Nebraska Football 2026: Projected Starters, ESPN Ticker Controversy, and Volleyball Triumph

As the 2026 college football season looms, Nebraska Cornhuskers fans are buzzing with anticipation. With the opener against Ohio on September 5th just days away, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk has been poring over the latest reports and insider whispers to bring you a comprehensive projection of the day-one starters for Dana Holgorsen's offense and Tony White's defense. But that's not all—ESPN's recent decision to remove the bottom-line ticker has sparked a firestorm, and Nebraska volleyball just made history in Arlington. Let's dive into the full story.

Offensive Projections: The Running Back Conundrum

While most positions on offense are locked in, the running back spot remains a tantalizing mystery. Anthony Colandrea, the quarterback, was confirmed as the starter last week—a decision that surprised no one. The real intrigue lies in the backfield, where Isaiah Mozee, Jamal Rule, and Mekhi Nelson are all vying for the starting nod. According to camp whispers, Mozee has shown significant improvement, but Rule is nipping at his heels. The opening drive against Ohio may hinge on the offensive coordinator's play-calling, but our sources suggest Mozee gets the first crack.

At tight end, Luke Lindenmeyer stands head and shoulders above the rest—so much so that coaches have hinted at using four-wide sets if the room doesn't step up. The offensive line was nearly settled until Tree Babalade's injury, which opened the door for Gunnar Gottula to seize the right tackle spot. With Elijah Pritchett and Paul Mubenga anchoring the left side, this unit looks formidable.

Defensive Projections: Depth and Talent

Defensively, head coach Matt Rhule has called the defensive end group the deepest on the team. Cameron Lenhardt is a lock, but the other end spot could go to any of Williams Nwaneri, Kade Pietrzak, Jordan Ochoa, or Willis McGahee IV. Riley Van Poppel is penciled in at defensive tackle, with Jahsear Whittington and Owen Stoudmire battling for the other spot. True freshman Dylan Berymon, a 6'2", 350-pound monster, could see rotational snaps.

At linebacker, Owen Chambliss, Vincent Shavers, and Dexter Foster are in a three-way tie, but Chambliss is the leader when healthy. The secondary features Andrew Marshall at cornerback, with Victor Evans—a transfer from Florida International—making waves. Five-star freshman Danny Odem has impressed, and safeties Dwayne McDougle, Jamir Conn, and Donovan Jones round out the 4-2-5 scheme.

ESPN's Ticker Removal: A Misstep or a Masterstroke?

ESPN's decision to eliminate the bottom-line ticker for college football games has drawn sharp criticism. The network claims it's for a "cleaner" format, but many fans and analysts see it as a move to keep viewers locked into SEC/ACC broadcasts, preventing them from flipping to more competitive Big Ten matchups. The Vulius Sports team believes this is a short-sighted move that could alienate fans who rely on the ticker for real-time scores and news. As J.D. PicKell tweeted, "I'm gonna miss the ticker. Don't care who disagrees."

Nebraska Volleyball Makes History in Dallas

In a historic event, No. 1 Nebraska volleyball won the inaugural Spikes Under the Lights exhibition at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The Huskers dominated No. 11 SMU in the finals, 21-12, 21-11, and took home $350,000 in NIL. Teraya Sigler led with seven kills, and Harper Murray added six. The event marked the first women's volleyball matches in an NFL stadium, and Nebraska's performance was nothing short of spectacular.

As the season approaches, Nebraska football fans have plenty to be excited about—both on the gridiron and the volleyball court. Stay tuned to Vulius for in-depth analysis and updates throughout the 2026 season.