Nebraska Football 2026: Can the Huskers Finally Turn Promise Into Wins?
As Nebraska kicks off its 2026 season Saturday against Ohio University, the big question for Husker fans is simple: Is this team actually better than the 7-6 squad that stumbled to the finish line last November?
Head coach Matt Rhule made significant changes this offseason, bringing in new coordinators and key transfers to address glaring weaknesses. But as former NFL coach Andy Reid often warned, looking good in practice shorts doesn't mean much once the live bullets start flying.
What changes did Rhule make after last season's collapse?
Rhule didn't blow up the program after Nebraska's disappointing finish, but he didn't stand pat either. New assistant coaches now populate Lincoln, along with important transfers expected to plug holes that were painfully exposed in November.
Nebraska's final three games of 2025 were brutal: a 37-10 loss to Penn State, a 40-16 defeat at the hands of Iowa, and a 44-22 loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. Those results left a sour taste and made clear that changes were needed.
Despite the rough ending, Rhule remains confident. At Big Ten Media Days, he made his stance on schedule talk clear.
If I hear one person in this building talk about our schedule, get out, Rhule said in Chicago. We understand we have to take a step this year. We're excited about that. I hope you can hear in my voice that I believe we will because of the young men in our program and the work they've done.
Can the offense protect the quarterback and run the ball?
The offensive line was a major problem last year, and Nebraska addressed it head-on. The Huskers brought in three Power 4 transfers, and tackle Gunnar Gottula has reportedly made huge strides coming off injury. Whether that's enough will be answered by the Big Ten's physical front sevens.
At quarterback, Anthony Colandrea arrives from UNLV as the reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. He replaces Dylan Raiola, who transferred to Oregon in December after suffering a fractured fibula against USC on Nov. 1.
Raiola caught criticism for his lack of mobility and tendency to hold the ball too long. Some of that was fair. But context matters: When Raiola got hurt, the Huskers were 6-2 and led USC 14-6 at halftime. A win that night likely kept College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Colandrea brings a different skill set. He's dynamic, keeps plays alive with his legs, and has a big arm. The downside? He can be risky with the football and prone to turnovers. How his game translates to Big Ten competition remains one of the season's biggest question marks.
The running back room lost Emmett Johnson to the NFL, where he now plays for Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs. The Huskers have a full room of runners, and someone should step up. Whether anyone matches Johnson's production is a legitimate concern.
The receiving corps looks like a strength. Jacory Barney Jr., Nyziah Hunter, Kwazi Gilmer, Quinn Clark, Janiran Bonner, and Cortez Mills Jr. give Colandrea plenty of talented targets. If he throws 50-50 balls, these receivers can go up and get them. Senior tight end Luke Lindenmeyer will be counted on for both blocking and pass catching.
Did Nebraska fix its defense?
Defense might be where Nebraska needed the most improvement. Rhule fired defensive coordinator John Butler in December and brought in Rob Aurich, who had success in the same role at San Diego State.
The Huskers return veterans throughout the defense, including Cam Lenhardt, Riley Van Poppel, Williams Nweneri, Vincent Shavers Jr., Andrew Marshall, Donovan Jones, and Jamir Conn. These are familiar names, but will they take the next step?
Linebacker Owen Chambliss, who followed Aurich from San Diego State, has drawn plenty of offseason praise as a potential game changer and defensive leader.
Last year's defense had a specific problem: strong against the pass but unable to stop the run or keep opponents out of the end zone in the red zone. Those late-season losses showed exactly how costly those weaknesses were.
When will we know if the Huskers are truly improved?
Answers start coming Saturday, but the real test begins Sept. 26 when Big Ten play opens. The schedule gets especially tough Oct. 10 against defending national champion Indiana.
Rhule doesn't want to hear about the schedule, but it's there. Nebraska appears improved on paper. The Huskers made deliberate moves to fix what was wrong. Whether those fixes work under pressure is what the next few months will reveal.
That uncertainty is part of what makes college football compelling. No one knows for sure how a season will play out. Nebraska has made its moves. Now it's time to see if they pay off.
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