Act II: Huskers' 2024 story can get good in middle third

A post-spring look at games against Purdue, Rutgers, Indiana and Ohio State.

Courtesy Nebraska Athletics

Act II is where stories are made. A decent premise will get a tale started; just build Act I around that. Conclusions are more difficult—like November football in the Big Ten—and a good or bad Act III is often all anyone remembers.

Beginnings and endings are the skill positions of story. Middles are the trenches, where most of the craft comes in. Think of your favorite books, films or whatever. What’s your favorite Act II?

Not as easy to recall as a great premise or finale, is it?

After a four-game homestand in Act I, Nebraska has a potentially fascinating middle-third. Three of the four games are on the road. They should include the best Big Ten team the Huskers face and maybe the worst.

Here’s a post-spring look at Nebraska’s middle four games: at Purdue (Sept. 28), Rutgers (Oct. 5), at Indiana (Oct. 19) and at Ohio State (Oct. 26).