Nebraska gets its first real test of the season Saturday against Michigan State, and there’s plenty pointing toward a comfortable Huskers win.
The Spartans have been one of the Big Ten’s weakest teams since 2022, and they haven’t been back to a bowl game since 2021. Pat Fitzgerald is now in charge, and while he was a solid hire, his recent track record at Northwestern was 4-20 over his last two seasons. His lone win in 2022 came against Scott Frost and Nebraska.
Michigan State did show some fight against Notre Dame last week, but the Spartans still fell by 17. That kind of result can fool people if they want to dress it up as a moral victory, but it shouldn’t change the outlook here. Nebraska should handle this one fairly easily.
The biggest reason is simple: Michigan State’s offense just isn’t very threatening. The offensive line has some talent, and Cam Edwards is worth noting at running back, but that’s about where the list stops.
The Spartans rank 89th or worse in rushing offense, pass offense, total offense and scoring offense. There isn’t a receiver in that group who should give Nebraska much trouble.
Alessio Milivojevic is a decent quarterback - accurate, but limited by a lack of weapons and by his own inability to run.
That may sound bold, but if the Blackshirts give up 20 points, Rob Aurich is going to have some explaining to do, unless turnovers or special teams mistakes help inflate the total.
On the other side, Anthony Colandrea looks like the real deal. Through three games, he’s the highest-rated quarterback in the Power 4. He might also be the most underrated player in the Big Ten, and Jamal Rule is right there with him.
Nebraska finally has a legitimate quarterback-running back pairing under Matt Rhule, and the supporting cast has been strong too. The receivers, offensive line and tight ends have all held up their end, and Luke Lidenmeyer has played like an All-Big Ten-caliber player.
If Michigan State keeps its safeties deep and plays two high the way North Dakota did, Nebraska should have a path to running the ball. That would open the door to explosive plays.
And if the explosives don’t show up, Colandrea has already shown he can be patient and still move the offense. He can also make things happen with his legs, which could be a major factor in this game.
That’s why Matt Rhule’s offseason claim carries real weight now. When he said this was his best team in Lincoln, people had reason to listen. Saturday should give the clearest proof yet.
In Other News...
Nebraska Fans Suddenly Have A New Reason To Watch Dylan Raiola
Dylan Raiolas path to the Oregon starting job was supposed to be straightforward, with the former Nebraska quarterback waiting until 2027 to take over after Dante Moore moved on to the NFL. But early-season chatter around Moore has added a new wrinkle, and it has Nebraska fans paying closer attention to Raiolas next step than they probably expected.
The speculation, including talk from radio host Chuck Oliver, is that Raiola could be pushed into action sooner if Moore keeps struggling or finds himself benched during the 2026 season. For Nebraska, that means a once-familiar name now carries a little extra intrigue, with the possibility that Raiola could end up facing the Cornhuskers earlier than the original timeline suggested. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas Big Ten Opener Just Got Trickier For Both Sides
Michigan States trip to Nebraska already carried the usual weight of a Big Ten opener, and now the injury report has made it even more complicated for both sides. The Spartans will be without linebacker Brady Pretzlaff, one of their top defenders this season, while running back Cam Edwards is expected to be available after leaving the previous game early.
For Nebraska, the biggest concern on its own side of the ledger is in the secondary, where safety Rex Guthrie has been downgraded to doubtful. With Michigan State missing a key piece on defense and still leaning on Edwards as its leading rusher, the matchup has taken on a little more uncertainty than it had at the start of the week. [Read more 🡒]
Matt Rhule Just Raised The Stakes In Nebraska's Roster Battle
The Big Tens expanded travel roster gives Nebraska a little more flexibility on Saturdays, but Matt Rhule made it clear the extra spots are not meant to be handed out casually. Conference road trips now allow 80 players instead of 74, and for the Cornhuskers that only sharpens the competition for a place on the plane. Rhule said the standard starts much earlier in the week, with practice habits and daily performance shaping who gets a look.
For Nebraska players, the real pressure point comes long before kickoff. The coaching staff makes the final call, and those travel lists are announced on Thursdays before road games, turning practice into a weekly audition for anyone on the bubble. With the roster room a little wider, the challenge is still the same: earn the coaches trust, stay sharp, and make sure your name is among the ones called. [Read more 🡒]