The last time the Huskers the Huskers finished with a winning record in the Big 10 was 2016.
They went 6-3 with six wins against teams ranked in the bottom half of Division 1 and three losses against the only teams with pulses on the conference slate. They managed to remain ranked even after losing to Ohio State and Iowa by a combined score of 102-13.
The 2026 Nebraska Cornhuskers will have no such scheduling advantages. Here is their Big 10 board along with their opponents’ current rankings:
@ Michigan
State – 2-1 Maryland – 2-1 Indiana – 3-0 – 5th AP/4th AFCA Coaches @ Oregon – 2-1 – 20th/16th Washington – 3-0 – (26th)/23rd @Illinois – 2-1 @Rutgers – 0-3 Ohio State – 2-1 – 7th/7th @Iowa – 3-0 – 17th/17th
Combined current record of opponents is 19-8 – for what that’s worth going into Week 4.
(Nebraska is currently receiving votes, but would only be ranked 42nd and 41st respectively if the polls ran that deep.)
Should the ranked teams on the schedule remain that way once the season ends, and if the Huskers want to show continued improvement (8 wins), they must achieve their first winning record in the conference in 10 years.
And in order to do both of those things, they must defeat at least one team who likely will end up ranked.
Now, by what appears to be the accepted way of determining what constitutes a “ranked” team, their ranking at the time the game was played, the last “ranked” squad the Huskers defeated was #22 Oregon in 2016 by a score of 35-32.
By my thinking, the much more sensible way of determining this would be to check the rankings at the end of the season. In the case of 2016 Oregon, the Huskers’ third game of the 2026 slate, the Ducks would no longer count as they finished the season 4-8 (2-7 in the Pac-12) and obviously unranked by any poll.
HOWEVER – under the correct metric, the current streak is now only two years. Why? Because Deion’s 2024 Colorado Buffies, whom the Huskers throttled 28-10 in Lincoln that season, finished 9-4 and ranked 25th in both polls, and shouldn’t that final ranking count more than waving a “WE’RE BACK” flag for beating a team who ended up with a losing record?
But – it looks like the secret sauce for acceptable improvement requires a victory over a ranked team one way or another.
Matt Rhule – The Big 10 Records To Date
Let’s just take a quick look at Matt Rhule’s first three seasons taking his swings in the Big 10 for recency:
2023 – 3-6 – 4-way tie 4th (last) Big 10 West
2024 – 3-6 – 4-way tie 12th
2025 – 4-5 – tied 10th
If we break it down a little further, one month in particular has been especially disastrous for Rhule. September and October? Not ball at all considering; the Huskers are 8-7 in those games since Rhule arrived.
November? Horror show. 2-10.
2023 – 0-4 (all by one score, 3 on final play of the game, one in OT)
2024 – 1-3 (all losses by one score, one on last play of the game)
2025 – 1-3 (OK, one by one score, wheels beat off them in the final two)
This season? In order to hit the improvement goal, victories over Illinois and Rutgers are likely required. This will also require a Matt-Rhule-led November best of 2-2. Taking out Ohio State is probably a big ask, but a win over Iowa, looking on-brand once again as tough defensively and pathetic on the offensive side of the ball (yes, it’s early), would check the needing to beat a ranked team box and potentially result in a 3-1 November.
This would definitely leave Huskers fans with a much better taste in their mouth than the 2025 finish.
WHY SHOULD 2026 BE ANY DIFFERENT?
If you’ve been reading my stuff, you’re probably tired of hearing it, but I believe Matt Rhule finally having an “old” roster is one of the biggest things that’s different about 2026. After three seasons of youth-heavy rosters, he finally has one weighted on the side of upperclassmen. Experience tends to get the nod when things get tight – and they always get tight in the Big 10. 2025 had its disappointments, but one-score games weren’t one of them for once – they went 4-2 in those contests.
Can an experienced roster carry them further? Possibly – and here’s some reasons why.
- I won’t take you fully down that road again – here was my most recent article on the subject, complete with why Rhule is loving the new balance.
- Anthony Colandrea – Praise and expectations were being heaped on Colandrea before he ever took a snap – raise your hand if you saw articles and videos with things like the “Anthony Colandrea Effect” or “Anthony Colandrea Experience” in the title. Repeatedly. Or why he’d be so much better for us than Dylan Raiola. Etc.
- Hey, I was hoping for the best, too, but I also wanted to see him against Big 10 competition before giving him a grade. I still do.
- BUT – I do like what I see so far. Very much. And after watching him play, I sort of understand the overblown titles and early reviews. But it isn’t because he’s dicing the pushovers and showing more speed than Raiola. It’s experience. He simply carries himself differently. And there’s a reason for that.
- Look, I enjoy “Effects” and “Experiences”, too. But the difference here isn’t a Colandrea Experience; it’s Colandrea’s experience – we’ve just never seen it at QB in Rhule’s time. The experience exception was Jeff Sims, but he didn’t play like he had any. Heinrich Haarberg and Dylan Raiola? Had never played in a college football game prior to their debuts. Raiola sophomore? Passing efficiency increased, but defenses exposed his rookie-like inability to escape pockets or get rid of the ball when receivers were covered. Colandrea simply looks like a much older QB when you compare him to the rest. He’s a huge difference.
- Owen Chambliss – There may not be a way to quantify it, but the Blackshirts simply look better with him calling the shots. Watching Florida State’s defense with Tony White in charge probably makes you rethink 2024 a little – that group may have been more about the guys like Nash and Ty and Bullock and company than White. Chambliss is clearly the QB of this unit and, in addition, has everyone’s respect.
- I was always a little 50/50 about the new 5/5 eligibility rules. Well, the Husker homer in me couldn’t be happier about Colandrea and Chambliss having the option for a second year instead of being one-and-dones. Love the guidelines – well done!
- The 2026 Transfer Portal Haul – while it had a solid ranking, it wasn’t considered Top 10 or anything. But who they snagged filled needs and looks to have filled them very well.
- Offensive Line – Brendan Black and Paul Mubenga immediately made what would have a been a younger line experienced and old. And if Tree Babalade reaches his potential… Regardless, this group passed the non-conference tests and opened holes while protecting AC.
- Quarterback – see above
- Wide Receiver – Kwazi Gilmer in the mix of Jacory Barney Jr, Nyziah Hunter and Quinn Clark makes this room not just a “good for Nebraska” group. They have the potential to be a top 20 group nationally.
- Defensive Back – Dwayne McDougle and Victor Evans leveled up a defensive backfield after the top-notch ‘25 group lost some experience.
- Defensive Line – This group got shoved around last year and one knew there would be both coaching and personnel changes. Most everyone is holding judgment for a few Big 10 games, but so far, so good.
- Fewer Red Flags – Last season, fans were uneasy after a pile of scramble yards to Brendan Sorsby in the Cincinnati game followed by a 45-yard TD run by Houston Christian’s Xai’Shaun Edwards. All the fears came crashing home when Michigan ran wild the following week. 2026? Two of three opponents held under 100 yards on the ground and no breakaways. So far, so good.
- Hey, about the running backs – They’re probably the most inexperienced position group, but we’re all okay with that at this point in time aren’t we? It’s just anecdotal, no polls yet, but I’m really not hearing any more grumbling about not trying to grab another RB from the portal. Like last year.
THE VERDICT?
Hey, I’ve got no answers for you yet. We’ve been here before and disappointment isn’t just an option, it’s become a way of life for the last 12 years or so. But I like what I see so far and I like it all over the board. For all the criticism, Rhule has never backslid – at every stop, each season has been as good or better than the previous one. And, unlike many of his predecessors, he has shown the ability to make changes to his process and his staff.
This has the looks of a roster which can level up against a rough schedule. Now – will they?
Buckle up – the 2026 ride boards Saturday afternoon.
