My Early 2026 Husker Football W-L Prediction

SuperBigFan69

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2021
4,445
4,039
113
Man, the more I look at that the more they can start off 5-0...hosting 5-0 Indiana. ******* crazy.

By the way...just to show of upside down it is...tickets for Indiana vs OSU (At Indiana) are going for over 200 dollars. 3 years ago those would have been 10 dollars.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Man Woman & Child

TDLaww2020

Sophomore
Dec 6, 2017
384
103
43
Ohio-W Solid MAC program could be competitive going into the second half.

BGSU-W Weakest program on our schedule.

UND-W Solid FCS program another game that will be a measuring stick for line improvement.

@ MSU-L Don’t like this game at all. Fitzgerald even in year one is dangerous. A classic B1G rock fight that we typically lose.

MD-W I believe the Huskers move the ball at will but the Defenses’ weakness will become apparent in our second conference game.

IU-L Obviously.

@ ORE-L Another obvious loss.

WASH-L Better talent and Coach.

@ ILL-L Another coach with tons of B1G experience. Rhule will be soundly out coached.

@ RUTG-W A rock fight I believe we win.

OSU-L Another obvious mismatch.

@ IOWA-L Again another game where we are out coached and whipped at the LOS.

Final Record: 5-7
A brutal schedule to boot. Wouldn't be surprised if we went 4-8.
 

HuskerInCarolina

All-American
Dec 2, 2024
3,615
5,272
112
Man, the more I look at that the more they can start off 5-0...hosting 5-0 Indiana. ******* crazy.

By the way...just to show of upside down it is...tickets for Indiana vs OSU (At Indiana) are going for over 200 dollars. 3 years ago those would have been 10 dollars.
I can see this team starting 5-0 to finish 6-6 or 5-7.
For the 4th year in a row, Nebraska looks to have a poor 2nd half of the season.
2023: 5-3 to 5-7
2024: 5-1 to 6-6
2025: 5-1 to 7-5
 

suffocation_

Junior
Jan 29, 2026
321
300
63
Nice assumption with your imagination.
Nope, I just paid better attention than you.

Alberts gave himself multiple backpats because he knew retarded fans like you would be excited about the hire, months before he himself would take a different job.

"I’ve always felt that my job is to be a steward of the resources of the state of Nebraska. That’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. When you make an investment like this, it’s not just about a coach; it’s about the long-term health of an institution that means so much to so many people."

Hilariously, he still has you tricked into sucking his dick over an obviously terrible hire.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Redscarlet

Pennsyhuskers

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2022
600
1,792
93
How well will Coleandra play? How well will our defense play? Those are the two keys to our season.
I see a 4-8 or 5-7 year. We are just not one of the big boy programs anymore. Oh well, there are always YouTube videos to watch of when we were. As a Lincoln boy who grew up bleeding Husker red it is almost too painful to watch the pathetic demise of our program.
Rhule is a complete fraud.
 

dm1330

Freshman
Aug 20, 2001
360
70
22
Ohio-W Solid MAC program could be competitive going into the second half.

BGSU-W Weakest program on our schedule.

UND-W Solid FCS program another game that will be a measuring stick for line improvement.

@ MSU-L Don’t like this game at all. Fitzgerald even in year one is dangerous. A classic B1G rock fight that we typically lose.

MD-W I believe the Huskers move the ball at will but the Defenses’ weakness will become apparent in our second conference game.

IU-L Obviously.

@ ORE-L Another obvious loss.

WASH-L Better talent and Coach.

@ ILL-L Another coach with tons of B1G experience. Rhule will be soundly out coached.

@ RUTG-W A rock fight I believe we win.

OSU-L Another obvious mismatch.

@ IOWA-L Again another game where we are out coached and whipped at the LOS.

Final Record: 5-7
Yup I agree.
 

Man Woman & Child

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2003
3,261
1,119
113
Nope, I just paid better attention than you.

Alberts gave himself multiple backpats because he knew retarded fans like you would be excited about the hire, months before he himself would take a different job.

"I’ve always felt that my job is to be a steward of the resources of the state of Nebraska. That’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. When you make an investment like this, it’s not just about a coach; it’s about the long-term health of an institution that means so much to so many people."

Hilariously, he still has you tricked into sucking his dick over an obviously terrible hire.

Although I agree with your overall premise, I do not agree that it had anything to do with Rhule being the "cheapest of the big name coaches." If anything, Rhule was the most expensive available with all that Carolina money. I mean, the guy makes top 15 in the country money. That's far from cheap.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: huskerj12

Hawkmanic23

Junior
Mar 11, 2026
394
271
63
Man I can't bring myself to the place where I'm rooting for a coaching search. I don't think I have it in me to continue caring about NU football the way I always have, if we faceplant yet again and try another reset.

So I'm rooting for Rhule to figure it out. I just can't stay interested if we go through the same stale "crash and burn/run the coach out of town/get excited about flight trackers/what if we get Urban/maybe THIS guy will finally get it right" cycle again haha. ESPECIALLY in the modern era where the roster already has so much turnover from year to year.

My realistic/hopeful prediction is another 7-5 season, which will obviously not be super inspiring but I think the team will "look" more like we want them to look. More physical, more excitement, more imaginative playcalling, less reliant on The Raiola Experience, etc., and we will feel more comfortable and hopeful about the future this time next year.
What are the 7 games you predict Nebraska winning next season?
 

HuskerO58

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2006
14,059
2,267
113
IMO, Nebraska would have to win 3 games or less in order for Matt Rhule to lose his job AND there would have to be a significantly reduced turnout for games. If we win 3 games and its still packed house, he's safe. But Troy Dannen HAS to be fired if he fires Matt Rhule before 2027 season is finished. He added $22.5 mil to his buyout for arguably no good reason (he had 5 years remaining on contract!!). If you wanted to fire Rhule after 2026, you will be paying him $63.9 mil instead of $41.4 mil. Oh, you also have to buyout the rest of his staff. Then you have to pay for a whole new staff after that. For an athletic department that netted a $7 mil profit, it would be an insanely poor financial decision to fire Rhule a calendar year after extending him. Unless boosters/donors came forward saying they aren't contributing significantly to NIL unless there's a new coach, I just can't see Rhule being fired.

Our boosters would have to be so frustrated if this happens. How can they continue to throw so much money away year and year and year?

Seriously, are they so loaded that these buyouts are a drop in the bucket for them or does it actually sting for them a bit?
 
  • Like
Reactions: HuskerInCarolina

HuskerO58

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2006
14,059
2,267
113
It still is shocking how some fans and most of the media thought that Matt was some kind of amazing hire.
He said a little of the right things. I think that goes a long ways. Also, we thought his track record of "year 3" would continue. I mean, why wouldn't it for us?
 

HuskerO58

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2006
14,059
2,267
113
They got sucked in to the 3-year rebuild tales. I did. But then when you do a deep dive on year 3 and Baylor, you realize it is not impressive as made out to be.
Because of Baylor's weak schedule? Sure, but was their schedule that much weaker than our last year's schedule?

Also, what Rhule had to start with at Baylor was 10000% worse than what he had to start with at Nebraska.

It made sense that with an easier start at Nebraska + how the schedule was, he'd easily be able to repeat what he did at Baylor come Year 3.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Man Woman & Child

Baxter48

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2015
1,190
1,420
103
Why is everyone figuring we’ll lose to Indiana? My cig loses control and the players become arrogant. I’m in a minority but i think most tough games except OSU is 50/50, eventually things begin to even out. If Rhule craps out thus season then so be it he’ll get fired and most of the posters will be happy, what happens if we win 8 or 9 games? I’m looking forward to the season to see what the team is like without Dylan and the drama from inside
 
  • Like
Reactions: huskerj12

HuskerO58

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2006
14,059
2,267
113
Ohio - W
BGSU - W
UND - W
@ MSU - W
MD - W
IU - L
@ ORE - L
WASH - W
@ ILL - L
@ RUTG - W
OSU - L
@ IOWA - L

7-5

I f------ hate losing to Iowa, but until we actually beat them, I have to chalk it up as a big fat L.
 
  • Like
Reactions: huskerj12

Baxter48

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2015
1,190
1,420
103
How well will Coleandra play? How well will our defense play? Those are the two keys to our season.
I see a 4-8 or 5-7 year. We are just not one of the big boy programs anymore. Oh well, there are always YouTube videos to watch of when we were. As a Lincoln boy who grew up bleeding Husker red it is almost too painful to watch the pathetic demise of our program.
Rhule is a complete fraud.
What about Scott frost? Did you support him? He is the biggest fraud and probably we are in the hole we are in! Yeah I’m disappointed in coach Rhule but he sure heck isn’t as disappointing as frost who should have been fired after year 3 instead of going 3 games into year 5
 

Redscarlet

Heisman
Jun 17, 2001
32,881
10,816
113
What about Scott frost? Did you support him? He is the biggest fraud and probably we are in the hole we are in! Yeah I’m disappointed in coach Rhule but he sure heck isn’t as disappointing as frost who should have been fired after year 3 instead of going 3 games into year 5
+ ONE
 

orclover11

Senior
Dec 1, 2014
1,151
819
113
I think that’s because Cignetti is a little senile and forgets that its 2026 and not 1976.
Probably we are the mirror opposite of Indiana. Great history, huge fanbase, lots of money always overhyped but soft as a baby, and terrible in big games. Media wants us to be good because we travel so well and spend money, they tried all they could to act like Indiana didn't exist. Cignetti is real, Rhule is fake...he can basically call the score any time he plays Rhule going forward.
 

HuskerInCarolina

All-American
Dec 2, 2024
3,615
5,272
112
Because of Baylor's weak schedule? Sure, but was their schedule that much weaker than our last year's schedule?

Also, what Rhule had to start with at Baylor was 10000% worse than what he had to start with at Nebraska.

It made sense that with an easier start at Nebraska + how the schedule was, he'd easily be able to repeat what he did at Baylor come Year 3.
When you look at 2019 Baylor, it was one of the most mediocre big 12 seasons for the conference. Only 2 teams in the conference finished with above 9 wins, and that’s after bowl season. He went 0-3 against ranked teams, needed 3OT to beat 5-7 TCU, 2OT to beat 4-8 TTU. The best Big 12 defense that year (Rhule's Baylor) would have finished 10th in the conference this year in terms of points allowed. Their OOC schedule was weaker than ours last year.

I'm not saying it was a horrible year. I would LOVE to have an 11-win season with Rhule even if we played 7 teams with a losing record like Baylor did. Nebraska played 6 teams with a losing record, but finished 7-6. It's no secret that the Big Ten is significantly tougher than the Big 12. All I'm saying is that 11-win season is not as impressive as people make it out to be. It's kinda like Boise St's 11-win seasons all these years. Bravo beating Fresno State and Wyoming. (though, they have some nice signature wins, Rhule's Baylor does not)
 
  • Like
Reactions: HuskerO58

K Rod

Senior
Oct 1, 2025
354
532
93
Too many unknowns. How good will our defense be in year one of a new system? Can our O line run block or were the early reports about them struggling accurate? How good will Rule be? 4-8 or 5-7 seems realistic. I am not sure we can get to 6 wins but who knows. Beating Iowa better happen though. And it is about time Rule got a signature win. If Ruhle dips below .500 in year 4 and we see the kinds of meltdowns we saw last year, then it will be time to see if we can somehow arrange a settlement on a lower cash buyout. But that would set the program back financially at a time when we need every dollar for the stadium project.
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,107
2,382
98
Easy year to predict, got really lucky having two qbs who can start games which should keep the wheels on. 5 wins seems a lock, 4 would be a disaster but 6 seems unlikely. The worst part could be being 5-0, ranked in the top 25 or even top 15, and then get destroyed on national t.v by Indiana. We've seen it so many times before...soft early season schedule, overhype, and then embarrassment. And for some reason Cignetti likes to talk about how much he kicked our *** the last time we played in a overhype game.
Only foolish people would vote Nebraska in the top 25 much less top 15 with our early season schedule. Perhaps IF we dominate these opponents then maybe but what have we seen recently that would suggest such an outcome? It is very likely we will get destroyed by Indiana whether on not it is on TV, we have not shown the ability to play with them so until we do along with everyone else in the country, we have a good idea of the outcome. Hoping for the best from the two QB's but neither has proven anything yet at this level so there is a long ways to go. Not be negative but reality sometimes stinks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HUSKERFAN66

tmcats

Junior
May 29, 2001
34,528
200
51
just for fun, if in the b12, this would be your schedule based on the same 2025 ranking.

Ohio-

BGSU-

UND-

@ MSU- @Colorado

MD- west virginia

IU-texas tech

@ ORE- @utah

WASH- tcu

@ ILL- @ames

@ RUTG- @ucf

Ohio State - byu

@ IOWA -@ASU
 

Pennsyhuskers

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2022
600
1,792
93
What about Scott frost? Did you support him? He is the biggest fraud and probably we are in the hole we are in! Yeah I’m disappointed in coach Rhule but he sure heck isn’t as disappointing as frost who should have been fired after year 3 instead of going 3 games into year 5
I support all of our coaches until they give me reason not too. I even had hope for Mike Riley until the year 3 collapse. I supported Frost for three years but realized in year 4 he was a disaster. I supported Rhule until we got blown out by Minnesota. All three coaches — Riley, Frost, Rhule — were shite hires in hindsight. Pelini was our last decent coach but he was his own worst enemy. His temper and his open disgust for Nebraska fans were awful. But like Solich, you don’t fire a coach who goes 9-3 or 10-2 on average and expect good coaches to line up for the job.
We should have never fired Solich. But even so, we pulled the plug too soon on Callahan. His 2007 recruiting class was shaping up to be a top ten class. Osborne should have forced him to fire Cosgrove but kept Callahan on. But Osborne was still pissed at the Solich firing and as soon as he became AD it was clear Callahan was toast.
 

BugsAreQualityProtein

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2021
2,568
1,219
103
just for fun, if in the b12, this would be your schedule based on the same 2025 ranking.

Ohio-

BGSU-

UND-

@ MSU- @Colorado

MD- west virginia

IU-texas tech

@ ORE- @utah

WASH- tcu

@ ILL- @ames

@ RUTG- @ucf

Ohio State - byu

@ IOWA -@ASU
I would say 6-6 with that schedule. The only reason we go bowling is because we get to play WVU. Also, a classic tallest midget match between Rhule and Frost would be epic!
 

huskerj12

Heisman
Oct 3, 2007
16,207
11,896
113
What are the 7 games you predict Nebraska winning next season?
Ohio
Bowling Green
North Dakota
Michigan State
Maryland
Illinois
Rutgers

 

huskerj12

Heisman
Oct 3, 2007
16,207
11,896
113
I support all of our coaches until they give me reason not too. I even had hope for Mike Riley until the year 3 collapse. I supported Frost for three years but realized in year 4 he was a disaster. I supported Rhule until we got blown out by Minnesota. All three coaches — Riley, Frost, Rhule — were shite hires in hindsight. Pelini was our last decent coach but he was his own worst enemy. His temper and his open disgust for Nebraska fans were awful. But like Solich, you don’t fire a coach who goes 9-3 or 10-2 on average and expect good coaches to line up for the job.
We should have never fired Solich. But even so, we pulled the plug too soon on Callahan. His 2007 recruiting class was shaping up to be a top ten class. Osborne should have forced him to fire Cosgrove but kept Callahan on. But Osborne was still pissed at the Solich firing and as soon as he became AD it was clear Callahan was toast.
The Callahan rose colored glasses that happens on message boards is silly. He completely lost control of the team/program/fanbase and there was zero reason to keep him another season. Maybe if the 2007 season happened NOW it would make sense to keep him with a new DC, but we were still brand new to embarrassing pathetic losses at that point. It was an incredibly steep downfall for a program that was in the national championship 3 years before he got the job, and had been in 5 national championship games out of the previous 11 at the time he was hired. He was not the man for the job, no matter who his DC was.

This is all ancient history at this point I guess so who cares haha.
 

Man Woman & Child

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2003
3,261
1,119
113
just for fun, if in the b12, this would be your schedule based on the same 2025 ranking.

Ohio-

BGSU-

UND-

@ MSU- @Colorado

MD- west virginia

IU-texas tech

@ ORE- @utah

WASH- tcu

@ ILL- @ames

@ RUTG- @ucf

Ohio State - byu

@ IOWA -@ASU

I would say 6-6 with that schedule. The only reason we go bowling is because we get to play WVU. Also, a classic tallest midget match between Rhule and Frost would be epic!

So, pretty much, at the end of the day, the results would be similar, only we'd have a real rivalry game with Colorado plus better locations for road games, so the season would overall be more fun.

Well, fun for most fans. Not so much for @HBK4life_rivals100467 because he wouldn't have any opponents to suck off when they win championships.
 

tmcats

Junior
May 29, 2001
34,528
200
51
So, pretty much, at the end of the day, the results would be similar, only we'd have a real rivalry game with Colorado plus better locations for road games, so the season would overall be more fun.

Well, fun for most fans. Not so much for @HBK4life_rivals100467 because he wouldn't have any opponents to suck off when they win championships.
the schedules look similar to me. ohio state being the outlier. way better than any other. maybe illinois with matt campbell having raped iowa state. but otherwise, not a lot to differentiate other than N being back to its home conference with texas now gone. interestingly, N would play neither kansas school.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Man Woman & Child

davecisar

Senior
Jun 9, 2010
713
799
93
4-6 wins. Im guessing 5. Gave up my tickets this year. My family has had season tickets in South End since they were built in I think 1964? Havent missed many games since 1970. Been to lots of bowl games etc. Took the tickets over in 2000, Im just tired, exhausted of seeing bad football. Add to it the terrible leg room, WWI era bathrooms etc- just not worth it anymore to go in person. The University takes advantage of loyal NU football fans, Im done going in person- 4 tickets. Was for the Rhule hire- now Im really more of a disappointed doubter. Not a fan of his coaching hires, clock management, game management, player evals etc Supporting from my easy chair.
 

Cornage

Redshirt
Nov 18, 2002
330
46
21
4-6 wins. Im guessing 5. Gave up my tickets this year. My family has had season tickets in South End since they were built in I think 1964? Havent missed many games since 1970. Been to lots of bowl games etc. Took the tickets over in 2000, Im just tired, exhausted of seeing bad football. Add to it the terrible leg room, WWI era bathrooms etc- just not worth it anymore to go in person. The University takes advantage of loyal NU football fans, Im done going in person- 4 tickets. Was for the Rhule hire- now Im really more of a disappointed doubter. Not a fan of his coaching hires, clock management, game management, player evals etc Supporting from my easy chair.
Gave up ours too; father in law got em Lord knows when
 
  • Like
Reactions: davecisar

BugsAreQualityProtein

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2021
2,568
1,219
103
So, pretty much, at the end of the day, the results would be similar, only we'd have a real rivalry game with Colorado plus better locations for road games, so the season would overall be more fun.

Well, fun for most fans. Not so much for @HBK4life_rivals100467 because he wouldn't have any opponents to suck off when they win championships.
Yeah, we just suck all around. We would struggle to push into the upper echelons of any P4 conference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: davecisar