Nebraska football: 3 bold predictions vs. Minnesota in 2023 opener

LINCOLN, NE - APRIL 22: Head coach Matt Rhule of Nebraska Cornhuskers and quarterback Jeff Sims #14 of Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on April 22, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - APRIL 22: Head coach Matt Rhule of Nebraska Cornhuskers and quarterback Jeff Sims #14 of Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on April 22, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – APRIL 22: Head coach Matt Rhule of Nebraska Cornhuskers answers questions at the press conference following the game at Memorial Stadium on April 22, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – APRIL 22: Head coach Matt Rhule of Nebraska Cornhuskers answers questions at the press conference following the game at Memorial Stadium on April 22, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

1. Last-minute field goal breaks Nebraska football fans’ hearts

While this will be a big first test for Nebraska, I think that it’s going to be even more important of a game for PJ Fleck and Minnesota. The Gophers’ head coach needs to show that he can take care of business against a rebuilding program in the opener and not fall flat like his teams have done in the past.

A win for Nebraska would absolutely start a dialogue about Fleck at Minnesota, but I just don’t think he loses at home here.

Matt Rhule is going to have his team ready and we’ll see a heck of a competitive game between these two teams, but Minnesota is going to get the last crack at a win. The Gophers will have the ball in a tie game, taking it down the field and into field goal position.

With a little over a minute left, Minnesota will kick a field goal to take a 3-point lead and the Cornhuskers won’t be able to respond, turning it over on their final drive to begin the Rhule era 0-1.

Nothing to hang their heads about, though.

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