Nebraska’s start has put Matt Rhule in position for the kind of season that would quiet a lot of the noise.
The Huskers are 4-0 and head into a Week 5 matchup with Maryland as a heavy favorite, but the real conversation now is what comes after that strong opening stretch. On3’s Brett McMurphy has Nebraska headed to Tampa, Florida, for the ReliaQuest Bowl, where he projects the Huskers to face Mississippi State.
That would mark a clear step forward for Nebraska in Rhule’s fourth year. After back-to-back 7-6 finishes, a bowl like the ReliaQuest would give the program something better to point to than simply getting back to postseason play.
It would also be an upgrade from where Nebraska went last season. The Huskers played in the Pinstripe Bowl in New York during their return to the postseason in 2024, and the ReliaQuest would sit above that in the Big Ten’s bowl pecking order.
McMurphy doesn’t project final records, so the exact finish is still a little fuzzy. But his bowl call suggests he sees Nebraska ending up better than 6-6.
Last year, Iowa landed in the ReliaQuest Bowl after finishing sixth in the Big Ten at 8-4, and the matchup was against No. 13 Vanderbilt.
The Commodores came up just short of the College Football Playoff, making it a solid consolation spot rather than a bottom-tier bowl.
If Nebraska were to land in that same game, the path would likely require some late-season damage control. The Huskers would need to hold together through a stretch that includes Indiana, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Rutgers, Ohio State, and Iowa. With that closing run, winning three of those games would be a real accomplishment.
If Nebraska does get to Tampa, it would point to a season that looks a lot stronger than the one many expected entering 2026.
In Other News...
Jamal Rules Nebraska Breakout Comes With One Huge Worry
Jamal Rule has gone from under-the-radar recruit to one of Nebraskas early season revelations, and the freshman running back is already drawing national attention for the kind of start that can tilt a depth chart fast. Through the first month of the 2026 season, Rule has piled up 333 rushing yards in four appearances and two starts, while scoring six touchdowns in three games, production that has him sitting No. 4 on The Athletics list of the most impactful freshmen.
For Nebraska, the excitement comes with a catch, because Rules recent injury against Michigan State has left his availability uncertain at the exact moment his role was starting to expand. Coaches and analysts have been impressed by how quickly he adapted after arriving as a lower-ranked recruit, but the bigger question now is whether the Cornhuskers can keep building around a back who has already changed the look of their offense, if only they can get him back on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Former Huskers Are Giving Nebraska Fans Something To Track On Sundays
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Ty Robinson showed up in Philadelphia with tackles for the Eagles, while Emmett Johnson was part of Kansas Citys win, giving Nebraska supporters a couple of names to follow beyond just box-score watching. The broader list of former Huskers on practice squads also keeps the pipeline visible, even if the biggest questions now are which of them can keep turning those Sunday opportunities into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Tree Babalade Is Forcing A Nebraska Lineup Decision Up Front
Tree Babalades steady rise has become one of the more interesting developments along Nebraskas offensive front. After a strong showing against Michigan State, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said the lineman is improving and earning more playing time, which is the kind of progress that can start to change how the Huskers think about their protection up front.
Holgorsen also pointed to Elijah Pritchett turning in his best game, and the next step may be figuring out how to fit Babalade, Pritchett and Gunnar into the rotation together. There is still some sorting to do, and the same goes for quarterback Anthony Colandrea, whose quick decision-making and mobility could give Nebraska another layer if the staff finds the right way to use him. [Read more 🡒]