Final game-by-game predictions for Nebraska football in 2026 season

The wait for the 2026 Nebraska football season is nearly over.

Soon enough, we will have an official depth chart. There won’t be any guessing about who is going to play or how they are going to play.

We’ll be able to judge the good or the bad with our own two eyes. There is plenty of optimism around the Huskers. Matt Rhule has said repeatedly that this is his best team.

It also might be the most difficult schedule Nebraska football has faced during his tenure, which starts its fourth season next Saturday against the Ohio Bobcats.

Nebraska fans have been all over the place in terms of predictions. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, here are our final game-by-game predictions for the Huskers.

Sept. 5 Nebraska vs. Ohio | 11 AM CST (FS1) (W)

The Bobcats are returning just a handful of starters from a nine-win team. They also have a first-year head coach in John Hauser, who was the defensive coordinator.

Frank Solich built Ohio into a solid program. Even after he left, the Bobcats have kept winning. It feels like they will be one of the MAC’s Bowl teams again.

However, Ohio shouldn’t have enough talent to hang with Nebraska for four quarters.

Prediction: Nebraska 38, Ohio 13 (1-0)

Sept. 12 Nebraska vs. Bowling Green | 6 PM CST (FS1) (W)

Eddie George. He might be the one name Nebraska fans recognize on the Bowling Green roster, and he’s the head coach. Former Oregon quarterback Austin Novosad transferred to Bowling Green and is competing for the starting job.

George has a 28-30 career record. The Falcons have just six starters back, and this should be the easiest game on the schedule for the Huskers in 2026.

Nebraska 45, Bowling Green 14  (2-0) 

Sept. 19 Nebraska vs. North Dakota | 6:15 CST (BTN) (W)

Jerry Kaminski is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the FCS. North Dakota has a bunch of experience coming back, and some even think they could contend for the FCS national championship.

This could be more of a test than people expect, but the Huskers should win fairly easily after a competitive first half.

Nebraska 38, North Dakota 17 (3-0) 

Sept. 26 Nebraska at Michigan State | TBA (W)

Michigan State has some talent. The depth is a question mark. Pat Fitzgerald is a great head coach, though, and he built a career of getting more out of less.

Anthony Colandrea should make a difference in this kind of game. In the past, the Huskers have struggled to score in the red zone or pick up third downs in key situations. That will make a big difference in East Lansing, as long as he can avoid mistakes.

A bad game from Colandrea is how this turns into a loss.

Nebraska 27, Michigan State 20 (4-0) 

Oct. 3 Nebraska vs. Maryland | TBA (W)

Maik Washington is one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the Big Ten. The Terps have talent, but they are young. I just don’t see them being experienced enough to beat this Nebraska team in Lincoln.

Rob Aurich will have some tricks up his sleeve, and the Huskers will intercept Washington multiple times, just like they did in 2025.

Nebraska 34, Maryland 24 (5-0) 

Oct. 10 Nebraska vs. Indiana | TBA (L)

This will be a Big Noon game. CBS Sports could have it, too, at 2:30 PM CST. This game will be a lot more competitive than the last meeting between Indiana and Nebraska.

However, the Hoosiers are too good in the trenches. The wide receivers will be too much to handle, especially cause it’s hard to see the pass rush winning consistently against Indiana’s O-line.

Indiana 31, Nebraska 20 (5-1) 

 Oct. 17 Nebraska at Oregon | TBA (L)

Oregon is difficult to beat anywhere, but on a West Coast trip, at their place, the odds are heavily stacked against Nebraska. The Ducks might have the best roster and the best quarterback in college football.

They have to prove they can win in the College Football Playoff, but Oregon will be too talented for the Huskers in the most lopsided loss of the season.

Oregon 41, Nebraska 17 (5-2) 

Oct. 31 Nebraska vs. Washington | TBA (W)

This is going to be the Blackout game. The atmosphere should be electric. Washington might be ranked. Demond Williams is elite. The offense will be hard to handle. Yet, the Huskies didn’t play well when they traveled across the country last season.

That trend will continue. Aurich will have another strong night, and Anthony Colandrea will have his best game of the season on Halloween night as Nebraska ends the ranked losing skid.

Nebraska 31, Washington 27 (6-2) 

Nov. 6 Nebraska at Illinois | 7 PM CST (Fox) (L) 

Winning on the road is tough in the Big Ten. Bret Bielema has turned Illinois into one of the Big Ten’s best programs. And while this will be a highly competitive game, maybe Colandrea’s tendency for turnovers will bite him here in a loss for the Big Red.

Illinois 24, Nebraska 21 (6-3) 

Nov. 14  Nebraska at Rutgers | TBA (W)

Rutgers has some high-end talent, with a running back and wide receivers earning preseason All-Big Ten honors from the league, with only 12 players selected. Wide receiver KJ Duff and running back Antwan Raymond give Rutgers more players on the team than every other squad except Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon.

That being said, the Huskers should be better in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Nebraska has struggled in that area; thus, it has struggled in the Big Ten. Improvement there will lead to improvement on the field and a win over pesky Rutgers.

Nebraska 28, Rutgers 20 (7-3) 

Nov. 21 Nebraska vs. Ohio State | TBA (L)

It would be epic to upset Ohio State on Senior Day. The Buckeyes are just too deep and too talented. Nebraska can keep this game close. They nearly won in Columbus back in 2024.

This Ohio State team isn’t better than that one. Nebraska is also a better team, although Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher were the perfect matchup for the Buckeyes.

Nebraska kept Jeremiah Smith in check for the most part, holding him to three receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown, although he scored on a 60-yard catch.

The Buckeyes needed a touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to beat Nebraska. It will be a similar kind of game, but one that OSU survives again.

Ohio State 23, Nebraska 16 (7-4) 

Nov. 27 Nebraska at Iowa | 11 CST (CBS)

Nebraska football won the last game in Iowa City between the Hawkeyes and the Huskers during the day, the same day Rhule was hired. He’s also come close to beating Iowa.

Scott Frost did the same thing, yet never got over the hump. Rhule will. Colandrea’s ability to run the ball will make a difference. Nebraska’s front seven will hold up against the run, and the offense will find a way to score 20 in a major win for the program.

Nebraska 20, Iowa 13 (8-4)

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