Nebraska is long overdue for a big win

It’s time.

After nine years and 28 meetings, it’s time Nebraska beats a ranked team when it squares off against one.

Such will be the case on this Upset Special Saturday when the Huskers host No. 23 Southern Cal at 7:30 p.m. in refurbished Memorial Stadium (NBC). Matt Rhule’s boys are 5.5-point underdogs entering the contest, but they have something special on their side.

Relief.

With Rhule signing an extension Thursday night that included a stipulation that made it cost prohibitive for him to leave for any other program, including that belonging to his alma mater Penn State, Nebraska can breathe easy.

Sort of.

You know, the Huskers are on the (slow) upswing. Rhule has stabilized them after the dumpster-fire days under Scott Frost. They had a winning record last season and they’re 6-2 right now.

But they still haven’t beaten a Top 25 squad since September 2016 when they upset No. 22 Oregon in Lincoln.

Well, they’re in Lincoln again and the 5-2 Trojans come in ranked 23rd.

They also come in with the nation’s top-ranked offense overall and they’re the No. 1 passing team.

To counter, Nebraska has the nation’s No. 2 passing defense and the No. 13 overall defense.

Plus, USC has traveled to the Midwest for two of its last three games – and lost both times, to then-No. 21 Illinois (34-32) and last week at No. 12 Notre Dame (34-24).

The Trojans won’t need to use quite as many frequent flyer miles for this one.

But, again, it’s time.

The quarterback duel between USC junior Jayden Maiava (2,180 yards and 15 TDs passing) and Nebraska sophomore Dylan Raiola (1,909, 17), the nation’s most high-profile Patrick Mahomes wannabe, could add some spice to this drama.

The rabid crown and a strong ground game headlined by Emmett Johnson (837 yards and 9 TDs rushing) figure to strengthen the Huskers’ chances at snapping that long losing streak against ranked opponents, too.

At worst, Nebraska should beat the spread. If not, maybe it could get a buyers remorse ruling in its favor with Rhule’s extension.

In other games giving off the upset vibes on Saturday:

Rutgers (4-4) at Illinois (5-3) -12.5, 12, NBC. The Illini are reeling and the Knights owe them for last season’s meltdown in Jersey. Cue the Greg Schiano postgame waterworks.

Navy (7-0) at North Texas (7-1) -6.5, 12, ESPN2. Still trying to figure out how the Middies aren’t ranked yet. Don’t be surprised if they’re 8-0 heading into South Bend next week.

East Carolina (4-3) -5.5 at Temple (5-3), 2, ESPN+. Matt Rhule earned his first win against a ranked team 11 years ago when his Owls upset then-No. 23 East Carolina at the Linc. History repeats.

No. 16 Louisville (6-1) -10.5 at Virginia Tech (3-5), 3, The CW Network. If the Hokies haven’t put all their energy into acquiring James Franklin, they’re good enough to pull the upset here.

No. 15 Virginia (7-1) -4.5 at California (5-3), 3:45, ESPN2. Great to see the Cavaliers racking up the wins, but they’re a hard watch. The Bears are just the opposite, and they're at home.

South Carolina (3-5) at Ole Miss (7-1) -12.5, 7, ESPN. This one just screams upset as the talented Gamecocks can salvage part of a disappointing season with a shocker on the road.

No. 8 Georgia Tech (8-0) -5.5 at N.C. State (4-4), 7:30, ESPN2. The Yellow Jackets are basically the unbeaten version of Virginia. Tech's Brent Key may be a great HC, but …

Wake Forest (5-2) at FSU (3-4) -9.5, 7:30, ACC Network. The Demon Deacons are the best-kept secret in the country. The Seminoles’ woes may be the worst-kept.

No. 17 Cincinnati (7-1) at No. 24 Utah (6-2) -10.5, 10:15, ESPN. Talk about a secret. Cincy has rattled off seven straight wins following a season-opening, 3-point loss to Nebraska. Hello, CFP?