Matt Rhule’s rise in USA TODAY Sports’ Big Ten head coach rankings hit a snag this week.
USA TODAY Sports released its latest list on Monday, and Nebraska’s coach landed at No. 9 after checking in at No. 5 before last season. The shake-up reflected both last year’s results and the arrival of new coaches around the league, but Rhule came out on the wrong side of the movement.
That drop comes despite the fact that Nebraska entered the 2025 season with real optimism around Rhule’s third year. His previous stops at Temple and Baylor both featured major year-three leaps, and the Huskers did manage to start 6-2 and reach a second straight bowl game for the first time in a decade. Still, the way the season finished left plenty of frustration behind.
Rhule’s contract extension only adds another layer to the pressure heading into year four, especially with major turnover on the roster and coaching staff. For USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg, the key issue is simple: the trenches have to hold up.
"The third-year bump didn’t quite arrive in 2025, though Rhule did get Nebraska into the postseason for the second year in a row. After pulling off remarkable rebuilding jobs at Temple and Baylor, whether he can turn a solid foundation into bigger things hinges on the Cornhuskers ’ play on the offensive and defensive lines."
That area was a big reason Nebraska faded late. The offensive line had trouble keeping the quarterback upright, with the Huskers finishing 112th nationally in sacks allowed at 2.54 per game and 98th in team sacks at 1.69 per game.
The issues weren’t limited to pass protection. Nebraska also ranked 98th in rushing defense, giving up 175.4 yards per game on the ground. And even though Emmett Johnson put together a huge season - fourth in the nation with 1,451 rushing yards - the offense still finished 80th in rushing offense at 145.9 yards per game.
Nebraska will open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at Memorial Stadium against Ohio. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT, and the game will air on FS1.
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