Nebraska Cornhuskers

Anthony Colandrea, the reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, has been everything Nebraska hoped for and more. Through six games, he has thrown for multiple touchdowns in every contest and has yet to throw an interception or lose a fumble. He is the first Nebraska quarterback since Tommy Armstrong Jr. in 2016 to throw for at least three touchdowns in back-to-back games. His mobility has added a new dimension, as evidenced by his 108-yard rushing performance against Maryland and a 39-yard touchdown run against Indiana. Colandrea's decision-making and ball security have been remarkable, especially considering his turnover-prone reputation at UNLV. If he continues this level of play, Nebraska's offense will remain potent.

The rebuilt offensive line, featuring transfers Paul Mubenga, Brendan Black, and Tree Babalade alongside returners Justin Evans and Elijah Pritchett, has gelled faster than anticipated. The Huskers have rushed for 240-plus yards in three straight games for the first time since 2014. Freshman Jamal Rule has emerged as a home-run threat, rushing for 122 yards and three touchdowns in his debut and adding 119 yards and two scores against North Dakota. Even when Rule was sidelined against Maryland, Colandrea and Mekhi Nelson picked up the slack. The line has kept Colandrea upright and paved the way for a balanced attack that has scored at least 30 points in each of the first five games.

Rob Aurich's arrival as defensive coordinator has sparked a dramatic turnaround. After ranking 98th against the run in 2025, the Huskers have held every opponent under 100 rushing yards except Indiana, which managed just 65. The 4-2-5 scheme has allowed the defensive line, led by Williams Nwaneri, Riley Van Poppel, and Cameron Lenhardt, to generate pressure, recording six sacks against Michigan State. The secondary, which was No. 3 against the pass in 2025, has remained stingy, and transfer linebackers Owen Chambliss and Dexter Foster have solidified the middle. The defense has forced timely turnovers, including Dwayne McDougle III's 81-yard pick-six against Maryland. This unit has kept Nebraska in every game and will need to continue its strong play.

While the Huskers have been excellent in many areas, special teams and penalties have been problematic. Against Maryland, Nebraska was flagged 16 times for 132 yards, the most since 2010, and the combined 28 penalties were the most in a Bowl Subdivision game since 2021. Head coach Matt Rhule was visibly frustrated with the officiating but also acknowledged his team's role in the sloppiness. Additionally, the kicking game, under new coordinator Brett Maher, has been solid with Kyle Cunanan (16-of-19 on field goals in 2025) but the punt block unit allowed a block that was nullified by penalty against Michigan State. Cleaning up these mistakes will be crucial in close games against elite opponents.

Nebraska sits at 5-1 and 2-1 in the Big Ten, with its only loss a 20-17 heartbreaker to defending national champion Indiana. The Huskers have covered the spread in all six games, a testament to their consistency. However, the schedule remains daunting, with upcoming road trips to Oregon and other Big Ten powers. The Huskers have lost 31 consecutive games against Top 25 opponents, a streak they will look to end. The offense, defense, and special teams have all shown flashes of greatness, but the margin for error is slim. If Nebraska can continue to improve, avoid costly penalties, and get healthy, they have a chance to make a run at the Big Ten championship game. The pieces are in place for a special season, but the toughest tests are still ahead.