Can't Wait For Saturday Nebraska football trying to catch up to hoops

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Mar. 29—***

During the first two weeks-ish of the NCAA tournament, I will be ranking each Big Ten football team's best nonconference game.

Quick recap: No. 1 Ohio State at Texas, Sept. 12.

2. Michigan vs. Oklahoma, Sept. 12

3. Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame, Sept 6

4. Michigan State at Notre Dame, Sept. 19.

5. Purdue vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 26.

6. Oregon vs. Boise State, Sept. 5.

7. Illinois vs. Duke, Sept. 12.

8. Iowa vs. Iowa State, Sept. 12.

9. UCLA at Cal, Sept. 5.

10. Washington vs. Washington State, Sept. 5.

11. Maryland vs. Virginia Tech, Sept. 19.

12. Minnesota vs. Mississippi State, Sept. 12.

13. Northwestern vs. Colorado, Sept. 19

Year 3 of Matt Rhule at Nebraska was supposed to be the breakthrough. That had been the coach's career pattern.

But it didn't happen. After a stellar 5-1 start in 2025, the lone loss a close decision against ranked Michigan, Nebraskans were feeling good about the direction of the program.

But an injury to quarterback Dylan Raiola led to a downward spiral that saw the team lose five of its last seven and finish 7-6.

Utah drilled Nebraska 44-22 in the Las Vegas Bowl. Then, Raiola announced he was leaving the team and landed at Oregon.

The 2026 opener against Ohio should be labeled the Frank Solich Bowl. After building a fine career as Nebraska coach, Solich was dismissed. That turned out to be a mistake. Nebraska hasn't been the same since he left.

Solich continued his career with the Bobcats, going 115-82 in 16 seasons and earning a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

The polite Nebraska fans will likely treat the Bobcats with kindness.

Ohio went 9-4 in Brian Smith's one season as head coach. He was fired for off-the-field actions and replaced by Bobcats defensive coordinator John Hauser.

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