Nebraska wanted football back, and the Big Ten gave it to the Huskers with brutal schedule

Zac Al-Khateeb

•
Nebraska wanted football back, and the Big Ten gave it to the Huskers with brutal schedule image

Be careful what you wish for, Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers got what they wanted — and more — on Saturday when the Big Ten released its 2020 schedule, seemingly finalizing its commitment to play a delayed, truncated season. The week-by-week schedule offered several interesting matchups and insights, including this: Nebraska's schedule is one of the hardest in the conference, if not the country.

Here's a week-by-week look at the Huskers' schedule:

— at Ohio State (Oct. 24)
— vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 31)
— at Northwestern (Nov. 7)
— vs. Penn State (Nov. 14)
— vs. Illinois (Nov. 21)
— at Iowa (Nov. 28)
— at Purdue (Dec. 5)
— vs. Minnesota (Dec. 12)
— Championship Week (Dec. 19)

MORE: What to know about Big Ten football schedule start date

So Nebraska not only opens the season at Ohio State, but also faces Wisconsin and Penn State in Weeks 2 and 4. Those teams are considered the best in their respective divisions, and the Huskers get them all in the first month of the season.

So why did the Cornhuskers get the toughest cross-division draw of any Big Ten West team and play Wisconsin in Week 2? No one can say for sure, but the prevailing theory on social media is the Big Ten is punishing the team for its vocal dissent before and after the conference's decision to postpone the season. The school was one of the most vocal opponents of postponing the season.

Moreover, Huskers coach Scott Frost said the school would look at "other options" to play a 2020 season if the Big Ten opted not to play. That prompted a response from Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, who said Nebraska could not do so and still be considered a member of the conference. (This is a good time to remind you that Warren did not make a unilateral decision; conference presidents and chancellors voted 11-3 to postpone the season. Nebraska, Iowa and Ohio State were the dissenters).

Even once the school begrudgingly accepted the decision, a handful of Nebraska parents threatened to sue the Big Ten to release documents relating to its decision to postpone the season. Several players did sue the Big Ten over its lack of communication. So, no love lost between the Huskers and the Big Ten, clearly.

Regardless, Saturday's schedule prompted quite the response on Twitter, with many wondering aloud whether the Big Ten was sending a message to the outspoken team:

MORE: Nebraska's commitment to remaining in Big Ten was only wise choice available

Warning: Foul language used.

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.