Nebraska Cornhuskers is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +7.2. Nebraska Cornhuskers enters the season with a power rating of +7.2, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Nebraska Cornhuskers host Ohio next in Week 1. In 2025, Nebraska Cornhuskers went 7-5 overall, 4-7-1 against the spread, and 9-3 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the Nebraska Cornhuskers Power Rating of +7.2 is 7.0 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.
| 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 | |
Nebraska enters 2026 with Anthony Colandrea, the reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, under center. His mobility and playmaking ability are expected to bring more explosiveness to an offense that returns veteran wide receivers Nyziah Hunter and Jacory Barney Jr. and adds UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer. The offensive line has been rebuilt with transfers Paul Mubenga, Brendan Black, and Tree Babalade, giving the unit more size and experience. The running back room, however, is unproven after losing All-American Emmett Johnson, with Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee, and freshman Jamal Rule competing for carries.
New defensive coordinator Rob Aurich arrives from San Diego State, where his 2025 unit ranked 12th nationally in total defense. He will implement an attacking 4-2-5 scheme aimed at improving a run defense that ranked 98th in 2025. The defensive line returns veterans Riley Van Poppel, Williams Nwaneri, and Cameron Lenhardt, and adds transfers Jahsear Whittington and Anthony Jones Jr. to boost a pass rush that averaged fewer than two sacks per game. The linebacker corps is strengthened by the additions of Owen Chambliss (San Diego State) and Dexter Foster (Oregon State) alongside returning starter Vincent Shavers Jr.
After a strong 2025 season under coordinator Mike Ekeler, who left for USC, Nebraska turns to former NFL kicker Brett Maher to lead the special teams unit. Placekicker Kyle Cunanan returns after converting 16 of 19 field goals last season, and ambipedal punter Archie Wilson is back. The group will need to maintain its high standard while adjusting to new coaching and schemes.
An opposing Big Ten assistant coach expressed doubt about Nebraska's ceiling, citing the loss of quarterback Dylan Raiola as a critical blow and questioning the stability of Matt Rhule's staff. The coach predicted five or six wins at most, reflecting the challenge of integrating new offensive and defensive systems while facing a difficult Big Ten schedule that includes Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon.
Nebraska's success hinges on how quickly Anthony Colandrea adapts to the Big Ten and whether the rebuilt offensive line can protect him and open running lanes. The defense must improve against the run and generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The team's depth at running back and the development of young receivers like Quinn Clark will also be critical. With a challenging conference slate, the Huskers need early wins to build momentum and prove the skeptics wrong.
Nebraska Cornhuskers is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
Nebraska Cornhuskers holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +7.2, 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 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: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +7.2.
