Dylan Raiola and a redesigned offense continue to generate expectations, despite the fact that Nebraska barely made it into ESPN’s preliminary FPI Top 25.
The offseason is extending, and college football supporters are in dire need of conversation, as kickoff is still months away. Consequently, offseason rankings such as ESPN’s FPI are a subject that fans will readily engage in a debate.
Nebraska has claimed the final place in the Top 25 in the initial Football Power Index (FPI) rankings of the 2025 college football season.
Nebraska fans are not unfamiliar with the phenomenon of early-season hype. Last year, the Huskers were initially ranked in the AP Top 25 before experiencing a decline in their standing as a result of several challenging losses. Although that misstep was disheartening, the team’s trajectory indicates that they will have greater longevity this time around.
Dylan Raiola, the quarterback, is the primary focus of the program’s optimism. Raiola, a sophomore, is on the brink of taking the next step in his development, following brief periods of brilliance as a freshman. Dana Holgorsen, the new offensive coordinator, has a complete offseason to transform the former five-star recruit’s raw potential into on-field production. Expectations are high.
Raiola will be operating Holgorsen’s system for the first time in a full season. This system is renowned for its ability to generate potent passing offenses.
ESPN’s FPI rankings are intended to predict team performance and playoff potential by considering the strength of the schedule, returning talent, and other advanced metrics. Nebraska’s ranking at No. 25 indicates that the analytics are cautiously optimistic, positioning the Huskers behind a combination of established programs and emerging ones.
SMU, Missouri, and Arizona State are all just ahead of Nebraska, while programs with national title aspirations, such as Texas, Georgia, and Ohio State, dominate the top of the list.
However, the mere fact that Nebraska is included in the initial rankings is indicative of progress. The Huskers have methodically rebuilt their foundation under the leadership of head coach Matt Rhule, and 2025 may be a pivotal year. Nebraska has a genuine opportunity to ascend the rankings as the season progresses, given the program’s increasing momentum and a manageable Big Ten schedule.
This is the season that Husker supporters have been anticipating, a season that is brimming with genuine excitement and potential. If Raiola lives up to his billing and the offense takes a stride forward, Nebraska could move from the fringes of the Top 25 to a contender in the Big Ten and beyond.
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