There have been many changes in the Nebraska Cornhuskers football program since the last time it took the field in Lincoln. A 5-1 start turned into a 7-5 regular season and blowout losses to both Iowa and Utah at the Las Vegas Bowl. The Huskers had their chances in a much more favorable schedule in 2025, but failed down the stretch.
Now, fast forward to the 2026 season. Coach Matt Rhule has a new quarterback in 2025 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Anthony Colandrea after former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola transferred to Oregon during the offseason. A completely new defensive coaching staff led by former San Diego State defensive coordinator Rob Aurich at the same position. All of this, plus now a much tougher schedule, ranked as the No. 2 toughest schedule in the conference. It could be a tough season, but it could be a good test for where the Rhule era is going at Nebraska.
Here are the five toughest games on the 2026 schedule
Nebraska Football Top 5 Toughest Games in 2026 Season
5. Washington
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
To start out the list, the Washington Huskies, led by coach Jedd Fisch and standout quarterback Demond Williams, come to Lincoln on Halloween. It comes after a bye week for both teams, and it is a very important game for the Huskers. Nebraska would have just played two tough games earlier on, before the bye week, against Indiana at home and at Oregon.
The Huskies are coming off a 9-4 season in 2025 and now have some decent expectations in 2026, especially with another season with Williams at quarterback. However, Williams’ attempt to leave Seattle in the portal despite resigning with Washington right before that could have severed some relationships in the locker room. Regardless, Washington on paper should be in that tier two, pushing up close to tier one in the conference.
Now, for Nebraska, this could be an opportunity to defeat a ranked opponent, if the Huskies are at this point, and could give major momentum for the Huskers heading into a very difficult November slate.
4. Iowa
Date: Friday, Nov. 27
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
This matchup has been the biggest thorn in the side of the Huskers in the past decade, with the Iowa Hawkeyes winning all but one game in this series since 2015. Outside of last season, all of the matchups have come down to one score. However, Iowa put the smackdown on the Huskers in Lincoln last season, winning 40 to 16.
Now looking to 2026, the Hawkeyes only return nine total starters and have to replace eight starters on defense. This will be the biggest amount of turnover that defensive coordinator Phil Parker has had to deal with in his time in Iowa City. Despite that, it would be unreasonable to believe that Parker can’t do it, and it’s the Iowa Hawkeyes; they will be in contention to win between seven and 10 games this season.
This game will be tough for Nebraska to win, especially with it being on the road, and it could be a determining factor for a successful season or not.
3. Indiana
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
Any game against the reigning national champion is going to be difficult. Coach Curt Cignetti has managed to silence the haters the past two seasons with the teams he has built. Now, coming off a national title, Cignetti had to reload his roster and did so with notable transfers TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State transfer receiver Nick Marsh.
This matchup between the Huskers and Hoosiers is a big opportunity for both teams. It’s a marker for where Nebraska is in its rebuild with the Rhule era, while for Indiana, it’s the first road test of the season. The Huskers probably aren’t in a spot where they are at the same level, but it’s a chance to keep it close and get some momentum for the rest of the season.
2. Ohio State
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Location: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
This matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes lines up on the schedule as the third and final matchup against College Football Playoff teams from a year ago. Just like the matchup with Indiana, Ohio State could easily be the hardest matchup of the season, and the Buckeyes are one of the top contenders for the national championship. Star Quarterback Julian Sayin and star receiver Jeremiah Smith are back for another season, plus defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is back for another season after a strong season.
Nebraska will be in for one against the Buckeyes and isn’t in a spot to be at the same tier as them. However, keeping this close will go a long way in seeing where the program is at this point.
1. Oregon
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Finally, the toughest opponent on the schedule for Nebraska is its road trip to the West Coast against the Oregon Ducks. The Oregon Ducks are returning a big majority of their production from 2025. Despite being possibly the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, quarterback Dante Moore is back for another season, and Moore will have most of his top targets back. Those being wide receivers Dakorian Moore, Evan Stewart, and Jeremiah McClellan. Defensively, defensive linemen standouts and future NFL draft picks Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti are back. To add to the storylines, Dylan Raiola is a Duck now. Raiola will be a backup behind Dante Moore, but it is something to watch.
This matchup with the Ducks comes a week after taking on Indiana in Lincoln. Absolutely brutal stretch for the Huskers, and it will be important not to get blown out by Oregon.
Main Image: © Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
