Nebraska’s fast start is at least making people look twice.
After three lopsided wins to open the season against Ohio, Bowling Green and North Dakota, the Huskers finally showed up on the AP Top 25 radar in Sunday’s poll. They are still nowhere near the rankings themselves, but they did pick up votes for the first time since the regular season began.
It wasn’t much - just two votes - but it was enough to place Nebraska behind a long list of teams that also drew at least some attention from voters. Washington led that group with 107 votes, followed by Kentucky with 98, West Virginia with 93, Oklahoma with 91, Oklahoma State with 50, Boise State with 48, Virginia Tech with 46, Western Michigan with 27, Duke with 20, Tulsa with 18, Arizona with 12, Pittsburgh with 10, UCLA with 10, James Madison with 7, North Dakota State with 6 and Kansas State with 3.
Because so many teams received votes, Nebraska is technically sitting 42nd in the country. That’s a small but notable step for a 3-0 team whose non-conference slate was never viewed as especially strong.
Still, there’s a clear takeaway here: the Huskers are at least getting noticed. If they keep winning, that attention could turn into something more meaningful. A 5-0 start would put Nebraska right on the edge of the AP Top 25, and a win over Indiana to move to 6-0 could push the conversation even higher, perhaps into Top 15 territory.
That’s all ahead of the curve for now. But after a dominant first three weeks, Nebraska has done enough to get a few voters to lean in.
In Other News...
Nebraska Suddenly Faces Another Carter Nelson Concern
Nebraskas win over North Dakota came with a fresh concern when Carter Nelson and Jahsear Whittington both exited early because of injuries. Nelsons exit drew the most attention, with the tight end needing help off the field before later being spotted with a knee brace and crutches, a development that naturally raises questions about his status moving forward.
Matt Rhule has not offered specifics yet, leaving the Huskers to wait for more clarity on both players. For a team trying to build momentum, any injury news is a distraction, and Nelsons situation is the one Nebraska will be watching closest when the coach next meets with the media. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas 3-0 Start Still Leaves One Big Ten Concern
Nebraska kept rolling with a 34-7 win over North Dakota to move to 3-0, and the latest victory again showed why this start has felt so steady. The defense was the headline, piling up five sacks and smothering an offense that never found much room to breathe, while the offense continued to move the ball with 493 total yards. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea looked comfortable and in control, making the kind of decisions that have helped give the Cornhuskers a calmer edge early in the season.
Still, even with three wins in hand, there is a clear area Nebraska has to clean up before Big Ten play begins. The next step is less about proving the team can win and more about how sharp it can be doing it, especially with penalties and turnovers still hanging around as fixable issues. Against bigger conference opponents, those mistakes tend to matter more, which is why this unbeaten start has come with a reminder that the tougher part is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Handled Business But One Big Ten Concern Still Lingers
Nebraska took care of business against North Dakota, rolling to a 34-7 win in a game it controlled from the opening stages. The Huskers piled up 496 total yards, held North Dakota to 205, and were sharp enough on offense to score on five of eight drives before reserves began taking over in the fourth quarter.
Jamal Rule set the tone with 119 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving Nebraska the kind of ground production it can build on as Big Ten play comes into sharper focus. Even with the one-sided result, the late defensive push still left a small opening for concern after North Dakota did not get over 200 yards until the final play, a reminder that the level of resistance will only rise from here. [Read more 🡒]