The three most pivotal games on Nebraska's 2023 schedule

This season will introduce a new era of Nebraska football under head coach Matt Rhule. The Huskers should find out right away what Year 1 has in store.

Here are three games that we think will ultimately define NU’s 2023 campaign, one way or another…

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Week 1: at Minnesota

As mentioned, Nebraska won’t have to wait long for a chance to set the tone for its entire season.

Opening the year on the road on a Thursday night against a division opponent is about as important a start as it gets. The Huskers are currently listed as roughly seven-point underdogs, but the level of unknowns on both sidelines makes this a fascinating matchup.

Rhule and his staff still have many questions to answer before this one kicks off. But they will also be a complete mystery to the Golden Gophers – and everyone else, for that matter.

Now pair that element of surprise with Minnesota still needing to address its own concerns. Those include replacing record-setting QB Tanner Morgan, all-time leading rusher Mohamed Ibrahim, and three starters on the offensive line.

Going into his seventh season, P.J. Fleck is now one of the most established coaches in the Big Ten. That’s a big part of why the Gophers are early favorites. But an upset victory could catapult expectations in Lincoln right out of the gate.

RELATED: Toughest Tests: Ranking the best offenses and defenses Nebraska will face this season

Week 2: at Colorado

Again, this season will be defined immediately. A week after its opener in Minneapolis, Nebraska will head out to Boulder for another rematch with former rival Colorado.

Beyond all the old Big Eight and Big 12 nostalgia, this game will be squarely in the national spotlight. Deion Sanders’ home opener on FOX Big Noon Saturday during an otherwise mundane Week 2 slate. Yeah, everyone will be watching this one.

While the Huskers are going through their share of offseason turnover, no team in the country hit the reset button harder than Sanders and Co.

Between incoming freshmen and roughly 40 new transfers, Colorado will likely have around 50 of its 85 scholarship players going through their first CU practices in August. The Buffs are excited about newcomers like QB Sheduer Sanders, wideouts Jimmy Horn Jr. and Xavier Weaver, and WR/CB Travis Hunter.

This game will be critical for Nebraska, which is currently listed as an 8.5-point favorite. If the Huskers lose at Minnesota, they will desperately need to avoid an 0-2 start. If they beat the Gophers, they could pick up incredible momentum with two straight Power Five road wins to open the year.

RELATED: Degrees of difficulty: Ranking Nebraska’s 2023 schedule from easiest to hardest

Week 13: vs. Iowa

There is no longer any debate: the Nebraska-Iowa rivalry is real. That’s especially true after the Huskers finally snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series with a win in Iowa City last season.

Now NU hopes to keep the Heroes Trophy for a second straight year by beating the Hawkeyes in Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2012. In the context of what Black Friday could mean for both teams’ seasons, it’s equally important.

Given that Nebraska’s projected Vegas win total right now is six, there’s a real chance that this game might have to be victory No. 6. If so, snapping a six-year bowl game draught could ride on beating Iowa.

Vegas isn’t much higher on the Hawkeyes, placing their win total at around seven. But there’s also the storyline regarding offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. After guiding one of the worst offenses in college football last season, Iowa’s brass drew a clear line in the sand.

While Ferentz was retained for another year, the Hawks must win seven games and average 25 points to keep his job. Even in a loss, Nebraska could impact its rival’s future if Iowa is hovering around the 25 ppg mark going into the finale.

RELATED: Over or under? Predicting Nebraska’s 2023 win-loss record

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