Updated outlook

[OxfordComma]

We are a couple games into the season, so we have some actual data now compared to the offseason. I have said that the only things we can learn about Nebraska in these first 3 games are bad news. With this weak OOC slate, won’t really know how we are doing until we get to conference play. I am not backing away from that, but let’s look at our future opponents.

Michigan State and Maryland both took care of business. Both are 2-0 and both looked good yesterday. Doubled their opponents yards, and fewer penalties than we are committing. They look somewhat better than the low expectations so far. These games will be meaningful measuring sticks. If we can win both without late game drama, I will have some hope.

Illinois lost and Washington almost lost. These are two games that could define our season. They are good, but not great. If we can win one or especially both, then we might actually have some progress this year. These games look a little more winnable than before.

Indiana and Ohio State. Still almost certain losses.

Rutgers is even worse than anticipated. Had better be a certain win.

Oregon. This game has changed from a certain loss to maybe we have a chance. Like Penn State last year. If they don’t beat USC, they could feel like this season is already a failure before they even play us. There’s a reasonable chance they spiral a bit.

Iowa

How many wins we get in 2026 is hard to tell right now because we haven’t played anybody yet. But if we are at least solid (big freaking if), I could see a path to 8-4 or even 9-3.

 

[BugsAreQualityProtein]

Still too early to tell. Our B1G opener on the road @ MSU will answer a lot of those questions.

Fritz’s team will attack us the same way his Northwestern teams did by luring us into a rock fight. The question is can Rhule and Dana understand this and game plan accordingly? Dana has to pound the rock consistently because I do not imagine MSU giving the opportunities for big plays down the field. Likewise, they certainly can’t dick around for an entire quarter figuring these things out.

We also still have a potentially tough outing against a pretty good North Dakota team too.

 

[OxfordComma]

Still too early to tell. Our B1G opener on the road @ MSU will answer a lot of those questions.

Fritz’s team will attack us the same way his Northwestern teams did by luring us into a rock fight. The question is can Rhule and Dana understand this and game plan accordingly? Dana has to pound the rock consistently because I do not imagine MSU giving the opportunities for big plays down the field. Likewise, they certainly can’t dick around for an entire quarter figuring these things out.

We also still have a potentially tough outing against a pretty good North Dakota team too.

If we lose to North Dakota, then this season is ****. End of story.

 

[BugsAreQualityProtein]

If we lose to North Dakota, then this season is ****. End of story.

It’s interesting you mention that. We saw Michigan redeem themselves and Okie State shock the CFB world after losing to Tulsa in week #1. I wish Nebraska had the same mentality as other programs to bounce back from missteps or total losses in a season.

 

[Kakdawg]

We are a couple games into the season, so we have some actual data now compared to the offseason. I have said that the only things we can learn about Nebraska in these first 3 games are bad news. With this weak OOC slate, won’t really know how we are doing until we get to conference play. I am not backing away from that, but let’s look at our future opponents.

Michigan State and Maryland both took care of business. Both are 2-0 and both looked good yesterday. Doubled their opponents yards, and fewer penalties than we are committing. They look somewhat better than the low expectations so far. These games will be meaningful measuring sticks. If we can win both without late game drama, I will have some hope.

Illinois lost and Washington almost lost. These are two games that could define our season. They are good, but not great. If we can win one or especially both, then we might actually have some progress this year. These games look a little more winnable than before.

Indiana and Ohio State. Still almost certain losses.

Rutgers is even worse than anticipated. Had better be a certain win.

Oregon. This game has changed from a certain loss to maybe we have a chance. Like Penn State last year. If they don’t beat USC, they could feel like this season is already a failure before they even play us. There’s a reasonable chance they spiral a bit.

Iowa

How many wins we get in 2026 is hard to tell right now because we haven’t played anybody yet. But if we are at least solid (big freaking if), I could see a path to 8-4 or even 9-3.

Still haven't seen enough to say yet. Teams get better or worse as the season goes on. Will we get better? That's the question. If we do then we will have a chance.

I predicted 6 wins. Haven't seen enough either way to change yet.


Holla

 

[Spectrumalaska]

Still haven't seen enough to say yet. Teams get better or worse as the season goes on. Will we get better? That's the question. If we do then we will have a chance.

I predicted 6 wins. Haven't seen enough either way to change yet.


Holla

Sticking with 6-6 as well.

 

[OxfordComma]

It’s interesting you mention that. We saw Michigan redeem themselves and Okie State shock the CFB world after losing to Tulsa in week #1. I wish Nebraska had the same mentality as other programs to bounce back from missteps or total losses in a season.

I don’t think we have strong enough leadership to overcome adversity. Rhule doesn’t seem like that kind of guy. I also assume that a loss to North Dakota comes with exposing some deep flaws in our team that our remaining opponents will exploit. Our chances of missing a bowl game go way up if we cant beat North Dakota.

 

[Kakdawg]

Still too early to tell. Our B1G opener on the road @ MSU will answer a lot of those questions.

Fritz’s team will attack us the same way his Northwestern teams did by luring us into a rock fight. The question is can Rhule and Dana understand this and game plan accordingly? Dana has to pound the rock consistently because I do not imagine MSU giving the opportunities for big plays down the field. Likewise, they certainly can’t dick around for an entire quarter figuring these things out.

We also still have a potentially tough outing against a pretty good North Dakota team too.

Agreed completely about how MSU will play us. It'll be the same **** Iowa and Minnesota has beat us pretty consistently with. They'll just run it run it run it ball control and ugly up game and get you in a rock fight.

If you can't get off the field like we couldn't in the 3rd quarter its exactly what they want.

OTOH if you can score when you get the ball a couple times like Miss st did Minnesota u can get em outta that strategy. Miss St just ran away and hid from Minnesota.

Have to make em play and not just grind you out.


Holla

 

[NikkiSixx]

playoffs beotches!

 

[OxfordComma]

OTOH if you can score when you get the ball a couple times like Miss st did Minnesota u can get em outta that strategy. Miss St just ran away and hid from Minnesota.

Have to make em play and not just grind you out.


Holla

The last time we beat Iowa, that is how it went down. Casey Thompson to Trey Palmer got us a 24-0 lead, and Iowa couldn’t play the game they wanted. Held on for 24-17 win. Mickey Joseph, undefeated against Iowa.

 

[Hugo_Stiglitz7]

I had 5-7 coming in and still feel the same way.

Pleasantly surprised by the RB room. Colandrea is fun to watch and may help keep defenses a bit more honest come conference play, but I still feel like he will account for at least 10 turnovers. As bad as Oregon has looked this season, Autzen is a tough place to play. If we were stronger on the D-Line, I'd feel more optimistic about that game.

Every year, Iowa sleepwalks and wakes up just in time to make us say, "wait 'till next year". Washington has definitely looked weak on offense and I wonder how much of that is a chemistry issue, due to the whole off-season saga with their QB. I think Illinois is still built to give the good guys problems. I chalked Washington as an "L" coming in, but that offense definitely lacking teeth. I hope Lincoln isn't what wakes it up.

I think the Sharty game will tell us a lot. Just win that game, possibly 7 wins if they stay healthy. That November slate is a bear and a Friday night game against burnt enema is not ideal.

 

[skin-tight]

5-7 Rhule does not instill resiliency

 

[orclover11]

I don’t think we have strong enough leadership to overcome adversity. Rhule doesn’t seem like that kind of guy. I also assume that a loss to North Dakota comes with exposing some deep flaws in our team that our remaining opponents will exploit. Our chances of missing a bowl game go way up if we cant beat North Dakota.

If we lose to North Dakota Rhule should not be allowed back in the stadium, like at Carolina. It should not even be a discussion. We have enough data on Rhule to know how he leads and coaches...the new coaches at DC, oline give some sense of mystery and hope for sure...but almost certainly a fools hope, outside of maybe getting an interim coach to lead the team like in 2022. The team took care of business against two really bad teams and SHOULD be 5-0...if they aren't the season will be another waste and we will be in the worst position..purgatory...not bad enough to fire our 100 million dollar man, but not good enough to actually enjoy being a fan. And purgatory breeds apathy...a terrible team gets people pissed, and great team gets people stoked...we are in between.

 

[Pennsyhuskers]

These first two games have told us next to nothing about how good or bad we are. Just like last year’s two blowout wins in our non conference games told us nothing. Michigan State will be our first real game rather than the glorified scrimmages we have played so far. I still see us at 6-6 or 5-7. We will beat North Dakota and Rutgers. We will win hopefully one or two more. But we could also go 4-8. Who knows? We won’t know a damn thing until Michigan State.
We still commit too many penalties.
Our defense still gets very little pressure on the QB without blitzing.
Time will tell

 

[Nuts McClanahan]

We are a couple games into the season, so we have some actual data now compared to the offseason.

How many wins we get in 2026 is hard to tell right now because we haven’t played anybody yet. But if we are at least solid (big freaking if), I could see a path to 8-4 or even 9-3.

My early evaluation after two games is that we are better. I think our QB is a better threat and he gives us veteran leadership. The offensive line appears solid.

As far as predictions go though, if it feels like it could be 8-4, we're sure to finish 6-6 or worse. Because the culture of this program just oozes underachievement. It starts at the top with the AD and his 76 administrative assistants and the effluent seeps until it affects everyone in the program. That's how we're able to throw that late interception against Iowa or fumble a punt inside the 10 or give up a strip sack. Until we make winning plays late in games against well coached teams, we're always going to underachieve.

 

[WTFMatt]

Rhule is 5-18 in the second half of the season as the Husker head coach. I won't get optimistic until he can at least go .500 this year.

 

[Pennsyhuskers]

Rhule is 5-18 in the second half of the season as the Husker head coach. I won't get optimistic until he can at least go .500 this year.

I agree. Here we are once again drinking the koolaid after beating up two crap teams. I have seen nothing so far that would lead me to think that our B1G schedule is not going to be a dogfight in every game, and that includes Rutgers. We will get blown out by Indiana and Ohio State. We will probably lose at Michigan State, which will begin the downward spiral. And don’t call me a pessimist. Even Adam Carriker thinks we will lose at MSU.

 

[Redscarlet]

Prefer not to put the cart before the horse.

 

[Spinner4]

Bowling green lost to an FCS school and Ohio survived a 4 OT win against Jackson State, who got killed by an FCS school. Let's tap the breaks. 5-0 is predicted by many who think we will go 6-6 or 5-7. Nothing to believe in other yet. We've seen this story before. Let's not go ahead and pencil in Illinois and Oregon as wins.

 

[davecisar]

We played 2 teams that are not good or deep. I’m hopeful we can improve behind an improvement at Quarterback, offensive line and linebacker. Lindemeyer is a force and we’ve seen flashes at wideout and running back. BUT The d-line will not hold up in the BIG. I’m thinking we lose at least one and possibly 2 of the next 3 games. Rutgers is a win and then we have a chance against Illinois and Washington. Penalties and team management will be an issue. The rest are losses- that puts us at 4-6 wins. I’m still at 5.

 

[Mack In Motion]

The first two games have confirmed the legit concern that our DL across the board is not one you should expect to compete well with in BIG conference play. There are plenty of teams in the conference who are content to win the game running between the tackle, shortening the game, and taking an eventual shot down the field as more safety help is required for run support.

Couple that with our high number of penalties and that does not bode well.

On the other hand, the RB room is likely the best in Rhule's tenure (as a whole).

 

[NikkiSixx]

We're going to be okay this year, mainly because of the new QB.

Success in spite of the grade school coaching staff.

 

[Redscarlet]

Success in spite of the grade school coaching staff.

Which assistant’s are grade school may I ask.

 

[RikeMiley]

"Sources: Washington will be without starting wide receiver Christian Moss (lower body) for two to three months after an injury suffered in the Apple Cup. Another Washington starting WR, Rashid Williams, is week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. Washington already lost its top two tailbacks, Jayden Limar and Quaid Carr, for extended time after injuries in the Apple Cup."

Washington is beat to hell on offense

 

[Kakdawg]

The last time we beat Iowa, that is how it went down. Casey Thompson to Trey Palmer got us a 24-0 lead, and Iowa couldn’t play the game they wanted. Held on for 24-17 win. Mickey Joseph, undefeated against Iowa.

Exactly. As long as it's a 14 point or less lead those guys will just keep doing the same **** over and over and wait for the inevitable Nebraska mistake. Gotta get them outta there comfort zone.


Holla

 

[dinglefritz]

"Sources: Washington will be without starting wide receiver Christian Moss (lower body) for two to three months after an injury suffered in the Apple Cup. Another Washington starting WR, Rashid Williams, is week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. Washington already lost its top two tailbacks, Jayden Limar and Quaid Carr, for extended time after injuries in the Apple Cup."

Washington is beat to hell on offense

Gee. That’s too bad.

 

[Bigred2467]

"Sources: Washington will be without starting wide receiver Christian Moss (lower body) for two to three months after an injury suffered in the Apple Cup. Another Washington starting WR, Rashid Williams, is week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. Washington already lost its top two tailbacks, Jayden Limar and Quaid Carr, for extended time after injuries in the Apple Cup."

Washington is beat to hell on offense

But they have a quarterback who can run. That alone will give our defense problems.

 

[19Football19]

Which assistant’s are grade school may I ask.

I say 7 wins. And after 80% of both sides graduate we’ll be back to 5 to 6 wins consistently. Especially with the weak recruiting classes as of late.

 

[Redscarlet]

I say 7 wins. And after 80% of both sides graduate we’ll be back to 5 to 6 wins consistently. Especially with the weak recruiting classes as of late.

 

[Wasker73]

I don’t think we have strong enough leadership to overcome adversity. Rhule doesn’t seem like that kind of guy. I also assume that a loss to North Dakota comes with exposing some deep flaws in our team that our remaining opponents will exploit. Our chances of missing a bowl game go way up if we cant beat North Dakota.

Huskers are not losing to North Dakota.