LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska’s 2026 college football schedule figures to be one of the toughest in recent memory, according to Sports Illustrated’s preseason Top 25. The ranking projects the Cornhuskers will meet five teams listed in the publication’s Top 25, three of them among the nation’s top five, setting up a campaign with little margin for error.
Top-tier opponents highlight the challenge
SI’s preseason list places Oregon at No. 2, Indiana at No. 4 and Ohio State at No. 5. Also included among opponents Nebraska will face are Washington at No. 19 and Iowa at No. 25. Those five programs combined for a 59-12 record last season, according to the SI piece, illustrating the quality of teams the Cornhuskers will encounter.
"After debate, disagreement, analysis and eventually a level of consensus among our staff, here is the @SInow preseason college football Top 25." — Pat Forde
The preseason ranking provides context for a program that has struggled to find consistent winning in recent years: Nebraska has recorded 51 wins over the last 10 seasons, per SI’s review. That history raises expectations and questions about how Matt Rhule’s staff will navigate a loaded schedule.
How the outlook stacks up with other metrics
Media projections beyond SI reach similar conclusions. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) lists many of the same opponents among the nation’s best, with slightly different placements. The FPI identifies Ohio State as its No. 1 team, Oregon at No. 4 and Indiana at No. 6, and keeps Washington and Iowa near the national conversation as well.
Those outside assessments matter for Nebraska in several ways: strength of schedule affects national perception, bowl and playoff forecasting, and can influence recruiting narratives and game-planning priorities as Rhule’s staff attempts to build momentum.
Immediate implications for the Cornhuskers
Facing three Top-5 teams by SI’s measure means Nebraska will likely need to win key rivalry and conference matchups while avoiding costly upsets. For fans and boosters that expect a rapid return to prominence, the preseason projections serve as a reminder that improvement will be tested early and often.
- Five SI-ranked opponents: Oregon (No. 2), Indiana (No. 4), Ohio State (No. 5), Washington (No. 19), Iowa (No. 25).
- Combined record for those five in 2025: 59-12.
- Nebraska’s past decade: 51 wins over 10 seasons.
For context, preseason lists are not predictions; they are assessments based on returning personnel, transfers, coaching stability and last season’s performance. Still, they frame expectations for the year and provide an early barometer of how difficult a route to nine or more wins could be—a benchmark Nebraska has not reached since 2016.
What supporters and local stakeholders should watch
As the season approaches, fans should monitor a few specific indicators that will determine whether the Huskers can contend in such a demanding slate:
- Quarterback play and offensive continuity, particularly against high-powered defenses like Oregon and Ohio State.
- Defensive depth and ability to contain explosive offenses.
- Health and availability of key transfers and starters who will be counted on in marquee matchups.
Recruiting messages and season-ticket sales will also reflect how boosters interpret the schedule and preseason expectations. A challenging schedule can be a selling point for ambitious prospects wanting to compete against top programs — but it can also be a concern if fans demand immediate returns.
Schedule snapshot
Below is a quick reference table of the SI-ranked opponents Nebraska is projected to face and their SI placements:
| Opponent | SI Preseason Rank |
|---|---|
| Oregon | 2 |
| Indiana | 4 |
| Ohio State | 5 |
| Washington | 19 |
| Iowa | 25 |
Preseason rankings will evolve as fall approaches and as teams prove themselves in nonconference play and early season tests. For Nebraska, the SI assessment is a reminder that improvement under Coach Matt Rhule will be evaluated against some of college football’s best programs. The coming weeks will clarify whether the Cornhuskers can translate offseason work into results against a schedule that promises few easy nights.
