The Ohio vs Nebraska matchup brings together the Ohio Bobcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers in an intriguing nonconference game to open the 2026 college football season. The Nebraska game is being played at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, giving the Huskers home-field advantage.
The matchup also features an interesting quarterback storyline involving Anthony Colandrea, who transferred to Nebraska after a standout 2025 season at UNLV. Colandrea gets an immediate opportunity to face the same Ohio program that defeated his former team in last season’s Frisco Bowl.
Ohio vs Nebraska Game Overview
The Nebraska vs Ohio matchup is a meeting between a Big Ten program and a Mid-American Conference contender. Nebraska enters the season looking to build on a 7-6 campaign in 2025, while the Ohio Bobcats begin a new season with another challenging road trip against a Power Four opponent.
For Nebraska football, the opener is particularly important because expectations are high entering Matt Rhule’s fourth season. The Huskers have added experience and talent through the transfer portal, with Colandrea expected to lead the offense.
Ohio, meanwhile, faces the difficult task of playing in Lincoln against a Nebraska team that has considerable size and depth across its roster.
Anthony Colandrea Headlines Nebraska’s Offense
One of the biggest storylines surrounding Husker football is the arrival of Anthony Colandrea.
The quarterback was named Nebraska’s starter after transferring from UNLV. During the 2025 season, Colandrea threw for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 649 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He was also named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
That makes the Ohio matchup especially intriguing.
Colandrea already has recent history against the Bobcats. While playing for UNLV, he faced Ohio in the Frisco Bowl, with Ohio winning 17-10. Colandrea was held to 184 passing yards and threw an interception in that game.
Now wearing Nebraska’s colors, Colandrea gets another opportunity against the Ohio defense.
Ohio Bobcats Looking for Another Big Upset
The Ohio Bobcats enter the Nebraska game as underdogs, but the matchup should not be overlooked.
Ohio has experience competing against Power Four opponents and has shown the ability to make those games uncomfortable. The Bobcats are also familiar with Colandrea after facing him last season.
For Ohio University football, this is an opportunity to begin the season with a major statement. Winning at Nebraska would immediately become one of the biggest results of the program’s season.
Ohio also has a connection to Nebraska through former coach Frank Solich. Solich coached Nebraska from 1998 through 2003 before becoming the winningest head coach in Ohio football history.
What to Watch in the Nebraska Game
The biggest question for the Nebraska football game is how quickly Colandrea can settle into the Huskers’ offense.
Nebraska has offensive weapons around its new quarterback, including wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. The Huskers also return kicker Kyle Cunanan, who has proven to be a reliable option in the kicking game.
Defensively, Nebraska brings back a secondary that ranked among the nation’s best in pass defense last season. That could make it difficult for the Bobcats to consistently generate explosive passing plays.
Ohio’s challenge will be finding ways to pressure Colandrea while limiting Nebraska’s ability to establish its running game.
Why Ohio vs Nebraska Matters
Although this is a nonconference matchup, Ohio vs Nebraska carries plenty of intrigue.
For Nebraska, it is the first opportunity to see whether the offseason changes can translate into progress on the field. A strong start would give the Huskers momentum before their Big Ten schedule becomes more demanding.
For Ohio, the matchup provides a chance to defeat another Power Four opponent on the road and create an early-season headline.
The previous meeting between Ohio and Colandrea also adds another layer to the story. Rather than simply being a season opener, the game gives the Nebraska quarterback a chance to respond after his previous encounter with the Bobcats.
Nebraska vs Ohio Outlook
The Nebraska vs Ohio matchup combines a Big Ten home team, a dangerous MAC opponent and a quarterback with a personal connection to the opposing team.
Nebraska has the advantage in roster depth and home-field conditions, while Ohio enters with confidence from its previous victory over Colandrea’s former team.
For Husker football fans, the game is an early test of what the 2026 Nebraska team can become. For the Ohio Bobcats, it is an opportunity to prove that they can compete with another Power Four opponent away from home.
With Colandrea taking over at quarterback and Ohio arriving with plenty of motivation, this Nebraska game offers an intriguing start to the college football season.
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