Nebraska's three toughest opposing offenses
Nebraska football and new defensive coordinator John Butler will be tested against several great offenses in 2025.
The Huskers will face some of the best offenses in the Big Ten in 2025. They will also take on an offense and a team with national championship aspirations in 2025.
Here are the three toughest offenses the Huskers will face in 2025.
JOIN HUSKERONLINE TODAY FOR $1 FOR THE FIRST WEEK!
1. Penn State
Penn State has high hopes for its 2025 team after making a run to the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals. Nebraska battles the Nittany Lions on Saturday, Nov. 22, in University Park, Pa, in their second-to-last game of the regular season.
The Nittany Lions return quarterback Drew Allar, one of the country’s best quarterbacks. With Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Ohio State’s Will Howard gone, he could be the best in the conference. Allar threw for 3,327 passing yards and had a 66.5% completion percentage for 262 completions.
They have arguably the best running back duo nationally in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Singleton and Allen were the first Penn State duo to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards each in a single season. Penn State has high hopes for its offensive line as well. Some say it could be the best O-line under head coach James Franklin.
Penn State led the conference with 3,237 rushing yards and 202.3 rushing yards per game last season. Their dominant RB duo and offensive line will ensure another great rushing season. However, the jury is still out for the Nittany Lions’ wide receivers. They added Kyron Hudson (USC), Trebor Pena (Syracuse), and Devonte Ross (Troy), but the group has lots to prove.
2. USC
USC has bolstered its 2025 roster with 16 transfer additions. The Trojans return quarterback Jayden Maiava, who could make a huge jump under the instruction of head coach Lincoln Riley. He claimed the starting job late in the season, completed 101-of-169 passes for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
The Trojans also return wide receive Ja’Kobi Lane, the MVP of the Las Vegas Bowl. The high-round 2026 NFL Draft Pick recorded 525 receiving yards on 43 catches in 2024. USC added more offensive weapons to build around Maiava and Lane.
They also upgraded their offensive line with Syracuse transfer center J’onre Reed and former Boilermaker left guard DJ Wingfield. Both of USC’s lines are starting to look like they belong in the Big Ten.
Top 10
- 1New
Top 25 toughest stadiums
EA Sports College Football 26
- 2Hot
Paul Finebaum
Blasts FSU QB for Alabama comments
- 3
Joel Klatt
10 games that will shape 2025 season
- 4
Steve Spurrier
Questions Arch Manning hype
- 5Trending
Baseball Top 25
Final Top 25 released
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
After going 7-6 in their inaugural Big Ten season, the Trojans have a path to finishing 9-3 in 2025. They face Nebraska on Nov. 1 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.
3. Michigan
Nebraska battles a very different-looking Michigan Team on Sept. 20 at Memorial Stadium. The Wolverines will be without their head coach Sherrone Moore and a new quarterback.
Freshman Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 QB in the class of 2025, is the heavy favorite to win the starting job. However, is the 18-year-old ready to run a Big Ten offense? His outstanding high school career and spring game prove he could be the right guy for the job.
The Wolverines lost running backs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings. They are banking on Jordan Marshall, who battled a lower-body injury and redshirted in 2024, to be a menace in the run attack. Just like Michigan, Marshall ended the 2024 season on a high note. He was the MVP of the ReliaQuest Bowl after rushing for 100 yards on 23 carries in Michigan’s 19-13 win over Alabama.
Michigan added former Indiana wide receiver Donaven McCulley, its best pickup in the transfer portal.
The Wolverines ended a disappointing season with great wins over Ohio State and Alabama. Can they carry that momentum into the non-conference and Lincoln with their new pieces and their head coach missing from the sideline?
