Ranking Nebraska's Big Ten opponents for the 2026 season

Nebraska has made it through the nonconference portion of the schedule 3-0 for the third straight season. Now, the real test begins with Big Ten play. The Huskers look strong in their three wins, but in each game they showed signs of struggle.

However, their Big Ten opponents also showed signs of both struggle and strength. Some struggles are more recent than others, causing slight shifts in the rankings. Other teams, meanwhile, responded to early struggles, allowing them to move or at least stay put.

Here are the rankings of all nine of Nebraska’s Big Ten opponents of the 2026 season.

No. 9: Maryland Terrapins

The Terrapins suffered their first loss of the season this past week, dropping a 35-26 Saturday night clash with Virginia Tech. Though Maryland scored two touchdowns in the fourth while keeping the Hokies off the board, it dug too deep a hole. 

Virginia Tech dominated the night and the clock, holding onto the ball for over 36 minutes and delivering a balanced offense. Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns on 31-of-39 passing for the Hokies. Virginia Tech also totaled 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. 

Though Maryland also finished with over 400 total yards on offense, it once again leaned heavily on Malik Washington. Of the Terrapins’ 423 yards, Washington produced 375. The quarterback threw 30-of-43 for 359 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 16 yards on four carries. 

Maryland only posted 64 rushing yards on 21 carries, marking its first sub-100-yard game on the ground this season. The Terrapins also finished with just 125 rushing yards on 36 carries in their win over UConn, even though Washington threw the ball over 40 times. 

All of this, along with the fact that Nebraska plays host, is why Maryland drops to this spot. The defense shows signs of trouble, and the offense relies on Washington. If the Huskers get going on offense and force Maryland to run the ball, which Nebraska's been strong at thus far, then this'll be a hard game for the Terrapins.

No. 8: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers climbs up from the bottom of the rankings despite another loss, marking a 0-3 start to the season. The Scarlet Knights showed grit that could turn into a November battle in Piscataway. 

Rutgers duked it out with No. 11 USC, but fell in the end 42-35. However, two interceptions by Dylan Lonergan resulted in two touchdowns for the Trojans, one of which also ended a potential touchdown drive for the Scarlet Knights. Yet despite the mistakes, Rutgers still only lost by one score. 

Lonergan threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-36 passing. Antwan Raymond also rushed for 122 yards on 21 carries. The Scarlet Knights even pulled off a fake punt, which led to a touchdown later that drive. 

But the main asterisk regarding this outing is that USC’s defense remains troublesome, and it showed in its first Big Ten game on the road. Missed tackles, blown coverages and multiple penalties provided Rutgers with opportunities.

That said, the Scarlet Knights’ defense, even with two interceptions out of the equation, still allowed 28 points. Jayden Maiava also finished 20-of-32 for 277 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans. King Miller posted 102 rushing yards and one touchdown on just 16 carries. 

Rutgers can clean up its turnover problems and tighten up its defensive complications by November. The Scarlet Knights will also face more top-25 teams, including Indiana and Michigan, before Nebraska. If Rutgers can bring a fight to such opponents, the Huskers are in for a difficult time. 

No. 7: Michigan State Spartans

At a glance, a 27-10 loss to No. 3 Notre Dame is not a massive loss. However, the Fighting Irish controlled the game from the opening play. Notre Dame eclipsed the Spartans in total yards (395-167) and time of possession (37:02-22:58).

The Fighting Irish set the tone from the opening play with CJ Carr tossing a 61-yard bomb. Carr finished 18-of-24 for 234 yards. Nolan James Jr. controlled the ground game, posting 121 rushing yards on 21 carries. 

Alessio Milivojevic, meanwhile, threw just 9-of-17 for 123 yards and two interceptions and was sacked four times. Cam Edwards didn’t find much success either, running for just 38 yards on 12 carries. 

Though Nebraska isn’t near the same level as Notre Dame, Michigan State’s recent faults provide ample opportunity for the Huskers. At the same time, the Spartans have physicality under Pat Fitzgerald and, despite the loss, still fought with the Fighting Irish. But as a team, Michigan State still has a way to go.

No. 6: Washington Huskies

After scoring only 16 points against Utah State, allowing 29 to Idaho State and 33 to Utah, Washington managed to rack up 48 points in its win over Eastern Washington. The Huskies scored 31 points in the first half and found the endzone on four of their first five drives. 

Similar to Maryland and Malik Washington, the Huskies lean on Demond Williams Jr., who threw 27-of-33 for 398 yards and four touchdowns. The Huskies also produced 148 rushing yards on 26 carries, but 55 of those yards came on one first-half play. 

Washington’s offense will continue to be tested, however, especially against opponents such as Iowa and Nebraska on the docket. But the Huskies’ defense is holding firm so far, allowing just over 13 points per game. Washington is now entering Big Ten play as well, though, so only time will tell whether or not its defense holds true. 

That’s what keeps the Huskies closer to the bottom. Unlike some of the other teams on this list, Washington still has a lot to prove to be considered a major force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten. Plus, a road game at Lincoln, despite both teams being fresh off a bye week, on what may potentially be Halloween night, only adds to the scales. 

No. 5: Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois rebounded from its 31-27 loss to Duke, dismantling Southern Illinois, 48-10. Katin Houser fired 23-of-29 for 305 yards and two touchdowns. The Fighting Illini posted 198 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. Offensively, that makes them dangerous. But questions remain about Illinois' defense and its offensive capabilities against Big Ten competition.

The Salukis scored only 10 points, produced 29 rushing yards on 27 carries, and coughed up a pick-six. But DJ Williams went 20-of-38 for 182 yards and a touchdown, while the team finished 22-of-42 for 228 yards. That marks the third straight game of the season the Fighting Illini surrendered over 200 passing yards. 

Now, Illinois is set to face some of the Big Ten's top quarterbacks. If the Fighting Illini can’t slow down the pass, then Colandrea may have a field day come November. But, compared to Ohio State and Oregon, Nebraska is also not as lethal in the pass. 

Also, what gives Illinois the edge over Washington is that the Huskers will have to turn around following their matchup with the Huskies and head to Champaign for a Friday night battle. Illinois is still a strong team, so even if the defense does not fully come together, the offense and home-field advantage can provide the necessary game changers. 

No. 4: Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa steamrolled Northern Iowa, 55-0. Now the Big Ten season begins for the Hawkeyes, which will face Michigan, Ohio State and Washington over the next three weeks. That’s a fierce gauntlet for Iowa and crucial games for its season. 

Right now, Iowa's got over 800 rushing yards and averaging over seven yards per carry. Hank Brown is leading the Hawkeyes in the air, going 45-of-62 for 473 yards and three touchdowns. As for the defense, Iowa's surrendered only 332 passing yards and 198 rushing yards.

Now, however, the Hawkeyes will have to prove these numbers aren't just non-conference padding. If they can do what they've done best this decade, finding ways to win, then Nebraska will find itself in another one-play defying matchup.

No. 3: Oregon Ducks

Oregon unleashed its wrath on Portland State after an upset loss to Oklahoma State. The Ducks produced over 700 total yards on offense, allowed just 103 total yards, forced four turnovers and held possession for over 40 minutes.

Safe to say Oregon is fired up, and thus it moved back up to No. 3. However, the challenge is keeping that fire going. The Ducks face USC and UCLA before welcoming Nebraska to Eugene. That obviously adds to the drawback for Nebraska.

Autzen Stadium is one of the most difficult environments in the country. Though Boise State gave Oregon a game, the Ducks are already not the same team they were over two weeks ago. Nebraska will also come off a fight with Indiana, so Oregon will likely give it no room to breathe. 

No. 2: Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana saved its uneven non-conference game for last, only taking down Western Kentucky 38-0. What’s more, the Hoosiers only scored 14 points in the first half as the Hilltoppers managed to put up a fight. 

That first half could be a sign of vulnerability for the defending national champions. But past seasons show that despite finding road bumps against non-conference opponents, Indiana finds ways to dominate Big Ten foes. 

Plus, even though it took time, Josh Hoover still threw 18-of-24 for 273 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Turbo Richard produced 149 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. That is more than enough to give Nebraska headaches in a few weeks. 

Cignetti will also likely come to Lincoln looking to send a message. This’ll be the Huskers’ first big opponent of the season, and home-field advantage can only do so much. All in all, this game-six matchup is going to be anything but easy. 

No. 1: Ohio State Buckeyes

Another team that rebounded from a Week 2 loss, Ohio State let out its frustrations, decimating Kent State 59-3. The Buckeyes finished the game with over 500 total yards on offense and held the Golden Flashes to 134. 

Julian Sayin finished 18-of-22 for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Though Ohio State only rushed for 145 yards on 38 carries, Bo Jackson picked up 73 yards on 11 carries. The Buckeyes’ defense, meanwhile, allowed Kent State’s starting quarterback to go just 6-of-15 for 35 yards and held the run game to 71 yards on 34 carries.

With one loss on the board, Ohio State is looking to avoid another. But it needs to keep the fire going, as Nebraska did. However, the Huskers' struggles last season far outweigh the Buckeyes' last season struggles.

Even with Ohio State having to come to Nebraska, the November battle, along with the Buckeyes’ combination of talent, depth, coaching and championship experience, still makes it the toughest opponent in these rankings. 

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Ranking Nebraska's Big Ten opponents for the 2026 season