What Football Conference Is Nebraska In? (2025)

By Sarah Miller · June 2, 2035

Nebraska is currently a member of the Big Ten Conference for football, having joined in 2011 after previously competing in the Big 12 Conference.

Nebraska's Football Conference Affiliation

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Cornhuskers officially joined the Big Ten on July 1, 2011, marking a major shift in their athletic alignment after decades in the Big 12 and its predecessor, the Big Eight Conference.

Why Did Nebraska Join the Big Ten?

Several strategic factors influenced Nebraska’s move to the Big Ten:

National television exposure: The Big Ten Network offered expanded media reach and revenue.
Geographic realignment: Despite being west of most members, Nebraska has historical Midwest ties.
Financial incentives: Membership promised increased revenue sharing from media deals.
Stability: The Big Ten was seen as a more stable conference amid national realignment trends.

Historical Conference Timeline

Nebraska has been part of several athletic conferences throughout its storied football history. Below is a breakdown of its conference affiliations over time:

Years	Conference	Notable Achievements
1890–1927	Independent	Established early dominance in Midwestern college football
1928–1947	Big Six/Big Seven/Big Eight	Won multiple conference titles; evolved with conference expansions
1948–1995	Big Eight Conference	Three national championships (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997*) under Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne
1996–2010	Big 12 Conference	Appeared in multiple Big 12 Championship Games; won titles in 1994, 1995, 1997*
2011–Present	Big Ten Conference	Competes in the West Division (2011–2023), now in reorganized format starting 2024

Table data source:1, 2

The transition from the Big 12 to the Big Ten marked a significant change in competitive landscape and scheduling. While Nebraska enjoyed great success in the Big Eight and early Big 12 eras, performance in the Big Ten has been moderate, with the team still seeking its first conference championship in the new league. The 2024 realignment of the Big Ten into a single-table format eliminates divisions, increasing crossover games and potential playoff access.

Big Ten Football Structure (2024 Update)

Starting in the 2024 season, the Big Ten Conference eliminated its East and West Divisions following the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. The top two teams in the overall standings will compete in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Current Big Ten Members (2025)

University of Illinois
Indiana University
Iowa Hawkeyes
University of Maryland
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
University of Minnesota
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Penn State University
Purdue University
Rutgers University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – joining 2024
University of Oregon – joining 2024
University of Southern California (USC) – joining 2024
University of Washington – joining 2024

Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Football Conference

What conference is Nebraska in for football?

As of 2025, the University of Nebraska football team competes in the Big Ten Conference, which it joined in 2011.

When did Nebraska leave the Big 12?

Nebraska officially left the Big 12 Conference on June 30, 2011, and began Big Ten competition on July 1, 2011.

Has Nebraska won a Big Ten football championship?

No, as of the 2024 season, Nebraska has not won a Big Ten football championship since joining the conference in 2011.

Why is Nebraska in the Big Ten if it's not in the Midwest?

Although geographically located further west, Nebraska was invited due to its strong football tradition, fan base, media market potential, and academic profile aligning with Big Ten values.

How many national championships has Nebraska won?

Nebraska claims five national championships in football: 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, and 1997. The 1997 title is shared with Michigan under the AP Poll, though Michigan won the BCS National Championship Game.