If you’re checking your phone or refreshing your feed to see who won the husker football game today, I have some news that might be a little jarring.
There wasn't a game.
It’s January 16, 2026. The pads are in storage. Memorial Stadium is quiet, likely dusted with a layer of Nebraska frost. We are officially in the "dead zone" of the college football calendar, that weird space between the bowl season hangover and the hype of spring practice.
The last time the Huskers actually suited up was New Year’s Eve, and honestly, most fans are still trying to scrub that memory from their brains. Nebraska faced off against the No. 15 Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl. It started like a dream and ended like a total nightmare. Nebraska jumped out to a 14-7 lead, but then the wheels didn’t just come off—they disintegrated. Utah went on a 37-0 tear, and the Huskers eventually limped out of Vegas with a 44-22 loss.
So, if you’re looking for a score from "today," the only thing winning right now is the transfer portal and the coaching carousel.
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The Current State of Husker Football
While there isn’t a game on the field, Matt Rhule is playing a high-stakes game of roster Tetris. The biggest headline hitting the wires this week isn't a final score; it's the fact that the face of the program, Dylan Raiola, has officially entered the transfer portal.
That hurts. It’s the kind of news that makes a Saturday morning feel like a loss even when nobody is playing.
Losing a five-star quarterback who was supposed to be the "chosen one" changes everything for the 2026 outlook. But while the "who won" question has a depressing answer for the bowl game, Rhule is busy trying to win the offseason. He’s already been aggressive, bringing in names like TJ Lateef, who actually showed some real flashes of talent during that messy Las Vegas Bowl. Lateef went 15-of-28 for 182 yards and accounted for two late touchdowns. He’s got mobility, and in Rhule’s system, that might actually be the spark they need to get over the 7-6 hump.
What the 2025 Season Actually Told Us
You can't talk about who won or lost without looking at the 7-6 record Nebraska just posted. On one hand, it’s a winning season. On the other, the way it ended felt like a step backward.
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The Huskers had some massive moments in 2025:
- They absolutely demolished Akron 68-0.
- They gutted out a 34-31 win against Maryland on the road.
- They showed some grit beating UCLA 28-21 in Pasadena.
But the losses to Iowa (40-16) and Penn State (37-10) showed a massive gap between Nebraska and the Big Ten elite. It’s frustrating. You see the potential, then you see the blowouts.
Why the Offseason is the Real Competition Now
Since you can't find a score for who won the husker football game today, you have to look at the "wins" in recruiting and coaching. Rhule has been shaking up the staff. We’ve seen the arrival of Rob Aurich as the new Defensive Coordinator and Roy Manning taking over the Edge rushers.
The defense was actually a bright spot for much of 2025, finishing as a top 10 pass defense. Keeping guys like Donovan Jones—who had a monster freshman year with 59 tackles—is a huge "win" for the program’s stability. Jones confirmed he’s staying in Lincoln for 2026, which is exactly the kind of news fans need right now.
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What's Next for the Big Red?
If you're itching for Husker sports today, you should probably pivot to the hardwood or the wrestling mat. The No. 8 Nebraska men’s basketball team is currently 17-0 and looking like a legitimate juggernaut, coming off a 90-55 demolition of Oregon. They play Northwestern tomorrow.
For football, the "win" today would be a big-time offensive lineman committing from the portal or a new QB1 announcing his arrival in Lincoln.
Next Steps for Husker Fans:
- Track the Portal: Keep a close eye on the quarterback situation. With Raiola gone, the staff is likely looking for a veteran bridge or going all-in on Lateef’s development.
- Spring Game Prep: Mark your calendars for April. That’s the next time you’ll see meaningful snaps at Memorial Stadium.
- Support the Basketball Team: If you want to see a winning Husker team right now, the basketball squad is providing the dopamine hits football couldn't quite deliver in December.
The score today isn't on a scoreboard. It’s in the recruiting offices and the weight room. We’ll see if these offseason "wins" actually translate to points on the board come August.