ESPN’s FPI predicts every game on Nebraska’s 2026 schedule

It’s a crucial year for Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule.

The Huskers have little to show across Rhule’s first 3 seasons in Lincoln. Nebraska has posted back-to-back 7-6 seasons, which leaves Nebraska fans wanting more from new QB Anthony Colandrea, who transferred in from UNLV following 2 seasons at Virginia.

ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) has the Huskers favored in 8 of its 12 matchups this season, though Nebraska’s Nov. 6 matchup at Illinois is essentially a tossup at 50.8% in favor of the Huskers. Here’s how ESPN’s FPI projects the Cornhuskers’ schedule to play out:

• Sept 5: Ohio Bobcats | 91.7% chance to win
• Sept 12: Bowling Green Falcons | 95.7% chance to win
• Sept 19: North Dakota Fighting Hawks | 94.2% chance to win
• Sept 25: at Michigan State Spartans | 67.9% chance to win
• Oct 3: Maryland Terrapins | 79.1% chance to win
• Oct 10: Indiana Hoosiers | 19.0% chance to win
• Oct 17: at Oregon Ducks | 8.0% chance to win
• Oct 31: Washington Huskies | 56.8% chance to win
• Nov 6: at Illinois Fighting Illini | 50.8% chance to win
• Nov 14: Rutgers Scarlet Knights | 74.1% chance to win
• Nov 21: Ohio State Buckeyes | 10.6% chance to win
• Nov 28: at Iowa Hawkeyes | 38.4% chance to win

Nebraska is set to open it season on Sept. 5 against Ohio. The game is set to kick off at Noon and will air on FS1.

Prediction Markets

Big Ten Title Winner

Kalshi

Ohio St.

31%

Oregon

26%

Indiana

24%

Michigan

6%

Penn St.

5%

UCLA

2%

Nebraska

1%

Illinois

1%

Wisconsin

1%

Michigan St.

1%

Predict

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.