Nebraska, Tennessee Canceling Games in 2026 & 2027

Not unexpected. This has been speculated for quite a while now and glad to see it. With a 9 game B1G schedule there is plenty of challenge there, especially for a program that has struggled get to .500 for a decade now. Back in the day, when you might have a couple of challenging conference games, a feature non-conference game was a plus. But when a OOC loss might be the difference between making it to the CFP, or in NU's case making it to a bowl, it doesn't make sense.

 
Tennessee wants to play but Nebraska cancelled. Said because your stadium is being made little they want an extra home game (8) to try and make up for the downgrade in attendance. Gee, would have been a fun home and home game with you guys. 

 
TennesseeVol said:
Tennessee wants to play but Nebraska cancelled. Said because your stadium is being made little they want an extra home game (8) to try and make up for the downgrade in attendance. Gee, would have been a fun home and home game with you guys. 
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This series was originally scheduled for 2016-17, but Tennessee requested that it be moved back because of their scheduling needs in those years, and Nebraska was willing to accommodate them. Now when the shoe is on the other foot, Tennessee decided that they weren't willing to return the favor.

 
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What an incredibly weak decision to cancel.  I don't buy the reduced capacity excuse- maybe it works for a program that struggles to sell tickets but seeing how "we've sold out every single game since JFK was President" the reduced capacity was essentially a known sunk cost.  

I've been ok with the spring game decision and other decisions to help mitigate the portal but this crosses the line for me.  A huge part of college football and out of conference games like this, is to interact with other fanbases, see venues and college towns you normally wouldn't and witness a fun game between 2 of the bigger logos in the the college football landscape which doesn't happen often out of conference.  What a shame- had planned to travel to Tennessee when we went to their turf.  Also surprised that we simply couldn't find a scenario where it wasn't back 2 back years but maybe spaced out 2-3 years.

Weakest move by husker football since frosty and the 2020 squad who claimed "we'll play football against any one any where" declined the bowl invite.

 
Chicken s#!t move made in the name of money.  It would have been the 1st SEC team to visit Lincoln since 1982 (Auburn), but we would rather play some MAC teams.

Dannen had been recently telling media (Callahan and Sharp have talked in the last month about it) the series was on and Nebraska was waiting until after 2026 for the renovations so the stadium would be at full capacity for this game.  While on the other side of his mouth he was booking replacement games.

The Nebraska athletic department continually asks fans for more and more money.  And all they end up giving us is disappointment.

 
Red Five said:
Chicken s#!t move made in the name of money.  It would have been the 1st SEC team to visit Lincoln since 1982 (Auburn), but we would rather play some MAC teams.

Dannen had been recently telling media (Callahan and Sharp have talked in the last month about it) the series was on and Nebraska was waiting until after 2026 for the renovations so the stadium would be at full capacity for this game.  While on the other side of his mouth he was booking replacement games.

The Nebraska athletic department continually asks fans for more and more money.  And all they end up giving us is disappointment.
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Couldn't agree more.  New AD, same short sighted decision making.  Some will take the position- a Tennessee tough game and potential loss would impact us severely for playoff consideration, which I strongly disagree with.  I actually believe the upside far outweighs the risk- a win is a huge boost if it comes down to positioning and, as we've seen with other programs, an early season loss a strong P4 team isn't the deadweight anchor it would've been 10+ years ago.  

Not to mention you're treating the fans to an incredibly fun game- the oregon series and miami game comes to mind.  These types of non con games come around maybe a few times every decade.  Given the history we have w/ Tennessee being 2 of the most successfull programs of the 90s and our 97 title coming at the expense them, this was a huge whiff on our part. shame on us

 
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