Greg McElroy predicts that a certain college football program will make significant progress this year.

Since joining the Big Ten, Nebraska Cornhuskers have struggled to reach the championship levels of the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, the hiring of head coach Matt Rhule and the recruitment of five-star Dylan Raiola, the top-ranked quarterback and second-ranked player overall in the 2024 recruiting class, have infused optimism into the program.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy echoed this optimism, suggesting that the Huskers are poised for significant progress in 2024. Speaking on the Always College Football podcast, McElroy highlighted Nebraska’s offensive potential for the upcoming season. He pointed out Raiola’s impressive performance during spring practices, particularly noting Raiola’s confidence, decisiveness, and understanding of the offensive strategy.

McElroy contrasted this with last year’s spring game, which saw six turnovers, indicating a marked improvement in offensive efficiency. He believes that Nebraska’s acquisition of Raiola and Rhule could lead to a notable advancement for the team.

In Rhule’s debut season, Nebraska ended with a 5-7 record (3-6 in the Big Ten), including four consecutive losses by narrow margins. The team hasn’t made a bowl game appearance since 2016.

While McElroy acknowledges that the Huskers may not emerge as national contenders immediately, he envisions the possibility of them achieving seven or eight wins in the upcoming season. He emphasizes the importance of building upon this success in subsequent seasons, possibly through continued strong recruiting efforts.