ESPN predicts the record of Nebraska football in 2026

The kickoff to college football is right around the corner and predictions are running wild. ESPN updated its matchup predictor for the 2026 season and believes that the Huskers are in position for a bowl-eligible season.

ESPN's projections are based on the Football Power Index and other key analytical variables. The World Wide Leader in Sports projects an 8-4 record for Nebraska in 2026.

The Huskers are forecast for a 5-0 start before running into Indiana and Oregon in consecutive weeks in mid-October. The other two projected losses come in the final two weeks of the season against Ohio State and Iowa.

If Nebraska were to win eight games, it would be the first time that the Huskers have won more than seven games in a season since 2016 (9-4). The 2026 season opens on Saturday, September 5th at Memorial Stadium against Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on FS1.

Find game-by-game projections for 2026 below.

2026 Season Projections

Sept. 5: Nebraska 91.7% - Ohio 8.3%

Sept. 12: Nebraska 95.7% - BGSU 4.3%

Sept. 19: Nebraska 94% - UND 6%

Sept. 26: Nebraska 67.9% - MSU 32.1%

Oct. 3: Nebraska 79.1% - Maryland 20.9%

Oct. 10: Indiana 81% - Nebraska 19%

Oct. 17: Oregon 92% - Nebraska 8%

Oct. 31: Nebraska 56.8% - Washington 43.2%

Nov 6: Nebraska 50.8% - Illinois 49.2%

Nov. 14: Nebraska 67.5% - Rutgers 32.5%

Nov. 21: OSU 89.4% - Nebraska 10.6%

Nov. 27: Iowa 61.6% - Nebraska 38.4%

Final Record: 8-4 (5-4)

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: ESPN predicts the record of Nebraska football in 2026