Nebraska football has once again made headlines, this time for canceling its scheduled home-and-home series with Tennessee in 2026 and 2027. While some fans and critics may lament the loss of a marquee non-conference matchup, the reality is that this decision will likely be forgotten in a few months. And frankly, it might be the right move for Nebraska in the current era of college football.
We’ve seen this movie before. When Tennessee postponed the original 2016-2017 series to play Virginia Tech in a one-of-a-kind game at Bristol Motor Speedway, it made sense. That was a unique opportunity for Tennessee, and few begrudged them for taking it. Now, Nebraska has done something similar, but under different circumstances—ones rooted in pragmatism rather than spectacle.
Conference Realignment Has Changed Everything
When Nebraska first signed this contract in 2006, the landscape of college football looked entirely different. Nebraska was in the Big 12, playing annual matchups against Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Oklahoma State. A high-profile game against an SEC opponent was an exciting out-of-conference challenge.
Fast forward to today: Nebraska is in the Big Ten, a conference that now includes USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon—teams with which Nebraska has significant historical ties. The Huskers’ schedule is no longer centered around familiar Big 12 foes; instead, they must navigate a brutal Big Ten slate featuring traditional blue-bloods like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State, along with their new West Coast rivals.
Suddenly, the need for a heavyweight non-conference opponent like Tennessee becomes less of a priority. Instead of treating these early-season games as resume-builders, Nebraska must focus on self-preservation and maximizing wins.
Winning Should Be the Priority—Not Scheduling Marquee Matchups
If Nebraska is serious about rebuilding its program, lightening the schedule is a no-brainer. It’s a strategy that has been used successfully by top programs for years. Alabama, Georgia, and even Ohio State have strategically mixed in Group of Five opponents to ensure their teams stay fresh and enter conference play at full strength.
The reality is that playing Tennessee—an SEC opponent with a passionate fan base and a likely primetime slot—creates unnecessary risks:
- Physical toll: Even in victory, SEC matchups leave teams battered and bruised.
- Emotional impact: A high-stakes, high-energy game could lead to an emotional hangover affecting future performances.
- Potential early loss: A September loss can set the tone for the rest of the season, especially for a team still trying to regain its footing.
Wouldn’t Nebraska rather enter late September at 3-0, healthy, and confident, rather than potentially limping into Big Ten play after a bruising battle with Tennessee?
Big Ten Expansion Softens the Blow
For fans who are disappointed about losing a Tennessee matchup, there’s some good news: Nebraska’s future schedules are already loaded with high-profile games.
With USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington joining the Big Ten, Nebraska will regularly face teams that, in the past, would have been major non-conference games. There’s plenty of tradition to embrace:
- USC – A historical powerhouse and blue-blood.
- UCLA – A long-time West Coast rival with memorable past meetings.
- Washington – A team Nebraska has seen in bowl games and non-conference battles.
- Oregon – An exciting, high-paced team that adds flair to the conference.
From a season-ticket holder’s perspective, these regular-season matchups bring plenty of value without needing extra non-conference blockbusters.
Conclusion: A Smart Move for the Bigger Picture
Yes, it’s disappointing to lose a Nebraska-Tennessee matchup. These kinds of non-conference games are what make college football special. However, Nebraska is making the right move for its long-term success.
In the new era of Big Ten football, winning should be the top priority. That means adjusting to the realities of scheduling and playing the long game. Nebraska’s season-ticket value remains strong, and if they can enter Big Ten play undefeated and healthy, this decision will be viewed as a necessary, strategic step forward.
So, while it’s okay to be frustrated, Nebraska fans should also see the bigger picture. The Huskers will have plenty of big games in the future—just in a way that gives them a better chance to win.
And in today’s college football landscape, winning is what matters most.