By: Aiden Scheitel
Within the heart of Lincoln inside the tradition rich Memorial Stadium, the Nebraska Cornhuskers ended yet another disappointing season. The Huskers finished the 2025/26 Football season with a mediocre 7-6 record. The Huskers started 5-1 before achieving bowl eligibility following a defeat of Big 10 bottom feeder Northwestern. The Huskers then did what Nebraska football has become synonymous with, and SLID. The Cornhuskers went 1-4 following the bowl clinch, including a December 31 Las Vegas Bowl in which Utah killed the Sker’s 22-44. This wasn’t the dream result of Matt Rhule and co, however it helped bring some of Nebraska’s weaknesses into light.
Before the bowl game, star running back, Emmett Johnson declared for the 2026 NFL draft. Since Johnson declared for the draft early, he could not play in the bowl game, which definitely played a factor in the Husker’s disappointing bowl performance.
Following the bowl game, Nebraska’s esteemed and hyped quarterback, Dylan Raiola, entered the transfer portal. Raiola ended up committing to Oregon, a rival Big 10 school, which opened the starting quarterback position for TJ Lateef. Lateef played in all the games following Raiola’s ACL tear in the USC game. Lateef is a mobile quarterback with an accurate arm. He will hopefully do notable things next season.
Head Coach Matt Rhule went shopping in the offseason, bringing in 16 players who are transferring to Nebraska for the 2026 football season, including two quarterbacks. Daniel Kaela, who was previously a Husker backup before transferring to Virginia Tech in 2025, will be returning for the 2026 season. Another quarterback is Anthony Colandrea, transferring from UNLV. Both quarterbacks are undeniably talented and will be a great addition to the Nebraska Cornhusker QB corps.
The 2026 schedule is looking favorable for the Huskers. Nebraska will kick off the season competing against three FCS schools: Ohio, Bowling Green, and North Dakota. The remainder of the opponents that Nebraska will play against are Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Washington, Oregon, and Rutgers. Strength of schedule will not be an issue, as four opponents have made the College Football Playoffs in the last two seasons. Hopefully, this year Nebraska can surpass expectations as Matt Rhule heads into his fourth year at the helm.
