Third of three parts November football games often determine the success and perception of a team’s season, as they should. That’s especially true for Nebraska,
Ohio State Julian Sayin runs away from defensive lineman Will Smith Jr. during the Buckeyes' spring game. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThree of the Huskers’ four November games are on the road and the home game is a beast — vs. Ohio State on Nov. 21.
Illinois, Rutgers and Iowa on the road could go either way, in theory, although Bret Bielema’s Illini program is a growing Big Ten force. As for Iowa, well, the Hawkeyes have won 10-of-11 against Nebraska. Nebraska is likely to face a Heisman finalist in Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, two transfers and another new starting quarterback at Iowa.
It's an interesting mix for what should be aIn the last two seasons at East Carolina, Houser completed 418-of-653 passes for 37 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Houser, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior, was highly coveted in the transfer portal. As a redshirt freshman at Michigan State in 2023, he started seven games. He completed 113-of-193 passes , with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
Houser brings experience and skill to an Illini program that was 9-4 last season and might be on the brink of making its first College Football Playoff appearance. Houser replaces Luke Altmyer, who threw for 3,007 yards, with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. Big shoes to fill, but if Houser fills them, watch the Illini. This is a Friday night game.
Lonergan is accurate. He completed 190-of-284 passes , with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions on a 2-10 Boston College team. Lonergan, a senior, started his college career at Alabama. He played three games and completed 7-of-8 passes.
Rutgers hopes Lonergan can step in and help the Scarlet Knights improve from last season’s 5-7 record. With only nine starts across three seasons, Lonergan’s relevant inexperience should be an area Nebraska can exploit. Sayin was 2-2 vs. ranked Power 4 opponents, and 8-0 vs. unranked Power 4 opponents last season. Against ranked teams, Sayin had six touchdowns and four interceptions.
Against the unranked, he had 19 touchdowns and one interception. Sayin, a redshirt sophomore, was a Heisman Trophy finalist in his first year as a starter. His top receiver, Jeremiah Smith, might be a finalist this season. Smith might be the best player in college football, making Sayin even more effective.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith against Ohio in 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesSayin completed 301-of-391 passes, an astounding 77 percent rate on a 12-2 Buckeyes team. Nebraska’s best chance to defeat Ohio State has to begin with controlling Sayin, turning him over, and capitalizing on a lucky break or two.
Hecklinski, a sophomore, has played only three games — one at Wake Forest in 2024, and two last season at Iowa. He is battling junior Hank Brown for the starting job. Jeremy Hecklinski is expected to win the starting job with Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesLast season, an FCS transfer quarterback took over for the Hawkeyes and led them to an 9-4 record.
Mark Gronowski leaves behind a solid legacy that might be difficult for Hecklinski, or Brown, to match. You get the sense that if Iowa defeats Nebraska again, it won’t beChuck Bausman is a writer for Nebraska on SI. Chuck formerly was the Executive Sports Editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, Executive Sports Editor of the Courier-Post in South Jersey and Sports Copy Editor for the Detroit Free Press.
He has been a Big Ten enthusiast for nearly forever. He learned how to cuss by watching Philly sports. You can reach Chuck at: bausmac@icloud.com
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