WATCH: Dana Holgorsen, John Butler + players preview USC primetime showdown
Nebraska is gearing up for yet another national spotlight game and yet another chance to take the next huge step as a program.
USC Week is here.
The Huskers (6-2 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) will welcome the No. 23-ranked Trojans (5-2, 3-1) into Lincoln for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff in NBC’s primetime Big Ten Saturday Night game.
It’s the most pivotal game of the Huskers’ season thus far as they look toward a hopeful, potential playoff run if they take care of business and things break right.
Year 3 of the Matt Rhule Era – the most important of his tenure thus far as the Nebraska head coach – began with a crucial season-opening win over Big 12 opponent Cincinnati in Week 1 (20-17) before back-to-back blowout wins against overmatched opponents from the MAC (68-0 over Akron) and the FCS (59-7 over Houston Christian.
Then, the Huskers took their 3-0 record into conference play, jumped out to a 2-1 mark with a disappointing home loss to Michigan (30-27) preceding wins over Michigan State at home (38-27) and Maryland on the road (34-31), and then an even more disheartening loss at Minnesota came by way of a 24-6 downer.
>> WATCH: Matt Rhule previews NBC primetime showdown vs. USC
Last week, it looked like Nebraska was heading for a disaster similar to those that this program has suffered seemingly countless times over the last decade.
Rhule’s crew, though, avoided disaster against Northwestern, showed a lot of resolve and rebounded after blowing a 21-6 lead with less than three minutes left in the third quarter. After the Wildcats tied it up at 21, the Huskers came back with one of its most significant touchdown drives of the season to lock down a 28-21 win.
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>> Rhule acknowledges Nebraska-USC is College Football Playoff elimination game
>> Rhule Rundown: Nebraska shifts focus to Big Ten showdown with No. 23 USC
That victory officially set up a big-time showdown with USC, which is coming to Lincoln following a bye week.
Ahead of the Big Ten battle, the Huskers held their latest media availability inside Hawks Championship Center on Tuesday to preview the upcoming matchup with the Trojans.
Watch and listen to the Tuesday press conference videos below with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, defensive coordinator John Butler and several Husker players – quarterback Dylan Raiola, running back Emmett Johnson, offensive lineman Rocco Spindler, cornerback Ceyair Wright and safety DeShon Singleton – all taking the stage.
This week’s press conference videos are also available to watch for free on the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel.
Nebraska OC Dana Holgorsen
Husker DC John Butler
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola
Husker RB Emmett Johnson
Nebraska OL Rocco Spindler
Husker CB Ceyair Wright
Nebraska SAF DeShon Singleton
MORE CONTENT FROM INSIDE NEBRASKA:
>> The Checkdown: Final thoughts on Nebraska’s win over Northwestern
>> Grading Nebraska’s offense, defense in 28-21 win over Northwestern