Nebraska football schedule: Ranking the Cornhuskers' 2022 opponents

We feel pretty safe in saying Scott Frost is on the hot seat. The head coach is coming into a make-or-break 2022 football season to lead Nebraska to something better.

Frost is yet to produce a winning season in four tries and is coming off arguably his worst outing, a 3-9 campaign in which every loss came by single digits.

Making a bowl game is the absolute minimum for Frost at Nebraska, and so far he's put in some serious work trying to make it right. 

Mark Whipple comes in as offensive coordinator after holding the same position at Pitt, and he has Texas transfer quarterback Casey Thompson — who led the Big 12 in TD passes last fall — to work with.

What can Nebraska look forward to this season? Scroll through to see each game on the Huskers' slate, from easiest to hardest.

Nebraska football schedule: Ranking the Cornhuskers' 2022 opponents

12. North Dakota

When: Sept. 3

Where: Lincoln

What to expect: No, this isn't North Dakota State, which has won nine FCS national championships in 11 years. This is just plain North Dakota, an eighth-place finisher in the Missouri Valley last season, coming off a five-win 2021 campaign, and coming to Nebraska in what should be an easy win for the Huskers in their home opener.

11. Georgia Southern

When: Sept. 10

Where: Lincoln

What to expect: Nebraska has lost games against Group of Five opponents under Scott Frost, but the talent gap here should be more than enough to cover. GSU does bring on new head coach Clay Helton, formerly of USC, but there are holes at every position for the Cornhuskers to expose, including at quarterback.

10. Northwestern

When: Aug. 27

Where: Dublin

What to expect: Nebraska opens up in Ireland for Week 0 against arguably the worst team in the Big Ten a year ago. Northwestern went from first to 12th in the conference in scoring defense, and the unit allowed more than four TDs per game last fall. Offensively, the Wildcats managed just under 17 points per outing. Nebraska needs to make an early statement here — a close result against this team is going to raise eyebrows.

9. Indiana

When: Oct. 1

Where: Lincoln

What to expect: What a difference a year made for the Hoosiers, who went from a 12th ranked, 6-2 team to a two-win afterthought. IU was good for just 17 points per game last fall and will lose wide receiver Ty Fryfogle. But it gains Missouri transfer quarterback Conner Bazelak, a 2,500-yard passer, something for first-year coordinator Walt Bell to work with. While that's all well and good for the Hoosiers, this is a game that a Nebraska program worth the name should dominate easily.

8. Rutgers

When: Oct. 7

Where: Piscataway

What to expect: The third-worst scoring offense in the Big Ten was good for just about 19 points each time out last fall, while giving up almost 25 per game to opponents. Former Nebraska product Noah Vedral should start at quarterback, but he could get some competition from Gavin Wimsatt. If so, this is a different offense, and one that could give the Huskers an unwanted test on the road midseason.

7. Illinois

When: Oct. 29

Where: Lincoln

What to expect: Illinois brings back a pretty solid rushing attack — Chase Brown was a thousand-yard rusher in 2021, and Joshua McCray, who added 549 yards and two scores. This defense improved from 2020 and was about average in conference standings, but has issues getting to the quarterback. This should be a game where Nebraska spreads out its offense and gets aggressive.

6. Purdue

When: Oct. 15

Where: West Lafayette

What to expect: Wideout David Bell and edge rusher George Karlaftis are gone, but quarterback Aidan O'Connell returns for what should be one of the better teams in the Big Ten West this year. Especially at home, where it knocked off No. 3 Michigan State, one of two top-five teams the Boilers upset last fall. Winning these kinds of road games in conference play is what builds resumes, moves you up the division standings, and earns Top 25 votes. Losing these games is what gets you fired.

5. Minnesota

When: Nov. 5

Where: Lincoln

What to expect: A very average team last season, Minnesota didn't have running back Mo Ibrahim bouncing off tackles in 2021. But it will in 2022, in addition to quarterback Tanner Morgan, one of the more polished and experienced passers in the Big Ten. If the Gophers can lock up its protection on offense, this group can get some decent yards both inside with Ibrahim and on the perimeter, where they have some deceptive speed.

4. Iowa

When: Nov. 25

Where: Iowa City

What to expect: Four straight years Iowa has had Nebraska's number, and in close games, by a combined 19 points, with two games decided by last-second field goals. Don't expect much offense from the Hawkeyes, even though they bring back quarterback Spencer Petras, but this defense can still generate a lot of mismatches and can shrink the pocket on a regular basis.

3. Wisconsin

When: Nov. 19

Where: Lincoln

What to expect: Most of this defense — a unit that ranked No. 1 ahead of Georgia in the nation in yards allowed and was second in points surrendered — won't come back in 2022, but with the coaching and talent on offer, it should still be among the best in the conference. Braelon Allen is just 18 but has already taken possession of this backfield after a 1,286 yard, 12 TD performance in 2021. Otherwise, the jury is very much out on Wisconsin's offense behind quarterback Graham Mertz.

2. Michigan

When: Nov. 12

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: There will be a lot of new faces on the Wolverines, and at important positions, too. Defensive end, secondary, offensive line, and running back are all areas for Michigan to re-load, but it also brings back a pair of solid quarterbacks and will be able to move the ball on the perimeter. Plus, there's home field advantage for the defending Big Ten champions, who round out a tough late-season slate for the Huskers.

1. Oklahoma

When: Sept. 17

Where: Lincoln

What to expect: Nebraska's old nemesis took a few on the chin this offseason, losing head coach Lincoln Riley, quarterback Caleb Williams, and a few other key pieces. But it recovered, signing on Brent Venables from Clemson, quarterback Dillon Gabriel from UCF, and offensive coach Jeff Lebby from Ole Miss. OU still has the talent edge, but can it put everything together in time for this early game? Nebraska has the home field edge and wants to make a statement — and nearly did last year in Norman, losing by just seven.

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