Matt Rhule, the head coach of Nebraska football, is facing a significant challenge. Despite having the same record as Michigan football, the Wolverines emerged as national champions last season. Rhule, who was expected to transform Nebraska football, has a record of 10 - 12 in just two seasons. The Huskers have now lost four consecutive games and are in danger of extending their streak without a bowl game to eight years. This would mark the tenth straight loss under Rhule when bowl eligibility is at stake, tying an NCAA record.

Rhule's Excuses and Controversies

In the 2023 game on their home field, Nebraska suffered a 45 - 7 defeat at the hands of Michigan. Rhule made excuses, stating that a Nebraska player, DeShon Singleton, was injured during the game due to stolen signs. He even petitioned the NCAA for an extra year for Singleton, claiming that the game might not count in the future. However, the NCAA disagreed. Rhule also added cryptic remarks like "It seems like whatever happened with Michigan last year, there is some cloak of whatever." These statements have drawn criticism and raised questions about his leadership. 1: The 38 - point margin of victory for Michigan and their 249 - yard rushing performance show the dominance of the team. It's hard to ignore the fact that even if Michigan had given Nebraska all the play calls, they would still have won by a significant margin. This highlights the extent of Nebraska's struggles under Rhule. 2: Rhule's search for excuses seems to be a desperate attempt to avoid taking responsibility for the team's failures. Instead of focusing on improving the team's performance, he is making unfounded claims. This behavior is not characteristic of a successful coach and raises doubts about his ability to lead Nebraska football to success.

Rhule's Record and the Big Ten Conference

Rhule has officially surpassed Ryan Day as the softest coach in the Big Ten conference. His 10 - 12 record in two seasons is a cause for concern. The Huskers' consecutive losses and their inability to perform well in crucial games have put them at a disadvantage. It's an embarrassing situation for the program and for Rhule himself. 1: The team's lack of success is not just a result of one or two games. It's a consistent pattern that has been ongoing for several seasons. This raises questions about Rhule's coaching strategies and his ability to motivate and develop the players. 2: In a conference like the Big Ten, where competition is fierce, a coach needs to be able to lead his team to victory. Rhule's performance so far has fallen short of expectations, and it remains to be seen if he can turn things around in the future.

The Impact on Player Safety