Since Big Ten Media Days, there’s been plenty of talk about how difficult some members of the B1G are making their non-conference schedules. Some schools are taking Indiana's lead and canceling tough series against opponents like Notre Dame. Nebraska, however, looks like it’s going the other way.
Earlier this week, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen teased some of the schools he’s talked to about setting up future showdowns. While he didn’t share a ton of details, he did say he’s working on a Power 4 home-and-home series against an unnamed SEC program. Dannen might have also slipped and added another hint when he said it was a regional opponent.
Without the regional qualifier, it would make sense for Nebraska and Tennessee to work to restart the series that fell by the wayside back in February of 2025. At the time, the Huskers often said their non-conference slate was a bit tougher than some of their Power 4 contemporaries, and they needed to take some pressure off.
Since that series was dissolved, some schools that believe the CFP field will eventually expand have pushed to schedule more Power 4 opponents. It looks like the Huskers are among those who don’t love being called cowardly for only scheduling cupcakes on their non-conference slate.
Troy Dannen wants Nebraska football facing a Power 4 opponent every year in the 2030s
So who could the “regional” SEC team Dannen was talking about? It seems possible the Missouri Tigers could be on the horizon. No other SEC school really fits that bill without drastically altering what a region means.
There was once a time when Nebraska vs. Missouri was one of the longest-running rivalries in the sport, going all the way back to 1892. However, the two former Big 8 teams haven’t faced off since the Huskers left the Big 12 after the 2010 season.
Dannen's push to renew the rivalry makes sense not just for historical or geographical reasons, but because Matt Rhule and his staff have made the state of Missouri a recruiting priority again. Playing (and beating) the Tigers would give the Huskers another way to get a foothold in the area.
In addition to Missouri, Dannen might have another old Nebraska rival up his sleeve. The AD added that he’s always close to securing a home-and-home with a Power 4 team from outside the SEC. He didn’t tip his hand by mentioning the region this time, but it would make sense if he turned to the Big 12 and went for a series against Iowa State, Kansas, or Kansas State.
Much like Missouri, all three of those schools have long ties to Nebraska that were cut off after 2010. Husker fans would love to see any of the trio of programs again.
Just when Dannen plans to officially announce the new additions to the schedule is unknown. There’s slightly more information on when these games will be played, as the Nebraska AD said he wants to work things out so that “we’ll have a Power 4 team every year out through the 2030s.”
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