What is happening to Nebraska football under Matt Rhule? Why is this team regressing at every single turn offensively? It feels like every week brings a new low, a fresh set of frustrations, and zero signs of progress. So, what’s actually being done to fix these issues? Spoiler alert: not much, at least not enough to make a difference on Saturday. This blog today is less of an analysis and more of a therapy session, because let’s be honest- I refuse to see a real therapist over this abusive relationship I have with Husker football. After small doses of highs, followed by what feels like endless lows, I feel hurt again. I spent literal hours of my Saturday night walking the streets of Lincoln looking for answers, and found none to make me feel better. So, buckle up. This is going to be a rant. And honestly, I don’t care if it’s not pretty. Enjoy this one (if you can).
This offense is regressing in every way you can think of. The play calling has become painfully predictable, lacking the adjustments and rhythm needed to keep defenses guessing. The execution? It’s at an all-time low. Passes are off target, holes aren’t being hit, and mistakes seem to pile up in critical moments. But what is Matt Rhule doing about this? That is the question I’m desperately searching for answers to. As the self-proclaimed biggest Rhule fan in the world, my frustration is mounting. I’ve watched as what should be a talented roster struggles week after week, and it increasingly feels like there’s a lack of accountability within the program. I don’t want to hear the tired line that “the players need to execute.” Yes, execution is vital, but whose responsibility is it to ensure that happens? Who’s supposed to identify the right players for the job and put them in a position to succeed? As a coach myself, I can tell you this: you CANNOT hide behind the excuse of players not executing. Your job is to develop them, to instill confidence, and to craft a game plan that leverages their strengths. If players aren’t executing, that’s a reflection of coaching. It’s about teaching, adapting, and sometimes even making tough decisions. When I see the same mistakes repeated week after week, I can’t help but wonder if the message isn’t getting through. Are the players being held accountable, and more importantly, are they being given the tools they need to succeed? It’s a frustrating cycle, and as someone who loves this program, I want to see change. I want to see progress. But right now, it feels like we’re stuck in the mud, and that’s simply unacceptable.
So then I am brought to the question: what are we going to do about it? It seems unlikely that Marcus Satterfield will lose play-calling duties anytime soon, despite having a “Co-Offensive Coordinator” on staff. So what is the answer here? I genuinely want to know. There are obvious and significant holes across this entire offense, and it’s clear that something needs to change—and quickly. What change can we realistically expect to see between now and the end of the season? Are we really prepared to just “punt” until Year 3? Because right now, the trajectory is alarming. We’re trending downward so fast that Year 3 can’t just magically elevate this team if we don’t address the issues now. A leap in performance isn’t just going to appear out of thin air; it has to be cultivated through consistent improvement and accountability in the present. The lack of urgency is concerning. Watching this offense flounder week after week is disheartening, and it raises serious questions about the direction of the program. Are we stuck in a cycle of mediocrity? What is the plan to bridge the gap between now and a potential future where we see meaningful progress? The reality is that every game counts, and the lessons learned- or not learned- will have lasting impacts. We need a roadmap. Is it a personnel change? An adjustment in coaching? Whatever the answer is, it needs to come quickly. We cannot afford to just keep our heads down and hope for the best. The fans deserve better, the players deserve better, and most importantly, this storied program deserves better. It’s time for decisive action, because the longer we sit in this cycle of disappointment, the harder it will be to turn things around.
I say all of this out of a place of love, but also deep frustration. I love Matt Rhule, I truly do. He brings a passion and vision that is hard to ignore, but my love for Nebraska football runs even deeper. I want nothing more than to see this program WIN, to reclaim its place among the elite in college football. Nobody on this planet cares more about Nebraska football than I do- maybe there are a few who care just as much, but it’s hard to believe anyone loves it more than I do. I’ve let Nebraska football seep into every aspect of my life, from my mood, to my conversations, to my mental health, to literally turning down coaching opportunities because it would effect my love for Husker football. It’s not just a game; it’s a part of who I am. I wear my loyalty proudly, and in return, all I want is to be rewarded for my unrivaled love for this place. I want to see that same passion reflected back in the performances on the field, in the strategy, and in the execution of plays. Matt Rhule said today that he would do anything to take this program to the next level, but the real question is: will he really? Actions speak louder than words, and I’m left wondering what changes he’s genuinely willing to make. It’s one thing to express a desire for improvement, but it’s another to put that desire into action. I’m all for giving a coach time to implement their vision, but I also believe in the necessity of accountability and progress. We can’t just hope things will turn around without making the hard decisions and adjustments along the way. The stakes are high, and I desperately want to see this program thrive again. As a passionate fan, I crave that feeling of victory, that surge of pride that comes with watching Nebraska football dominate once more. So, what will it take? What bold moves will be made to ensure that my love for this program is met with the success it deserves? The clock is ticking, and I’m here, ready to rally behind the team, but I need to see a commitment to change. It’s time to take action, not just talk about it.
