Can Nebraska fans pack their bags for a bowl trip?

This is a complicated question.

The short answer: Not yet.

But perhaps it’d be wise to have those bags on standby.

Nebraska needs at least six wins to earn a bowl trip. Considering the Huskers open the season with five straight home games, winning six games seems likely.

All told, the Huskers have seven home games this season. Consider this: They’ve never won fewer than than five home games in a season in which they’ve played seven in Lincoln.

If history continues, all Nebraska must do to become bowl-eligible is win at Baylor. Or Missouri. Or Kansas. Or Colorado.

The complicated part begins when you consider that Nebraska has a first-year starter at quarterback and a slew of other first-year players in key positions. NU fans have their fingers crossed that quarterback Zac Taylor will grasp the offense quickly and supply the stability at the position that the team lacked last season as it stumbled to a 5-6 record.

Nebraska’s level of talent appears to be on par with the rest of the Big 12 North. But it’s unclear at this point exactly how well the influx of new players have meshed with the veterans. Fact is, we won’t know if this team really has strong chemistry until it’s forced to respond to adversity. Every team is upbeat in August.

The bottom line is, the Huskers need to take full advantage of five straight home games to start the season. If they come out of the Oct. 8 game against Texas Tech with at least a 4-1 record, start packing those bags.

If Nebraska’s 3-2 at that point, keep your suitcases on standby — the season might become complicated.