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There’s no question about it; while the Huskers may be back to dropping one-score games, but they are losing them to a much better class of opponent…mostly.
In 2025, Nebraska went 4-2 in one-score games breaking an 8-year string of losing records in such contests. The four wins came against Cincinnati, Maryland, Northwestern and UCLA and the two losses to Michigan and USC. This season has started 0-2, but against Indiana
(home) and Oregon (road). Based only on those games, which Nebraska team appears stronger?
This (kind of), along with immediate post-game comments to the Oregon recap, was the basis I used for forming this week’s poll question – how do we stand on Matt Rhule after losing two more heartbreakers to talented teams? And yes, one of those teams is still getting it done, while something weird is going on with the other. (The poll closed the morning of the day before Oregon was upset by Illinois.)
If comments after the recap, on Twitter/X and during last Tuesday’s episode of the Huskers Happy Hour were the sole indicator, it appeared that Husker Nation is very much in favor of of an immediate changing of the guard from Matt Rhule and company.
But whenever I spot angry responses to heated issue, I often question if they speak for the majority in an era where many choose to sit out the online wars. As an example, on Tuesday’s HHH, we had a couple new viewers who stormed in with the Matt Rhule must be fired NOW viewpoint, and hammered it home repeatedly, one posting close to 40 times. At times, it came with the implied insults to those defending the progress – “If you are satisfied with 7-6 seasons, then…” – implying, or sometimes flat-out stating, that fans who didn’t join them in calling for his ouster, perhaps even boycotting, are also part of the problem with loser attitudes, etc.
The choices given were:
- Satisfied with the progress being made
- Appreciate the progress, but please start closing these ranked-opponent games
- Fire Matt Rhule
With no further lead-in (yep, it was already probably too much), here are the results:
- While I was pretty certain the angriest noise would fall short of the majority, I didn’t realize it would be by such a large margin. Only 13% believe Matt Rhule needs to go with 87% still on board – but, yes by varying degrees
- The majority winner was definitely in the “two things can be true” camp – 1) Yes, we can see the progress and 2) for gawd’s sake, hold a lead already!, with 57% of the vote.
- 30% are straight-up okay with the progress alone – perhaps due in part to going from a 56-7 loss to Indiana in 2024 to 20-17 in 2026, despite the manner in which the latter happened.
- Unranked but talented Washington comes to town on Halloween this Saturday. A third straight loss, let alone in another brutal 4th-quarter fashion, could turn things dark in a hurry a la 2025 after the USC game (and Dylan Raiola’s injury).
- That being said, I do believe this is a team much-improved over that squad, especially in the trenches. But this feels like a must-win affair on multiple levels. Win this one and 9 wins is possible. Lose it and it’s starting to feel like another 7-5.
Other Polls This Week from Around the Country
- Dylan’s leaning back toward the doghouse after a “meh” performance against Illinois where Dan Lanning seemed only confident enough to let him dink & dunk his way to a 19.7 QBR.
- Much like against the Huskers where he threw for 59 yards on 11 completions. The real victory came from their running game which exploded on the exhausted Blackshirts for 96 4th-quarter yards after only gaining 31 in the 1st three quarters.
- He’s still the fan’s choice, but 4th stringer Akili Smith is gaining popularity.
- Indiana escaped for the second time in three weeks (and about 5” from three straight), but as Curt Cignetti said, winners find a way to win.
- Welp, they wasted no time in getting the first one. They come to Lincoln in two weeks, very likely riding a 3-game win streak with Maryland next up.
AND FINALLY…
- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣
- If anyone ever takes up the project of penning the biography of America’s most non-diverse and toxic fanbase, I happily offer up the title, “So Confidently Wrong”.
