With two seasons under his belt, Nebraskans have had a chance to assess their Big Apple-born coach. While there are reasons to believe, it's also important to consider the other side. Let's take a closer look at the concerns surrounding Matt Rhule.

Unraveling the Questions about Matt Rhule's Nebraska Future

1. Inconsistent Actions and Words

Rhule has often spoken of being different and veering away from conventional offense. However, this season, the Nebraska offense quickly shifted to a more conventional approach, abandoning the run game and leaving the true freshman quarterback exposed. Special Teams also struggled, with many areas needing improvement.Rhule has emphasized the importance of a mobile quarterback, yet his quarterback recruiting has focused on pocket passers. This inconsistency in philosophy raises questions about his ability to lead a blue-blooded program like Nebraska.

2. Questionable Assistant Hires

When a coach is poached and the team they left isn't sad to see them go, it often indicates a bad hire. Rhule faced criticism for hiring Garret McGuire, the son of his former colleague. McGuire's unit underperformed in 2024, and he later moved to Lubbock. Additionally, Rhule's choice of Bob Wager, a Texas high school coach, ended in resignation due to a DUI arrest. These hires have raised doubts about Rhule's judgment.

3. Struggles in One-Score Games

Rhule downplays the Huskers' one-score woes, but the statistics tell a different story. Nebraska has a poor record in one-score games, often failing to close out leads or come back from deficits. In fact, they have won only one of their last 33 contests when tied or losing by a score on their final possession. This consistent struggle in close games is a cause for concern.

4. Turnover Issues Persist

Last season, the Nebraska offense had the second-worst turnover margin in FBS. Although there was some improvement in 2024, finishing at -0.1 for the regular season, it still raises questions about the team's ability to take care of the ball. Chief among John Butler's tasks is finding players who can create turnovers and improve the team's turnover margin.

5. Historically Dreadful Offenses

An injury-riddled offense last season ranked near the bottom in FBS. Despite adding a 5-star quarterback and new receivers, the Huskers struggled to improve in 2024, finishing ranked 97th in scoring, 94th in yards per game, and 106th in yards per play. They lack consistency and struggle in the red zone, which has a significant impact on the team's performance.Until Wisconsin, Nebraska had not won a game under Rhule when giving up more than 14 points. This pattern raises doubts about the team's ability to defend and compete at a high level.

6. Special Teams Remain a Weak Link

Special teams under Scott Frost were notoriously bad, leading fans to call for a change. Under Rhule, there has been little improvement. Missed kicks, botched snaps, and a lackluster return game have cost the Huskers wins. The third phase of the game continues to be a weakness that needs to be addressed.

7. His Time with the Panthers

Panthers fans still hold a grudge against Rhule for his time in Carolina. He was criticized for coaching quarterbacks poorly, fielding ineffective offenses, and failing to turn around a losing culture. Some Nebraska alumni are also hesitant to give him a pass for his past performance.

8. The Jeff Sims Decision

Whether it was Satt or Rhule, Sims' performance as the starter was subpar. He played some of the worst football seen at Nebraska since Beau Davis was thrust into the role in 2004. Choosing the wrong quarterback can have a significant impact on a team's offense, and Rhule's decision to start Sims was costly.

9. Understanding the Big Ten

The Big Ten is a tough conference that requires teams to play defense, run the ball, and execute consistently. Rhule pays lip service to these principles but the results on the field tell a different story. Nebraska has often been outplayed by teams with lower recruiting rankings but better fundamentals. Until Rhule can address this issue, the team will continue to struggle against Big Ten opponents.

10. The Record Speaks for Itself

Rhule himself acknowledges that the team is a 5-7 team until the record shows otherwise. Currently, he and his program have a 11-13 record. Going into Year Three, he will still have a losing record, which is a cause for concern. Rhule has a track record of turning programs around, but it may take more time than expected.In conclusion, while there are reasons to believe in Matt Rhule, there are also significant doubts and areas that need improvement. Nebraska fans will be watching closely to see how Rhule addresses these issues and whether he can lead the team to success.Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.