3 takeaways from Nebraska’s Matt Rhule at Big Ten Media Days

Matt Rhule hit the right note on Thursday at Big Ten Media Days. 

Rhule didn’t say anything that should be headline-grabbing. He talked about what his program needs to do to take a step forward, and he seems confident that the Huskers are capable of doing just that.

Here are three instant takeaways from the Nebraska football head coach and his appearance at Big Ten Media Days.

“Better in November”

The Huskers are 2-10 under Matt Rhule in November. That’s not good enough. Nebraska football has to start performing at the end of the season if it wants to win eight, nine, or 10 games.

Rhule said that the coaches and players didn’t come to Nebraska to go 7-6. They all understand the expectations. Rhule also said there is no magic trick to being better in November.

The key is being a better team. He said the Huskers will win in November with their offensive line, their quarterback making plays, etc. It’s sort of like winning close games — the best way to get good at winning them is to have a quality football team.

Rhule understands what needs to happen. We’ll see if he can make it happen.

Rhule likes the Nebraska football QB room

Rhule not only likes Anthony Colandrea, but the rest of the quarterback room, too. The Nebraska football head coach mentioned the Huskers having three different coaches who have started FBS games.

Rhule said he’s excited to watch Colandrea play. He’s the kind of quarterback the Huskers need to win. They don’t have the kind of structure to support a pocket passer. Dylan Raiola is a great talent, but Oregon is a better fit, at least right now.

Nebraska needs a playmaker. It needs someone who can make something happen, and it feels like, for the first time in his tenure, Rhule has an X-factor at quarterback, which could be huge in November.

Experience could make all the difference

The Huskers have been one of the youngest teams in the Big Ten during Rhule’s tenure. That has finally changed. Colandrea is an experienced starter. Nebraska football added four guys, just on offense, who have started double-digit games in their college careers. There were a few on defense who have done that, too.

Every single expected starter on the offensive line has at least 11 career starts. You also have a backup with double-digit starts, too. You can say much of the same about the defensive line, and truly all three levels of the defense.

There isn’t someone who hasn’t been a consistent contributor expected to play a ton on either side of the ball, outside of freshman, such as Danny Odem.

This is Matt Rhule’s best roster. The schedule isn’t easy. The pressure is real, but pressure makes diamonds, and hopefully, Rhule finds a way to make some true progress, the kind that can’t be argued with.