The 2026 Nebraska football schedule features 12 regular-season games, including seven home contests at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln and five road matchups across the Big Ten Conference.
Head coach Matt Rhule enters his fourth season with the Cornhuskers, facing a schedule that includes defending national champion Indiana, perennial contender Ohio State, and the program’s traditional Black Friday rivalry against Iowa.
2026 Nebraska Cornhuskers Complete Schedule
Nebraska opens the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, 2026, against Ohio at Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers conclude their regular season on Friday, November 27, 2026, at Iowa for the annual Heroes Game.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Venue | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Ohio | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Bowling Green | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | North Dakota | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | at Michigan State | East Lansing, Michigan | Spartan Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Maryland | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Indiana | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Oregon | Eugene, Oregon | Autzen Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Washington | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | at Illinois | Champaign, Illinois | Memorial Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | at Rutgers | Piscataway, New Jersey | SHI Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | Ohio State | Lincoln, Nebraska | Memorial Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
| Friday, November 27, 2026 | at Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa | Kinnick Stadium | Big Ten Conference |
Non-Conference Schedule Overview
Nebraska’s 2026 non-conference slate consists of three home games against Ohio (MAC), Bowling Green (MAC), and North Dakota (FCS). The Cornhuskers canceled a previously scheduled home-and-home series with Tennessee to maintain an eight-home-game schedule during planned Memorial Stadium renovations in 2027. Nebraska paid a $1 million buyout to terminate the Tennessee series and replaced the Volunteers with Bowling Green for the 2026 season.
Big Ten Conference Schedule Structure
The 2026 season marks Nebraska’s 16th year as a Big Ten Conference member. The Cornhuskers play nine conference games under the league’s 18-team scheduling format. Nebraska’s 2026 Big Ten opponents include four home games (Maryland, Indiana, Washington, Ohio State) and five road games (at Michigan State, at Oregon, at Illinois, at Rutgers, at Iowa).
Key Matchups and Game-by-Game Analysis
September 5: Ohio at Nebraska
Nebraska opens Matt Rhule’s fourth season against the Ohio Bobcats at Memorial Stadium. The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference East Division. This marks the first meeting between Nebraska and Ohio since 1959, when the Cornhuskers defeated the Bobcats 59-0 in Lincoln.
Historical Context: Nebraska holds a 2-0 all-time record against Ohio.
September 12: Bowling Green at Nebraska
Bowling Green visits Lincoln for the second game of the season. The Falcons, led by head coach Eddie George, compete in the MAC East Division. Nebraska and Bowling Green have met twice previously, with the Cornhuskers winning both contests (1995, 2003).
Program Connection: Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, enters his fifth season as Bowling Green’s head coach.
September 19: North Dakota at Nebraska
North Dakota concludes Nebraska’s non-conference schedule. The Fighting Hawks compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference of the FCS subdivision. This represents the first meeting between Nebraska and North Dakota in program history.
FCS Scheduling Note: The College Football Playoff selection committee considers FCS opponents when evaluating the strength of schedule for at-large berth consideration.
September 26: Nebraska at Michigan State
Nebraska travels to East Lansing for its Big Ten opener against Michigan State. Pat Fitzgerald begins his first season as Michigan State’s head coach after spending 17 years at Northwestern, where he compiled a 110-101 record, including victories over Nebraska in 2020 and 2021.
Series History: Nebraska leads the all-time series 12-8, including a 38-27 victory in Lincoln during the 2025 season.
October 3: Maryland at Nebraska
Maryland visits Memorial Stadium for Nebraska’s Big Ten home opener. The Terrapins finished 7-6 in 2025 under head coach Mike Locksley. Nebraska defeated Maryland 34-31 in College Park during the 2025 season, improving to 4-2 in the series since joining the Big Ten in 2011.
Offensive Scheme: Maryland operates a spread offense that ranked 14th nationally in passing yards per game (289.3) during the 2025 season.
October 10: Indiana at Nebraska
Indiana, the defending national champion, makes its first visit to Lincoln since 2024. The Hoosiers won the 2025 College Football Playoff national championship under head coach Curt Cignetti, who built the program through strategic transfer portal acquisitions. Nebraska suffered a 56-7 defeat at Indiana during the 2024 season, the program’s worst loss since a 62-3 defeat to Wisconsin in 2012.
Championship Context: Indiana became the first Big Ten program to win a national championship since Ohio State in 2014 and the first Indiana program to win any major bowl game since 1967.
October 17: Nebraska at Oregon
Nebraska travels to Autzen Stadium to face Oregon in Eugene. The Ducks compete for Big Ten championships annually under head coach Dan Lanning. Oregon ranked among the top 10 nationally in total offense (477.8 yards per game) and total defense (304.5 yards allowed per game) during the 2025 season.
Venue Statistics: Autzen Stadium holds 54,000 spectators and routinely generates noise levels exceeding 127 decibels, making it one of the most challenging road environments in college football.
Series History: This marks the first meeting between Nebraska and Oregon as Big Ten Conference opponents. The programs have met five times previously, with Oregon holding a 3-2 series advantage.
October 24: Bye Week
Nebraska receives its only bye week of the 2026 season following the Oregon road trip. The bye week positioning provides rest before the season’s final five-game stretch.
October 31: Washington at Nebraska
Washington visits Memorial Stadium on Halloween. The Huskies joined the Big Ten Conference in 2024 along with Oregon, USC, and UCLA following the dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference. Washington won the Pac-12 championship in 2023 and reached the College Football Playoff national championship game.
Big Ten Transition: Washington finished 6-6 in its first Big Ten season (2024) under head coach Jedd Fisch.
November 7: Nebraska at Illinois
Nebraska travels to Champaign to face Illinois. The Fighting Illini finished 9-4 in 2025 under head coach Bret Bielema, including a bowl victory. Nebraska holds a 15-7 all-time advantage in the series, though Illinois has won three of the last five meetings.
Defensive Identity: Illinois ranked 22nd nationally in total defense (328.7 yards allowed per game) during the 2025 season, emphasizing run defense and pressure packages.
November 14: Nebraska at Rutgers
Nebraska makes its second consecutive East Coast road trip to face Rutgers in Piscataway. The Scarlet Knights finished 7-6 in 2025 under head coach Greg Schiano. Nebraska leads the all-time series 4-1, including a 28-21 victory at Memorial Stadium in 2023.
Travel Logistics: The Rutgers road game represents Nebraska’s furthest travel distance of the 2026 season at approximately 1,250 miles from Lincoln.
November 21: Ohio State at Nebraska
Ohio State visits Memorial Stadium for Nebraska’s home finale. The Buckeyes consistently rank among the nation’s elite programs under head coach Ryan Day, who owns a 6-0 record against Nebraska since taking over in 2019. Ohio State ranked third nationally in scoring offense (41.8 points per game) and fifth in total offense (487.2 yards per game) during the 2025 season.
Playoff Implications: This game likely determines Nebraska’s College Football Playoff positioning, as Ohio State typically enters November ranked in the top five nationally.
Series History: Ohio State leads the all-time series 9-1, with Nebraska’s only victory occurring in 2011 (34-27) during the program’s first season in the Big Ten.
November 27: Nebraska at Iowa (Heroes Game)
Nebraska concludes the regular season at Iowa on Black Friday. The Heroes Game, named to honor the Armed Forces, has been played annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving since 2015. Iowa has won nine of the last 10 meetings in the series, including a 40-16 victory in Lincoln during the 2025 season.
Rivalry Context: Iowa leads the all-time series 31-20-3, though Nebraska held a 29-13-3 advantage before the programs began annual Big Ten play in 2011.
Trophy: The teams compete for a traveling trophy featuring a black and gold football mounted on a mahogany base.
Matt Rhule’s Fourth Season: Program Trajectory
Matt Rhule enters his fourth season as Nebraska’s head coach with a cumulative 19-19 record through three years (2023-2025). Rhule signed a contract extension through 2032 in October 2025, reflecting athletic director Troy Dannen’s confidence in the program’s long-term trajectory.
Historical Coaching Patterns
Rhule achieved breakthrough seasons in his third year at both Temple (10-4 in 2016) and Baylor (11-3 in 2019). Nebraska’s 2025 season produced a 7-6 record, matching the program’s 2024 total and marking consecutive bowl appearances for the first time since 2015-2016.
2025 Season Statistical Performance
| Category | Nebraska | Conference Rank | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Offense | 370.5 yards/game | 9th in Big Ten | 56th nationally |
| Total Defense | 329.5 yards/game | 6th in Big Ten | 38th nationally |
| Scoring Offense | 28.7 points/game | 10th in Big Ten | 62nd nationally |
| Scoring Defense | 24.6 points/game | 7th in Big Ten | 44th nationally |
| Turnover Margin | +3 (13 gained, 10 lost) | 5th in Big Ten | T-42nd nationally |
Quarterback Transition for 2026
Nebraska’s 2026 quarterback competition features Anthony Colandrea (senior transfer from UNLV), Daniel Kaelin (redshirt sophomore transfer from Virginia), and TJ Lateef (sophomore). Dylan Raiola, who started nine games in 2025, departed for the NFL draft.
Colandrea’s Credentials: The Virginia native won 2025 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year honors after accounting for 33 touchdowns (23 passing, 10 rushing) and 4,108 total yards at UNLV. Colandrea started 31 games across three seasons at Virginia (2022-2023) and UNLV (2025).
Strength of Schedule Analysis
ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) rates Nebraska’s 2026 schedule as the 10th most difficult among 134 FBS programs. The schedule difficulty stems from facing defending national champion Indiana, perennial playoff contender Oregon, and Big Ten East Division powerhouse Ohio State.
Comparative Big Ten Schedule Difficulty
| Team | FPI Rank | Notable Home Games | Notable Road Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 1st | Oregon, Michigan, Penn State | at Texas, at Indiana, at USC |
| Michigan | 2nd | Oklahoma, Penn State, Ohio State | at Oregon, at Minnesota |
| Nebraska | 10th | Indiana, Ohio State, Washington | at Oregon, at Michigan State, at Iowa |
| Iowa | 16th | Michigan, Northwestern | at Ohio State, at Washington |
| Wisconsin | 17th | Michigan State, USC | at Penn State, at UCLA |
Conference Opponent Analysis
Nebraska faces five teams projected to finish in the 2026 preseason top 25: Indiana (#3), Oregon (#5), Ohio State (#2), Washington (#18), and Iowa (#16). The combined 2025 winning percentage of Nebraska’s nine Big Ten opponents was .597 (54-36 combined record).
Memorial Stadium and Home Field Advantage
Memorial Stadium, with a capacity of 85,458, ranks as the fourth-largest college football stadium nationally. Nebraska has sold out every home game since November 3, 1962, a streak spanning 398 consecutive games through the 2025 season.
2025 Home Attendance Figures
| Game | Opponent | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Cincinnati | 72,884 |
| Game 2 | Akron | 86,439 |
| Game 3 | Houston Christian | 86,292 |
| Game 4 | Michigan | 87,278 |
| Game 5 | Michigan State | 86,496 |
| Game 6 | Northwestern | 86,401 |
| Game 7 | USC | 86,529 |
| Game 8 | Iowa | 86,410 |
| Average | — | 84,841 |
Stadium Renovation Status
Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen announced in August 2025 that the department scaled back the original $450 million Memorial Stadium renovation plan. No major construction will occur during the 2026 season, maintaining the stadium’s current configuration and capacity. The revised renovation timeline and scope remain under evaluation as of January 2026.
Playoff Path and Bowl Eligibility Scenarios
Nebraska requires six victories for bowl eligibility under NCAA rules. The 2026 College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams, with the five highest-ranked conference champions receiving automatic bids and the remaining seven slots filled by at-large selections.
Realistic Win Probability Model
| Scenario | Projected Record | Playoff Probability | Bowl Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | 10-2 | 65% (at-large bid) | New Year’s Six |
| Moderate | 8-4 | 8% (needs conference title) | Tier 2 bowl (Citrus, Holiday) |
| Conservative | 6-6 | 0% | Tier 3 bowl (Pinstripe, Quick Lane) |
Mathematical Requirements: Nebraska must achieve a 5-0 start through the Maryland game (October 3) to maintain realistic playoff positioning after expected losses at Oregon and versus Ohio State. A 9-3 regular season record would require winning the difficult November road stretch (at Illinois, at Rutgers, at Iowa) to remain in playoff contention.
Ticket Information and Pricing
Nebraska season tickets for 2026 range from $420 to $840 per seat, depending on location within Memorial Stadium. Single-game tickets typically release in July following Big Ten Media Days and the announcement of kickoff times.
Premium Game Pricing Expectations
| Game | Anticipated Price Range | Secondary Market Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State (November 21) | $150-$300 | 200-250% above face value |
| Indiana (October 10) | $80-$150 | 125-175% above face value |
| Iowa (November 27) | $60-$120 | 100-150% above face value |
Season Ticket Holder Priority: Nebraska maintains a priority point system for season ticket holders, with points accumulated based on consecutive years of ticket purchases, donations to the Husker Athletic Fund, and previous attendance records.
Television Coverage and Broadcast Schedule
Big Ten Conference television contracts with Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and CBS Sports govern Nebraska’s 2026 broadcast schedule. Specific kickoff times and network assignments typically release 6-12 days before each game, with some marquee matchups selected for primetime windows.
Expected Broadcast Windows
| Network | Typical Time Slots | Nebraska Games (Projected) |
|---|---|---|
| Fox (Big Noon) | 11:00 AM CT | Ohio State (November 21) |
| ABC/ESPN | 2:30 PM CT | at Oregon (October 17) |
| NBC | 6:30 PM CT | Indiana (October 10) |
| BTN | Variable | Maryland, Washington |
Friday Night Football: The Iowa rivalry game on November 27 will broadcast on NBC or Fox in the traditional Black Friday afternoon time slot (2:30 PM CT or 6:30 PM CT).
Historical Context: Nebraska Football Program
Nebraska ranks seventh all-time in total victories among FBS programs with 940 wins through the 2025 season. The Cornhuskers won five national championships (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997) and 46 conference championships across Big Eight (1921-1995), Big 12 (1996-2010), and Big Ten (2012-present) conference memberships.
Program Drought Statistics
| Milestone | Last Achievement | Current Drought |
|---|---|---|
| National Championship | 1997 (27 years) | Ongoing since 1997 |
| Conference Championship | 1999 (25 years) | Ongoing since 1999 |
| 10-Win Season | 2012 (12 years) | Ended in 2025 if achieved |
| Bowl Victory | 2015 (8 years) | Ended in 2024 (Pinstripe Bowl) |
Bowl Drought Context: Nebraska’s seven-year bowl drought from 2017-2023 represented the longest in program history and the longest active drought among Power Four conference programs when it ended with the 2024 Pinstripe Bowl appearance.
Transfer Portal Impact on 2026 Roster
Nebraska added 16 scholarship players via the transfer portal for the 2026 season, addressing positional needs identified during the 2025 campaign. Key additions include offensive lineman Brendan Black (Iowa State), linebacker Owen Chambliss (San Diego State), and quarterback Anthony Colandrea (UNLV).
Position Group Roster Turnover
| Position | 2025 Contributors Lost | 2026 Transfers Added | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | 1 (Raiola to NFL) | 2 (Colandrea, Kaelin) | +1 |
| Offensive Line | 3 (graduation/transfer) | 4 (including Black) | +1 |
| Linebacker | 2 (graduation) | 3 (including Chambliss) | +1 |
| Defensive Back | 1 (transfer out) | 2 | +1 |
Portal Strategy: Matt Rhule emphasizes “complementary roster building” through balanced recruiting and transfer portal acquisitions, maintaining approximately 50% of roster additions from high school recruiting and 50% from portal transfers.
Big Ten Conference Championship Path
Nebraska must finish in the top two of its Big Ten divisional alignment to reach the Big Ten Championship Game, scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Big Ten eliminated traditional East/West divisions in 2024 with conference expansion to 18 teams, implementing a scheduling model where the top two teams by conference winning percentage meet in the championship game.
Championship Game Qualification Scenarios
Scenario 1: Win at least eight Big Ten games (8-1 or 9-0 conference record) to guarantee a championship game appearance regardless of tiebreakers.
Scenario 2: Finish 7-2 in Big Ten play and win head-to-head tiebreaker against other 7-2 teams.
Scenario 3: Finish 6-3 in Big Ten play and benefit from multi-team tiebreaker scenarios involving head-to-head results and divisional record.
Nebraska Football Schedule Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nebraska football schedule for 2026?
Nebraska plays 12 regular-season games in 2026, beginning September 5 against Ohio and concluding November 27 at Iowa. The schedule includes seven home games at Memorial Stadium and five road games across the Big Ten Conference.
When does Nebraska play Ohio State in 2026?
Nebraska hosts Ohio State on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. This game serves as Nebraska’s home finale and represents one of two games against top-five opponents on the 2026 schedule.
How many home games does Nebraska have in 2026?
Nebraska plays seven home games at Memorial Stadium in 2026: Ohio (September 5), Bowling Green (September 12), North Dakota (September 19), Maryland (October 3), Indiana (October 10), Washington (October 31), and Ohio State (November 21).
When is the Nebraska-Iowa game in 2026?
Nebraska plays at Iowa on Friday, November 27, 2026, in Iowa City. The Heroes Game traditionally occurs on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and has been played on this date annually since 2015.
Is Nebraska’s 2026 schedule difficult?
ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks Nebraska’s 2026 schedule as the 10th most difficult nationally, based on opponent winning percentage, strength of schedule metrics, and road game difficulty. Nebraska faces defending national champion Indiana, top-five opponent Oregon, and perennial contender Ohio State.
Where can I download a printable Nebraska schedule for 2026?
The official Nebraska athletics website (huskers.com) provides downloadable PDF schedules and digital calendar exports (iCal format for Apple devices and Google Calendar), allowing fans to sync the complete 2026 schedule to personal devices.
How do I watch Nebraska football games in 2026?
Nebraska football games are broadcast on Fox Sports, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, ABC/ESPN networks, and the Big Ten Network. Specific network assignments and kickoff times are released approximately one week before each game, with some marquee matchups announced earlier in the season.
Data Sources: Nebraska Athletics (huskers.com), ESPN FPI ratings (2026 preseason), Big Ten Conference official schedules, FBSchedules.com, NCAA statistics database (2025 season), and confirmed coaching contracts through January 2026.
