How About These Possible, and Juicy, Nebraska Bowl Matchups?

The Huskers are projected to play an old rival and an old friend in the postseason

Dual-threat quarterback Anthony Colandrea was named Nebraska's starter by head coach Matt Rhule. | Nebraska Athletics via X

Going into a Nebraska football season of great uncertainty — new starting quarterback in Anthony Colandrea, bunch of new assistant coaches, rebuilt lines, revamped defensive scheme, killer schedule — two writers from a major media outlet have the Huskers going bowling this season.

That might be a small relief for Nebraska fans who just don’t know where their program is going, or what it is anymore. Are the Huskers destined to continue to lag in the murky middle of the Big Ten? Not good enough to challenge the big boys, but better than the bottom half of the conference?

Making a third consecutive bowl appearance might soothe Husker nerves and provide — albeit tentative — somewhat of a road map to greater success.

Sometimes, you need a small success or two — Indiana football notwithstanding — before you enjoy big-time success. For the Huskers, that would include, ultimately, being a Big Ten contender. When you’re a contender in the conference, your team automatically is in the mix for a College Football Playoff berth. Nebraska is trying to build off consecutive 7-6 seasons.

Nebraska offensive tackle Gunnar Gottula could be part of a rebuilt Husker offensive line in 2026. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

With the 2026 schedule, not many are considering Nebraska a Big Ten contender. That might be another year or two down the road, or maybe more. But after seven consecutive losing seasons, and a 29-41 record in this decade (17-36 in the Big Ten), maybe slow and steady is the Huskers’ best route to redemption.

Baby steps, you know.

We *love* this bowl matchup for Nebraska

If you’re not contending for a conference championship, the next best bonus might be having your potential bowl matchup look like a juicy one. And don’t overlook a simple fact: The belief is that Nebraska will win at least six games and become bowl eligible. That’s important with a difficult schedule that includes the three Big Ten powers and four other conference games that could go either way.

ESPN writers Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach predicted the bowl participants of every 2026 bowl game the other day. These are, obviously, highly tentative with an entire season of college football still to be played.

There might be an upset or two along the way.

Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson throws against Oklahoma at Memorial Stadium in 2022. | USA TODAY Sports

Both Nebraska projections are delicious. We would sign up for either right now.

The most interesting is the Las Vegas Bowl at 2:45 p.m. CT on Thursday, Dec. 31. This would be a return trip for the Huskers, who lost to Utah in Vegas last season.

The proposed opponent? How about those Oklahoma Sooners? Let’s go! Bonagura predicts this matchup.

Many people believe Oklahoma is Nebraska’s greatest football rival, the rivalry torn apart by each school now playing in new conferences. There was nothing quite like that Thanksgiving weekend game between the Huskers and Sooners. And not just for the fans of each school. The entire nation noticed and paid attention. Often, there were national ramifications based on the outcome of the game.

Great stuff.

Another (kinda) terrific bowl matchup for the Huskers

Schlabach predicts the Huskers will play at 6:30 CT on Dec. 26 in the Citrus Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., against former Huskers coach and quarterback Scott Frost and his UCF Knights.

Scott Frost had a losing record as Nebraska's head coach after a highly successful career as the Husker quarterback. | USA TODAY Sports

The storylines here write themselves — great Husker player in Frost, who went 16-31 in four-plus dreary years as the Huskers’ head coach. Frost didn’t have a winning season with Nebraska and the most wins he had in a season were five in 2019.

Yeah, this could be a fun holiday time.

---

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.