Matt Rhule hasn’t delivered on his most important promise

I can remember Matt Rhule’s first press conference, when he said that Nebraska football was going to protect and affect the quarterback.

Yet, here we are in year three, and the Huskers can’t do either. Not against an opponent of consequence anyway.

You can miss me with the idea that beating Cincinnati was a big win. Nebraska underperformed. It found a way, which was a positive, but against the two best teams it has played, Nebraska has failed to meet expectations.

Michigan and Cincinatti each rushed for over 200 yards. The Wolverines had 286, including three — yes, three — touchdown runs of 39 yards or more.

Every time Nebraska had momentum, it was lost at the expense of a Michigan touchdown run — runs that happened because the Huskers still aren’t good enough in the trenches.

Frankly, they aren’t anywhere close.

Not in one of the most important areas of the game. The offensive line allowed seven sacks (it was actually 8) and 10 tackles for loss. Nebraska rushed for 43 yards — 243 fewer than the top-25 team that won on their home field.

Nebraska football managed just one sack. The Huskers have six in four games. Michigan had more sacks Saturday afternoon than Matt Rhule’s team has had all season.

Every starting running back Nebraska has faced this season has averaged at least five yards per attempt. Justice Haynes averaged 8.8 on his way to 149 yards and one 75-yard touchdown.

Dylan Raiola was special, completing 30-of-41 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns. He had one interception and could have been more productive in the red zone, but his kicker missed a kick that would have gotten the Huskers to 30 points.

It’s hard to ask the kid to do more, especially after the way he was beaten up all day. This loss doesn’t mean Rhule should be on the hot seat; However, his long-term future at Nebraska is far from secure.

At some point, he has to win something.

In three years, Rhule’s record is 15-14. He hasn’t beaten a top-25 team. He doesn’t have a signature win, and when it comes to the most important promise he made in his initial press conference, he has failed to deliver.