Nebraska’s running back battle has been grinding along for months, and Adam Carriker says there’s finally some clarity emerging. Mekhi Nelsi and Isaiah Mozee are both still in the mix, but Nelson appears to have the slight edge right now.
That competition matters because Nebraska is looking for more than just a steady hand in the backfield. The Huskers need someone who can ease pressure on the offense, stay dangerous when a play breaks down, and force defenses to think twice.
Carriker also turned his attention to the bigger picture around Matt Rhule’s team, and that’s where the conversation gets interesting. Rhule has been talking up the size and power of this group, calling it the biggest and meanest team Nebraska has had since he arrived. One number in particular stands out: the Huskers supposedly have 52 players who can back squat at least 500 pounds.
But the question isn’t whether the weight room numbers are impressive. It’s what those numbers actually mean once the pads come on. Carriker takes a hard look at how Nebraska stacks up in height and weight against other college football teams, and the focus lands where it usually does in the Big Ten: the trenches.
Last year, Nebraska was lighter in key spots, especially up front. This season, the goal is clear - get bigger, stronger, and more physical without giving up speed. That balance matters because skill players can only do so much if the line of scrimmage gets pushed around.
The Huskers also bring more experience into this season. A lot more players have logged meaningful snaps, which should help with the little things that decide close games: fewer mental mistakes, better adjustments, and less panic when things tighten up.
Last year, inexperience hurt Nebraska. This year, that excuse should carry a lot less weight.
Carriker also touches on breakout candidates, the projected offensive line starters, the wide receivers, and whether Nebraska has a true star ready to rise. He closes by getting into the SEC hype and the constant narrative that follows that conference.
So where does Nebraska stand? Bigger, stronger, and more seasoned than before. Now the real test is coming fast: is this Matt Rhule’s best team yet?
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Marylands defense took a significant hit this week with sophomore edge rusher Zahir Mathis sidelined by a lower-leg injury, a setback that should keep him out for the entire 2026 season. For Nebraska, it changes the look of an early Big Ten matchup that already had plenty of intrigue, because Mathis was one of the Terps most disruptive defenders after a freshman season that included 6.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
His absence does not erase Marylands edge presence, but it does remove one of the few proven game-wreckers from a unit Nebraska will be trying to sort through early. In a conference opener where every detail matters, the Cornhuskers now have a clearer path to attacking a defense that has lost a major piece before the teams even meet. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Colandrea Is Fueling A Nebraska Debate Dylan Raiola Never Escaped
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Colandrea brings a track record that gives that argument some real fuel, including a Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year season and a reputation for playing with conviction. Raiola, meanwhile, has been viewed by some as more cautious, with questions lingering about certain throws and how expansive his game can be. None of that settles the depth-chart conversation, of course, but it shows why the comparisons are sticking and why Nebraska fans are already treating this as more than a routine offseason discussion. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Fall Camp Is Already Creating Tough Week 1 Lineup Calls
Fall camp is already forcing Nebraska to sort through a few tricky decisions as the Cornhuskers get ready for their season opener against Ohio. The roster has plenty of familiar faces mixed with new additions, and the early projections at wide receiver, tight end, both lines and across the defense suggest there is at least some clarity taking shape as the staff tries to settle in on an opening-week group.
The most intriguing calls are still happening behind the scenes, though, with the quarterback room drawing attention and the backfield shaping up as one of the more crowded spots on the field. Nebraska has multiple players in the mix at running back, and the way those reps shake out over the rest of camp could have a real impact on how the offense looks when the season finally starts. [Read more 🡒]