2026 MAC Football Week 1 Game Preview: Ohio Bobcats at Nebraska Cornhuskers

With training camps in the rearview mirror, and week 1 upon us, the internet and airwaves are buzzing with football talk.

Setting the stage for Nebraska fans are folks like former Nebraska All-American defensive lineman Adam Carriker on his radio show of the same name on 93.7 FM "The Ticket."

In a recent broadcast, Carriker referred to the game against the Ohio Bobcats as "The Frank Solich Bowl," a tongue-in-cheek, affectionate nod to the College Football Hall of Fame coach and player who was instrumental to the success of both programs.

And while no hardware will exchange hands after the final gun sounds, fans will be treated to the opening salvo of two proud programs in the opening week of a promising season for both squads.

Game notes

• Date and Time: Saturday, Sept. 5th, 2026 at Noon Eastern time (11am Central)
• Location: Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, conditions will be partly sunny and around 87 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff; high of 96.
• TV: The game will air nationally on FS1. A valid subscription is required.
• Streaming options: The game will be available via the Fox Sports App. A valid subscription is required for viewing. Other applicable cable/satellite streaming services are also available with a valid subscription. Other streaming carriers include Sling, DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, or YouTube TV.
• Radio/online: Ohio call features Marty Banister (play-by-play) and Rob Cornelius (color) for flagship station WXTQ-105.5 FM (Athens) and the Varsity Network. Nebraska features Kyle Crooks (play-by-play) and Jay Moore (color) with Jessica Coody (sidelines) for Huskers Radio Network.
• Gambling Considerations: Nebraska is the home favorite by 24.5 points, per Covers.
• All-Time Series: First-ever meeting.

Coach Quote of The Week

Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, when asked about the depth chart:

"I haven't even looked at it. I mean I kinda know what it is in my head... I told our unit this yesterday, position battles will remain ongoing...just go out there and play like crap and you'll see what it does... It may happen in the first drive– if I see some garbage out there, I may just say, "you get in"..."Its just kinda how I operate and depth chart is a good starting point.. we got a few position battles ongoing..."

Nebraska Outlook

The Scarlet and Cream are entering their fourth season under head coach Matt Rhule. Prior to Rhule's arrival in 2023, the Huskers were 19-37– but things are looking up with back-to-back 7-6 seasons and a roster and coaching staff filled to the brim with experience and talent.

Looking to take the next step towards a conference championship and beyond, Rhule and company made some key changes on both sides of the ball which they hope will make an immediate difference.

Defensively, the 2026 squad is led by a new coordinator in rising star Rob Aurich. The new DC began his career in Division II, with highly successful stops as a defensive coordinator, linebackers, and special teams coach in the FCS and FBS. As San Diego State's defensive coordinator last season, the Aztecs ranked sixth nationally 15.4 points per game. Husker fans hope Aurich's success in the 4-2-5 look translates to Nebraska in 2026, as San Diego State 2025 squad was nationally elite, ranking third in red zone defense and 32nd in sacks. (Nebraska finished 133rd and 98th, respectively.)

Leading the charge on the back end of Aurich's defense are returning players like cornerback Andrew Marshall, who started all 13 games in 2025, recognized as honorable-mention All-Big Ten, as well as transfer backer Owen Chambliss, a six-foot-three, 235 lb. linbeacker who arrives after clinching first-team all-Mountain West honors with the Aztecs in 2025.

Offensively, Nebraska is led by coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who has plenty of success, winning 92 games as a head coach for West Virginia and Houston, with successful stops as quarterback coach and offensive coordinator dating back to 1993. Under his charge, the Huskers scored 28.7 points per game last season.

Dylan Raiola is out after transferring to Oregon, and Anthony Colandrea, a UNLV transfer, is in at QB. Ohio fans will be familiar with Colandrea's talents; he played the Bobbies in the 2025 Frisco Bowl, and showed off elite athleticism and a big arm as a dual-threat player.

Colandrea has thrown for over 7,500 yards, 49 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in his three seasons on a 64 percent completion percentage, with an additional 1,151 yards rushing and 12 rushing touchdowns.

There will be plenty of options this year for Nebraska's QBs, starting with an experienced, and talented wideout room, which runs at least 4-5 deep. The Huskers return their leading receiver from last season in Nyziah Hunter, who has appeared in 24 career games, with 83 catches for almost 1,200 yards. Added to Hunter and company is UCLA transfer Kwazi Gilmer, who over 80 career catches for almost 900 yards.

In 2026, the Huskers move on from running back Emmett Johnson, who recently made the Kansas City Chiefs roster having been drafted in the fifth round this year. Nebraska starts the season with a by-committee approach, as three players will get a shot including returnees Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson, with talented true freshman Jamal Rule in the mix.

The new O-line coach has plenty of talent to work with, having a deep roster of plug-and-play lineman led by 2026 Rimington Award Nominee center Justin Evans, who has logged 38 games in the last three years on the interior line, including time at left guard. Iowa transfer Brandon Black (36 games) and LSU transfer Paul Mubenga (20 games) flank Evans in the interior, with the huskers expecting to rotate tackles.

For special teams, Nebraska return their punter and kicker from 2025 and should be solid here. Notably, wideout Jacory Barney Jr. also returns to field punts and kickoffs and was a third-team All-Big Ten returner last year.

Ohio outlook

Amidst a sea of change, Ohio continues to roll on, looking to contend for the 2026 MAC title.

Ohio's program seems built to weather adversity, as they won 40 games and four bowl games in the last four years despite massive portal turnover (true for many teams), while changing head coach for the third time in as many years. Ohio begins 2026 with new head coach John Hauser, promoted from defensive coordinator after the 2025 season.

Overall, the Bobcats continue under Hauser as primarily a developmental player program with key portal selections filling immediate needs or adding depth. The success of this approach will be tested in 2026, as Ohio fields an offense that has no returning starters from the 2025 opening week depth chart.

The Bobcats will continue to focus on the ground game, having led the Mid-American Conference in back-to-back seasons in rushing offense, averaging over 200 yards per contest. Those efforts begin with impact player Duncan Brune, who will assume the RB1 role this year after finishing 2025 with 120 attempts for 585 yards and eight touchdowns.

Ohio has traditionally used at least two backs on game day and feature a versatile, productive option in veteran UConn transfer Victor Rosa, who has over 1,400 career yards rushing and 17 touchdowns and 14 receptions.

Nick Poulos leads the QB room as the starter in 2026 after backing up Parker Navarro the last two seasons, including a start against Kentucky. Poulos has a solid set of tools, at six-foot-five, 235 lbs., with a strong arm, poise, and sufficient athleticism and power to run the ball. How those tools translate to gameday on a weekly basis remains to be seen.

Ohio starts essentially clean at receiver. Speedster sophomore Dom Dorwart leads the room alongside big target Eian Pugh. Riley Neer also Dorwart and Pugh in a starting role after impressing in spring and summer camps this year. Ohio's passing game ran through the slot receiver in the recent past, and that should be the case again this season. Keep an eye out for players like Kentucky transfer Preston Bowman to provide a spark as we head into the season.

Offensive line is also a mystery. The opening week starters vary in experience, with Gardner-Webb transfer CJ Dawson II (24 appearances in career) alongside four homegrown talents without starting experience in Jarian Shelby, Tigana Cisse, Bryce Parson and Seth Anstead. Offensive coordinator Scott Isphording has high praise for the interior pairing of Parson and Anstead, recently identifying them as leaders in the group during camps.

While the offense may or may not take time to gel, the defense should be ready to roll, particularly in the front six.

Kurt Mattix returns to Athens as defensive coordinator after a season away. While Mattix has run a 3-3-5 base at times, I wouldn't expect the 'Cats to roll into Lincoln this week with a fundamentally different defense than the multiple look Hauser ran.

The linebacker group returns key players who should be focused on making an impact this week. The group features WILL backer Jack Fries (54 tackles, three TFLs in '25) alongside sophomore MIKE Charlie Christopher, who had a breakout campaign as a true freshman, leading the linebacker group with 64 stops as a part-time starter. Michael Molnar (82 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks in career) returns, giving the 'Cats three proven options.

The 'Cats also appear to have quality starters and depth in front of the linebackers. Tackle Nehemiah Dukes returns after starting 13 games last year, logging a sack against West Virginia while clogging up the middle all year. Hybrid linebacker/defensive end transfer Tyler Gillison (Michigan State/Cincinnati) slots in as the JACK defensive end.

Notably, the depth chart suggests that two redshirt freshman could start on the defensive line in Omaha, Nebraska's own Ike Ackerman and nose tackle Ty Neubert. It's been over a decade since this was last the case for Ohio, with Kurt Laseak and Terrell Basham getting extended looks against Louisville in 2013.

Ackerman showed promise in the Frisco Bowl last year, finishing with five tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Rounding out the defensive line, players like Evan Herrmann and Nathan Hale are upperclassmen who could start or at least will be a significant part of the rotation.

Safety and two-time captain DJ Walker returns to quarterback the secondary and the quality of his play to date is recognized in nominations on prestigious preseason watch lists such as the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and Chuck Bednarik Award.

Ohio's new nickel is Holy Cross transfer Eli Thompson, whose experience and production should help the 'Cats out of the gate. Thompson's high impact performance in 2025 included 85 stops, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and four interceptions.

On the readiness of special teams for the season opener, Hauser used the work "consistent" this week to describe his teams. The 'Cats starting punter Magnus Haines returns after averaging over 42 yards per boot last season. Kicker Brack Peacock emerged from the kicker battle to start the season on field goal and PAT attempts while Kent State transfer Will Hryszko will handle kickoffs. Peacock may not be known to this point in his career for kicking power, but would be a boon over last year's unit if he can hit consistently from 40-yards and in. Halfback Victor Rosa figures to be part of the return rotation.

Outlook

There is really no way to predict how the Bobcats will do in week one given the sheer number of moving parts. The 'Cats track record of success and current coaches and roster suggest they should compete for a MAC title bid but, like most recent seasons, its a matter of when things gel.

What I'll be looking for are the hallmark signs of Bobcat football– some dating back to Frank Solich's arrival in 2005– which includes being physical, well-coached and establishing a solid running game.

The Bobcats have the pedigree to pull off upsets against high major opponents, as seen in triumphs against Iowa State (2023) and West Virginia (2025.)

For Nebraska, it is all in front of them. They have the talent and coaching to take things to the next level. They should be favorites in the first five games or so, including this week, but need to use every game rep not only to win but to improve if they are to thrive in the gauntlet that is the second half of the season when Nebraska plays five preseason top 25-ranked opponents including juggernauts like Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon.

All will begin to be revealed when the "Frank Solich Bowl" kicks off on Saturday.