Nebraska football coaches say they're comfortable with where the running back room is, but it's clear that College Football analysts aren't so sure.
CFP Bracketologist Tyler Budge (otherwise known as CFBudge released his Big Ten running back rankings on social media recently, and the Huskers' entry left a lot to be desired. If the analyst is right, NU better be able to find some running game by going with a committee approach, or its quarterback, Anthony Colandrea.
Isaiah Mozee and Nebraska football got a harsh Big Ten running back reality check
Budge made it clear that his rankings are based on who he believes will be each team's RB1, and there's only one running back per team. That doesn't make Isaiah Mozee No. 17 on a list of 18 players any less painful or worrisome.
My 2026 Big Ten Starting Running Back Power Rankings.
— CFBudge (@CF_Budge) April 29, 2026
Please note that this is the RB1 for each team, so no more than one player per team is on this list.
Who will be the best RB in the Big Ten this year? pic.twitter.com/POyYLFCkRQ
Nebraska football may need a committee approach to prove running back doubters wrong
Granted, it's not a given that Mozee, who joined the Huskers as a wide receiver and moved to running back last year, will be RB1 in Lincoln. Freshman Jamal Rule had a very good spring practice session. There's also Mekhi Nelson and Kwinten Ives competing for the starting spot, as well as any playing time at all.
The bad news continues to be not only that Budge believes Mozee is the best of the bunch, but that still makes Nebraska almost dead last in the Big Ten rankings. Only Washington's Jayden Limar is ranked lower than the Huskers' running back.
What makes this ranking and Nebraska being so low even more painful is that there are going to be a ton of new starting running backs. The Cornhuskers better hope Budge is wrong, and their stable of backs can be better than 17th in the Big Ten if it wants to get back to a bowl game in 2026.
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