The most convincing proof of Nebraska’s improvement under second-year coach Matt Rhule can be seen in their current ranking.

The undefeated Cornhuskers entered the US LBM Coaches Poll two weeks ago at No. 24, representing the program’s first national ranking since September 1, 2019, and climbed to No. 22 following their victory against Northern Iowa last Saturday. This is Nebraska’s highest ranking since they were No. 15 on November 20, 2016.

“I always maintain that if a college football program has enjoyed success in the past, they can still achieve it again,” said Big Ten Network analyst and former Indiana coach Gerry DiNardo. “Nebraska has really tested that theory.”

The 2016 season was also the last time the Cornhuskers appeared in a bowl game, which remains the longest active drought in the Power Four conferences. After losing four consecutive games last November, Rhule finished his inaugural season just one win short of bowl eligibility, but this year they are on track to end that postseason dry spell.

However, the potential for even more success exists. After three games this season, and with their Big Ten opener against Illinois scheduled for Friday night, four key factors suggest Nebraska could continue to ascend in the national rankings and compete for an at-large spot in the College Football Playoff: the coach, the quarterback, the schedule, and the measurable advancements made since Rhule’s arrival nearly two years ago.

“The challenge I’ve set for the players this year is to strive to be one of the top teams in the country,” Rhule told YSL News Sports. “Aim to gain national attention. Compete in big games. Strive to win the Big Ten. Work toward the College Football Playoff. I told them that it won’t be easy and that it requires some good fortune. But I’ve been saying that from the beginning.”

A predictable improvement for Matt Rhule in his second year

History is repeating itself, but this time it’s happening more quickly.

For Rhule, previous stops at Temple and Baylor followed a similar pattern. The first year was spent establishing a foundation: Temple managed only two wins and Baylor, struggling due to a depleted roster after the Art Briles era, won just once.

Then came the rebounds. In 2014, Temple secured six victories although they missed a bowl selection, which spurred them to achieve 20 wins and an American Athletic championship in the following two seasons. Baylor improved to seven wins in 2018 and reached 11-3 in 2019, finishing second in the Big 12 and reaching the Sugar Bowl. Subsequently, Rhule was hired by the Carolina Panthers, where he spent just over two seasons with a record of 11-27.

In contrast, Nebraska is ahead of schedule. With a solid roster and strong internal support, the challenges faced during a tough 2022 season—culminating in the firing of former coach Scott Frost in September and finishing with just four wins—led Rhule to believe that the Cornhuskers could bypass a typical first-year rebuilding phase and directly aim for bowl contention.

“When I arrived, there were excellent players and significant enthusiasm from veteran players who wanted to win,” Rhule shared. “So I suggested, ‘Let’s skip year one. We don’t need to go 2-10; let’s aim for year two.’ That usually means going 6-6 or 7-6. Sadly, we ended at 5-7, but that was still progress.”

Now, a year later, the Cornhuskers have bolstered their offense with key players at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, aligning themselves more closely with one of the top defenses in the Big Ten. They’ve adopted a more physical style of play that fits well within the historical success of the program, which has long been synonymous with excellence at the Bowl Subdivision level. They’ve embraced the mantra of “chasing three,” focusing on the three points that nearly separated them last season from securing six or more victories.

After facing several unsuccessful coaching hires and more than two decades without a serious national presence, an experienced coach is starting to change the course of Nebraska’s downward trajectory.

“You always hope the right decision was made. Each time there’s a new hire, you anticipate it’s the right fit,” DiNardo remarked. “What stands out with Matt Rhule, in my view, is the experience he gained at Temple and Baylor.”

Dylan Raiola’s immediate influence

The son of a legendary former Nebraska offensive lineman and the nephew of the current offensive line coach, Dylan Raiola was initially committed to both Ohio State and Georgia before choosing to join the Cornhuskers closer to national signing day.

His impact has been significant and swift. The former five-star recruit has an impressive 73.8% completion rate, throwing for 670 yards and five touchdowns, with just one interception. In comparison, last year, three Nebraska quarterbacks collectively threw for 1,631 yards and managed 10 touchdowns but also had 16 interceptions while completing only 52.1% of their attempts.

Raiola has benefited from a much-improved offensive line that has allowed only one sack and facilitated a running game that has scored multiple touchdowns in each of the three games—marking their longest such stretch since the first three games of the 2022 season.

According to Rhule, Raiola’s influence comes from his “maniacal” work ethic: “He prepares better than anyone I’ve ever had.”

The challenge moving forward

The Cornhuskers will need to adjust to the various defenses in the Big Ten, which emphasize a high level of physicality that requires a well-rounded offensive strategy.

“He’s not just a kid in a fast-paced, spread offense throwing simple RPOs,” Rhule explained, referring to the run-pass option plays commonly seen in FBS. “He’s executing drop-back passes and seven-step drops. He’s utilizing play action. He’s making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. He plays like an NFL quarterback in his approach.”

After struggling to establish a solid ground game in 2023, the offense led by Raiola now has a clear identity.

“We pride ourselves on being tough in the fourth quarter,” offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield stated. “That’s where games are decided, that’s how you finish off opponents.”

A More Manageable Big Ten Schedule

Looking at the schedule, it appears that the Cornhuskers could remain undefeated leading up to a crucial game against No. 2 Ohio State at the end of October.

After facing Illinois, Nebraska will travel to Purdue, who suffered a heavy defeat to Notre Dame last Saturday. Following that, Nebraska plays Rutgers at home, has a bye week, and then visits Indiana on October 19. The team hasn’t started a season with six consecutive wins since opening 2016 with seven victories.

Following their match with the Buckeyes, the Cornhuskers will host UCLA, enjoy another bye week, face No. 12 Southern California on the road, and then take on Wisconsin at home, wrapping up the regular season with a rivalry game against Iowa.

“In today’s football landscape, you can never predict how teams will perform,” Rhule noted. “Illinois is ranked now, right? I expect Rutgers will be ranked when we play them, and so might Indiana. It’s important to recognize that every team is a formidable opponent. We focus on maintaining our process.”

However, they do not face No. 6 Oregon, No. 9 Penn State, or No. 17 Michigan, making this one of the softest Big Ten schedules Nebraska has encountered since becoming part of the conference. Combined with their evident improvements on the field, this schedule hints that Nebraska might be a contender in the playoff discussions set to commence in early November.

The introduction of the new 12-team playoff format is also significant. Under the previous system, no team qualified for the playoff with more than one loss. However, the new format adjusts the criteria: instead of needing to go 13-0 or 12-1 to secure a spot, the threshold for at-large bids from the Big Ten and SEC could now be 10-2 or even 9-3, depending on the strength of the contenders’ schedules.

Is Nebraska’s Better Time on the Horizon?

Even if this season results in just eight victories, positioning them in the second tier of the Big Ten, it would still represent notable progress, ensuring Nebraska secures a national ranking as they head into the 2025 season and highlighting the program as one to watch in the Power Four.

This rising excitement is already visible within the recruitment scene. After clinching a top-20 recruiting class last winter, Nebraska welcomed many elite prospects during their Week 2 victory over Colorado, which ended in a 28-10 score that showcased the growing divide between the Cornhuskers and their old rival.

“If you’re a player aiming for the NFL, you should consider joining us,” Rhule said. “I believe we are capable of recruiting at the highest level.”

Moreover, there is strong optimism reflecting on Rhule’s record of building conference champions amidst challenging circumstances—whether at Temple, known for its struggles, or at Baylor, which dealt with severe scandals. Compared to that, Nebraska possesses a rich tradition and significant institutional backing that few FBS programs can match.

This has fostered a belief that a return to major-bowl relevance is surely on the horizon. It could come this season. Raiola has transformed the offense and will continue improving each week; new transfers at running back and receiver have made immediate contributions; and the defense—enhanced by the return of key players who might have opted for the NFL draft—should rank among the top four or five in the Big Ten.

This could be the year the Cornhuskers excel. Or perhaps it will be next year. Yet, the Nebraska revival seems closer than it has felt in years during the program’s struggles throughout the 21st century.

“I’ve always said it’s not a matter of if, but when,” Rhule expressed. “I’m not certain if that will be this year—I hope so. However, I expect us to keep on improving.”

“I’m not looking for a quick fix. I’m committed for the long run. While it would be fantastic to achieve our goals this year, my focus, alongside (athletic director Troy Dannen) and our staff, is to build something enduring.”