Nebraska’s trip to Illinois on Nov. 6 just got a little more complicated, and it has everything to do with who lines up at quarterback for the Illini.
What looked like a straightforward absence for Katin Houser has now turned into a possibility that he could be back when the Huskers arrive. That wasn’t the expectation right after Illinois’ 38-37 overtime win over Michigan State, when Bret Bielema said Houser would be out “for quite a while” after breaking his hand. But on Wednesday, Bielema said Houser had surgery on the break and would miss 4 to 6 weeks.
That timeline opens the door, at least a crack, for Houser to return in time for Nebraska.
If that happens, Illinois gets back the quarterback it brought in as its transfer QB1 this offseason. Houser hasn’t been the issue in an Illinois season that has gone sideways in plenty of other spots. He has completed 66% of his passes for 1,440 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while also adding 120 rushing yards and 2 scores on the ground.
The bigger problem for the Illini has been on defense. Illinois has already made a change there, firing Bobby Hauck after four games, but the results have not turned around. Michigan State still managed 37 points against the Illini, even though the Spartans have not exactly been lighting up scoreboards this year.
If Houser is not ready by then, Illinois will almost certainly turn back to Michael Clayton II. The freshman has only appeared in one game, but he handled his chance well against Michigan State after Houser went down. Clayton completed 6 of 8 passes for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns, and that performance helped deliver the overtime win.
So while Nebraska spends this week waiting to find out who Oregon will have at quarterback on Saturday, the Huskers are also staring down another looming QB decision four weeks from now. By the time Illinois comes to Lincoln, the answer might still be up in the air.
In Other News...
Oregon Suddenly Has A Nebraska Problem At The Worst Time
Nebraska is nearing the midpoint of its season and sitting on the edge of bowl eligibility, which means every remaining game matters a little more than the last. The schedule does not exactly offer much breathing room either, with Ohio State and Iowa both waiting on deck and both ranked, so the Cornhuskers are trying to keep their postseason path alive while the calendar starts to get less forgiving.
For Oregon, the quarterback picture has suddenly become part of that larger equation. An injury to starter Dante Moore has clouded the Ducks outlook, and the situation has reopened attention on Dylan Raiola, Nebraskas former starter who is now in Eugene after being replaced during a game because of poor performance. It is the sort of late-season twist that can ripple beyond one roster, because what happens at quarterback for Oregon could end up mattering in the Big Ten race Nebraska is still trying to fight through. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Just Put Itself In A Key Battle For Elite CB
Months of recruitment efforts paid off for Nebraska when 2028 four-star defensive back Jordan Hicks finally made it to campus in Lincoln. The Mission Viejo, California, prospect came away with a strong impression of the coaching staff, and especially secondary coach Addison Williams, while also taking a closer look at how the Huskers want to play on defense and how they develop players once they arrive.
Hicks is still early in his process, but Nebraska clearly gave him something to think about. He said he plans to keep watching the Huskers season as he weighs his college options, which makes this one worth tracking for a program trying to stay in the mix for elite defensive back talent far from home. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Heads To Autzen With Oregon Facing A Massive Game-Time Question
Nebraskas first Big Ten trip to Autzen Stadium comes with plenty of atmosphere and a little extra uncertainty for the Ducks. The matchup marks the teams first meeting as conference foes, and Oregon has already turned the night game into an event by asking fans to show up in green for the FOX broadcast at 8 p.m. PT.
What makes the opener even more interesting is the quarterback situation on Oregons side, where Dante Moores concussion has left the Ducks without clarity at the games most important position. Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas are in the mix for the starting role, adding another layer of uncertainty to a game Nebraska will be watching closely as it walks into one of the loudest venues in the league. [Read more 🡒]