Big Noon Kickoff, cracking atmosphere in Columbus and a freshman quarterback trying to prove a point. These are the makings of a fascinating game of football as Ohio State (5-1) hosts Nebraska (5-2) on Saturday. As the Buckeyes continue on their path towards the playoffs, they will have to contend with a Dylan Raiola-led offense, which is looking to ruffle some feathers after a 7-56 mauling at the hands of college football’s Cinderella story Indiana.

Raiola came into the season with much fervor. He has shown moments of greatness and moments of growth, and has been humbled on occasion. None more so than his most recent outing at The Rock in Indy. Raiola threw 3 picks in what turned out to be a baptism of fire for the young quarterback, with his coach Matt Rhule keeping him in the game to expose his player through “moments of intense pressure”. Raiola inadvertently caught flak for his Mahomes persona in the aftermath. As he now prepares to face the no. 4 team in the country, there is cause for him to show out his arm in full effect and be a force multiplier who accentuates his weapons on offense, just like his doppelgänger. That is what a certain college football insider suggests needs to happen.

J.D Pickell from On3 in the lead up to this game challenged whether Dylan Raiola can “supercharge the offense”. He acknowledges this expectation is perhaps “not fair [for] a true freshman QB who [I don’t think] has the resources on the perimeter to go beat these Ohio State defensive backs”.

But Pickell goes on to point out how “elite quarterbacks are able to elevate and get more out of every single person around them”. The kid’s clearly talented. The flattering comparisons to Mahomes stem not only from their physical likeness but also the resemblance in their style of play. If the weight of living up to these expectations wasn’t enough, there is some personal pride on the line for young Raiola as well.

Raiola’s Cornhuskers face Buckeyes team with loftier ambitions

Dylan Raiola was a consensus top 10 recruit and had some of the biggest programs in the country after him. One of these programs was in fact Ohio State. Raiola actually went as far as being committed to the Buckeyes before changing his mind later. So there’s more than just a win at stake for him. An opportunity to step into a tough away environment and deal with passes around the gridiron of a team he turned down beckons for Raiola. How much of a shot at redemption does he have?

When the season schedule was released, many earmarked this game on the calendar. Two elite contenders, perhaps unbeaten, who’ll look to inflict damage on their B1G counterparts. While Nebraska’s season hasn’t quite panned out so perfectly, this game still shapes to be their biggest test so far. The Buckeyes are coming off a bye after that grueling 31-32 loss against Oregon which culminated in a rule change. They will look to move past that result and regroup as heavy favorites (-25.5) at home. 

Nebraska, too, perhaps, are at the outset of a potential playoff berth if they can manage an upset. While in previous seasons, 2 losses would be a death sentence in a team’s playoff aspirations, the new format allows some breathing room. Rhule’s best chance to cause an upset would likely be playing through the air rather than on the ground. A win away in Columbus would go down well with the committee, that’s for certain. In all likelihood, OSU will prove too strong for Nebraska come Saturday. The game does, though, present an opportunity for Raiola to remind everyone of his pedigree. Expect fireworks.