Nebraska is halfway through its 2026 season with a 5-1 record for the third straight year. However, the Huskers started 5-0 for the first time since 2016. Nebraska dropped its last game 20-17 to then-No. 7 Indiana and now enters the second half of the season with a slew of opponents ranging from dangerous to inconsistent.
A few teams took major hits at quarterback this past week, whether due to injury or performance. This has caused a few ranking shifts. Some of these teams are now in rough spots Nebraska can exploit. But a few still hold the advantage over the Huskers in their own unique way.
Here are the rankings for Nebraska's remaining opponents in the second half of the season.
No. 6: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Scarlet Knights got their much-needed bye week after falling
big to Indiana. However, Rutgers’ first half of the season doesn’t put it in a good spot. Now, the Scarlet Knights must face Maryland, Northwestern, Michigan and Wisconsin before Nebraska even comes to Piscataway.
Rutgers showed fight in its first five games, but multiple roadblocks kept it from beating an FBS team. The main issues are on offense. Against FBS teams, the Scarlet Knights have averaged 23 points per game but are also allowed 2.5 turnovers and over three sacks per game. The turnovers have especially caused problems with opposing teams scoring 45 total points off them.
Though the defense isn’t much better. Even removing the 45 points off turnovers, Rutgers is still allowing over 27 points per FBS game. Granted, Indiana curved that average with its 47-point outing. But after Nebraska allowed just 20 points to the Hoosiers, the Scarlet Knights’ offense may face another rough day at home.
Defensively, Rutgers is also allowing 247.5 passing yards and just under 216 rushing yards per FBS game. The Scarlet Knights have also struggled to create turnovers and sacks, totaling just three in each category across four FBS games. For Nebraska, Rutgers is in a bad spot that the Huskers can exploit.
Now, the Scarlet Knights could still turn things around over the next month, at least enough to catch Nebraska off guard. But Rutgers still has a tough road ahead.
No. 5: Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois escaped Michigan State. There’s no other way to say it. The Fighting Illini held a 17-point lead in the first half and a 14-point lead early in the fourth. Yet, the Spartans stormed back and forced overtime, only coming up short after failing the two-point conversion.
But Illinois still took a hit, despite the overtime win. Katin Houser is out indefinitely with a broken hand after throwing 20-of-29 for 194 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the win. In Big Ten play, Houser averaged over 227 passing yards per game and totaled 752 yards, while the rest of the team earned 464.
Michael Clayton II took over late in the third for Houser and finished 6-of-8 for 88 yards and two touchdowns. The run game also totaled 113 rushing yards in the game. But now the Fighting Illini get a bye week to coordinate their offense, moving forward.
However, the game and Houser’s injury only added to Illinois' disfigured season so far. The Fighting Illini are 3-3 this season and 1-2 in Big Ten play. Illinois' defense is also struggling, allowing over 34 points per Big Ten game. Plus, blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead is not what the team needs right now.
This bye week and Illinois’ next two matchups are crucial if the team wants to give Nebraska a trap game. Oregon and Maryland are both in rough spots as well right now, so the Fighting Illini could pull out some wins there. But with Houser out and the defense still giving up a slew of points, that's easier said than done.
No. 4: Washington Huskies
The Huskies' blowout home loss to Iowa should’ve dropped this team in the rankings. Iowa's 41-24 dismantling marks Washington's third straight loss. What’s more, the struggles for the Huskies continue on both sides of the ball.
Washington's offense did find its footing in the second half, though, scoring 21 points. Of course, Iowa held a 27-0 lead at one point and added two second-half touchdowns to secure the win, even with the Huskies' more efficient late offense.
Demond Williams Jr. left the game due to injury, but he isn’t out indefinitely like Houser. However, even before the injury, he's been inconsistent through the first three Big Ten games. He's averaging just under 169 passing yards per conference game and also over five sacks.
Though he left the game just before halftime, Williams still took four sacks and only threw 6-of-11 for 69 yards. Elijah Brown took over for the Huskies and finished 28-of-39 for 251 yards and three touchdowns. If he ends up starting against Nebraska, he could become a problem. But Purdue will be the indicator for that.
Washington cannot lean on the run either, with the team being held to just under 51 yards per Big Ten game despite averaging over 28 carries per conference contest. Iowa and Minnesota especially blew up the run with the Hawkeyes holding the Huskies to minus four on 25 carries, and the Golden Gophers allowing just 40 yards on 27 carries.
Based on these numbers, Washington should have dropped in the rankings. But the Huskies have shown strong surges at times in games and could put Nebraska in a hole if they start strong. The Huskers also fell late against Indiana, so Washington could even coordinate a comeback as well, especially with Nebraska's secondary allowing big plays almost every game.
That's what keeps the Huskies at No. 4.
No. 3: Oregon Ducks
Dylan Raiola and the Ducks came out of the bye week and took a massive blow offensively. UCLA pulled off the 17-15 upset by being a living nightmare for Oregon’s offense. The Ducks turned over the ball seven times in the loss, resulting in their lowest-scoring game of the season.
Raiola coughed up the ball three times, throwing two picks and fumbling once. He also threw 6-of-19 for just 43 yards before being benched. Brock Thomas fared better against the Bruins, going 11-of-15 for 156 yards and a touchdown to nearly complete a comeback. But like the other backup quarterbacks in these rankings, it remains to be seen whether the performance truly reflected his craft.
UCLA also dominated the game clock offensively, holding onto the ball for nearly 40 minutes. Oregon's seven turnovers played a part, but the Bruins also coughed up the ball three times. Nico Iamaleava also went down for UCLA before halftime, so Ty Dieffenbach played the second half. He only threw 3-of-6 for 43 yards and a touchdown.
The Bruins ran the ball 47 times for 140 yards and a touchdown. Wayne Knight did the most damage, totaling 103 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Though it wasn't a lot compared to other games, the Ducks allowed just enough to falter. Nebraska almost pulled off the win over Indiana with a similar game plan, so if it can do it again against Oregon, it could win.
The Ducks have already responded to a loss once this season, obliterating Portland State 84-0 after falling to Oklahoma State 39-31. Oregon can definitely do it again, but this has become a critical after-dark battle for it. A win can help the team build momentum for the second half of the Ducks’ season. But a loss could add to the frustration and potentially lead to a tougher stretch.
No. 2: Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa jumps from No. 4 to No. 2. As mentioned before, the Hawkeyes blew out Washington, continuing to show their capabilities as a team. Though Iowa fell big to Ohio State and barely beat Michigan, it can suffocate less-stable offenses and defenses, much like it did last year on Black Friday.
Though Nebraska is a bit more stable than last year on both sides of the ball, Indiana showed it's not up to a caliber that can fully overcome Iowa. Jeremy Hecklinski had a field day against the Huskies, totaling 202 passing yards and three touchdowns despite throwing 14-of-19. The Hawkeyes used their run game to tear up Washington's defense and struck in the air at the perfect times.
Iowa's now heading into its bye week 5-1, but it faces a tough second-half stretch. Though Northwestern is the only ranked team currently remaining on the Hawkeyes' schedule, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue and even Illinois could all find ways to break through. But knowing Iowa's formula, and Nebraska's current issues, this year's Black Friday can easily become a remake of last year's.
No. 1: Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State decimated Maryland in its latest outing, 45-16, continuing its consistent run through the Big Ten. In each of their first three Big Ten games, the Buckeyes scored 31 to 45 points and held teams to 14 to 19 points.
Jeremiah Smith only caught four passes this past weekend. Yet, he still led the Buckeyes in receiving yards, receptions and touchdown catches. Smith tallied 93 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Terrapins. His play remains the focal point of Ohio State's offense. Across three Big Ten games, he totaled 516 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 27 catches.
Julian Sayin is finding other targets, though, going 60-of-84 for 933 yards and 11 touchdowns in Big Ten play. Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson also combined for 183 rushing yards on 37 carries in the win over Maryland. In Big Ten play, the duo has 434 rushing yards on 88 carries.
The Buckeyes' defense also shut down Maryland, holding Malik Washington to 12-of-25 for 64 yards. Ohio State also held the Terrapins to 82 rushing yards on 28 carries. Across the three Big Ten games, the Buckeyes only allowed quarterbacks to go 50-of-95 for 526 yards. On the ground, Ohio State is holding Big Ten backs to 320 yards on 82 carries.
The Buckeyes' schedule grows more difficult, with Indiana, USC, Oregon, and Northwestern next on the docket. Nebraska's road is a bit more favorable before taking on Ohio State. But that only makes it harder for the Huskers. If the Buckeyes enter the late-November game 9-1, Nebraska will face a tougher challenge than its loss to Indiana.
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Ranking the opponents for Nebraska’s second half of the season
