24 x 2 = Nebraska bowl game

Previewing Nebraska-Northwestern with a quick look at two of the Huskers' ambitious, internal goals.

Screenshot from youtube.com/huskers

Louisville. The 2022 Cardinals are the best-case model for Nebraska over the remaining six games in 2023.

I reached this conclusion after watching the latest episode of the Huskers’ YouTube series, “GBRewind.” If you haven’t watched it yet, or any of the first three episodes, I recommend it. It’s a valuable behind-the-scenes look at how Matt Rhule and staff are trying to help this team win games. That takes the form of fiery pregame and post-practice speeches. It takes the form of community outreach and pizza-and-wings night.

In some cases, the insight to be gained is hanging right there on the walls.

I noticed the two signs in the screen grab above because I like to learn the metrics coaches use internally whenever I can. One sign reads “Attack the Ball - Take 30,” the other “Attack the QB - Race to 40.” I assumed the numbers, four and 14 respectively, were Nebraska’s count, and from there it was easy to determine what was being counted. The Huskers had four takeaways and 14 sacks entering the Illinois game.

Internally, then, 30 takeaways and 40 sacks were two of the season-long goals set out for this defense. Those are ambitious numbers. Only five teams have hit both numbers over the past five full seasons, removing 2020.

That brings me to last year’s Louisville team, the rest of Nebraska’s season and 24 twice.