Nebraska's Big Ten Test: A Whole New Challenge Awaits

Nebraska's Strong Start and the Challenge Ahead

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are riding high after a 3-0 start to the 2025 college football season. This marks the third consecutive year that head coach Matt Rhule has led his team to a perfect 3-0 record at the beginning of the season. The last time this happened was in 2016, which signals a significant shift for the Huskers under Rhule’s leadership.

Despite the impressive start, there is one major concern: the level of competition. The Huskers defeated Cincinnati, 20-17, in their opening game, which was a notable win. However, they followed that up with victories over Akron from the MAC and Houston Christian from the Southland Conference, winning those games by a combined score of 127-7. While these wins are encouraging, they highlight the need for the team to prepare for tougher challenges ahead.

Preparing for Big Ten Play

As the season progresses, the real test for the Cornhuskers will come when they face teams from the Big Ten Conference. The next challenge on their schedule is a home matchup against No. 21 Michigan. According to Rhule, this game will be a true indicator of how well the team is prepared for the increased level of competition.

Rhule addressed questions about the team’s readiness during a recent news conference. He emphasized that the preparation during the week in practice is crucial for growth. He believes the team is ready for the Big Ten, but he also acknowledges that they are entering a completely different environment.

“They’ve just been very mature about, hey, this is what we need to improve on each week. Right now, there’s not a guy who doesn’t know what we need to improve upon. And that’ll continue for the rest of the year,” Rhule said. “So I don’t know if the games themselves say much. The other day, you were not playing Big Ten teams. So, I mean, now the Big Ten starts. This is a whole other animal, but I think our guys have worked.”

A Tough Road Ahead

Michigan presents a significant challenge for the Cornhuskers. The Wolverines are 2-1 on the season, having lost to Oklahoma but showing promise with a freshman quarterback, Bryce Underwood, and a defense that allowed only three points against Central Michigan.

After facing Michigan, Nebraska’s schedule includes several tough matchups:

• vs. Michigan State
• at Maryland
• at Minnesota
• vs. Northwestern
• vs. USC
• at UCLA
• at Penn State
• vs. Iowa

If the Huskers can defeat Michigan, they could finish the season with an 8-1 record in Big Ten play, with the only likely loss coming against Penn State. This would be a major step forward for the program, as the Cornhuskers have struggled against Big Ten opponents in Rhule’s first two seasons, posting a 6-12 record.

The Path to National Recognition

For the Cornhuskers to return to the national conversation, they must make this jump in performance. The upcoming game against Michigan on September 20 will be a critical moment in determining whether they can achieve that goal.

Nebraska’s success in the Big Ten will not only impact their standing within the conference but also their reputation nationally. With the right preparation and execution, the Huskers have the potential to turn their season into a memorable one.