The Michigan Wolverines and Nebraska Cornhuskers meet on Saturday to open their Big Ten conference schedule, and the Cornhuskers have a chance to end a significant losing streak.
Nebraska has not faired well against AP Top 25 teams in the last decade, losing 27 straight games. The Cornhuskers have not beat a Top 25 team since 2016.
However, under third-year head coach Matt Rhule, Nebraska has a chance to end that streak on Saturday when it welcomes No. 22 Michigan to Lincoln.
Can Nebraska End Its Streak Against Michigan?
Nebraska has started the season 3-0 and enters Big Ten play with a lot of confidence and expectation.
Rhule led the Cornhuskers to a winning season last year for the first time since 2016. That was also the last time Nebraska beat a Top 25 team.
The Cornhuskers went 9-4 in 2016, and then went seven straight years with a losing record. Rhule took over in 2024, and has improved Nebraska’s record each year, and now has the Cornhuskers off to a strong 3-0 start in 2025.
Michigan and Nebraska is the biggest toss-up of Week 4.
Who ya got? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/xSoUwHaD96
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 19, 2025
On the other side, Michigan went 15-0 and won the national championship in 2023 and took a step back in 2024. Now, the Wolverines, led by freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood are looking to rebound in 2025.
Michigan suffered its first loss of the season to No. 11 Oklahoma in week 2 and then bounced back last week with a dominant win over Central Michigan ahead of Big Ten play this week.
The win moved Michigan up to No. 22 and set up an opportunity for Nebraska to continue its strong start to the 2025 season by ending its losing streak against Top 25 teams.
Nebraska is 0-27 in their last 27 games vs ranked opponents
They haven’t beat a Top 25 team since 2016 pic.twitter.com/Dbn5R3WSzg
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) September 19, 2025
Cornhuskers’ quarterback Dylan Raiola has thrown for more than 800 yards and eight touchdowns, with zero interceptions through three games, and Nebraska has given up 24 total points.
Michigan looked strong last week against Central Michigan, and Underwood broke out for over 100 yards on the ground. If he continues his breakout from last week, the Cornhuskers will have a lot to handle on Saturday.
The Wolverines lead the all-time series 8-4-1, and have won each of the last four matchups. The last time Nebraska beat Michigan in Lincoln was in 2012 and the Wolverines were ranked No. 20 in the nation.
However, Rhule has the belief high in Nebraska, and the Cornhuskers’ quarterback has found his own groove. With history on the line, and Michigan traveling to Memorial Stadium, the Wolverines might be on upset alert in Lincoln, Nebraska.
