Nebraska’s 2026 football schedule is officially set, and if you're a Huskers fan, buckle up - November is going to be a grind.
The Big Ten dropped the full conference slate on Tuesday, locking in the dates for a season that already looked challenging on paper. Nebraska knew its opponents and where they’d be playing, but now we know when - and the timing of these matchups adds some serious intrigue. The Huskers get just one bye week, and it comes right before a brutal closing stretch that includes three road games in the final four weeks, with a lone home tilt against perennial powerhouse Ohio State.
Let’s break down the full schedule and what it means for Matt Rhule’s squad as they try to take another step forward in Year 4.
Sept. 5: vs. Ohio
Nebraska opens the season at home against Ohio, who will be led by new head coach John Hauser. Hauser steps in after a 9-4 campaign that ended with a Frisco Bowl win over UNLV - and Nebraska’s new quarterback, Anthony Colandrea.
That adds a little spice to an otherwise manageable opener. The Huskers should be favored, but with a new QB under center, this one will be more about setting the tone than running up the score.
Sept. 12: vs. Bowling Green
Week 2 brings Bowling Green to Lincoln, and with Eddie George entering his second season as head coach, the Falcons are still in rebuild mode after a 4-8 campaign. George’s NFL pedigree gives the program some buzz, but Nebraska should have a clear advantage in talent and depth. Still, early-season games can get weird - especially with a new-look offense - so don’t expect the Huskers to take this one lightly.
Sept. 19: vs. North Dakota
The non-conference slate wraps up with a familiar FCS foe in North Dakota. Nebraska handled the Fighting Hawks 38-17 back in 2022, and while UND made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs last year, this should be a get-right game before Big Ten play begins. Eric Schmidt is in his second year leading the program, and his team plays hard, but the Huskers will be expected to control this one from the jump.
Sept. 26: at Michigan State
Conference play opens on the road against a Michigan State team that’s undergone serious offseason change. Pat Fitzgerald - yes, the former Northwestern coach - is now in charge in East Lansing after Jonathan Smith was let go.
The Spartans have been aggressive in the portal, bringing in 26 transfers alongside 18 high school signees. Nebraska beat them 38-27 last year, but this will be a very different Spartan squad.
A road win here would be a valuable early statement.
Oct. 3: vs. Maryland
Maryland comes to town for what’s become a regular Big Ten matchup. Last year, Nebraska edged the Terps 34-31 in a back-and-forth game on the road.
Quarterback Malik Washington, who threw for 249 yards and a score against the Huskers as a freshman, is back and could be even more dangerous in Year 2. This one has shootout potential, and it could be a pivotal swing game in Nebraska’s bowl hopes.
Oct. 10: vs. Indiana
Here’s where the schedule starts to get real. Indiana - yes, that Indiana - is fresh off a College Football Playoff run and has become one of the sport’s surprise success stories.
Sure, they’re replacing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, but don’t expect the Hoosiers to fall off a cliff. They’ve built depth and confidence, and they absolutely throttled Nebraska 56-7 the last time these teams met in 2024.
This will be a major test of how far the Huskers have come.
Oct. 17: at Oregon
Welcome to the Big Ten, Oregon. Nebraska heads to Eugene for the first time since the Mike Riley era, and the Ducks are fresh off a CFP appearance of their own.
Quarterback Dante Moore returns, and the defense brings back an eye-popping 22 players who saw action last season - including nine who logged 275+ snaps. This is arguably Nebraska’s toughest road test of the season, and it comes on the heels of facing Indiana.
Survive this stretch, and the Huskers will have earned national respect.
Oct. 24: Bye Week
This is the only break Nebraska gets all season, and it couldn’t come at a better time. After facing Indiana and Oregon back-to-back, the Huskers will need the week to reset, recover, and prepare for a November gauntlet.
Oct. 31: vs. Washington
Halloween brings the Huskies to Lincoln in another Big Ten first. Washington finished 9-4 last season and will be led by quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who flirted with the transfer portal but ultimately stayed put.
He’s dynamic, mobile, and a handful for any defense. Nebraska hasn’t seen Washington since a high-scoring win in 2011, but this version of the Huskies is a different animal.
The Blackshirts will need to be dialed in.
Nov. 7: at Illinois
The Huskers head to Champaign to face an Illinois team that’s coming off a 9-4 season and a Music City Bowl win over Tennessee. The Illini are expected to be led by East Carolina transfer Katin Houser at quarterback, and while they’re replacing a veteran core, this is still a physical, well-coached team. Nebraska fell 31-24 to Illinois in 2024, and if they want to flip that result, they’ll have to win the battle in the trenches.
Nov. 14: at Rutgers
Trips to Rutgers haven’t always been pretty, but Nebraska has managed to win all seven meetings with the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers is trying to bounce back from a 5-7 season and has added former Boston College QB Dylan Lonergan via the portal. This is a game Nebraska needs to win if it wants to stay in the postseason hunt - but don’t expect it to be a walk in the park.
Nov. 21: vs. Ohio State
Circle this one. Ohio State returns to Lincoln as one of three College Football Playoff teams on Nebraska’s schedule, and the Buckeyes are loaded - again.
Quarterback Julian Sayin, wideout Jeremiah Smith, and running back Bo Jackson headline an offense that’s returning a ton of experience. Nebraska hasn’t beaten Ohio State since 2011, and while they played the Buckeyes tough in 2024, pulling off the upset here would be monumental.
Nov. 27: at Iowa (Black Friday)
It all wraps up, as usual, with a Black Friday showdown against Iowa. The Hawkeyes have had Nebraska’s number lately, winning three straight, including a dominant 40-16 win to close out last season.
There’s a QB competition brewing in Iowa City, and special teams guru LeVar Woods is gone, but this rivalry rarely comes down to style points. Expect a physical, emotional battle - and potentially, a postseason berth hanging in the balance.
Final Thoughts
Nebraska’s 2026 schedule is no joke. Three CFP teams, a road-heavy November, and a midseason gauntlet that includes Indiana and Oregon back-to-back. But there are also opportunities - winnable games early, a bye week at the right time, and a chance to make a statement in front of the home crowd against Ohio State.
If the Huskers can find consistency at quarterback and continue building on their 2025 progress, this could be the year they break through. But they’ll have to earn every inch.