Whenever people ask what opponent is in Wisconsin’s way to go the Big Ten Championship? the common answer is always Iowa no matter how the Hawkeyes did the prior season. While a trip to Indianapolis could very well come down to those two, there are other crucial games as well. This upcoming season there is another game that could determine the Badgers Big Ten destiny. The November 19th matchup against Nebraska in Lincoln could be that game.
Yes, the Badgers are 7-0 against the Cornhuskers since the rivalry became a trophy game in 2014. Wisconsin also hasn’t lost to Nebraska since 2012 and own the all-time series against them 11-4. It should also be noted that Nebraska hasn’t had a winning season or gone to a bowl game since 2016. However, this Cornhusker team could be more different than any other time Wisconsin has faced them in the past. With how crucial the steaks could be, Wisconsin shouldn’t take this game lightly.
While Nebraska did go 3-9 in 2021, eight out of nine of those losses were by six points or less. Against Wisconsin, they were a Faion Hicks pass breakup away from potentially sending the game to overtime. The Badgers managed to pull out that game 35-28 but the Huskers kept up with them all game long. This came just after head coach Scott Frost parted ways with most of his offensive staff before the season ended. Nebraska also had nothing to lose at that point showing us the commitment his players have toward him.
New Offensive Coordinator And Coaching Structure
It’s no secret that Cornhusker boss Scott Frost is on a scalding hot seat this season. His contract was restructured, and the buyout was reduced to make it easier for Nebraska to let him go. Most are speculating the only reason he wasn’t fired this year was because better jobs were open. With that, Frost overhauled his entire offensive staff and made changes to the coaching structure. He went out and hired Mark Whipple away from the University of Pittsburgh to be his new offensive coordinator. Whipple is coming off a very successful tenure with the Panthers.
The Panthers went 11-3 overall and won the ACC title and appeared in the Peach Bowl. Under Whipple’s direction, the Panthers offense was stellar. They put up 41.4 points per game averaged 486.6 total yards during the 2021 season. Each play also averaged 6.4 yards from scrimmage. Under his tutelage, quarterback Kenny Pickett has blossomed into a top prospect and projected first round draft pick.
This coming season, it seems that Frost will be giving up play calling duties. Whipple became the highest paid coordinator in Husker history, so it’s expected that he’ll be calling plays. Frost will be more of a “CEO coach” this season. Rather then just focusing on the offense, he’ll be able to look at the bigger picture on all three phases. Perhaps there will be changes to how the Husker offense operates.
New Quarterback
Record breaking quarterback and Badger annoyance Adrian Martinez transferred to Kansas State. While he did cause Wisconsin’s defense fits every time he played them, Martinez was also very turnover prone. With Martinez now gone, Scott Frost took a big dip into the transfer market. He picked up commitments from Casey Thompson (Texas) and Chubba Purdy (Florida State).
Someone new will be barking out the signals for the Cornhuskers this season. A competition between Thompson, Purdy and in-house candidates Logan Smothers, and Heinrich Haarberg will be happening in preseason camp. Thompson led the Big 12 in touchdown passes (24) last season. Purdy brings tremendous upside as a former four-star recruit. Logan Smothers has been in the system for a year now. Smothers started one game in 2021 completing 23 passes for 317 yards and rushed for 133 more with two touchdowns. Haarberg also brings upside to the position and was fifth best quarterback in Nebraska when he was recruited. All four of those quarterbacks also have more then one year of eligibility remaining. This sets the Cornhuskers up for both the present and future. Also, Thompson and Purdy seem to be an upgrade over Adrian Martinez on paper.
Memorial Stadium And Nebraska Fans
No matter how bad the Nebraska Cornhuskers have been, the fans still show up. Despite a 3-9 finish last year, Nebraska averaged a standing room only crowd of 85,458. This was good for the tenth best attendance in the country. It should be noted that Nebraska currently has a sellout streak dating back to 1962 (excluding 2020).
Wisconsin last faced Nebraska in Lincoln back in 2019 (Nebraska’s turn was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID). It has been three years since the Badgers have last been to Memorial Stadium. Most players who were on both Nebraska’s and Wisconsin’s 2019 teams have graduated. Wisconsin’s current group of players have never played at Memorial Stadium before. The weekend the Badgers visit is also the final home game for the graduating seniors. This will mean that Memorial Stadium will be sold out of everything including standing room tickets. The stadium will be extra rowdy for sure. With the hostile environment that Memorial Stadium presents, this might be a challenge for Wisconsin.
A Lot Could Be At Stake
While this isn’t your father’s or grandfather’s national contender University of Nebraska Football team, they aren’t a pushover either. With Scott Frost coaching for his job, a new offense and a new quarterback, the Cornhuskers will be doing everything to win in 2022. It’s been five years since Nebraska has had a winning season and gone to a bowl game. With how late Nebraska plays Wisconsin in 2022, the Cornhuskers might be playing for bowl eligibility that week. With it being senior day, nothing could be more motivating than the seniors going out by getting their team bowl eligible. An opportunity to win the Freedom Trophy for the first time in program history is also on the line as well. Wisconsin must take all that into consideration with a potential Big Ten West title and a trip to Indianapolis at stake.
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