Nebraska’s 31-game nightmare could finally end against defending champion Indiana

Nebraska’s 31-game nightmare could finally end against defending champion Indiana originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Nebraska football has spent a decade trying to get back to games like this one.

Undefeated. Nationally relevant. A top-10 opponent coming to Lincoln. And an opportunity to erase one of the ugliest streaks attached to the program.

Nebraska enters Saturday's showdown with No. 7 Indiana at 5-0, its best start since 2016. The Cornhuskers also haven't defeated a ranked opponent since that same season.

That's 31 consecutive losses against AP Top 25 opponents. Nebraska's last ranked victory came against No. 22 Oregon on Sept. 17, 2016. Saturday offers a chance to finally reset the counter.

Nebraska has done more than just reach 5-0

Matt Rhule's team hasn't needed close-game luck to remain unbeaten. Nebraska has won each of its first five games by at least 18 points.

Big Noon Showdown. 🗓️ 10.10.26 ⏰ 11:00 AM CT 🏟️ Memorial Stadium vs Indiana 📺 @CFBONFOX https://t.co/VvtLWDISqH

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) October 5, 2026

The Cornhushers are averaging 43.6 points per game while surrendering just 14.2. They also showed an encouraging ability to respond to adversity Saturday against Maryland.

Nebraska trailed 23-14 in the second quarter before scoring the game's final 34 points in a 48-23 victory.

There was one major concern. The Cornhuskers committed 16 penalties for 132 yards. Those mistakes are difficult to survive against anyone.

Against Indiana, they could be fatal.

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Indiana brings its own remarkable streak

Nebraska isn't the only undefeated team entering Memorial Stadium. Indiana is 5-0. The defending national champions have won 21 consecutive games and are coming off a 47-15 rout of Rutgers. That makes Saturday much more than Nebraska's latest opportunity to beat a ranked opponent.

It's an opportunity to announce that the Cornhuskers are legitimately back in the national conversation.

Nebraska hasn't defeated a top-10 opponent since beating No. 6 Michigan State in 2015. Rhule doesn't need a victory Saturday to prove his rebuild is working.

The 5-0 start already provides plenty of evidence. But beating the defending national champions, improving to 6-0 and snapping a 31-game losing streak against ranked opponents would change the conversation dramatically.

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Nebraska has spent 10 years waiting for another victory like that. Saturday might finally be the day.