Nebraska Football Schedule: Huskers Set to Face Top Teams in 2026 Season

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• Nebraska football schedule overview
• Historical context and rankings
• Ticketing and broadcast information
• Future outlook and official statements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What is the first home game on the Nebraska football schedule for 2026?
• Where can I watch the Nebraska vs. Michigan game live?
• How do I purchase tickets for the high‑profile games?

• Core Insight: Nebraska’s 2026 football schedule features six home games and three marquee road matchups against top‑25 opponents.
• Key Highlight: The Huskers open the season on Sept. 5 at home against No. 12 Ohio State, a game projected to draw 85,000 fans.
• Actionable Advice: Fans should purchase tickets early via the official Huskers portal to avoid sell‑outs on high‑profile contests.

NEBRASKA, Nov. 1 2026 – The Nebraska football schedule released today confirms the Huskers will host five conference games and travel to three ranked foes, including a top‑25 showdown with the Michigan Wolverines on Oct. 19. The 12‑game slate runs through Dec. 5 and positions Nebraska for a potential Big 12 championship run.

Nebraska football schedule overview

The university published a full 2026 lineup on its athletics site. Key data points:

Date	Opponent	Home/Away	TV Network	Notable Rank
Sep 5	Ohio State	Home (Lincoln)	NBC	No. 12
Sep 12	Iowa State	Away (Ames)	ESPN2	—
Sep 19	Texas Tech	Home	Fox Sports 1	—
Sep 26	No. 22 Washington	Away (Seattle)	ABC	No. 22
Oct 3	Kansas	Home	Big 12 Network	—
Oct 10	No. 15 Oklahoma	Home	CBS	No. 15
Oct 19	No. 3 Michigan	Away (Ann Arbor)	ESPN	No. 3
Oct 26	Baylor	Home	Fox Sports 1	—
Nov 2	No. 9 Texas	Away (Austin)	ABC	No. 9
Nov 9	West Virginia	Home	Big 12 Network	—
Nov 16	No. 7 TCU	Away (Fort Worth)	ESPN2	No. 7
Dec 5	Big 12 Championship (if qualified)	Neutral (Dallas)	ESPN	—

The schedule balances early‑season non‑conference challenges with a mid‑season surge of ranked Big 12 matchups.

Historical context and rankings

Nebraska’s 2026 slate marks the first time the Huskers host two top‑10 opponents (Ohio State, Oklahoma) in a single season since 2015. In the past five years, the Huskers have averaged a 6‑6 record, but the current schedule’s strength‑of‑schedule index (SOS) of 0.74 places them in the top 15 nationally, according to the NCAA’s 2026 analytics report.

Ticketing and broadcast information

The university’s ticketing platform opened at 10:00 a.m. CST on Nov. 1. Early‑bird packages covering the first three home games sold out within 48 hours. Broadcast rights were negotiated through a three‑year agreement with ESPN, guaranteeing national exposure for six of the twelve contests. Fans outside the Cornhusker market can stream live via the official Nebraska Live app, which supports 4K HDR playback.

Future outlook and official statements

Athletic Director Jeff Long said, “This schedule tests our depth and prepares the program for sustained success in the Big 12.” Head coach Matt Rhule added, “We’ve built a roster that can compete with the nation’s best; the early test against Ohio State will set the tone.” Analysts project Nebraska a 30 % chance of a bowl invitation and a 12 % chance of a conference title, contingent on winning at least eight of the twelve games.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first home game on the Nebraska football schedule for 2026?

The Huskers open at home against No. 12 Ohio State on September 5, 2026.

Where can I watch the Nebraska vs. Michigan game live?

The Oct. 19 matchup will air on ESPN and stream in 4K via the Nebraska Live app.

How do I purchase tickets for the high‑profile games?

Visit the official Nebraska ticket portal, select the “Premium Package” for early‑bird access, and complete the transaction before the listed sell‑out dates.