The Indiana Hoosiers are riding high, basking in the glory of a 21-game winning streak and a national title defense that has the college football world buzzing. But as they roll into Lincoln, Nebraska, one former Husker is sounding the alarm: an upset is brewing.
Will Compton, the ex-Nebraska linebacker and co-host of Bussin' With The Boys, made waves on ESPN's Get Up with a fiery declaration that his alma mater will shock the world this Saturday and snap a decade-long skid against ranked opponents.
“September 17, 2016 was the last time Nebraska has won a ranked game,” Compton said, his voice dripping with anticipation. “I’m so fired up for this game. I know this fanbase has waited a decade to feel in a spot like this with the defending national champions coming to town. All the respect in the world to Curt Cignetti. They have a very good offense, they have a very good defense.”
Compton didn't stop there, rattling off a list of Huskers he believes will rise to the occasion: “I love Anthony Colandrea, I love Jamal Rule, I love our receivers, I love our offensive line. (Dwayne) McDougle, (Owen) Chambliss, (Andrew) Marshall, Williams (Nwaneri). I love the Huskers. You know I love the Huskers in this spot.”
His closing words were a rallying cry: “I’m ready to shock the world on Saturday and I hope everybody’s tuned in to see it happen.”
Compton's co-host, former NFL lineman Taylor Lewan, took the prediction even further, boldly stating that Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti is “going down” and that “Big Netti will be no more.” Lewan added, “Will Compton doesn’t want to say it, I will say it: Curt Cignetti is going down. Big Netti will be no more. I’m just letting you know right now Colandrea has the mojo, he’s got the aura and the juice to get things done.”
The stakes are monumental. Nebraska has lost 31 straight games to ranked opponents, the second-longest active streak in the nation. But Lewan believes this is the moment the Huskers finally break through, and he gave a heartfelt shoutout to the loyal fanbase that has packed Memorial Stadium for over 400 consecutive sellouts.
“They have, for all the trials and tribulations that they’ve been through, the stats of not winning a top-25 game since 2016, and for them to have over 400 consecutive sellouts in that stadium of 90,000 people, there’s always going to be trends. There’s always going to be patterns of ‘this team can’t get over the hump,’” Lewan said. “To me this team finally gets over the hump and this fanbase is finally rewarded for sticking with their team through all of the down years that have took place.”
Nebraska enters the game as 7.5-point underdogs, but the confidence from these analysts is palpable. Whether it's blind faith or genuine belief, one thing is certain: Saturday's clash in Lincoln has all the makings of a potential classic.
For more on the Huskers' recent struggles, check out this analysis of Indiana's dominance. And if you're wondering about the broader landscape, Tom Brady's potential comeback shows that anything can happen in sports.
Will the Huskers finally end the streak? Or will Indiana continue their march toward another title? Tune in Saturday to find out.
