Nebraska Cornhuskers is 1-0 on the season, 1-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +9.3. Nebraska Cornhuskers enters the season with a power rating of +9.3, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Nebraska Cornhuskers host Bowling Green next in Week 2. In 2025, Nebraska Cornhuskers went 7-6 overall, 4-8-1 against the spread, and 10-3 on totals.
In Week 1 of 2026 the Nebraska Cornhuskers Power Rating of +9.3 is 9.3 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Nebraska Cornhuskers have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 7,787 miles, ranking 59th heaviest in the FBS.
Anthony Colandrea QB, Nyziah Hunter WR, Jacory Barney Jr. WR, Kwazi Gilmer WR, Quinn Clark WR, Mekhi Nelson RB, Isaiah Mozee RB, Jamal Rule RB, Paul Mubenga OL, Brendan Black OL, Tree Babalade OL, Justin Evans OL, Elijah Pritchett OL
Riley Van Poppel DL, Williams Nwaneri DL, Cameron Lenhardt DL, Jahsear Whittington DL, Anthony Jones Jr. EDGE, Vincent Shavers Jr. LB, Owen Chambliss LB, Dexter Foster LB
Kyle Cunanan K, Archie Wilson P
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Week 2 | 2-0 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Week 3 | 3-0 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Week 4 | 3-1 | 2-2 | 3-1 |
| Week 6 | 4-1 | 2-3 | 4-1 |
| Week 7 | 5-1 | 2-4 | 5-1 |
| Week 8 | 5-2 | 2-5 | 5-2 |
| Week 9 | 6-2 | 2-5-1 | 6-2 |
| Week 10 | 6-3 | 3-5-1 | 6-3 |
| Week 11 | 7-3 | 4-5-1 | 7-3 |
| Week 13 | 7-4 | 4-6-1 | 8-3 |
| Week 14 | 7-5 | 4-7-1 | 9-3 |
| Postseason | 7-6 | 4-8-1 | 10-3 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened +6.9 in the preseason and finished +9.3 after week 2, a move of +2.5 points. High +9.3 (week 2), low +6.9 (the preseason).
PreW2
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.8 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Michigan State | 4 | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| Maryland | 4 | 3-1 | 2-2 |
| Indiana | 4 | 2-2 | 1-3 |
| Oregon | 2 | 1-1 | 1-0-1 |
| Illinois | 9 | 5-4 | 3-6 |
| Rutgers | 4 | 4-0 | 2-2 |
| Ohio State | 7 | 0-7 | 3-4 |
| Iowa | 10 | 1-9 | 4-5-1 |
No meeting on record since 2016: Ohio, Bowling Green, Washington.
Week 07,787 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Ohio | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Bowling Green | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 3 | North Dakota | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 4 | Michigan State | 644 mi | 1,289 mi |
| Week 5 | Maryland | Home | 1,289 mi |
| Week 6 | Indiana | Home | 1,289 mi |
| Week 7 | Oregon | 1,360 mi | 4,009 mi |
| Week 8 | - | Bye | |
| Week 9 | Washington | Home | 4,009 mi |
| Week 10 | Illinois | 449 mi | 4,907 mi |
| Week 11 | Rutgers | 1,166 mi | 7,238 mi |
| Week 12 | Ohio State | Home | 7,238 mi |
| Week 13 | Iowa | 275 mi | 7,787 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Anthony Colandrea, the UNLV transfer and reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, made a strong first impression in the opener. He threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns, added a rushing score, and avoided the turnovers that plagued him in last season's Frisco Bowl loss to Ohio. His mobility and playmaking give Nebraska a different dimension under coordinator Dana Holgorsen, and he connected well with a veteran receiver group that includes Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr., and transfer Kwazi Gilmer. The early returns suggest the offense can be more explosive than it was a year ago.
Jamal Rule, a January enrollee, was the surprise of the opener. He rushed for 122 yards on 15 carries, averaging 8.1 yards per attempt, and scored three touchdowns, becoming the first Nebraska freshman back to top 100 yards in a season opener since 2004. Rule entered the game as the third option behind Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson, but his performance has likely reshaped the backfield rotation. The Huskers chose not to add a transfer back after losing All-American Emmett Johnson, and Rule's emergence validates that decision, though the competition for carries remains open.
Nebraska's rebuilt offensive line, featuring transfers Paul Mubenga, Brendan Black, and Tree Babalade alongside returning starters Justin Evans and Elijah Pritchett, helped the team pile up 523 total yards against Ohio. The Huskers wore down the Bobcats in the second half, with their final 21 carries netting 204 yards. However, the line is still a new unit that has played only one game together, and the competition level will rise sharply in Big Ten play. The run defense, a major weakness in 2025 when Nebraska ranked 98th against the run, also faces a bigger test ahead after Ohio managed to stay close for three quarters.
Despite the lopsided final score, Nebraska trailed or was within one score for much of the first three quarters against Ohio. The Bobcats scored on their first three possessions and were within seven points early in the fourth quarter before the Huskers pulled away with five straight touchdown drives. Colandrea threw an interception and lost a fumble in last year's bowl loss to Ohio, and while he was turnover-free this time, the offense sputtered at times early. Matt Rhule's team will need to start faster against tougher opponents, especially with a schedule that includes Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon.
New defensive coordinator Rob Aurich, who led San Diego State to a top-12 total defense in 2025, is installing an attacking 4-2-5 scheme. The defensive line, with veterans Riley Van Poppel, Williams Nwaneri, and Cameron Lenhardt plus transfers Jahsear Whittington and Anthony Jones Jr., is expected to generate more pressure after the team averaged fewer than two sacks per game last year. On special teams, new coordinator Brett Maher inherits a group that returns kicker Kyle Cunanan (16-of-19 on field goals in 2025) and punter Archie Wilson. The opener offered little stress for these units, so their true test comes as the schedule stiffens.
Nebraska Cornhuskers is 1-0 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 100% of games.
Nebraska Cornhuskers holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +9.3, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Nebraska Cornhuskers's home field advantage rating is 2.8 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Nebraska Cornhuskers's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 6.5 wins, priced at +115 over and -145 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Nebraska Cornhuskers travels 7,787 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 59th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Nebraska Cornhuskers: 1-0 overall, 1-0 ATS, power rating +9.3 (2026 records).
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