Nebraska football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2023

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Sep 24, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz (8) catches a pass during the fourth quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

Northern Illinois was fighting for a MAC title just two short years ago, but it took a major step back in 2022, going just 3-9 and this was Thomas Hammock’s third bowl-less season in four years.

Hammock is now entering his fifth year and will need to prove doubters wrong and maybe secure a signature win or two in order to keep his job. This would definitely qualify as a signature win, but I just don’t think that the Huskies have enough firepower to pull off this upset.

Prediction: Win (1-2)

This shouldn’t be too tough of a test for Matt Rhule and Co. as they’ll secure a second win in a row after an 0-2 start, beating a Louisiana Tech team that went 3-9 and finished 11th in Conference USA last season. This should be a nice confidence boosting win that should carry over into the remainder of Big Ten play but a major test awaits in Week 5.

Prediction: Win (2-2)

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