Can Nebraska Football Reach The 12-Team College Football Playoff?

Can Nebraska Football Reach The 12-team College Football Playoff? Yes. I do not think the Cornhuskers will achieve that feat, but they can do it if everything goes their way. If Dylan Raiola plays to his ceiling, the defense improves, and the offensive line and running backs are healthy, this team is a contender to make the CFP. They won't win a CFP game if they make it, but making it in year two of the Matt Rhule era is an achievement in itself. However, it is unlikely because every question will have to be answered positively, which is not possible. We talk about all of this and more in this episode of College Football with Sam. Make sure to comment so I can interact with you and answer any questions you have!
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0:00 Introduction
3:45 Requirements To Reach The CFP
10:45 Nebraska's 2024 Schedule
16:45 Nebraska's Strengths
21:00 Nebraska's Weaknesses
26:15 Can the Cornhuskers reach the 12-team CFP?
#collegefootball #nebraskafootball #nebraskacornhuskers #bigtenfootball #michiganfootball #michiganwolverines #ohiostatefootball #ohiostatebuckeyes #michiganstatefootball #oregonfootball #collegefootball2024

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[@crazyentertainmenful]

Dont drink the koolaid dont drink the koolaid dont drink the koolaid...*sees a college with sam nebraska video* OH FUCK ME

[@BearsEatBeetz]

Yall think you are a championship team every season… 😂😂😂

[@natman4793]

And your bears will still always eat beetz ​@@BearsEatBeetz

[@Big.Rik_]

As a born and raised husker (living in Lincoln), here is what seems to be the general vibe: A perfect year would be 11-1. HIGHLY unlikely, but possible. I think 6-6 would be dissapointing, 7-5 or 8-4 are expected, 9-3 is very possible but better than expected, and double digits wins is euphoric. even at 10-2 I'm 50-50 to think we'd still make it, but id probably pass away if we made it in regardless. As someone who can only remember from about 2008 and later (as far as husker football is concerned), Its been downhill my whole life lmao. I just hope to one day experience what the OG old heads did.

[@michaelvaladez5460]

They can reach it on ea college football when I play it next month GBR

[@mattm402]

10 wins while unlikely this year isn't that crazy of a thought. Heck if they way the fan base travels is taken into account, 9 wins might squeeze them in.

[@michaelvaladez5460]

@@mattm402 I’m optimist in irl I just wanted to make a joke

[@user-ut8ls7qp1j]

my friend sam my ohio state buckeyes blew it again losing that quarterback to nebraska ,that young man is going to make a huge difference for the cornhuskers ,that kid has a great arm

[@colbyvlach1093]

You guys got 2 5 star QBs out of that class, I think you’ll be fine haha

[@sleepyg2011]

Not a fan whatsoever Ohio State will be just fine going forward.

[@NEbeliever]

He didn’t come, he left because he didn’t want a competition with the 5 star freshman that we got while he was visiting

[@user-ut8ls7qp1j]

@@NEbeliever that kid is going to be great for nebraska

[@MrBestshot33]

You lost him to Georgia who lost him to Nebraska.

[@BIG10_Quicktalk]

I love how everyone reads the thumbnail and just immediately produces angry comments lol 🤣😂. Listen to the reasoning and don't judge based on the headline. That being said I think the month of November will prove too tough for the Huskers to make any sort of run- plus questions on the O'line and- lets not get it twisted- Raiola will struggle (at times) because he is a frickin teenager! That being said- 7-9 wins is easily attainable

[@emusdad]

Raiola is far ahead of what you’d expect from a true frosh.

[@GBR_For_Life]

Fuck yes we can! GBR Sam!

[@Knowbudi1]

As a die hard Husker, thanks for a fun "best case senario" break down. I agree, this is very, very unlikely, but runs like this happen in football regularly. To say that it cant this year is ignoring the fact that N finally stopped hiring coordinators as first time head coaches and got someone with a track record. Respecable football is all most of us want, and i think Rhule can get us there. And save it people, every fan base has an extreme that thinks they should be 12 and 0 every year. Programs that have had a lot of success just have more than others. Real husker fans know better.

[@mikef3896]

The Colorado game will determine how most of the season goes. If they win, all aboard the hype train. If they lose, all hype will be gone.

[@user-oc2bq5vg8z]

Exactly...

[@jesusrivera743]

Where’s your loyalty what if they finish 10-2 , 9-3 or for that matter 11-1 Must let the season play out . Crazier things have happened in college football.

[@mikef3896]

@jesusrivera743 Loyalty has nothing to do with it. That doesn't even make sense. I think the Colorado game will set the tone for the season. Ya they could go on and still have a great season, or they could completely fall apart and not even make a bowl game. I'll still be watching win or lose, so your point on loyalty is worthless. Am I supposed to just blindly say they're going to be amazing no matter what? You must not know Nebraska football if you think things are just going to go flawlessly for them. Blind loyalty is not what this program needs. That has happened over the past 20 years, and look how that turned out.

[@jesusrivera743]

⁠@@mikef3896I’ve been a husker fan since 1968. Bleed Husker red. I’m from The Bronx New York friends with John O’Leary FB 1973 . Cameron Lendhardt , Rahmir Johnson are my hommies . Tony Ortiz LB Naty 94 , 95 . my home boy from Connecticut . Matt Rhule is the chosen one. He’ll bring back how it feels to win big . PS Colorado will get payback …. I guess I chose the wrong word in loyalty. I just meant don’t give up college football is a crazy game. I believe Nebraska fans are the most loyal in college football. I could tell you stories about them.

[@armandhammer3782]

I'm hoping this is the breakout year. Cautiously optimistic that 9 or 10 wins are possible. GO BIG RED!

[@mattm402]

as many as 11 wins are possible. I think 8-9 is realistic. Yes DR is an upgrade and would of won us games like MN,MD, WI and IA last year( there's 9 wins last season). I think he might cost us a game.

[@collegefootballwithsam]

What Nebraska Football-specific topics should I make videos on next?

[@bradsmith2661]

It’s June. You could talk about recruiting

[@collegefootballwithsam]

@@bradsmith2661 Especially with NIL, I am not going to focus on recruiting. However, I will make videos breaking down Big Ten rosters (including incoming 2024 players) and also breaking down current Big Ten 2025 recruiting classes.

[@DeweyCaulx]

I'd love to hear your take on why Coach Rhule is keeping Dylan so guarded. Hardly see him in the media they produce and all questions asked about him are answered with qb room talk and not direct Dylan related answers.

[@bradsmith2661]

@@collegefootballwithsam Fair enough. Love the content! Keep up the good work!

[@nathanjohnson1067]

Dylan Raiola’s ceiling this year

[@MinutemanThree]

Thanks for your informed, interesting, and candid observations, Sam. GBR!!

[@collegefootballwithsam]

GBR! You are welcome and thank you for the $5 super chat.

[@SpencerBringhurst]

Hell yeah we can! GBR!

[@66048fishn-huntin]

Yes, Nebraska can IF Dylan is as good as advertised, the O-line stays healthy and show improvement, skill players stay healthy, and the Defense shows improvement over the really good unit they were last year. Too many big ifs so they can but they probably won’t.

[@cornymonkey]

You’re delusional a freshman won’t be good enough to flip the team this year

[@66048fishn-huntin]

Delusional? I said they wouldn’t, so are you saying they will? Read things before you comment, please.

[@cornymonkey]

@@66048fishn-huntin I’m saying there isn’t a chance raiola can do it. It’s never been done having a freshman qb flip a 5 - 7 team to 10 - 2. You’re saying there is a chance, while there really isn’t for a freshman qb.

[@66048fishn-huntin]

Ok. So nothing that has never been done before will ever be done from here on out? A decent QB last year and NU would have been 8-4. Would have been 8-4 last year. Year 2 under Rhule doesn’t have a chance of 3 more wins than that. Of course there is a chance, just a very small one.

[@66048fishn-huntin]

With average QB play last year Nebraska would have won several games over Minnesota, Mich State, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Maryland. It was an 8-4 team last year with atrocious QB play.

[@jesusrivera743]

Sam your insight is so meticulous . Keep up the good work …..

[@collegefootballwithsam]

Thanks, will do!

[@tobyboles5932]

love your speil on dem huskas. we might all be surprised Sam, Ruhle has the mojo brother just look how all sports are doing in Nebraska since his arrival.

[@subtlechange3000]

They can. IF you go by pure talent. They're head cases. They've been head cases for a long time. It's like football is hard but not as hard as Nebraska makes it. I'm a Nebraska fan and I don't think they have a chance. I'm a crappy fan, but an honest one. At least they figured out that there is no such thing as a good quarterback who runs all the time. Man, they had some jokers. Of course everybody thinks Adrian Martinez is the MVP of the UFL. Dude. YOU could be the MVP of the UFL.

[@jesusnewcovenant]

The schedule means we can go 7-0 and actually be very average. So, most of Husker Nation will be drinking kool-aid all the while bloviating on its own perception; rather than fundamental, solid football. I still think our program needs two more years of development in the trenches. This shows more later in the season against real teams that are not good, but solid.

[@fairlymediocreOG]

If we win 10/11 games and make the playoff, LFG!!! But realistically… i’d be happy with 8 wins and being in the Holiday bowl.

[@jesusrivera743]

With a very good start by Raiola this team can be great with a shot at the playoffs ….

[@simonclark5734]

Husker fan here, we're going 12-0 (I am delusional for the 22nd season in a row)

[@simonclark5734]

On a more serious note, I could see the Big Red winning their first 7 and then losing 5 straight, but my initial thought looking at this schedule was 10-2. I might still be delusional but this is why we love sports. #GBR

[@jesusrivera743]

If you’re competitive at Ohio State on the road that can’t hurt at least we’ll know what it takes to beat them. Who knows we may meet them again like in the conference championship or the playoffs .

[@tmzach]

You aren't crazy. Nebraska is on the rise!

[@thuzeza]

11-1 then upset oregon in the champ game (sniffs a line of kool-aid)... Bring it onn wooo

[@jpmehello]

Sam says hes not predicting the husker will go to the playoff, but maybe possibly could (arpund 13 times. My brain **Sam says the Huskers are going to the playoff! **

[@emusdad]

10-2 is very possible. First, let’s look at last years team. 5 wins, 7 losses. The only game that wasn’t close was Michigan. The rest, six games, we lost by less than 1 score. Why? We had the worst qbs in college football. We were -17 in turnovers and that was almost all from the qbs. And we lost eight starters on offense to injury and one starter left a week before the opener. The injuries were a freak occurrence and the qb issues are fixed. All that being said, we return almost 80 percent of production from last year. On top of that we add three top notch, nfl caliber portal additions on offense and a true frosh qb who is far from your typical true frosh qb. We had a top five defense and returned the entire d line, and only lost two linebackers and a cb. This team is loaded with talent, potential and have been coached well. There are only two teams on our schedule with more talent than us, Ohio state and usc, but not by much with usc. Now to this year. Our schedule. If we beat every team with less talent, that’s 10-2. I’m not saying that will happen, that’s just the numbers. We will be favored our first seven games and a 7-0 start isn’t an absurd thought. The toughest games will be Rutgers at home and Illinois at home. I’m not worried about Colorado. Outside of Ohio state, there isn’t an obvious Loss. Our last four games are usc, icla, Iowa and Wisconsin. We split the California teams, most likely which would give us eight. And then we have Wisconsin at home and Iowa at Iowa. We have lots more talent than either of those teams. But Iowa plays us hard and it bring on the road will be hard. This is Iowas biggest game of the year. We wi still be favored 10-2 isn’t what I’m guaranteeing, but i guarantee we’re closer to ten wins than 7

[@judysmall8238]

Good show Sam.

[@Slimebry4]

You have to be good at running the ball if everyone knows your running the ball and you still can run the ball

[@broncosbeat8539]

I think Husker fans would be over the moon with 8-4 and a bowl game in year 2 with Rhule and year 1 with Raiola

[@stevemoserify]

eventually they should, sure as hell wont be this year though

[@SirOnionKnight402]

As a Nebraska fan, I personally think the floor for Nebraska is 6-6 this year. The ceiling is 11-1 if Raiola comes out and does look like a Patrick Mahomes out there like everyone has been comparing him to. But my prediction is they will lose one of their first 7, OSU, and one of the final 4. 9-3 is my prediction for this team but 8-4 is the most likely outcome. I think this team has more talent on Offense than all of their opponents except OSU and USC, and more talent on Defense than all of their opponents except OSU and Iowa. This is the most exciting year for me as a Husker fan since Bo was fired(screw Shawn Eichorst).

[@RedEd1969]

Only one team that is perceived to be way better then NU on the schedule. A lot of close games will be played. NU is somewhere around 9 wins

[@taklfarms2575]

Colorado game is a season changer. I think it will be a tight game.

[@jesusrivera743]

Your probably insane but crazy things have happened in college football

[@jesusrivera743]

What if Iowa or Wisconsin finish 9-3 or 10-2 and we beat them ….

[@user-oc2bq5vg8z]

May want slow roll...Vegas has Nebraska at 6.5 wins

[@nrhurley117]

Yeah and as a Husker fan I think k that’s 2.5 wins too high

[@gabeswitala2292]

And Vegas is never wrong! Signed a wolverine.

[@cornymonkey]

@@nrhurley117so then bet the under. Should be easy due to you thinking Nebraska will win 4 games

[@nrhurley117]

@@cornymonkey I hope they can at least

[@thomaswonderwood9826]

Dont have to win big just need to win..

[@jesusrivera743]

It will be tough to reach the playoffs because the Huskers toughest games are at the end of the season and that usually affects the rankings.

[@mattm402]

So Nebraska is in advantageous spot then. Assume losses to USC and OSU on the road. If DR is as advertised and the team is mostly healthy UCLA and WI at home should be wins. That leaves them at 8-3 or 9-2 depending on the first 7 games with a road trip to IA. If they are 9-2 going into the Iowa game and ranked in the top 15. I would say a win at Iowa puts them in the playoffs.

[@alancerveny279]

I don’t see why this take is so crazy. CFB is a game of momentum. If Nebraska gets off to a strong start (likely), it’s doable, especially when you consider how many times they’ll go into each week’s game as an underdog. The idea they can’t be ‘explosive’ with a strong-armed QB and a group of track star receivers is dubious. The defense will be lights out. They’ll go as far as the offense takes them.

[@jonathanheiden3411]

100% no going to happen. I'm predicting 5-7. I would bet my entire salary that in the very best case scenario, they will only get 7-5 and that's pushing it

[@luclockhart3503]

Why you do this to me Sam.. I’m trying to keep my expectations low 😢

[@ChosenPlaysYT]

You have a great channel Sam and I’m a Husker fan, but there is NO WAY IN HELL we’re making the playoff lol… I feel like I’m about to go on a Jim Mora rant.

[@andrewmueller9986]

It is almost like blatant pandering to NU fans at this point.

[@pavelstrelchuk216]

@@andrewmueller9986you guys give him alot of views, so y wouldn’t he

[@Knowbudi1]

Did you guys actually listen to the video?

[@andrewmueller9986]

@@Knowbudi1 Most of it. Did you think it was realistic?

[@ernybonistall2517]

I enjoy the audio content. I'm consuming this via KZbin. An online video format. Not a blog, or a podcast. I want video 90% of the content to support the audio. It is not radio here, or a 10 page print story. Big problem for me is KZbin uploads with no freaking video? This would probably be a good read. Not suited for KZbin.

[@ronaldtentschert6876]

Kansas or Kansas State has a better chance at making the College Football Playoff than Nebraska. I'm an SEC guy.

[@collegefootballwithsam]

Oh 100% they do. They play in an easier conference and will also be a similar level of better team than the Huskers this year.

[@KALICOE]

Yes

[@stephenlang7870]

12 wins are possible. A B1G championship is possible. But Vegas says 7.5. I think they will be lucky to be bowl eligible.

[@taketheredpill1452]

8 wins is my balanced take; more is better...

[@bigcheese467]

If they win enough games then yes they can.

[@BrownieCFB]

Of course not 😭

[@collegefootballwithsam]

I am pretty sure they won't, but 2016 Colorado, 2018 Penn State, 2021 Michigan State, 2021 Pittsburgh, and plenty more teams that had no business being in the 4-team CFP would have made the 12-team CFP if it was implemented. If Nebraska plays to their ceiling, it could happen.

[@CalvinFrerichs]

Nebraska will be lucky to go 6&6 and im a husker fan, we lose again to CO, frop the rutgers game and prly the Indiana game also, along with Ohio State and Wisconsin and either iowa or usc if not both. Nebraska will barely make a dowl game this year but i do think they finally make it after yet another embarrassing year.

[@Scholtinator]

Nebraska fan here. We will go 6-6. Until we get 6 or more wins in a season then I’ll re-adjust my prediction in future years. Until then I’ll refuse to have hope.

[@dannelson9944]

what a loser mentality, dont want to be hopeful for the upcoming season. at least if we have another shitty season i got to enjoy the off season.

[@ribble_wibble7478]

Huge Nebraska fan, ur a clown 8+

[@emusdad]

What are the six guaranteed losses ?

[@Scholtinator]

@@emusdad I never said 6 guaranteed losses. It’s a prediction. But the 6 losses I mostly likely see are. 1. Ohio State 2. USC 3. Wisconsin 4. Colorado 5. Iowa 6. Either Rutgers or Indiana, someone who we think we should beat 9 out of 10 times.

[@emusdad]

You said we will lose six games. Which six teams are going to beat us? You said it, now back it up.

[@TJ-bk9vf]

I just want a GD bowl game. Don’t care if it’s the Playtex Tampon bowl. Just give me something.

[@regfrevell4201]

Huskers “should be” a 11 win team. No Huskers won’t lose to Colorado…a team that they dominated last year and physically killed them…. Took a bunch of turnovers and a quit late for the Buffs to win. The dominance will be big this year. Huskers will crush several teams…this won’t be a “ball/game control” team. Dominance will be a part of 2024. Schedule is Taylor Made for a young QB…and at 7-0 ranked top 6 …Huskers will play a TOUGH game week 8! There is ONLY one game after that they could lose….USC. Then Iowa will look for a HUGE upset on Black Friday. Huskers finish 10-2 and could be 11-1

[@StolenHope]

Even as a husker fan i think tou should bedrug tested

[@collegefootballwithsam]

Understandable. Granted, there are about 40+ teams that can contend to reach the CFP now. Winning the CFP is still just as hard, if not harder, but making it is much easier than it was last year.

[@dionpryor369]

Nebraska definitely has a chance to get to the playoffs.. Ohio st. Is the only for sure loss on the schedule.. GBR 🌽🏈🌽💥

[@rundoggie117]

You can't make it to the 12 team playoff with a schedule like their's, and only 10 wins. They gotta win out, save for a single understandable loss to OSU. To win 10 fans is already beyond a stretch. Focus on getting a program back on track and making a bowl first.

[@RDK423]

12-0

[@tobyboles5932]

I don't know why my name braska rascal dont show up when i post? oh well I'm braska rascal Sam lol.

[@tompiper1480]

Nebraska will lose four or five games

[@michaelvaladez5460]

Sam you’re gonna make me drink all the kool aid

[@JamesAllen-ns7wg]

If NE doesn't have the costly turnovers like last year, there is a chance for them.

[@225JAYY]

Utep-(solid new coach, solid transfers)-Possible Loss Colorado-Loss Rutgers-Possible Loss Ohio State-Loss UCLA-Loss USC-Loss Wisconsin-Loss Iowa-Loss

[@Hunter-dj9ld]

I could see quite a few of those games being wins, especially Colorado and UTEP. The Colorado game last year was a lot closer then the scored indicated. The only reason Colorado scored by halftime is because Nebraska’s QBs fumbled on their own 20 multiple times. If the offense was even halfway competent, it likely would’ve been a completely different outcome.

[@225JAYY]

@@Hunter-dj9ld I will respect your “IF’s” just this one time. Because if you say that, Every single position on Colorado’s roster has improved significantly. Y’all struggled against a last minute put together roster. I’m pretty sure you took a peak at this years roster. All I ask is that you don’t let your emotions over power your common sense.

[@mikef3896]

They could easily win all of those besides osu

[@225JAYY]

@@mikef3896 ok bud

[@NEbeliever]

All of the last 4 and Colorado are pretty close, except probably usc. UTEP is not a question bro.

[@BearsEatBeetz]

No

[@andrewmueller9986]

Wow dude I know you want to get clicks, but maybe pump the brakes on Nebraska a little. I like Rhule, they return almost the whole defense, Raiola is going to be the real deal, but 8 wins is probably the ceiling, and if they got 9 I doubt they would get in. The last 4 preseasons you have been overstated how Nebraska will fare.

[@felix-tp2qi]

Not going to get more than 7 wins. You are forgetting who is calling the plays. My hot take.. Satterfield is gone after this season.

[@BrownieCFB]

I’m a hater but I see 7-5

[@collegefootballwithsam]

I can see 7-5, especially if they lose to Colorado.

[@BrownieCFB]

@@collegefootballwithsamI see losses to CU, Iowa, USC, Wisconsin, and Ohio State.

[@collegefootballwithsam]

@@BrownieCFB Wow, so they start out 6-1 but finish 7-5. That would stink, but at least they would reach a bowl game.

[@pavelstrelchuk216]

Ur overhyping neb. 5-7 as per usual

[@nathanstruble2177]

Did this guy try to claim Colorado is/will be a Top 30 team?? I'll take a microdose of whatever he's on

[@cjbunker8889]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@ElderGrief]

you dont know what the hell you are talking about

[@davidpeterson5640]

You take a long time to start the program, very slow an mono-toned. I’m out.

[@briggsofdisaster]

You’re even more into this pandering to Husker fans this year than you were every year before this! You must be getting a lot of clicks! Too bad they’ll only go 6-6. But hey, at least you’ll be right about them being an improved team this year. Are you aware that there are teams who’ve actually shown real improvement on the field over the past 7 years that deserve coverage? I think you do but those clicks from desperate and delusional fans have got you hooked.

[@collegefootballwithsam]

I mean, I am higher on Rutgers record-wise and was higher on 2022 Nebraska overall compared to this Nebraska team. There is no pandering here, I am just giving my legitimate thoughts. I had this team going 8-4 in the winter and I still have them going 9-3 as I hinted at in my Top 25 video. I am covering Rutgers, a team who has shown real improvement, and as the summer continues there will be other Big Ten teams that I cover who are underrated.

[@JDGrawe0221]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, AND NO. This isn’t the 90s anymore, precious Nebraska hasn’t made a Bowl game since the Obama Administration. You all said this year 2 of the Scott Frost era. Look how that ended. Nebraska does have an easy 7 game start. But I doubt they’ll have a winning record by week 7. The days of Nebraska being relevant in football are long gone. The only thing they have going for them is their fake sellouts. Sorry but until Nebraska gets to a bowl game they’re not sniffing a shot at a Natty. Maybe they should just accept that they’ll win 8 games on a good year. This is a dead poverty program. The freshman QB now has to go on KZbin to find out how good Nebraska was in the 1990s. Soon there will be COACHES who weren’t alive the last time Nebraska won a Natty in Football. Cry about it Huskers

[@brentbrown7940]

Who pissed in your cereal

[@colbyvlach1093]

It’s far better to be a has-been than a never was. Case in point is Raiola, which is why your statement is brimming with irony. I don’t understand how you can whine about how the 90s are dead and in the same message acknowledge it’s how they landed the top QB in the country. Which is it?

[@JDGrawe0221]

@@brentbrown7940 Husker fans are the Worst

[@tysonmeyers2325]

@@JDGrawe0221you look like bubbles from trailer park boys idk why ur talking 🫣

[@user-lr5ju5fm5e]

Husker fan here , but I think you been hitting the crack pipe too hard !!

[@ryancowles5633]

Don’t give me hope Sam 🥲