The fallout: Nebraska’s first win looking better; a big commitment, more

Nebraska football had a bye week after the 30-27 loss to Michigan, yet the Huskers were active on the recruiting trail. We’ll look back at a big commitment, look ahead to Michigan State, think back to Cincinatti, and also look back at a dominant start for Nebraska volleyball in the Big Ten.

Here’s the fallout (A weekly post on Nebraska athletics):

First win for Nebraska football is looking better

Many fans scoffed at the win over the Cincinnati Bearcats, saying they were a below-average Big 12 team. However, after three straight wins, including a win over Kansas on Saturday, the Bearcats are looking like a legit contender in the Big 12.

If Nebraska doesn’t take care of its business, the strength of that win won’t really matter, but Nebraska football fans should feel better about it, and as the season goes along, it might look even better than it did after it first happened.

What’s even more impressive was how Nebraska held Brendan Sorsby below 100 yards passing. The Blackshirts limited Cincinnati to 17 points. The Bearcats are averaging just under 40 points per game. Sorsby is averaging just under 325 passing yards per game.

So, as discouraged as some Nebraska football fans were after the loss to Michigan, the first win at least looks better than we perceived it to be.

Michigan State is a must-win

The Huskers have opened the game as a 10.5-point favorite. Aidan Chiles is a talented quarterback. He can run, which has given Nebraska problems, but the Spartans don’t have the same level of talent.

Nebraska isn’t on Michigan’s level in the trenches. Neither is Michigan State. Chiles is entering his second full season as a starter, just like Dylan Raiola, but the difference in talent surrounding them is night and day.

People criticize Matt Rhule for not having a defining win or a top-25 win. Yet, he also doesn’t have a bad loss. This would qualify, but he’s been very good in games Nebraska is supposed to win.

Nebraska football is building a top-10 recruiting class

Off the field, it was a very productive week for the Huskers. They moved the needle with some key 2027 targets last weekend, then landed the commitment of four-star wideout Jabari Watkins.

Out of Thomasville, Georgia, Watkins is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, and ranked No. 336 overall, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. The blue-chip has five SEC offers, which include Georgia, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkansas, among 17 total.

Florida State was another contender. Watkinds visited FSU earlier this month. Yet, the four-star prospect who caught 39 passes for 692 yards and five touchdown receptions in 2024 committed to Nebraska on Friday. He’s got great hands and is stellar after the catch. He’s also a big, physical, wideout who isn’t afraid to go over the middle of the field.

More importantly, Nebraska football has three commitments in 2027. Three of those are four are blue-chip commitments, with two — Tory Pittman and Trae Taylor– ranking in the top 100. Pittman is a five-star, and Taylor isn’t far off. The Huskers are ranked sixth overall, even though it’s early.

So even during the bye week, Matt Rhule and Nebraska football got a big win.

A dominant start to Big Ten play

After the wins over Maryland and Michigan this week, the top-ranked Nebraska volleyball team is now 12-0 this season. Both matches were in Lincoln. Nebraska was pushed in the second set against Maryland, winning 27-25 after switching to more of a 6-2 look.

Nebraska still swept and hit .360. Rebekah Allick had a career-high 13 kills and hit .750. Andi Jackson also hit over .700, while the defense held Maryland to .090.

Jackson hit .778 against Michigan in another 3-0 sweep. Harper Murray had 11 kills and hit .371. Michigan was held to .108, and the Nebraska volleyball defense continues to be the best in college volleyball.

Nebraska is actually third in opposing hitting percentage (.121), but this is the best defense in college volleyball. The Huskers will be challenged with another ranked matchup this week, at Penn State, the defending national champs, who were ranked 15th last week. That will be Friday at 8 PM EST on Fox.