Three Video games That Will Outline the Season for Nebraska Football in 2026

This week, the Common Fans sort out one among their favourite offseason traditions: discussing and debating the three video games that may outline Nebraska soccer’s 2026 season. Not essentially the largest video games. Not essentially the hardest video games. But the video games that may finally form how we really feel about Matt Rhule and the path of this system.

A Sneaky Big One in East Lansing

The guys begin with Nebraska’s first highway journey of the season: at Michigan State.

It’s early. It’s the primary recreation of convention play. It’s a highway setting towards a revered new coach in Pat Fitzgerald. And perhaps most significantly—it’s the type of recreation Nebraska merely can not afford to lose if this season goes to really feel completely different.

Any dialog in regards to the Huskers exceeding expectations–a lot much less making a bowl recreation–has to contain successful this recreation. A win will probably have a “taking care of business” really feel for the fan base, and will not transfer the needle a lot. But a loss will really feel like an ominous signal for the remainder of the season. 

The Playoff Teams

The Big Red performs three groups which have made the College Football Playoff the final two seasons: 2024 nationwide champion Ohio State, Oregon, and defending nationwide champion Indiana. Can the Huskers get a win towards any one among these groups? 

Nebraska has the potential to be 4–1 or 5–0 heading into the Indiana recreation. If that’s the case, Memorial Stadium can be electrical. The Huskers might be ranked and there can be nationwide consideration on the sport. 

The boys in crimson comply with that up with a visit to Eugene the very subsequent week. 

The guys speak via the necessity for, on the very least, a aggressive efficiency towards a top-tier program. But a win towards one among these high convention foes can be a recreation altering turning level for Matt Rhule and his program. 

About November

Every dialog finally results in November. Nebraska soccer has not been good in November for years, and that features the Rhule period. The guys zero in on video games like at Illinois and residential towards Washington (which is definitely on October 31, however we lump it in with the opposite November video games) as pivotal “prove-it” alternatives for a program attempting to shake the popularity that it fades late within the yr.

If Nebraska needs to take the following step as a program, it may well’t simply beat the groups it’s imagined to beat in September. It has to start out exhibiting up in November.

And Then There’s Iowa

Perhaps unsurprisingly, all three Common Fans have Iowa on their listing of video games that may outline the season. The frustration pours out on this phase—not as a result of Iowa is a few unbeatable monster, however as a result of Nebraska has repeatedly discovered methods to lose video games it most likely ought to have received.

The boys dive into why Iowa has change into Nebraska’s rival within the Big Ten period, how Husker followers are exhausted watching Iowa play “clean football” whereas Nebraska implodes, and why the Big Red must run off their very own win streak towards the Hawkeyes. 

At some level, Nebraska has to start out successful this collection persistently once more.

Is That Optimism Starting to Creep Back In? 

Summertime’s shut, which suggests fall camp is true across the nook. Anthony Colandrea is preaching confidence. And the boys are beginning to get excited for Nebraska soccer once more.

Not blindly optimistic. But hopeful. And prepared for soccer. 

Check out the episode on YouTube, pay attention on the Common Fan website, or discover it on any audio platform the place you get your podcasts.

As at all times, GBR for LIFE!

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