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The Huskers 2025 November-onward skid assured there would be some new faces on the Huskers staff and some of those in time for the Vegas Bowl…where their fortunes did not improve. But that was okay because no one was expecting instant fixes over a few December practices.
Come September of 2026, however, attitudes will shift notably in that regard. And while instant flips to excellence will not be required, fans will likely
not take too well to backsliding. And their eyes will most certainly be focused on the offensive line of Geep Wade and defense of Rob Aurich.
And, while Dana Holgorsen is not a newbie being a veteran of one season and four games as the Huskers’ offensive coordinator, fans are ready to see a little more of the man whose offenses lit up scoreboards as an OC at Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma State, and far less of the NU version who has only cracked 30 points three times in 17 tries.
So those were the three choices presented in this week’s survey where we asked you which you thought would be most crucial to success for the 2026 Huskers:
- The ability of Holgorsen’s offense to put points on the board
- Aurich’s defense, especially their ability to stop the run and pressure the QB
- Wade’s offensive line – an immediate return to THE PIPELINE isn’t expected, but can he begin moving them back in that direction?
Here’s who you picked:
- It’s Geep Wade by a nose with 42% of the vote. Given the history of the Huskers’ offensive line, it’s not surprising most are of the opinion that teams aren’t going far without an effective wall of blockers up front whether for the run or the pass.
- They are truly Geep’s group – Dana Holgorsen has said puts his faith in Wade to get them ready as a unit for what he wants them to do in his offense.
- Very close behind in the voting was Rob Aurich with 39% and going back to a 4-man front was likely seen as a fine start to fixing the run-stop problems. Aurich has succeeded in his first three stints as a DC – but matching up in the Big 10 is a whole different animal. If he makes a go of it in Year 1, he will likely find himself moving up a couple of tax brackets.
- Holgorsen himself only grabbed 19% of the vote, but there may be a reason for that – if the O-line isn’t able to clear the way rushing (which they did in 2025 for Nebraska’s first 1st Team All-American running back since Mike Rozier last season) and keep their QB clean, it’s not going to much matter with what wizardry Holgorsen comes up.
- Hot take for 2026: The 2025 offensive line was underrated. Along with Emmett’s success, they ranked among the top 15 in rush yards before contact. And Raiola’s adventures in holding the ball too long and looping back to escape the pocket might have hung part of the lowly sack numbers on an O-line who didn’t deserve them. Between the hire of Wade, the upgrading of the position and a much more mobile and aware QB, look for a noticeable step forward in 2026.
