The Nebraska Cornhuskers' 2025 season has come to a close, and now the burning question on every fan's mind is: Where will the Huskers land in the postseason? With a 7-5 record in Matt Rhule's second year at the helm, Nebraska secured bowl eligibility early but stumbled down the stretch, losing three of their last four games. Now, as conference championships wrap up and the College Football Playoff rankings finalize, let’s dive into the latest bowl projections and what they could mean for the Big Red.
But here’s where it gets controversial... Could Nebraska face a team with a mid-season coaching change, or will they clash with an old rival in a high-stakes matchup? Let’s explore the possibilities.
Music City Bowl: Nebraska vs. LSU
The Music City Bowl is the frontrunner for Nebraska’s postseason destination, and a matchup against LSU is the most talked-about scenario. Interestingly, this could mark the fourth time this season the Huskers face a team without its original head coach—LSU fired Brian Kelly earlier this year and recently hired Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss. Historically, Nebraska holds a perfect 5-0-1 record against the Tigers, including four bowl game victories on New Year’s Day. But is history enough to guarantee another win?
Music City Bowl: Nebraska vs. Missouri
Another potential SEC opponent in Nashville is Missouri, a team with a more intimate history with the Huskers. Nebraska leads the all-time series 65-36-3, but the two haven’t met since 2010, when Nebraska moved to the Big Ten and Missouri to the SEC. Missouri finished 8-4 this season, losing three of their last five games to potential playoff contenders. Would this matchup reignite an old rivalry, or is it just another game?
Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. Utah
Returning to Las Vegas, where the season began with Big Ten Media Days, would be a fitting end to an up-and-down year. However, facing Utah could spell trouble. The Utes are 10-2, ranked No. 15 in the CFP, and boast the nation’s No. 2 rushing attack. Nebraska is undefeated against Utah in four regular-season meetings, all played in Lincoln. But can the Huskers stop Utah’s ground game this time around?
Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arizona
Another Las Vegas prediction pairs Nebraska with Arizona, a former Pac-12 and current Big 12 team. The Wildcats are No. 18 in the CFP rankings and finished 9-3, with only one loss to an unranked team. Nebraska and Arizona are tied 1-1-1 in their all-time series, with the Huskers winning the 2009 Holiday Bowl. Is this a chance for Nebraska to tip the scales in their favor?
Pinstripe Bowl: Nebraska vs. Clemson
A return to New York City for the Pinstripe Bowl would be a tough pill to swallow for Husker fans, especially after last year’s win over Boston College. Clemson, another 7-5 team, enters the postseason on a four-game win streak. The two teams have split their only two meetings, with Clemson winning the 1982 Orange Bowl and Nebraska taking the 2009 Gator Bowl. Would this be a redemption game or another letdown?
And this is the part most people miss... With the Big Ten’s bowl ties and the addition of former Pac-12 teams, there’s a real possibility of unexpected matchups. Teams like Washington or USC could face Big Ten opponents in Las Vegas, adding another layer of intrigue.
Big Ten Bowl Ties and Standings
Here’s how the Big Ten’s bowl-eligible teams stack up, excluding CFP-bound Indiana and Ohio State:
1. Michigan (9-3, 7-2)
2. Iowa (8-4, 6-3)
3. Illinois (8-4, 5-4)
4. Minnesota (7-5, 5-4)
5. Nebraska (7-5, 4-5)
6. Northwestern (6-6, 4-5)
7. Penn State (6-6, 3-6)
What do you think, Husker fans? Which bowl game would you most like to see Nebraska play in? And which matchup do you think poses the biggest challenge? Let us know in the comments below!
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