This website tracks total FBS/FCS production and career snaps in the portal era. For instance, we know Team X might have graduated 15 players, but what type of experience and production did they add or NOT add:
dawgstats.speakeasysports.com
Other things of note:
Here are the Big Ten Ranks in combined returning and total Production for both sides of the ball (Husker opponents bolded):
1. UCLA
2. Nebraska
3. Indiana
4. Ohio State
5. USC
6. Washington
7. Michigan State
8. Minnesota
9. Illinois
10. Oregon
11. Purdue
12. Maryland
13. Penn State
14. Wisconsin
15. Cockeye
16. Northwestern
17. Michigan
18. Rutgers
This very cool website also tracks where the transfers came from, and what they did at that previous program. So I am adding FCS transfers to these totals above, become IMO, sometimes the total production or snaps can be a bit misleading based on the level where the player was previously.
FCS transfers for Big Ten schools:
UCLA - 4
Nebraska - 1 (Jasin Shigs from Towson)
Indiana - 1
Ohio State - 0
USC - 0
Washington - 2
Michigan State - 6 from FCS, 1 from D2
Minnesota - 1
Illinois - 4
Oregon - 1
Purdue - 4
Maryland - 1
Penn State - 2
Wisconsin - 2
Cockeye - 6
Northwestern - 2
Michigan - 1
Rutgers - 4
Now, the FCS distinction really means two things. A program like Oregon signed an FCS Offensive tackle, and he got paid. Dude is a future NFL player. If Oregon is going to that level, that means the dude is good. I will also give a program like Cockeye the benefit of the doubt when they go to the FCS level to sign a Defensive Tackle. Bottom line is that dude is probably pretty good if Cockeye wants to sign him. However, there is the oppositte in the case of Michigan State. They are hurting for numbers and had to take a flyer on some dudes.
Some closing thoughts after a very long post:
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College football advanced statistics, CFP resume rankings, game previews, box scores, and AI-powered matchup analysis. Comprehensive analytics for Power 4 teams with 60+ advanced metrics.
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- Huskers are 6th combined for Offense and Defense returning production which tracks the combination of OL Snaps, Pass Yds, Rush Yds, Def Snaps, and Tackles.
- Huskers are 6th overall in total combined SNAPS for Offensive Linemen and 30th in total combined Defensive SNAPS.
- Huskers are also 26th overall combined returning receiving yards and touchdown receptions.
- Huskers rank 10th overall in total combined passing yards.
- Lowest offensive total is combined rushing yards, which makes sense considering the young RB room.
Other things of note:
- Indiana's defense is going to be old again. While I'm confident they won't be quite as talented on the defensive line and at linebacker, they are absolutely going to be old again.
- Non con opponents Ohio and Bowling Green are going to be extremely innexperienced on both sides of the ball. They are both in the bottom 25 of offensive and defensive combined snaps and production. I actually think Nebraska will probably beat both those teams by 50, and everyone will need to temper their enthusiasm.
- Michigan State, Maryland, Illinois, and Rutgers are four teams that Nebraska really needs to beat if they want to win 7 or more games in 2026. All four of those teams are bottom half in total offensive line experience. Rutgers will actually have the 3rd least experienced offensive line in all of the Power 4.
- Cockeye is actually 3rd to last in the Big Ten in total offensive line snaps, but that number will be completely irrelevant by Week 13.
- Huskers will play 3 of the 10 most innexperienced defenses in the Power 4: Illinois, Rutgers, and Cockeye. But once again, playing Cockeye in week 13, makes that irrelevant.
- Huskers will also play 3 of the 4 MOST experienced defenses in the Big Ten - Indiana, Oregon, and Maryland. Huskers themselves, will have the 4th most experienced defense in the Big Ten.
Here are the Big Ten Ranks in combined returning and total Production for both sides of the ball (Husker opponents bolded):
1. UCLA
2. Nebraska
3. Indiana
4. Ohio State
5. USC
6. Washington
7. Michigan State
8. Minnesota
9. Illinois
10. Oregon
11. Purdue
12. Maryland
13. Penn State
14. Wisconsin
15. Cockeye
16. Northwestern
17. Michigan
18. Rutgers
This very cool website also tracks where the transfers came from, and what they did at that previous program. So I am adding FCS transfers to these totals above, become IMO, sometimes the total production or snaps can be a bit misleading based on the level where the player was previously.
FCS transfers for Big Ten schools:
UCLA - 4
Nebraska - 1 (Jasin Shigs from Towson)
Indiana - 1
Ohio State - 0
USC - 0
Washington - 2
Michigan State - 6 from FCS, 1 from D2
Minnesota - 1
Illinois - 4
Oregon - 1
Purdue - 4
Maryland - 1
Penn State - 2
Wisconsin - 2
Cockeye - 6
Northwestern - 2
Michigan - 1
Rutgers - 4
Now, the FCS distinction really means two things. A program like Oregon signed an FCS Offensive tackle, and he got paid. Dude is a future NFL player. If Oregon is going to that level, that means the dude is good. I will also give a program like Cockeye the benefit of the doubt when they go to the FCS level to sign a Defensive Tackle. Bottom line is that dude is probably pretty good if Cockeye wants to sign him. However, there is the oppositte in the case of Michigan State. They are hurting for numbers and had to take a flyer on some dudes.
Some closing thoughts after a very long post:
- Don't be surprised if Cockeye is sitting at 4 or 5 losses by the end of October. And when it happens, don't get cocky. Why? Because I'm telling you the innexperience on both sides of the ball will be experienced by the last month of the season.
- When you look at the production, experiences, and matchups, the whole schedule sets up well for Nebraska to start 5-0 without actually beating anyone of merit.
- Indiana will also be 5-0 when they come to Lincoln as their 1st five games will even be easier. Might be the laughingstock of college football. BUT... you know, and I know the media will be questioning Cignetti again after he beats North Texas, Howard, Western Kentucky, Northwestern, and Rutgers, all by 350 combined points.
- It wil be really important for Nebraska to avoid a 65-7 beatdown. Because you know Cignetti will be itching for it after the media talks about how they haven't played anyone.
- FOX has already picked up the Indiana @ Ohio State game for the week after the Nebraska name. And I'm fairly certain the Oregon at USC game will be on NBC the week before. That means USC at Penn State will probably be a CBS or FOX game, and Indiana at Nebraska will be the NIGHT game on NBC. Bring on the embarrassment or the close painful loss. There will be no in-between.