Ranking Nebraska’s final five opponents of the 2026 season

Nebraska is on bye after dropping its second straight game. The Huskers are now 5-2 for the third straight year and still have a chance to close out the season on a strong note. Nebraska has struggled to close out the season in recent years.

The five teams left on the schedule continue to hit major obstacles, with some finding better footing than others. Whether it's changes at quarterback, coaching, or just bouncing back and forth between wins and losses, some of Nebraska's upcoming opponents are in vulnerable spots.

Here are the rankings for Nebraska’s final five opponents of the 2026 season. 

No. 5: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers came out of its bye week and rebounded from the loss to Indiana by holding off Maryland, 37-30. The Terrapins just missed on a game-tying touchdown on fourth down inside the 10 with under 20 seconds left. 

However, this came after the Scarlet Knights held a 37-23 lead with just over four minutes left. Maryland almost completed the comeback, but Rutgers got the fourth-down stop. The Scarlet Knights also stormed back, turning a 23-13 halftime deficit into a 37-23 lead. 

Malik Washington tallied 319 all-purpose yards for the Terrapins, throwing 19-of-38 for 263 passing yards and two touchdowns and rushing for a team-high 56 yards on nine carries. Rutgers sacked him only once. For Nebraska’s offense, that spells opportunity. 

Offensively, Dylan Lonergan threw 23-of-35 for 291 passing yards and three touchdowns. Clay Thevenin, meanwhile, rushed for 109 yards on 17 carries in the win. For Nebraska, its defense needs to be ready. 

However, Rutgers’ sleight grows more difficult from here with matchups against No. 24 Northwestern, Michigan and Wisconsin before welcoming Nebraska. Whether the Scarlet Knights enter the match with the Huskers at 2-7 or 5-4, the Huskers cannot take this team lightly. 

No. 4: Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois is on its bye week and now enters the second half of its season with two major factors at play. Katin Houser is out for at least three more weeks, leaving Michael Clayton II to likely start under center against Nebraska. Also, the Fighting Illini’s defense remains questionable two games out since firing Bobby Hauck. 

Clayton threw 6-of-8 for 88 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Michigan State. Now, however, he faces Oregon in his first start and then Maryland on Halloween before taking on Nebraska. If he can deliver a full-game performance and show his full capabilities, the Huskers could find themselves in a bind. 

Clayton’s play could especially help the Fighting Illini’s offense. Aidan Laughery, the team’s top rusher, only posted 119 rushing yards on 29 carries across the last two games, averaging over four yards per carry. If Illinois’ run game remains dormant, Nebraska’s defense can capitalize. 

However, the Huskers’ offense can also capitalize on the Fighting Illini’s struggling defense. In its two games since firing Bobby Hauck, Illinois’ defense allowed 24 points to Purdue and 37 to Michigan State, a season-high for the Spartans. The team also surrendered 470 passing yards and 217 rushing yards over the two games.

Illinois could find its footing and get back on track. But right now, the Huskers hold the advantage and can come to Champaign to get a Friday night win.

No. 3: Washington Huskies

The Huskies snapped their three-game losing streak this past week, overcoming five turnovers against Purdue and winning 38-26. The Boilermakers held Minnesota to under 13 points, a team that toppled Michigan and Washington. Now, Washington enters its bye week with major questions.

The primary question lies at quarterback. Elijah Brown finished 21-of-27 for 302 yards and three touchdowns against Purdue. He provided a pristine performance after Demond Williams Jr. got injured against Washington. Brown is now 49-of-66 for 553 yards and six touchdowns in his last six-plus quarters of play, surpassing Williams in each category in Big Ten play. 

If Brown starts against Nebraska on Halloween night, he could produce another big game. However, his play hasn’t been flawless. Brown threw three interceptions against Purdue and has -30 yards rushing in Big Ten play, despite only being sacked three times. 

Washington's defense can also stir up trouble for the Huskers. The Huskies snatched two interceptions against Purdue and kept the ground game stagnant. Excluding the Boilermakers' 59-yard run, Purdue finished with 39 rushing yards on 26 carries. That can become a problem for Nebraska's offense, considering where the pipeline is right now.

The Huskers could come out and put on a Halloween night spectacle. However, this matchup is more likely to be a slugfest for both teams, and it'll come down to whichever side doesn't make a mistake late.

No. 2: Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa also rested on its bye week and now enters the second half of its season. Though the Hawkeyes have only one ranked team left on their schedule, the final six games are shaping up to be a tricky stretch. 

Minnesota and Wisconsin each present a unique challenge. No. 24 Northwestern is pulling through with grit and a strong defensive line. Even Purdue and Illinois could provide a few surprises. But despite all of that, Nebraska’s current issues on the offensive line gives Iowa the advantage. 

On offense, the Hawkeyes are dealing with Hank Brown’s injury following the Ohio State loss. Though Brown was cleared to play this week, Jeremy Hecklinski gets the start and another chance to solidify himself as the starter. Hecklinski finished 14-of-19 for 202 passing yards and three touchdowns against Washington and now takes on Minnesota. 

Pair that with Iowa’s always heavy-hitting run game, and Nebraska’s Black Friday matchup will almost certainly be another one-possession game at best.

No. 1: Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes were literally a foot away from blowing a 19-7 lead to Indiana. Nick Marsh was wide open for the Hoosiers. But pressure on Josh Hoover and one misstep by Marsh turned a potential go-ahead touchdown into a failed fourth down. 

But despite Ohio State escaping Indiana by the skin of its teeth, the Buckeyes got dealt with another blow. Julian Sayin suffered a throwing-shoulder injury in the win over Indiana and could miss the rest of the season. Fortunately, the team enters a bye week, giving Luke Fahey a chance to prepare. 

Before Sayin went down, he threw 15-of-29 for 235 passing yards and two touchdowns. He struck big through the air, totaling 11 completions of 10 yards or more. Jeremiah Smith hauled in another four-catch outing, but once again led Ohio State in receiving yards with 68 yards and a touchdown. 

He may remain needed for big plays and to keep defenses’ attention. This is especially true if Fahey struggles or Ohio State’s run game remains stalled. The Buckeyes only totaled 78 rushing yards on 37 carries against Indiana, meaning Nebraska’s defense could do the same. 

But Ohio State’s defense also kept Indiana’s run game in check, which could suffocate the Huskers’ pipeline. The Buckeyes also forced Josh Hoover to go 20-of-40, but did allow 296 passing yards. Colandrea could find some holes in Ohio State’s defense, but it may be another low-scoring outing for Nebraska. 

Overall, even with Sayin likely out, the Buckeyes' roster and the Huskers' current status against top 25 teams keep Ohio State at the top of the rankings.