A lot has changed for Nebraska in a short period of time. From the firing of one coach to the hiring of another, it's been a roller coaster for the Huskers.
The 2014 season isn't over for Nebraska either. The Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27 is quickly approaching. How will the Huskers fare? As reported by Hank Shaw of Reign of Troy, ESPN isn't feeling too confident about Nebraska defeating USC.
During its Bowl Mania Special, ESPN gave the Trojans 31 confidence points (with the most confident pick being 38). That made USC the eighth most confident team during the bowl season.
What does that mean for Nebraska? A lot is riding on the outcome of the Holiday Bowl, whether the Huskers want to admit it. Newly hired head coach Mike Riley won't be coaching in the bowl game, but the result could have an impact on the start of his tenure with Nebraska.
A win would obviously propel the Huskers forward in 2015. After a disappointing end to the 2014 season, with losses to Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota, Nebraska's shot at a Big Ten title quickly vanished. For Riley, a win in San Diego could get the 2015 campaign for the Big Ten championship off on the right foot.
Plus, a win could help make the 2014 season feel less disappointing. USC head coach Steve Sarkisian realizes that.
“They’re 9-3, and they’re probably looking at two of those games thinking, geez, we could have won those two and we’re sitting at 11-1 playing for a Big Ten championship,” Sarkisian said, per the Orange County Register's Michael Lev. “I know they’re going to be hungry, ready to play.”
Defeating USC in the Holiday Bowl may not vindicate Nebraska's three losses and the failure to reach Indianapolis, but it definitely could help. That momentum and attitude gained from a victory could make preparation for the 2015 season stronger for Riley and his crew.
A loss, on the other hand, wouldn't necessarily ruin the offseason for Riley. As a new coach he has a fair amount of momentum going from that alone. On the other hand, for the players a loss could mean less playing time in 2015.
For Riley, the bowl-game practices have been his first opportunity to see his team in action. The bowl game itself will give him an even better understanding of what he has to work with. Will Tommy Armstrong be the starting quarterback again in 2015? How will the offense look under Riley? Even more importantly, what will Riley do with the offensive line?
The questions are endless. The performance against USC will likely shape Riley's plans for the offseason. As for the time being, Armstrong is focused on the task at hand and the staff who will be coaching, per the Omaha World-Herald:
We’re going to play our game; we’re going to do what we always do. We’re not trying to make a statement. We’re just trying to go out there and have fun, and we’re going to enjoy this last game with our coaching staff.
That's the right approach for now. However, Armstrong needs to be aware of the possibilities. A poor performance in the Holiday Bowl could have an impact on his future as the starter. That goes for plenty of players on Nebraska's team right now, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Additionally, recruiting could be affected by the outcome of the Holiday Bowl. A win over the Trojans could definitely build some extra interest in the Huskers. As Riley works to complete his staff, the extra momentum from a win in the bowl game could give some recruits currently on the fence the extra nudge needed to say yes to Nebraska.
Ultimately, a win would get the Huskers off to a strong start with Riley. A loss would prove just how much work is ahead for the new staff.
The 2014 season could have been very different for Nebraska. The outcome was not what any Huskers wanted. Looking ahead, the Holiday Bowl result could be the beginning of a better outcome for Nebraska in 2015.
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