Nebraska’s 2027 football schedule could look significantly different by the time the season arrives as the Cornhuskers prepare for the possibility of a major change in the college football landscape.
Athletic director Troy Dannen revealed this week that Nebraska is actively evaluating adjustments to its future schedule as discussions continue surrounding a potential expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams beginning in 2027. Should that proposal move forward, the Big Ten is expected to join the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 in requiring its members to play 10 games against Power Four opponents each season.
That change would force Nebraska to alter its current 2027 slate, which presently includes three non-conference games: a season-opening neutral-site matchup against Miami (Ohio) on Aug. 27 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, followed by home games against Northern Illinois on Sept. 4 and Northern Iowa on Sept. 18.
Nebraska already has nine Big Ten games scheduled in 2027, giving the Huskers nine contests against power-conference competition. To satisfy a potential 10-game Power Four requirement, the program would need to replace one of its current nonconference opponents with a Power Four foe.
“Our schedule will change next year,” Dannen said during an appearance on Sports Nightly. “We’ve talked to all of our nonconference opponents and told them that we’re going to end up dropping a game and picking up a Power Four game. And we may need you to move weeks. The game in Kansas City may not be Miami of Ohio when it’s all said and done.”
Nebraska’s 2027 conference schedule already presents a formidable challenge. The Huskers are slated to host Minnesota, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers and Iowa while traveling to Ohio State, Washington, Wisconsin and Northwestern. Adding another Power Four opponent would further strengthen what could become one of the program’s most demanding schedules in recent years.
According to Dannen, the Big Ten is already discussing various scheduling possibilities as schools across the conference work to meet future requirements.
“So the Big Ten is working through that right now,” Dannen said. “I’ve had three or four conversations about different opponents. And it’s not necessarily just people that don’t have the 10th Power Four game. There may be some wheeling and dealing to get other matchups set, freeing someone else up and putting that together.”
The uncertain future of Nebraska’s neutral-site opener in Kansas City is among the most intriguing aspects of the scheduling discussion. The matchup was originally designed to provide the Huskers with an additional revenue opportunity while maintaining eight total home games.
“And so we had eight home games. One of those we took to Kansas City because the gate, and the extra of being a larger venue, was going to help us meet the bottom line financially,” Dannen said. “But I think all bets are off right now. I still expect to have eight home games, and we still need to meet our budget. But there’s a buyout that’s going to have to happen because of an opponent, and someone that’s coming in here is probably not going to want to come in here as a one-off. It may be the front end of a home-and-home.”
Dannen indicated a resolution could be coming sooner rather than later.
“But I would certainly hope by the time we get to Thanksgiving weekend that all of this is put to bed and we’re going to have a little bit different schedule than we thought a couple months ago.”
While no replacement opponent has been identified publicly, Nebraska’s scheduling puzzle reflects a broader shift taking shape across college football. If the CFP expands to 24 teams and conferences move toward stronger scheduling requirements, schools throughout the Power Four will be forced to reevaluate future schedules years in advance.
For Nebraska, that process is already underway, and the Huskers’ 2027 schedule appears increasingly likely to include a new marquee opponent before it is finalized.
Future Nebraska Football Schedules