3 things we learned from Nebraska’s ‘unacceptable’ loss to Iowa

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule was correct when he said the loss to Iowa was “unacceptable.”

It was. Everything about it. Here are three things we learned from the 40-16 defeat.

Still not good enough in the trenches

Nebraska football wasted a 239-yard day from Emmett Johnson. It made mistakes on offense, defense, and special teams. And still, after three seasons, Nebraska doesn’t look comparable against Iowa in the trenches, just like they didn’t against Michigan, Penn State, USC, or Minnesota.

The offensive line run blocks well. Emmett Johnson can also make a lot out of a little. But again, the quarterback kept getting hit, and he got hurt.  Nebraska didn’t allow a sack against Iowa, yet surrendered 21 in five losses. Teams rushed for over 200 yards in four of the five losses. Five teams ran for over 200 in 12 games this season.

Against Iowa and Penn State, Nebraska football allowed 89 points. It feels like some changes need to be made after that, and yes, that’s talking about defensive coordinator John Butler.

It’s time for Matt Rhule to stop hiring coaches he thinks can succeed. Find a proven college coordinator tomorrow. Get a proven offensive line coach and go from there.

But until Nebraska can stand firm in the trenches, which it still can’t do in the third season under Matt Rhule, it will never get beyond that 7-8 win range.

The third-year leap didn’t come

It would have felt like a mini-leap with a win over Iowa. Nebraska would have had a winning season in conference play for the first time in nine years, plus a berth in the ReliaQuest Bowl, one of the best non-playoff bowl games.

A winning season is a good thing. Seven regular-season wins are one better than last season, but is the team better, or was the schedule just easier?

I doubt this team wins seven games with next year’s schedule. This should have been a nine-win season. Maybe it is if Dylan Raiola doesn’t get hurt, but we have seen other programs win with backups, including at Lincoln Memorial Stadium.

Head coaches are paid to win. Rhule is paid a lot and just got a contract extension, which is generous considering his record of 19-18 overall, 10-17 in the Big Ten, and 2-10 in November. He’s also a combined 0-5 against Iowa and Minnesota.

Regardless of where the program was at before his arrival, there’s no excuse for it.

Emmett Johnson is the best player Nebraska has had in a decade

It’s been a long time since Nebraska had a player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Emmett Johnson won’t break that streak. He’ll probably get drafted in the fourth quarter, assuming he leaves for the league after this season.

Still, his 1,821 total yards from scrimmage this season were incredible. He was easily the best running back for Nebraska football since Ameer Abdullah.

Yet, it goes further than that. Emmett Johnson is the best Nebraska football player of the past decade, whether that’s offense or defense. Whatever.

Frankly, it’s not even close. When was the last time a Nebraska player was even mentioned for the Heisman or the Doak Walker? Ameer. Lavonte David was another.

I know it feels like Emmett has one foot out the door, but if Nebraska isn’t at least pulling out all the stops and offering huge NIL money for him to stay, that’s crazy.

Keeping Dylan Raiola is important. Yet, Emmett Johnson is the program’s best player, and getting another season from him would be invaluable.

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