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LINCOLN — The first surprise of the season arrived Monday. On autopilot, I exited Interstate 80 in Lincoln at exit 401. I was met with a stunning wall of orange barrels and a closed exit. A sign for a new, improved Nebraska defensive line? No. In this case, just a tip that construction infiltrated downtown Lincoln with multiplying orange barrels shutting off streets, not to mention the occasional downtown sidewalk. Go Big Orange. Meanwhile, when you finally get to Memorial Stadium, you’ll find a fortress surrounded by construction vehicles, trailers and blocked roads. Frustration is no way to start a football season. Perhaps the better word to describe the 2026 Nebraska season opener: Patience. People are also reading… A word that Husker fans know all too well. It’s a perfect metaphor for Matt Rhule’s program as it enters Year 4: Still under construction. Still moving dirt. Still not complete. College football to the rescue. One of my favorite things about the greatest sport is that it can deliver surprises — positive surprises. Stuff you didn’t expect, things that change the energy and mood of a season. If there’s a fanbase that could use some positive surprises this season, it’s the one that will be driving for daylight through all the construction. Here are some possibilities on Frank Solich Day at Nebraska: » A star emerges from the three-man running back committee. Is there a big-time back in the house? And will Dana Holgorsen’s rotation and game reps allow for someone to step forward? How NU replaces Emmett Johnson is one of the biggest questions. It would energize the offense and give Anthony Colandrea room to operate if the committee has a chairman. » It has been awhile since Nebraska’s offensive line was hyped with big expectations. Many are still in believe-it-when-see-it mode. If this group is as good as advertised, game on. And that will start inside, with guards Paul Mubenga and Brendan Black and center Justin Evans. We’ll know something on Saturday. » Colandrea is an efficient and mature quarterback. The fourth-year man brings an attitude, but he doesn’t need to be a superhero. Has Holgorsen’s tutelage helped him to stop forcing passes that get intercepted and stop drives? Can he use his legs as a weapon? A positive development isn’t Colandrea taking over games, it’s being a savvy game manager. » Jacory Barney. Luke Lindenmeyer. Nyziah Hunter. Carter Nelson. What if a new quarterback — one whose run threat opens up the back end — and an improved line unleashes one of these playmakers? » Maybe it’s Rob Aurich’s defense having the kind of immediate impact that Bo Pelini had in 2003 (especially the opener against Oklahoma State). Nothing says attitude and confidence like a defense that moves fast, hits hard and gobbles up turnovers. Defense can single-handedly change a season. To that end, is there a player who will respond to Aurich the way Barrett Ruud and Josh Bullocks did to Pelini’s scheme? Cameron Lenhardt. Williams Nwaneri. Anthony Jones. Vincent Shavers. Owen Chambliss. Andrew Marshall. If there’s a defensive player — or players — who elevate their game to a place we haven’t seen, that’s a welcome surprise. » Not much is known, or expected, from special teams coaches Brett Maher or Nick Humphrey. What if there unit makes positive plays that win games? Of course, you can’t predict the surprise. That’s why it’s a surprise. While it may not happen in Game 1, it could show its face by the fifth game Oct. 3. Or maybe one of the big opponent games will inspire someone(s) to drop out of the sky and plug in this season. I’ve never been around a Nebraska football season with lower expectations. That’s usually when a surprise shows up. I know a program and fanbase that could really use one. Frank Solich is red and green When you think of Frank Solich, do you think of Nebraska or Ohio? The correct answer is both. Solich made his mark at both places, though he wouldn’t be in the College Football Hall of Fame without Ohio. It’s so cool that he is totally at peace with his career. He should be. He impacted two places. That’s rare. Husker season opener flashbacks There have been some interesting Nebraska season openers and overall seasons that ended with a six: 1976: Nebraska tied LSU 6-6. That was the only time the Huskers played in Baton Rouge. 1986: Nebraska beat Florida State 34-17 in a home opener in which 60 Huskers initially suspended by the NCAA for improper use of game passes were allowed to play by a three-person NCAA subcommittee. 1996: The Huskers thumped Michigan State 55-14 in Scott Frost’s first start and Nick Saban’s only appearance at Memorial Stadium. It opened a wild season with NU’s winning streak ending at Arizona State and a loss in the first Big 12 championship game. 2006: A 49-10 win over Louisiana Tech opened Bill Callahan’s best season that included a Big 12 North title and berth in the Cotton Bowl. 2016: Nebraska beat Fresno State 43-10 for the first of seven straight wins by Mike Riley. It was NU's last nine-win season. This week’s picks » LSU (minus-10) 28, Clemson 21 » UCLA (plus-1) 27, California 24 » Notre Dame (minus-20.5) 42, Wisconsin 21 » Mississippi (minus-7) 31, Louisville 28 » Nebraska volleyball 3, Missouri 0 » Nebraska football (minus-23.5) 31, Ohio 17 College football preview: Nebraska's odyssey in search of relevance Nebraska football has been on an odyssey that has kept it from home — home being a relevant program that battles for conference and national titles. How can the Huskers return? Husker football has been on an odyssey that's kept it from home — home being a relevant program that battles for conference and national titles. How can Nebraska return? Best actor, best special (teams) effects and more. Here are some breakout stars to watch for the Golden Kernels Awards — the Nebraska media's version of the Oscars. Every good movie starts with a good script. Maybe the Huskers need some inspiration. And maybe Matt Rhule doesn’t have to look far: Nebraska basketball. There's plenty of film study in football — this is a different kind. And Nebraska's Friday night tradition that predates the Memorial Stadium sellout streak is still going strong. In a world that’s powered by violence, on the line of scrimmage where the violent have power, a new generation carries on an old tradition. New Nebraska offensive line coach Geep Wade is here to save the day. The first half of Nebraska football's season should be navigable but carries a few challenges. Here’s how Evan Bland sees it playing out. Nebraska’s second half is loaded. Here’s how Evan Bland sees it playing out. Sam McKewon rates this year's Big Ten field into box-office categories. In Sam McKewon's preseason Top 25, there's a surprise No. 1 and two Big Ten teams ranked in the AP Top 25 that are nowhere to be found here. Will the 2026 Heisman Trophy winner be one of these top candidates? Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Ohio State. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Penn State. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Wisconsin. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at UCLA. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Illinois. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Indiana. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Washington. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Rutgers. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Michigan State. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Northwestern. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Minnesota. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Oregon. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Iowa. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Purdue. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Maryland. Sam McKewon is breaking down what to expect from the Big Ten football teams in 2026. Here's a look at Nebraska.