Nebraska’s next step is a far more manageable one after the opener, with Bowling Green coming to Lincoln for a first-ever meeting between the programs.
The Falcons arrive at 0-1 after Eddie George’s team dropped its home opener to Tarleton State and gave up 464 yards of total offense. This was originally supposed to be Tennessee on the schedule, but Bowling Green filled the spot and replaced what would have been an early-season measuring stick.
For Nebraska, the opener against Ohio was a test for most of the night before the Huskers finally pulled away late. That makes this matchup look like the easiest game left on the schedule, but it still comes with a warning: Bowling Green will be hungry after a loss.
George is in his second season with the Falcons, who went 4-9. The program hasn’t topped seven wins since 2015, and the last time Bowling Green showed up in the rankings, Urban Meyer was still the head coach.
There were a few offensive positives for the Falcons despite the loss. Bowling Green put up 366 total yards, and quarterback Jay Kastantin threw for 266 yards, the first time the team had a passer go over 250 yards in a year (Sept.
2025). Jeremiah Scoby led the receiving group with 10 catches for 103 yards.
The ground game was less encouraging. Austin Dendy, who ran for 493 yards last season at 4.9 per carry, managed 60 yards on 15 attempts in the opener, and Bowling Green finished at 2.9 yards per rushing attempt. Against an FCS opponent, the Falcons also produced just one sack and two tackles for loss while allowing 258 rushing yards at 7.8 per carry.
That’s the backdrop for Saturday’s game, along with the odds, how to watch, and a prediction.
Nebraska vs. Bowling Green Key Info
Early Prediction: Nebraska vs. Bowling Green
After Nebraska’s strong second half against Ohio, this matchup doesn’t look like it should give the Huskers many problems. Still, they can’t afford to sleepwalk through it, especially with a Bowling Green team that will be eager to bounce back.
The matchup should tilt heavily toward Nebraska’s offense, especially against a run defense that just gave up 7.8 yards a carry. Anthony Colandrea should be in line for another productive night, and there’s a good chance the Huskers get some backups on the field too.
In Other News...
Tony Whites Rough Start Is Changing How Nebraska Fans See His Exit
Tony Whites first season away from Nebraska has not unfolded the way Florida State hoped. The Seminoles defense has drawn criticism for poor performances in 2026, and one sequence against SMU, where a defenders unusual pre-snap behavior spread quickly on social media, only amplified the scrutiny. For Nebraska fans watching from a distance, it has become a fresh lens on a coordinator who left Lincoln with plenty of attention attached to his name.
The early returns in Tallahassee have also given Nebraska plenty to compare against as it moves forward with Rob Aurich now in charge of the defense. Whites units had earned respect during his time with the Cornhuskers, but Florida States struggles have made his departure look different in hindsight, even if Nebraskas own hopes now rest on whether Aurich can build on that foundation. The way Whites exit is being discussed says as much about the pressure of the job as it does about the memories he left behind. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraska Suddenly Loses A Bigger Role Player At A Thin Position
Nebraskas tight end room took another hit when Mac Markway announced he is stepping away from football after a run of season-ending injuries, including repeated ACL tears. The former LSU transfer had been in line for a bigger role for the Huskers, and coach Matt Rhule had recently praised the way Markway was earning more playing time, making the news a tough one for a position group that has not exactly had much margin for error.
Markway said his knees would not let him perform at the level he wanted, and he chose to retire rather than keep pushing through the pain and uncertainty. Even with his playing days over, he made clear he still wants to stay around Nebraska football off the field, thanking his coaches and teammates as he closed the door on a career that never really got the chance to settle in. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Is Testing How Safe Nebraskas 2026 Class Really Is
Florida States push into Nebraskas 2026 class has added a little late-summer intrigue to a group the Cornhuskers would prefer to keep intact. The Seminoles are reportedly after three Nebraska commits in offensive lineman Timi Aliu, defensive lineman Errol Demontagnac and defensive back Jailen Hill, a reminder that even a class that looks solid on paper can attract heavy outside attention when other programs like the fit and start circling.
Recruiting analyst Tim Verghese has said Florida State is making real efforts, but so far there has not been much traction behind the scenes. Demontagnac did not make the visit he had been expected to take, while Aliu has already been to Tallahassee and still remains committed to Nebraska, which is the kind of development the Huskers can live with for now. Florida States staff connection to former Nebraska coaches only adds another layer here, but the bigger question is whether the Seminoles can turn interest into something more serious before this recruiting fight settles down. [Read more 🡒]