The CornNation 2025 Football Prediction Roundtable

FOOTBALL!

We love football around these parts… or at least we said so before we got lost in a forest of mediocrity. And with the start of a new season, we're putting down our markers and writing our predictions for the 2025 season.

Who will be Nebraska's offensive leader in rushing and receiving at the end of the season?

Jarek: In rushing yards, I'm torn between two candidates right now. Gabe Ervin and Rahmir Johnson are those two, and I think Rahmir will ultimately win. The only reason is that I think he takes better care of the football. In receiving yards, it's going to be Janiran Bonner. I think he's going to be the surprise candidate in that receiver room, and maybe, just maybe, he'll be the possession player that Raiola is banking on all season.

Todd: Emmett Johnson will lead the way in rushing, and Jaylen Lloyd will lead the way in receiving yards.

microphone: No offense, but Gabe Ervin's injury history makes him a tough pick here. I'm also tipping Emmett Johnson as the lead runner, as I think he's proven to be a versatile running back. As for receiver, I'm tipping Isaiah Neyor, who came over from Texas and had 878 yards on just 44 catches for the Bovines in 2022. (20 yards per catch average? A true freshman quarterback has to love that weapon.)

Nate M: Heinrich Haarberg. Just kidding. I think Jamhal Banks will lead the team in receptions and Isaiah Neyor in yards. Thomas Fidone could be second in both categories. As for rushing, I don't think we should underestimate Dante Dowdell. I know he's the fourth pick right now, but I think he's still out of favor right now.

Jon: Emmet Johnson will lead in rushing as he is the best all-around back. Banks will lead in receiving yardage, but Thomas Fidone will lead in touchdown receptions.

Andy: Looking at it from a gambler's perspective, I have to rule out Gabe and Rahmir because of their injury history. If I use last year as a guide to what can happen, I'm betting on Dante Dowdell – the talent is there, he'll make it work, and for the second year in a row, a fourth-line player will rise to the top spot. In terms of receiving, I'm conservatively between Banks and Neyor – and because of the injuries, I'm again betting on Jahmal Banks.

Who has the most tackles for loss (including sacks) and interceptions on Nebraska's defense?

Jarek: The TFL battle will come down to two guys: Ty Robinson and Nash “Polar Bear” Hutmacher. The offense will likely spend most of its time planning blocking strategies for Nash, allowing Ty to do a lot of damage up front. However, if you look at the sacks separately, that goes to Nash. The interceptions go to Tommi Hill. I know he's Nebraska's best corner, but teams still haven't been afraid to throw to him, which will prove to be a huge mistake all year long.

Todd: Jimari Butler will be the man on offense this season. While I can hardly believe I'm writing his name in a positive light, Tommi Hill is the team's best interception player.

microphone: I'm a huge fan of Jimari Butler, but I would consider Mikai Gbayor to be the leading TFL player. Someone has to fill the void left by Luke Reimer and Nick Heinrich, and Gbayor seems to be the right fit. As for interceptions, I think Isaac Gifford will have a great year.

Nate M: Pour some Jimari Butler into my veins.

Jon: I'm guessing Princewill Umanmielen as the TFL leader, Butler as the sack leader and Marques Buford as the interception leader.

Andy: The TFL has a large pool to choose from. I have to go with the crowd and take Butler as he led last season and will play even more this year. I'm going with Marques Buford Jr. – teams might try to go with him a little too often, like they did with Tommi last season.

What is Nebraska's record at the end of the season? Will the Huskers finally play in a bowl game?

Jarek: I want to put on scarlet and cream glasses and predict an 8-4 season. However, I see the Huskers at 7-5. The Huskers will take a loss somewhere (please God, not to Colorado), but maybe they'll find one at the end of the schedule. I say the no-bowl streak is coming to an end, but I'm very uncertain about whether they'll win, so they'll finish 7-6 with a bowl game.

Todd: They'll finish the regular season 6-6. I hope it gets better, but until they prove they're a better team than I think they are, win six games.

microphone: When I look at the talent on this team and the schedule, my heart says 9-3 or better. The problem is that Nebraska has pretty much outperformed the old Big Ten West Division in talent over the last dozen years and hasn't been to a bowl game since the Obama administration. Matt Rhule brought it up during one of the early practices; all the athletes in this program just haven't figured out what it takes to win Big Ten games. Not yet. I think Rhule can do it, but it probably won't all work out this season. Just make a damn bowl game at 7-5 and that's huge progress.

Nate M: I think they'll play in a bowl. Please, Lord. Please. But I'm still predicting 8 wins, even though the cap is 10.

Jon: Regular season, 9-3. Losses to Ohio State, USC, and maybe Iowa. Oh, screw it, they don't lose to Iowa. So 10-2.

Andy: 8-4. I went through the schedule and thought, 11-1, baby! Then I turned off the Huskersexual part of my brain and added a loss, even though people are talking about an imaginary 7-0 start (Rutgers?). No one is picking us to beat the Bucknuts. Then I made sure the West Coast/Midwest finished 2-2.

I thought about taking it down to 7-5, but then I remembered that the 7.5 O/U total win rate is a solid bet. Sports nuts who make their decisions based on money rather than a burning desire for the little animal on their polo to beat the little animal on the other guy's polo should take note. 8-4, folks. Bet with your head.

Predict the outcome of the Big Ten Championship game.

(Which two teams play and who wins)

Jarek: The B1G championship game is contested by Ohio State and Oregon. I predict the Buckeyes will win by a narrow margin of 34-31. Both teams will make the playoffs.

Todd: Ohio State beats Iowa 42-6. Iowa, you say? Yes. Look at their schedule.

microphone: Three safeties from the Iowa defense? That was a bold move, Todd. I'm picking Penn State against the winner of Ohio State/Oregon…and I'm betting the Bucknuts beat both the Ducks and the Nitts to win the B1G title. As a consolation prize, Oregon and Penn State each get to host a quarterfinal playoff game.

Nate M: Leaving Nebraska aside, the matchup I WANT to see is Penn State vs. Oregon. But I think Ohio State is a tough roster to buy for $20 million, so I'm betting on Ohio State to win against one of those two teams.

Jon: Ohio State and Penn State. I don't think anyone can beat Ohio State this season. Not at all. Penn State because… I wouldn't rank Iowa that way, although Todd is right about their schedule. It would be nice if Minnesota beat them early. Penn State's schedule isn't bad.

Andy: Dan Lanning is the only coach on the West Coast who understands the importance of being physical, but I'm not convinced that Oregon is going to come in and run roughshod over it. This is the same Oregon that lost twice to Washington and then got easily dispatched by Michigan. Michigan lost most of its personnel, a lot of seniors, and will now have to deal with the huge pile of crap that Harbaugh left them.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Penn State is going to do it. Ohio State 31 Joe's Statue Perverts 22

Who are the other three Power Four conference champions who will receive a bye in the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff?

Jarek: ACC: This is tough now that FSU has decided not to win in Ireland, but a Clemson rebirth could be on the cards. Give me Dabo and Co. Until another team proves me wrong, Georgia is the safe bet for the SEC, and the Big 12 will most likely lose Oklahoma State.

Todd: Georgia, Utah and Clemson.

microphone: Georgia from the SEC. Louisville from the ACC; I really like Jeff Brohm as a head coach. And just to make Hawkeye fans' heads explode: Iowa State from the Big XII.

Nate M: We know it's actually a power two, right? And the other two are semi-power. YES: Georgia, Virginia Tech and…..COLORADO! (There's vomit on his sweatshirt, mom's spaghetti). No, I'm going with Arizona.

Jon: Georgia, FSUKansas State. I'm rooting for Clemson after watching FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei play against Georgia Tech. At one point, did he complete, what, 80% of his passes for negative yardage?

Andy: Georgia, Utah… and let's say Clemson – who will get crushed by whoever emerges from the final 8, resulting in Dabo retiring still bitching about NIL and the transfer portal.

The 2024 national champion will be:

Jarek: Georgia…again. The only other two hopes are Ohio State or Alabama.

Todd: Ohio State wins it all.

Nate M: Oregon.

Jon: Ohio State. Look at the weapons. Look at the rankings. This team is built to lose two of everything and still kick ass.

microphone: An Ohio State football team. The combination of Chip Kelly's offense and a strong defense is just too much.

Andy: Probably a team none of us mentioned that made it through the four games bye. Hmmmm.

Ole Miss bay-beeeee – everyone jump in!! The Lane Train is leaving the station!!!