Nebraska’s season is turning into a real dumpster fire. They were supposed to be contenders in 2024—big dreams, bigger expectations—but they were falling flat. Dylan Raiola, their supposed savior, came in ready to set the world on fire. But, spoiler alert: it didn’t quite go down like that. The man’s frustrated, and we all know the pressure’s only going to mount from here. But Matt Rhule? He’s already seen the storm coming, and he’s ready to double down.
Now let’s break it down. The hype around Raiola was unreal—coming in as a five-star QB, all eyes on him, all expectations sky-high. But after a strong start, Nebraska ended up finishing 7-6 with a pinstripe bowl dub. We’re talkin’ a squad that started 5-1, only to collapse and stumble into mediocrity. Raiola’s numbers? Not exactly the stuff of legend—2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Not bad for a freshman, but for someone tagged as the future of college football, it felt a little underwhelming.
Understandably, the kid’s been frustrated, and Matt Rhule, Nebraska’s head coach, confirmed it when he joined Josh Pate’s ‘Pate State Speaker Series’ on February 17th. “You know, sometimes as the younger players come in—you know, the Dylan Raiolas come in—and you know, they’re frustrated we’re losing, but they understand, like, as they go through it, they’ll make the steps. But nothing—nothing comes easy.” Rhule said. He’s not wrong—Raiola’s got room to grow, but when you’ve been hyped up as the next big thing, those growing pains feel a whole lotta heavier.
But here’s the kicker—Rhule’s talkin’ about ‘darker days’ ahead, and that’s a reality check for anyone thinking Nebraska’s gonna turn the corner anytime soon. He dropped some heavy truths about how far the Cornhuskers are behind other big dogs like Ohio State. “Ohio State is working hard. So for us to be working as hard as Ohio State and they’re already three levels ahead of us, we’re going to be chasing them for a long time. We’ve got to be willing to do things that maybe they aren’t. And I say that with respect to them, because I know Ryan’s going to do everything. But, like, you’ve got to do things that are so uncomfortable just to have a chance,” Rhule says. That’s straight-up brutal but honest. Nebraska’s not just chasing Ohio State—they’re chasing a whole damn freight train that’s already halfway down the tracks.
Rhule’s comparing their grind to Ohio State’s dominance, and it’s tough to deny. The Buckeyes are sitting pretty with the 2024 National Championship in the bag, while Nebraska is still trying to figure out how to win consistently. Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class is ranked #4 nationally, while Nebraska sits all the way down at 20th. Ohio State’s depth, talent, and reputation make them look like a juggernaut compared to Nebraska’s rebuilding project. Rhule knows this, but he’s not backing down. He’s ready to double down on what’s working, even if the results haven’t been there just yet.
Matt Rhule’s playoff mentality: chasing the dream
Now let’s talk mindset. Rhule’s got the right one—he’s just gotta make sure the program catches up. “The only chance we have to get to a CFP team is to do what CFP teams do,” Rhule told Pate. And here’s where it gets real: “What most people do is they start trying to do it, and they look around, and they’re like, ‘Hey it’s not really working is it? No, it’s not really working.’ And they quit. They give up on their dream. The dream never gives up on you.” Matt Rhule preached.
NCAA, College League, USA Football: Colorado at Nebraska Sep 7, 2024 Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts after a call during the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium. Lincoln Memorial Stadium Nebraska USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDylanxWidgerx 20240907_tbs_oz8_356
End of the day, Rhule’s telling his players: don’t quit, don’t back down. You double down; you go all in. “You take all your chips and put them in the middle of the table.” That’s the mentality that’ll either make or break this program. And while the 2024 season didn’t quite hit the mark, Rhule’s setting up the foundation for something bigger. The question is, will the talent catch up to the mindset?
If you think Rhule’s about to pack it in, you’re wrong. The grind is far from over. Year 3 is on the horizon, and with it comes a chance for this program to turn the corner. He’s not just tweaking the roster; he’s giving the coaching staff a shot in the arm too. Terry Bradden is taking over the defensive line, bringing some fresh fire. On the offensive side, former OC Marcus Satterfield has moved to tight ends, opening the door for Dana Holgorsen. They’re clearly trying to supercharge the offense, especially for Raiola, bringing in weapons like former Kentucky wideout Hardley Gilmore, along with Keelan Smith and Dane Key. The clock’s ticking, sure, but Rhule’s playing the long game—he’s all in on the vision.
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