The start of the season is just around the corner and there are still many unknowns in and around the Nebraska football program.

Some are big picture, some are very specific, and some may not have an answer this season.

Let’s ask the questions and find the answers:

What is Nebraska’s “Andy Dufresne moment”? And will it happen this year?

We all remember the famous scene in The Shawshank Redemption where Andy Dufresne is finally released after spending over 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Morgan Freeman’s character described it this way: “Andy crawled to freedom through 1,500 feet of horrible, smelly monster that I can’t even imagine – or maybe I just don’t want to imagine.” When he is free, he raises his arms to the sky in triumph.

A year ago I wrote: “Friends, we are not quite at the moment when Andy Dufresne crawls out of the sewer pipe. But he is coming.”

I know that moment will come, but I’m not sure what it will be…or when it will happen.

Is it a win against Colorado in a memorable setting? A first bowl appearance since 2016? A 7-0 start? A win against a top-ranked team like Ohio State? The first winning November since 2015? Nine or more wins? A place in the College Football Playoffs?

I really have no idea what that moment will be – or if we’ll experience it this season. All I know is that it will feel wonderful… and it won’t be the end of Nebraska’s possibilities.

Which rule change will have the biggest impact on Nebraska’s season?

There are a number of NCAA rule changes – both on and off the field – that could have a major impact on Nebraska’s season. I see four that could impact games:

While all of these rules should benefit Nebraska and its aspirations to be a developmental program, I think helmet communication will have the biggest impact.

Which new assistant coach will have the biggest impact on the season?

With all due respect to Aaron Coeling, Josh Bringuel, Rashaan Melvin and the numerous other new assistants and analysts, I will limit the question to co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas and pass game coordinator/secondary coach John Butler.

Both Thomas and Butler come to Nebraska with impressive resumes filled with NFL and power conference coordinator experience. And both will lead position groups that are critical to the team’s success.

Butler, who joined the team in mid-July, has hit the ground running. His presence has allayed some of the offseason fears that the secondary was a weak spot on the defense. If Tony White becomes head coach in 2025 (which is widely expected), I don’t think it’s unreasonable to consider Butler a “defensive coordinator in waiting.”

Thomas doesn’t lead a very large room, but when you have a five-star quarterback under his tutelage, the spotlight is bright. I was impressed with Thomas’s students in the spring game, especially the improved accuracy of Heinrich Haarberg, who completed just 49% of his throws in 2023.

In my opinion, Thomas – who is praised for Raiola’s play – will have the greater impact. But I will not turn down a strong, ball-hungry secondary.

Which players are ready for a groundbreaking season?

For our purposes, I define a “breakthrough season” as one in which a player either performs in his first extended season of play or a returning player significantly improves his game.

How high would the Kool-Aid level be if the Big Ten West still existed?

Currently, optimism for this season is higher than it has been for a long time.

But what if the Big Ten West still existed? Would the fans be more or less excited?

For our purposes, we’ll swap out USC and UCLA’s scheduled games for games against West opponents Northwestern and Minnesota. Would the Huskers be one of the favorites to win the division and the Big Ten championship?

Based on preseason conference rankings, Iowa would be the favorite, followed closely by Nebraska and Wisconsin. The Black Friday clash in Iowa City would likely determine who goes to Indy and has a good shot at the playoffs.

But alas, East and West now sit in the divisional graveyard alongside legends and frontrunners. And with 18 teams in the conference, reaching the Big Ten Championship game is a tall order, much harder than qualifying for the playoffs.

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