The Nebraska football team has a couple of openings on its schedule over the next few years, and it looks like a few teams are lining up to fill them. Unfortunately, anyone who was hoping those openings would be filled by other P4 teams (let alone old rivals like Colorado) will be disappointed.
According to Justin Frommer of the Omaha World-Herald, at least three schools have contacted the Huskers about filling a specific hole in the non-conference schedule for the 2029 season. Should one of those teams manage to fill out that spot, there is also an opening for 2030, should the Cornhuskers decide their inquiries are attractive.
Nebraska’s schedules for the moment are locked down for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Northern Illinois, Miami (OH) and Northern Iowa are the Huskers’ non-conference opponents for next season. 2028 has UTEP, South Dakota State and then an actual P4 opponent in Arizona coming to Lincoln. But 2029 has just Nevada and Oklahoma locked down. Georgia State, Eastern Illinois and Murray State have all reportedly reached out about a potential game in Lincoln during the 2029 season, according to records the paper acquired.
So far, it doesn’t appear the Huskers have agreed to a deal with any of the three teams, though any of them would fit the bill for how NU is operating right now. In 2029, NU has a Power Four opponent on the schedule in Oklahoma, so the other two opponents will either be Group of 6 or FCS squads.
Georgia State, Eastern Illinois and Murray State eye Nebraska football schedule
Georgia State, from the Sun Belt Conference, or Eastern Illinois and Murray State from the FCS would all fit the hole in the 2029 schedule. In fact, if that season follows the pattern, it seems likely that Eastern Illinois and Murray State will be the picks. Meanwhile, with the Sooners again and South Dakota State already locked down for the 2030 campaign, the Huskers’ patterns might slot in Georgia State there.
While Nebraska and other Big Ten programs have taken heat for not scheduling a bunch of Power 4 opponents on their non-conference slate, the Huskers have been pretty good at keeping at least one on there most years. They backed out of a deal with Tennessee, though just why and who blew up the deal are still up for debate. NU has alleged they simply wanted to adjust the years, and the Volunteers canceled the series entirely.
Whether Georgia State, Eastern Illinois or Murray State get onto Nebraska’s schedule, it won’t be all that exciting for Husker fans. However, making sure there’s some cupcakes available to pad the resume is nothing new, and it just happens to be a necessity in the College Football Playoff era.
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