Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson (13) runs onto the field with his teammates during the game against North Dakota at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Lincoln. Credit: Ryan Malvey | The Daily Nebraskan

Nebraska football is undefeated through its nonconference schedule, but a challenging Big Ten gauntlet lies ahead.

The Cornhuskers defeated Ohio, Bowling Green and North Dakota at home by at least four scores each, but head coach Matt Rhule knows those were only quizzes. The real tests are the nine conference games awaiting him in his fourth season as Nebraska’s head coach.

Last year, Nebraska went 4-5 in Big Ten play and lost to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl to finish 7-6 overall. This season’s schedule is considerably tougher, but Nebraska fans hope new faces on both sides of the ball will lift the Huskers into the upper echelon of Big Ten programs.

During Nebraska’s offseason a question on who would replace Dylan Raiola at quarterback loomed. Raiola, who was the starting quarterback for two seasons, missed the team’s final four games last season after suffering an injury against USC on Nov. 1. He then transferred to Oregon.

Senior Anthony Colandrea, who previously played at Virginia and UNLV, emerged as the answer. He transferred to Nebraska after being named Mountain West Player of the Year last season, and his dual-threat ability has already made him a fan favorite.

Through three games as a Husker, Colandrea has thrown eight touchdowns to just one interception while averaging 230 passing yards per game. He has added two rushing touchdowns and 75 rushing yards as well.

True freshman running back Jamal Rule has quickly earned a lead role, averaging 110 rushing yards per game and leading the team with five rushing touchdowns, the third most in the Big Ten. Sophomore Mekhi Nelson has scored just once but adds 55 yards per game to complement the young Rule.

Juniors Jacory Barney Jr. and Kwazi Gilmer, a UCLA transfer, have emerged as Colandrea’s top targets. The pair has combined for five touchdowns and 133 receiving yards per game.

On defense, senior linebacker Owen Chambliss followed first-year defensive coordinator Rob Aurich from San Diego State to Lincoln and has become a vocal leader for the Blackshirts. The unit has played well despite a shaky start against the Ohio Bobcats, but its true measure will come against Big Ten offenses.

It’s hard to say which conference game will be the toughest. Nebraska hosts No. 5 Indiana, the reigning national champion, and No. 7 Ohio State, the preseason AP No. 1. It also travels to No. 20 Oregon and closes the regular season in Iowa City against rival No. 17 Iowa.

For now, though, Rhule’s focus is on staying undefeated. The Huskers haven’t started 4-0 since 2016, but have the chance to do so when they open Big Ten play on the road at Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 26.