Nebraska's biggest upset dream suddenly has some experts looking like believers

While Nebraska has an absolute gauntlet of a schedule in 2026, the Huskers’ game against Indiana continues to be brought up by more than a few analysts as one that could be a massive upset for Matt Rhule and Co. The latest talking heads to decide that the Cornhuskers could pull off the upset in Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium also believe that if they do, the shocker would be one of the biggest of the entire 2026 season.

On a recent episode of the Crain & Cone podcast, Jake Crain laid out his top five upsets of the upcoming season. He also made it clear that it’s the quarterbacks that could make the difference if the Huskers do find a way to pull off a big win over the Hoosiers.

“Indiana, at Nebraska, October 10th. And here's why. I'm high on Colandrea. Y'all know that. I'm don't get pulled over high on Colandrea,” Crain said. “Okay, that's how high I am on him. But also, if you look at the way this schedule works out, okay, with Ohio State, this is right before Indiana plays Ohio State. The week before, you go on the road to Nebraska; Boneyard's going to be rattling. I think Nebraska...new quarterback! Right? Josh Hoover. We'll see. We'll see.”

While it didn’t seem like the other analysts totally believed in what Crain was selling, they did think it was interesting that the Huskers are now going for one of the season’s biggest upsets. That massive upset potentially being against an Indiana program that hadn’t just been mediocre, but mostly bad for the last four or five decades.

Nebraska football gains more upset buzz for Indiana showdown

“How fun is it in college football? You know we're in a new era when you're picking an upset in Indiana, Nebraska. And it's Indiana. And it's Indiana to lose.”

Crain is far from the first person to pinpoint that game as one that might be especially interesting, given that the Hoosiers might be looking past Nebraska and the game against Ohio State the next week.

Earlier this spring, CBS Sports’ Austin Nivison also said he believed the Huskers could take advantage of the Hoosiers taking the Cornhuskers too lightly.

"In their quest to repeat as national champions," Nivison wrote at the time. "The Hoosiers have to replace a number of key pieces, not the least of which is Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. This road trip to Nebraska should be the first real test for a new-look Indiana squad -- and it comes right before consecutive games against Ohio State and Michigan."

If the Huskers have any chance of actually getting the win, they’ll need their transfer quarterback to outduel Indiana’s transfer QB. Anthony Colandrea comes to NU after one season at UNLV, where he threw for 3,459 yards, 23 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while rushing for 649 yards and another 10 touchdowns.

IU’s Josh Hoover comes to Bloomington after a very solid career at TCU. Last year, he threw for 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. There are plenty of people who believe he could be another Fernando Mendoza with Curt Cignetti’s crew. If he falls short of that, Nebraska could benefit.

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