Nebraska
Odds to win conference: +3500
Best Case 11-1: After nearly 15 years of hoping Nebraska is back, Nebraska is finally back.
Dylan Raiola takes a huge step forward in his sophomore season, playing so well that the world begins to wonder if Patrick Mahomes should start to mimic him instead. The transfers and incoming freshmen give the Huskers one of the best receiving corps in the league, and the loss of Tony White on defense isn't felt. Nebraska's only loss comes on the road to Penn State after a 10-0 start, and the Huskers make their first trip to the Big Ten Championship since 2012. The only downside is that after the season, Dana Holgorsen leaves to take the head coaching job at
Oklahoma State.
Worst Case 5-7: Nebraska is not back. It turns out the 2024 season was a bit of a fluke, as the offense struggles because Dylan Raiola spends too much time watching Jackson Mahomes on TikTok and not enough time studying game film. A lack of explosive plays on offense and defense put the Huskers in too many difficult spots, and it all ends with a home loss to Iowa on Black Friday to keep the team from going to a bowl game. Dylan Raiola enters the transfer portal immediately. Matt Rhule enters 2026 firmly on the hot seat.
