2026 schedule. Undefeated?

RBigredMax1

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100% agree!

In fact, that game COULD be the start of the end of the Rhule era.

NU wins and they start 5-1 and all the fans that are scared of change will be happy.

NU drops that game and even those fans will start to see that a change is needed.
Frost’s Georgia Southern?
 
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Yeah, it could be, don't you think?

He would not get canned right away though but I think it would just start the behind the scenes movement/search.
Ohio lost their QB to the portal and their top RB aged out. They brought in a QB named Matt Vezza that led New Hampshire to the playoffs in FCS where they were beaten 41-3 by SDSU. He completed about 60% of his passes for 2500ish yards 19 TDs and 7 INT.
 

tro80

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It's his pattern at this point
2023 5-3 start 0-4 finish
2024 5-1 start 1-5 finish
2025 5-1 start 2-4 finish
2026 tbd
So, you are saying 8-4 in 2026: 5-1 start and 3-3 finish (given the trend I see there). Someone smarter than me will have to pick out the 3 wins.
 

InMotion

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Ohio lost their QB to the portal and their top RB aged out. They brought in a QB named Matt Vezza that led New Hampshire to the playoffs in FCS where they were beaten 41-3 by SDSU. He completed about 60% of his passes for 2500ish yards 19 TDs and 7 INT.
It doesn't matter. Ohio is coming here to beat us in the opener at home. One could argue that the talent on each team is equal and the coaching staffs are equal. So, to me, we lose that game.

If (NU Coaching Staff = Ohio Coaching Staff) and (NU Roster = Ohio Roster) Then
NU = 0-1;
HCMR = Terminated;
ENDIF;

See how that works? Trust me, the assessment isn't that far fetched regardless who Ohio may or may not have lost.

Players and coaches need to put in the work (not the normal "fake" work) or face the consequences.

I assure you one thing. If Franky was coaching Ohio at this point, this would 100% be a loss.
 
Aug 18, 2016
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It doesn't matter. Ohio is coming here to beat us in the opener at home. One could argue that the talent on each team is equal and the coaching staffs are equal. So, to me, we lose that game.

If (NU Coaching Staff = Ohio Coaching Staff) and (NU Roster = Ohio Roster) Then
NU = 0-1;
HCMR = Terminated;
ENDIF;

See how that works? Trust me, the assessment isn't that far fetched regardless who Ohio may or may not have lost.

Players and coaches need to put in the work (not the normal "fake" work) or face the consequences.

I assure you one thing. If Franky was coaching Ohio at this point, this would 100% be a loss.
I stand by my opinion that some are trying to wish this into existence.
 

orclover11

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9-3 or 8-4

Swing game is Washington.
I think swing game is Maryland...He will be 3-0 going into MSU. Hasn't won a ton of games on the road, MSU is probably a toss-up. If he loses to Maryland and is 3-2 I think the wheels completely fall off and end up with 3-4 wins. If they are 5-0 going into Indiana they will get beat but he can probably keep the team together win 6 or 7.
 

Baxter48

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I think swing game is Maryland...He will be 3-0 going into MSU. Hasn't won a ton of games on the road, MSU is probably a toss-up. If he loses to Maryland and is 3-2 I think the wheels completely fall off and end up with 3-4 wins. If they are 5-0 going into Indiana they will get beat but he can probably keep the team together win 6 or 7.
Imo the team will be better because Dylan is gone
 
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K Rod

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Ohio most certainly could be a trap game, unless you feel this staff will be able to cobble together a coherent team by week 1.

I see 6 possible wins. As has been the pattern we always fart away 1 or 2 games a year. So 4-8 to 6-6. Thats the range.

Lots of things yet to be seen. Matt said we had what we needed to bring in the best players. But ran out of money and no RB. I like Nelson, not sure he can handle 15+ carries every week with his build. Matt grabbed the 21st ranked QB so I guess we are all set. Que the off season sunshine articles that get us all in the 10-2 and playoffs vibe. Excited to see how these 70 underclassmen develop this off season.
 
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SuperBigFan69

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Ohio most certainly could be a trap game, unless you feel this staff will be able to cobble together a coherent team by week 1.

I see 6 possible wins. As has been the pattern we always fart away 1 or 2 games a year. So 4-8 to 6-6. Thats the range.

Lots of things yet to be seen. Matt said we had what we needed to bring in the best players. But ran out of money and no RB. I like Nelson, not sure he can handle 15+ carries every week with his build. Matt grabbed the 21st ranked QB so I guess we are all set. Que the off season sunshine articles that get us all in the 10-2 and playoffs vibe. Excited to see how these 70 underclassmen develop this off season.
I think that Matt thinks that they can just magically end up with another EJ. I get that, I do, but more than likely that won't happen.
 
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NikkiSixx

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I see the potential for a 9 win season.

5-1 to start.. I think most agree on that

I think we can win Oregon, Washington, Rutgers, and Iowa after that.

If Colandrea is what I think he is, this is very doable..

(I think we can get 1 game from the Indiana, Oregon, & Ohio State trio, so if it's not Oregon, then probably Ohio State)
 
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HUSKERFAN66

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We all knew the schedule would be tougher, but I think it got set up about as good as it could for us under the circumstances. I like where the bye is and they (b1g) gave us a couple winnable games to start conference play. Good chance of 2 unbeaten teams for TV when we play Indiana
 
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Ohio most certainly could be a trap game, unless you feel this staff will be able to cobble together a coherent team by week 1.

I see 6 possible wins. As has been the pattern we always fart away 1 or 2 games a year. So 4-8 to 6-6. Thats the range.

Lots of things yet to be seen. Matt said we had what we needed to bring in the best players. But ran out of money and no RB. I like Nelson, not sure he can handle 15+ carries every week with his build. Matt grabbed the 21st ranked QB so I guess we are all set. Que the off season sunshine articles that get us all in the 10-2 and playoffs vibe. Excited to see how these 70 underclassmen develop this off season.
A trap game is typically one where you are overlooking a team for the following game. Since Ohio is first, I am pretty sure they aren't going to overlook Ohio for Bowling Green.

Every main player for the team is currently in Lincoln and will go through spring, summer and fall camp. I doubt cobbling a team together is going to be an issue. It isn't like they only have fall camp like the old days.
 
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king_kong__

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I stand by my opinion that some are trying to wish this into existence.
Rhule being fired as soon as possible is the best thing for Nebraska Football.

going 5-7, 6-6, 7-5 is meaningless and dangerous in terms of apathy/stagnation.

going 2-10 and getting a new staff that might have a clue (no guarantees, but we know our current staff is inept and incapable) would be ideal both short- and long-term, especially since we have precisely zero players we should be worried about leaving with little Matty & his misfit toys.

regardless, it really blows having a lame duck coach going into a season we all know will be pointless only to have to do it all over again for ‘27.
 
Aug 18, 2016
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Oh tuco

you’re not fooling anyone

govt lifers like you typically take 90-120 days to sharpen a pencil
Nope, I did it during my conference.

Not a government lifer though, I probably won't see a penny from my Teacher's retirement. My life as a bank accountant and auditor before getting my teacher's certification did me just fine. I do enjoy the being able to travel all summer and spend all of the holidays with my family though.
 

SuperBigFan69

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Rhule being fired as soon as possible is the best thing for Nebraska Football.

going 5-7, 6-6, 7-5 is meaningless and dangerous in terms of apathy/stagnation.

going 2-10 and getting a new staff that might have a clue (no guarantees, but we know our current staff is inept and incapable) would be ideal both short- and long-term, especially since we have precisely zero players we should be worried about leaving with little Matty & his misfit toys.

regardless, it really blows having a lame duck coach going into a season we all know will be pointless only to have to do it all over again for ‘27.
This is the part that I don't understand how other people don't understand it.

A coaching search, especially when the coach you canned sucked, is exciting and brings hope.

I have said it before but keeping rhule around is what iowa did, they kept around this lame coach because they were "worried" that things could be worse and before they knew it, they had a coach that for 30 years became the all time leader in losses.

If anything, what Cigs did at Indiana should make us MORE excited about getting a new coach and not less excited.
 
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Then you truly are pathetic
Meh, just making sure I do my part.
Of course you miss the point, not a shocker. The fact that NU is still in this position of only expecting 6 or 7 wins is pathetic.

But keep making excuses.
Rhule should be 12-0 every year. Nebraska should be top 5 in recruiting every year. They should get every transfer they want. Those are my expectations. Now find the coach to meet them. I don't want to read any excuses as to why it can't be done.
 

RikeMiley

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Meh, just making sure I do my part.

Rhule should be 12-0 every year. Nebraska should be top 5 in recruiting every year. They should get every transfer they want. Those are my expectations. Now find the coach to meet them. I don't want to read any excuses as to why it can't be done.
How about some simple things? Finish above .500 in conference for the first time, beat a ranked team occasionally? Don't **** the bed on national TV 3 straight weeks?
 

RBigredMax1

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This is the part that I don't understand how other people don't understand it.

A coaching search, especially when the coach you canned sucked, is exciting and brings hope.

I have said it before but keeping rhule around is what iowa did, they kept around this lame coach because they were "worried" that things could be worse and before they knew it, they had a coach that for 30 years became the all time leader in losses.

If anything, what Cigs did at Indiana should make us MORE excited about getting a new coach and not less excited.
I don’t disagree with the exception that Cigs is a unicorn and would be akin to buying a billion dollar powerball ticket. There is the excitement of winning but buying the ticket doesn’t mean you will and honestly the odds are extremely low.

So can we get someone who will really turn this thing. The revolving door isn’t doing us any favors - I will officially be off the Rhule train if we are soft as a hell and clueless int wh red zone on O again this year.
 

king_kong__

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I don’t disagree with the exception that Cigs is a unicorn and would be akin to buying a billion dollar powerball ticket. There is the excitement of winning but buying the ticket doesn’t mean you will and honestly the odds are extremely low.

So can we get someone who will really turn this thing. The revolving door isn’t doing us any favors - I will officially be off the Rhule train if we are soft as a hell and clueless int wh red zone on O again this year.
The odds of winning 9+ games in a given season isn’t extremely low

you’ve just been watching teams coached by losers Mike Riley Scott frost and Matt Rhule for a decade so it looks impossible
 

Scoop123

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Predicting 2026 is pretty tough right now.

If we had the same coaching staff as 2025 I would predict 4 wins, maybe 5. A lot of people will say it doesn’t matter…. as long as Rhule is in charge, the team is going to suck (at least in the second half of the season). I am no fan of Rhule, but he’s the guy we have. Seems like the two sides on this board are to either root for his failure because we want a new staff or root for Rhule to somehow break through to a higher level.

I’ve seen the same argument for years on this board. In the end, neither side has been proven, right. Those who supported lousy coaches… We went nowhere, even when we gave them plenty of time. Those who wanted the coaches fired… We didn’t get anything better.

The whole thing is so frustrating. Everyone acts like they have the answer, yet none have worked. I don’t have the answer. I just know a poorly run organization when I see it. And these problems seems to go much higher than the head coach level.

My prediction would be worthless at this point regarding the 2026 season. As I’ve said, I am optimistic about some of the new coaches and players.. I am hopeful for eight wins, nine at best. My defense mechanism says buckle in and get ready for four maybe five.
 

SuperBigFan69

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I don’t disagree with the exception that Cigs is a unicorn and would be akin to buying a billion dollar powerball ticket. There is the excitement of winning but buying the ticket doesn’t mean you will and honestly the odds are extremely low.

So can we get someone who will really turn this thing. The revolving door isn’t doing us any favors - I will officially be off the Rhule train if we are soft as a hell and clueless int wh red zone on O again this year.
I mean, sort of???

In the last 20ish years you have had some really good hires.

Sweeny at Clemson, I don't think he was ever a HC coach before and he crushed it

Smart at UGA, I don't think he was ever a HC before and he crushed it.

Lanning is crushing it. Cigs is totally crushing it

I what what Cigs did is really amazing because it is at IU but the name of the school just doesn't even matter like it once did. All that matters now is getting 22-23 year olds to come to your school.

Hell, I would rather hire a guy with NO head coaching experienced instead of a guy with lame head coaching experienced.
 
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I mean, sort of???

In the last 20ish years you have had some really good hires.

Sweeny at Clemson, I don't think he was ever a HC coach before and he crushed it

Smart at UGA, I don't think he was ever a HC before and he crushed it.

Lanning is crushing it. Cigs is totally crushing it

I what what Cigs did is really amazing because it is at IU but the name of the school just doesn't even matter like it once did. All that matters now is getting 22-23 year olds to come to your school.

Hell, I would rather hire a guy with NO head coaching experienced instead of a guy with lame head coaching experienced.
So you are comparing 3 guys with no head coaching experience with Cignetti, who has been the head coach at 4 different schools.

Smart took over a 9-4 team, that went 12-2, 8-5, 10-3 the previous three years
Swinney took over a 3-3 team midway through the year. The three years before the 3-3 start were 8-4, 8-5, 9-4
Lanning took over a team that was 10-4 with previous 3 season records of 9-4, 12-2, 4-3 Covid year

Not sure those guys crushing it was anything like Cignetti and nothing like what Rhule took over here.

Just the facts, I am not talking about portal era stuff.




Rhule sucks, Nebraska needs a new coach
 
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SuperBigFan69

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So you are comparing 3 guys with no head coaching experience with Cignetti, who has been the head coach at 4 different schools.

Smart took over a 9-4 team, that went 12-2, 8-5, 10-3 the previous three years
Swinney took over a 3-3 team midway through the year. The three years before the 3-3 start were 8-4, 8-5, 9-4
Lanning took over a team that was 10-4 with previous 3 season records of 9-4, 12-2, 4-3 Covid year

Not sure those guys crushing it was anything like Cignetti and nothing like what Rhule took over here.

Just the facts, I am not talking about portal era stuff.




Rhule sucks, Nebraska needs a new coach
No, I am saying that there are good coaches out there to hire. The idea that they need a ton of experience or that they have to be a current HC just isn't a thing.

It seems like you are trying to compare those coaches first 3 years to Rhule? But Rhule is on year, like 10? Something like that?
 
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No, I am saying that there are good coaches out there to hire. The idea that they need a ton of experience or that they have to be a current HC just isn't a thing.

It seems like you are trying to compare those coaches first 3 years to Rhule? But Rhule is on year, like 10? Something like that?
Nope, just saying that maintaining is easier than building. Hiring a first time head coach at a school where the previous years were a bunch of 4 win seasons vs hiring a first time head coach coming off 9-12 win seasons is a different beast.
 

SuperBigFan69

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Nope, just saying that maintaining is easier than building. Hiring a first time head coach at a school where the previous years were a bunch of 4 win seasons vs hiring a first time head coach coming off 9-12 win seasons is a different beast.
Maintaining SHOULD be easier than building. I agree with that.

But none of that matters with NIL and the portal.
 
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