I’ve said for the last four months Nebraska will go 8-4 in 2026. I haven’t changed my mind. But as I mentioned before the season, three games will tell the tale of Nebraska’s 2026 season, Washington, Illinois, and Iowa.

Going into his fourth November, this is the season Matt Rhule must show progress. It’s hard to complain too much about Nebraska’s 5-2 record as that’s what most fans expected at his point. However, it’s time to show that the Indiana and Oregon games were more than just good games that tuned out poorly.

After two disappointing weeks and a bye week the Blackout against Washington is the perfect opportunity for this team to show who they really are.

4-3 Washington

The hope before the season was that Washington would be ranked coming into this game. That hasn’t happened. As with several teams in the Big Ten, this season has been a disappointment for the Huskies thus far. They were considered a possible CFP contender.

While some expected more, others weren’t surprised. There was speculation as to how QB Demond Williams would respond after everything that transpired last offseason. Williams appeared to be on his way to LSU to play for Lane Kiffin before being derailed and forced to stay at Washington. One can’t say that is the reason for Washington’s failure to perform at the level everyone expected, but it also isn’t unfair to say Williams hasn’t been the player he was last season.

Part of William’s problems stem from the lack of a supportive running game. The Huskies lost their top two running backs early in the season and have been playing with their fourth and fifth string running backs since. However, it’s difficult to point to the running backs as the whole problem when the pair has averaged 4.7 yards per carry.

They are also running behind a makeshift offensive line, losing their starting center early and then for the season. As of now it appears the center will be Kolt Dieterich, a transfer from Sam Houston State. Dieterich never played the position until his arrival in Washington. So, it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the crowd noise. But again, the rushing average doesn’t scream offensive line problems.

QB Demond Williams, who rushed for 611 yards and 6 TDs while passing for another 3,065 yards and 25 TDs last season hasn’t been able to reproduce those numbers this season.

After 6 games he passed for 1,396 yards and 8 TDs while rushing for 183 yards and 3 TDs. It isn’t clear if he’ll play against Nebraska due to bruised ribs. Injured in the Iowa game, Williams was replaced by backup Elijah Brown. The 6’2”, 215-pound junior came in and threw for 251 yards and 3 TDs against the Hawkeyes.

With Willimas out Brown started last week against Purdue and threw for 273 yards, 1 TD and 2 interceptions. While Brown hasn’t shown a propensity to run the ball, he can scramble for first downs if needed and is effective as a passer. Brown has gone 49/80 for 524 yards, 4 TDs, and 2 interceptions since Willimas injury.

And don’t go to sleep on Washington’s’ receivers either. Chris Lawson, Dezman Roebuck, and Rashid Willimas have combined for 99 receptions, 1,252 yards and 8 TDs. Those are all better numbers than Nebraska’s trio of Hunter, Gilmer and Barney.

TE Baron Naone has 19 receptions for 269 yards and 2 TDs, making him almost twice as productive as the Husker’s Luke Lindenmeyer.  So, if the Huskies offensive line can give Brown time to stand in the pocket, he’s talented enough to utilize a strong receiving corps to cause the Blackshirts problems.

5-2 Blackshirts

I’ve had several people tell me to stop calling them the Blackshirts, that they should have them taken away. That’s how upset people are about the Indiana and Oregon losses. It’s easy to point to the defense and blame them, and that’s understandable.

There isn’t a football fan in Nebraska who is old enough to identify colors that didn’t think there should have been an all-out blitz on Dylan Raiola. I mean duh…duh…and duh.

But that’s in the past, Rob Aurich learned his lesson and his version of the Blackshirts is so much better than what we were watching last season it’s laughable. The only concern now is the loss of defensive end Anthony Jones Jr. and potentially Vincent Shavers Jr.

Jones wasn’t setting the world on fire with his pass rush, but we haven’t seen anyone lock down the edge like he has. And his leadership is second only to Owen Chmabliss. There is talent behind Jones in Kade Pietrzak, but he’ll need to stay disciplined if Demond Willimas is at QB. Willimas’s legs are lethal and he cannot be allowed to get outside.

Shavers is part of a three-man rotation with Chambliss and Foster that has been effective all season. If Shavers can’t go one would have to think we’ll see Dawson Merritt. But Merritt hasn’t made a single appearance in the last two games, which is more than puzzling.

As of now Nebraska’s defensive unit is strong across the front, stronger at the second tier and downright nuclear on the back end. Watching corners Andrew Marshall and Vince Evans lock down the corners while Dewayne McDougle III, Donavan Jones, and Caleb Benning blow people up with car wreck tackles gets the blood pumping.

The Blackshirts only allow 271.3 total yards and 15 points a game. They give up less than 100 yards a game rushing and have logged 47 tackles for a loss, 19 sacks, 7 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries over seven games.

On Saturday night they will be jacked up and ready to make a statement after the last two games. This game…the Blackout…it’s all about the Blackshirts.

The Anthony Colandrea Show

Anthony Colandrea has been Nebraska’s leading rusher in the last three games, a trend that is troubling. The Huskers must unveil a running game against Washington to have success. They’ve only rushed for 2.9 yards per carry over the last two games, or 206 yards on 72 carries. That won’t cut it.

Geep Wade and EJ Barthel must get it figured out. Wade must get his guys firing off the ball and moving people and Barthels must find that running back who can make his own holes when needed. The Huskers have moved the ball throwing until teams realize they aren’t a threat running. Then they drop back, put a spy on Colandrea and shut the Huskers down.

Holgorsen suggested this week that the wide outs aren’t blocking as they did last season. Hopefully we’ll see improvement there and the passing game can get going as well.

Holgorsen also said it’s a race to 21points in the Big Ten, however, I’m not sure being first to 21 against Washington is enough. Nebraska has yet to play a full four quarters of football this season and much of that is due to being unable to adjust.

Holgorsen called his best game since he’s been at Nebraska in the first half against Indiana. That’s what we need to see again. Only this time for four full quarters. Nebraska comes in and finds success with plan ‘A’, but once the defense goes to plan ‘B’, the Huskers fail to have answers. That must change.

Nebraska averages 430 total yards and 35.6 points per game. But those numbers have dropped each week since Big Ten play.

Siccing the Huskies on the Huskers

Washington allows 331 yards and 22.7 yards per game, 131 of that is rushing. They have a strong defensive front and watch for Ramzak Fruean at defensive end and Derek Coleman-Brusa on the interior. Their linebackers are active and athletic. Between Jacob Manua and Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, the pair has 70 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

But much like Nebraska, the strength of Washington’s defense lies in their secondary with safeties Alex McLaughlin and Ryan Dillard-Allen. The pair has registered 80 tackles, 53 solos, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble. McLaughlin was listed as probable on the injury report, so that will be something to watch for.

The Huskies started out 3-0 and then dropped their next three games in Big Ten conference play, losing to Minnesota, USC, and Iowa. Iowa took it to the Huskies, rushing for 263 total yards and a 6.9 yard per carry average. But that isn’t the norm, Washington typically allows 131 yards rushing per game at 3.8 yards per clip.

Final Outcome

There isn’t a bone in my body that sees a loss against Washington during a Blackout game in Lincoln on Halloween. It’s unimaginable to me and as a fan that’s dangerous.

Matt Rhule isn’t exactly the man of the hour in Nebraska, and if the Huskers drop the Blackout game going into November there will be plenty of concern about the rest of the season.

Nebraska looked unstoppable until halftime of the Indiana game. Then the second half started and they had no answers for the Hoosiers adjustments. For three quarters against Oregon, they couldn’t run the ball but looked like they might still win. Then the fourth quarter started and they once again showed an inability to adjust. The loss to the Ducks was more than heartbreaking, it was the kind of loss that can make or break a team.

The Huskers needed a bye week to not only heal up from bumps and bruises but to get over the mental hangover of losing games that looked like sure wins.

Something must change because many fans see Rhule as a .500 coach, and until he proves otherwise – he is. It’s now or never for Rhule.

As for the Huskers, everything is still in front of them.

GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!

Photos courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home - Falls City Journal - Falls City, NE

Stats gathered from ESPN - Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.

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