5-0 isn’t a bold prediction for Nebraska football, it’s a must

If Matt Rhule wants to achieve any sort of progress in the 2026 Nebraska football season, he had better lead the Huskers to a 5-0 start.

Many have talked about the possibility of Nebraska starting 5-0, with Indiana coming to town for the next game. It’s not a pipe dream. It should be a reality, at least if this program has made real progress.

Even the Nebraska teams of the past two seasons should have been able to navigate the first five games of 2026 undefeated. It’s as favorable a five games as a Big Ten team is likely to get.

Nebraska should be unbeaten when Indiana comes to town

Ohio and North Dakota aren’t slouches. They have good players, and both programs have winning traditions. But if the Huskers lost to them or Bowling Green, well, that’s too terrible to even think about.

Matt Rhule hasn’t lost to a Group of Five team. The Huskers have won those games with ease, though, so there should be no fretting about the non-conference portion of the schedule.

Nebraska football hosts Maryland right after a trip to Michigan State. The Terps are a talented team. Malik Washington has a bright future, and it’s a solid roster. The experience of Nebraska, plus home-field advantage, and what Rhule has called his best team in Lincoln should be able to get past Maryland.

The same can be said for the Michigan State Spartans. Pat Fitzgerald has had his share of success against Nebraska, but Michigan State’s roster is inferior to Nebraska’s. That’s just the truth. Fitz has found ways to win with teams like that before, though, and East Lansing is never an easy place to win.

With the last seven games featuring six games against teams that won at least nine a year ago, there is a good chance for another Novemberer swoon.  There isn’t a guaranteed win among Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon, Illinois, and Washington. Even Rutgers on the road has been an adventure.

This is all to say that a bowl game is far from guaranteed. That’s why anything less than a 5-0 start will be worrisome. Nebraska is good enough to win a game or two over the last seven. This team has all the pieces, as long as Anthony Colandrea is legit.

However, a stumble early in the season, in the first five games, would not only be disappointing, but it would be hard to excuse.

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