons in the NFL<\/a><\/strong> with the Carolina Panthers, but is back where he belongs at the collegiate level. <\/p>\n

His quest to kickstart a turnaround starts Sept. 2 with an intriguing Big Ten West matchup, and Nebraska could have a few opportunities to make noise in league play, according to ESPN\u2019s FPI.<\/p>\n

Sept. 2: Nebraska at Minnesota \u2014 29.7% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Nebraska and Minnesota<\/a><\/strong> will kick off the season, marking the fifth straight season the two teams square off. The Golden Gophers have won the last four matchups, including last year\u2019s 20-13 game in Lincoln. In that game, Mo Ibrahim<\/a><\/strong> had 128 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota while Anthony Grant<\/a><\/strong> led the way for Nebraska with 115 yards.<\/p>\n

Minnesota is one of the more intriguing teams in the Big Ten this year after being picked third in the Big Ten West, according to the Big Ten Preseason Media Poll<\/a><\/strong>. However, ESPN thinks PJ Fleck<\/a><\/strong> and the Gophers have a strong chance of spoiling Rhule\u2019s Nebraska debut.<\/p>\n

Sept. 9: Nebraska at Colorado \u2014 68.7% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

An old Big 12 rivalry gets renewed in Week 2 when Nebraska heads to Colorado<\/a><\/strong> to take on the new-look Buffaloes. Deion Sanders<\/a><\/strong> orchestrated an all-time roster turnover as he took over the program with 53 players entering the transfer portal<\/a><\/strong>, making CU a national story entering the season.<\/p>\n

Nebraska and Colorado haven\u2019t played each other since 2019 when Mel Tucker<\/a><\/strong> was in charge of the Buffaloes, who won that game 34-31. Before the 2018 matchup, the two teams hadn\u2019t played since 2010 when they moved to different conferences \u2014 Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-12.<\/p>\n

Sept. 16: Nebraska vs Northern Illinois \u2014 83.3% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Nebraska will continue its break from Big Ten play when Northern Illinois<\/a><\/strong> makes the trip to Lincoln. The Huskies and Cornhuskers haven\u2019t played since 2019 when Nebraska cruised to a 44-8 victory at Memorial Stadium.<\/p>\n

Northern Illinois looks to be a middle-of-the-pack team in the MAC this year, coming in third place in the MAC West in the preseason poll. It looks like Nebraska might have the upper hand against the Huskies, though, as ESPN gives the Cornhuskers a strong chance of victory.<\/p>\n

Sept. 23: Nebraska vs Louisiana Tech \u2014 81.2% chance of win<\/h2>\n

Robert Goddin | USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Nebraska\u2019s final non-conference game of the year comes in Week 4 when the Cornhuskers welcome Louisiana Tech<\/a><\/strong> to Memorial Stadium. The two teams have only played two other times, the latest coming in 2006 with a 49-10 Cornhuskers victory.<\/p>\n

The Bulldogs were picked fourth in the Conference-USA preseason poll, and ESPN\u2019s FPI is very high on Nebraska\u2019s chances of getting a third straight victory over Louisiana Tech.<\/p>\n

Sept. 30: Nebraska vs Michigan \u2014 15.5% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Junfu Han \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n

After the break from Big Ten action, Nebraska has a tough task at hand in Week 5 when Michigan<\/a><\/strong> travels to Lincoln. The Wolverines are the favorite to win the conference and have won four straight games against the Cornhuskers, including last year\u2019s 34-3 victory.<\/p>\n

Michigan \u2014 the two-time defending Big Ten champion \u2014 is the strong favorite to get another win over Nebraska, according to ESPN\u2019s FPI. It won\u2019t be easy for Rhule\u2019s group to pull it off, but it could still be an interesting matchup.<\/p>\n

Oct. 6: Nebraska at Illinois \u2014 34.8% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Illinois<\/a><\/strong>, like Minnesota, provides plenty of intrigue this year after losing some key playmakers to the NFL<\/a><\/strong>. But the Fighting Illini still have plenty of power coming back, including wide receiver Isaiah Williams<\/a><\/strong> and Reggie Love III<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Nebraska has lost three straight to the Fighting Illini, and ESPN\u2019s FPI projects another defeat for the Cornhuskers as Rhule and Co. make the trek to Champaign.<\/p>\n

Oct. 21: Nebraska vs Northwestern \u2014 66.3% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Brendan Moran-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Coming out of the bye week, Nebraska will square off against a Northwestern<\/a><\/strong> team in turmoil. Coach Pat Fitzgerald<\/a><\/strong> was fired in July and David Braun<\/a><\/strong> is now in as interim coach as the fallout continues from the hazing allegations within the program. As for the on-field product, multiple contributors \u2014 including Evan Hull<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 are off to the NFL, meaning the Wildcats have plenty of question marks.<\/p>\n

Northwestern was picked last in the preseason poll, and ESPN gives Nebraska a high chance of victory in the home matchup. It could be an opportunity for the Cornhuskers to get a win after the off week.<\/p>\n

Oct. 28: Nebraska vs Purdue \u2014 51.3% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Nebraska has won two straight over Purdue<\/a><\/strong> and is looking for a third consecutive victory when the Boilermakers arrive at Memorial Stadium for the October showdown. ESPN projects it to be a bit of a coin flip, but gives the Cornhuskers a slight edge.<\/p>\n

The Boilermakers underwent a coaching change with Ryan Walters<\/a><\/strong> taking the reins and will be coming out with a new-look offense. Graham Harrell<\/a><\/strong> and his Air Raid scheme will be interesting to watch in West Lafayette this year as they could test opposing defenses.<\/p>\n

Nov. 4: Nebraska at Michigan State \u2014 27.1% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Nick King\/Lansing State Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC<\/p>\n

Nebraska starts its last month of the season against a Michigan State<\/a><\/strong> team looking to bounce back from a rough 2022 season. The two teams last played in 2021 when the Spartans pulled off the 23-20 victory in East Lansing.<\/p>\n

Tucker is in the second year of a lucrative contract extension, and he\u2019ll try to engineer a turnaround to get Michigan State back to a bowl game. It might not be easy, though, as two of his top playmakers entered the portal. Still, ESPN gives the Spartans a high chance of victory.<\/p>\n

Nov. 11: Nebraska vs Maryland \u2014 51% chance of win<\/h2>\n

Matt Rhule (Photo by Abby Barmore\/HuskerOnline)<\/p>\n

The matchup between Nebraska and Maryland<\/a><\/strong> could be one of the most intriguing on the Big Ten slate. Mike Locksley<\/a><\/strong> said the Terrapins are ready to compete for a conference title, but his team was picked fourth in a loaded Big Ten East by the media.<\/p>\n

Taulia Tagovailoa<\/a><\/strong> is back at quarterback for the Terps and hopes to take one final leap as he sets his sights on the NFL Draft<\/a><\/strong>. The matchup against Nebraska won\u2019t be easy, though, as ESPN\u2019s FPI sees it as a fairly even matchup. However, the Cornhuskers have the slight edge as the home team.<\/p>\n

Nov. 18: Nebraska at Wisconsin \u2014 22.3% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Wisconsin<\/a><\/strong> awaits Nebraska as the penultimate game on the schedule, marking the first time the two teams will play since 2021. The Badgers have won the last nine games against the Cornhuskers, including the 35-28 win two seasons ago.<\/p>\n

UW has undergone some major changes this year, as well, with Luke Fickell<\/a><\/strong> coming in from Cincinnati<\/a><\/strong>, Phil Longo<\/a><\/strong> now calling the plays and multiple high-profile transfer additions. As the offense moves to an Air Raid style, the Badgers will have a new kind of explosiveness \u2014 and it\u2019s a big reason why they were picked to win the Big Ten West.<\/p>\n

Nov. 24: Nebraska vs Iowa \u2014 44.1% chance of win<\/h2>\n

\u00a9 Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

The final game of Nebraska\u2019s season is arguably the biggest. That\u2019s when the Cornhuskers renew their rivalry with Iowa<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 and they\u2019ll do so on Thanksgiving as part of the Big Ten\u2019s new media rights deal.<\/p>\n

The Hawkeyes were active in the portal as they brought in a new quarterback in Cade McNamara<\/a><\/strong>. All eyes are on the offense after last year\u2019s infamous struggles, but Nebraska will look for a second consecutive victory over Kirk Ferentz<\/a><\/strong> and Co. It won\u2019t be easy, though, according to ESPN.<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s FPI final record projection for Nebraska \u2014 5.8-6.3<\/h2>\n

At Big Ten Media Days, Rhule said he wants Nebraska to be \u201cfeared<\/a><\/strong>\u201d again. The 2023 season is his first step toward getting the program back to that status, and ESPN\u2019s FPI puts them on the border of a bowl game.<\/p>\n

That projected record ranks 10th in the Big Ten<\/a>. Although Michigan is the Big Ten favorite, Ohio State<\/a><\/strong> leads the FPI projections with a projected 11.5-1.2 record. The Wolverines sit behind the Buckeyes with a 9.9-2.3 projection.<\/p>\n

As for whether Rhule can get Nebraska to a bowl game, it\u2019s yet to be seen. But he\u2019s already changing the culture in Lincoln between new traditions and the expectation of being \u201cfeared\u201d once again.<\/p>\n

The post ESPN FPI game-by-game predictions for Nebraska in 2023<\/a> appeared first on On3<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new era is officially underway at Nebraska as Matt Rhule gets ready for his…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14061"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14061\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}