You know, college football can be odd. You can win two games decisively, covering the spread against FBS competition in the Ohio Bobcats (+23.5) and the Bowling Green Falcons (+30.5). The Nebraska Cornhuskers did that to open the 2026 campaign, beating the Former Fighting Frankies 49-21 on September 5 before routing the really bad Bowlers 56-7 this past Saturday.
But with the FCS division’s North Dakota Fighting Hawks knocking on the Memorial Stadium door, the FanDuel Sportsbook is holding an early
line as Nebraska at 24.5 point favorites.
Suck it, Eddie George.
(I kid, you played for the Titans, you’ve suffered enough.)
The Hawks are not to be overlooked. North Dakota is 3-0 on the season and can score. They haven’t scored less than 42 points in a game and are averaging 50.3 ppg in 2026.
Yes, Nebraska is 2-0 and they are getting some attention from national eyes, receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association. But the early schedule has been built to give the team confidence, to give us hope, and to drive ticket sales. But the Hawks are the sixth-ranked team in the FCS. Nebraska is the lone FBS school on NoDak’s schedule before they hit the gauntlet of the Missouri Valley Conference, where they will face teams like South Dakota State (3), Illinois State (4), Youngstown State (9), South Dakota (12), and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (25). The MVC is the toughest overall conference in the FCS (damn Montana and Montana State standing in the way). In the Hawks’ last game against FBS competition, they lost 38-35 at Kansas State.
This is the last tune-up before Big Ten play. For the Huskers, it’s a chance to fix some mental errors and clean up their game before the trek to East Lansing. What does Dana Holgorsen have dialed up in this game? Will Rob Aurich’s defense continue to minimize the damage? Will a number-one running back emerge, or will it continue to be RB by committee? And will the stable of wide receivers break loose for another big day?
It’s a 6:15pm kickoff on Saturday. And you know you will be watching.
GBR!
