For the first time since 2016, Nebraska is back in a bowl game! Under head coach Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers and Dylan Raiola have had their ups and downs this season, and the honeymoon phase is officially over. But hey, that doesn’t mean they can’t bounce back and make some noise next year, especially with some key moves in the transfer portal. Before that, they have to deal with Boston College.

While the excitement mounts for fans as the Cornhuskers prepare for the Pinstripe Bowl after eight years, crisis is hitting Nebraska football hard. Yes! Nebraska insider Connor Hayden revealed that 11 players are opting out, which includes key contributors. The Cornhuskers are facing a significant challenge right before their matchup against Boston College.

So, what’s the game plan? Hayden dug into the dip and mentioned, “I went through the depth chart that came out this week and I highlighted every guy who’s moved up in the rotation on offense. Both backup guards are underclassmen, and the tight end room added Heinrich Haarberg after Nate left for Texas A&M. Jaylen Lloyd’s getting the start as the receiver, with Isaiah Neyor off to the NFL and IGC filling in behind Jahmal Banks. Emmett Johnson was already sharing the role as RB1, but without Dell and Gabe Ervin Jr.” 

On defense, Matt Rhule had already lost three key players: Jamari Butler at the edge, Mikai Gbayor at the linebacker, and Tommi Hill at the corner. Sounds rough, right? Although the insider feels that it might not be as damaging as it seems, he added four names to keep an eye on: Keona Davis, Dylan Rogers, Bill Hill, and Amari Sanders.

This bowl game is a huge moment for Nebraska as they look to prove how far they’ve come under head coach Matt Rhule. As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on how well these younger players adapt and if they can rise to the occasion despite the setbacks. Moving ahead, let’s see how Boston College Football Head Coach Bill O’Brien looks at the matchup.

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What makes Nebraska a tough opponent?

Bill O’Brien and the Boston College Eagles (7-5, 4-4 ACC) are wrapping up their season this Saturday as they face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 2024 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. It’s been almost a month since the Eagles last hit the field, and they’re itching to get back to action. In their last game on November 30, they took down the Pitt Panthers 34-23, marking their seventh win of the regular season—a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2018.

Eagles head coach Bill O’Brien recently shared his thoughts on Nebraska, and he didn’t hold back. He highlighted what makes Nebraska a difficult opponent and added, “Very tough.” He added, “Very well coached, obviously in all three phases.” 

He shed light on how solid Nebraska is on special teams, especially with their aggressive return units and punt blocks. O’Brien emphasized that his team needs to be ready for a physical game, particularly when it comes to kickoff returns. How can he not mention Raiola?

“Very good in the back end relative to disguises and things like that so it’s going to be a big, big challenge for us offensively, and then their offense obviously starts with [Dylan] Raiola. He’s really good. He’s got a lot of Mahomes-type qualities. I’m not saying he’s Patrick Mahomes, but he’s very, very good. He’s an instinctive player; he can run. They’ve got a very big offensive line. They’ve got good tight ends, good wide receivers, so it’ll be a big challenge for us but again, we’re very excited about the opportunity to be able to go play these guys.”

Well, the Pinstripe Bowl is not just another game; it’s a chance for both teams to showcase their progress and end their seasons on a high note. Who are you rooting for?
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