Nebraska football found a brand new way to lose a one score game. Spotting UCLA a 27-7 lead in the middle of the third quarter, the Huskers finally showed some fight with about 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
And with a little over 2 minutes to go, the Huskers had a chance to rally and tie the game. And then it ended the only way these things every do. With an interception. With another turnover.
he Nebraska football team is now 0-7 in the last two years after they reach 5 wins in a season. If you thought Scott Frost’s close losses were painful, it appears that NU under Matt Rhule has screamed “hold my beer!”
Truth: Changes need to made on the Nebraska football offensive staff
Remember when we thought the Huskers offense was going to be better because we had a “real” quarterback? Yeah. Me too. I bout it too. The problem is that while the passing game is better than it was a year ago, the running game is worse. And now with Dylan Raiola struggling mightily, it’s pretty clear the offense is in fact, not better in any real way.
Over the last few weeks it feels like Marcus Satterfield has been daring Rhule to relieve him os his playcalling duties. That was on display today as well. However, I don’t think he’s the only one who needs to go. Wide receivers coach Garret McGuire was always a strange hire and if you can find me a wide receiver who has gotten obviously better over the course of the season in either of the last two years I’d love to hear about it.
There are also some questions about Glenn Thomas. Has quarterback play improved from Week 1 to Week 10? Absolutely not. I don’t know who specifically to blame for that, but I’m not confident he’s the answer either.
EJ Barthel gets a pass because its impossible to know what to make of the running game in Satterfield’s offense and I think Donovan Raiola gets a pass because his nephews are coming here. But changes need to be made. I hope Matt Rhule doesn’t go the way of Pelini or Callahan and stick his foot in the ground and refuse to accept that.
Truth: Rhule’s not safe either
He is safe. As far as his job goes after this season. But questions need to be asked how the Nebraska football team came out looking as listless and unprepared as they did. How were they not locked in and ready to try and win a game that would send them to a bowl? If the Huskers manage to go 0-6 after starting 5-1, - and with USC, Wisconsin, and Iowa they really could - it’s time to be concerned about the direction of this program.
It really hurts to write that. I had (and still have for the most part) high hopes for Rhule and believed in what he was building here, but that took a big hit on Saturday afternoon. A very big hit.
Lie: Dylan Raiola’s struggles are because he’s a freshman or because of his OC
Both of those things are contributing factors, but it’s also been a long time since the quarterback actually played well. Today, he looked unsure of what he was supposed to do far too often. He also has gotten into a rather disconcerting habit of deciding who he is going to throw to before the snap.
If that player isn’t open, Raiola goes into panic mode. There were far too many plays to count today where Raiola had a receiver running wide-open and he never saw him. Including on a 3rd and goal play that would have been the tying touchdown in the back of the end zone.
Things are bad in Nebraska football nation right now. And unfortunately, with no game next week, the anxiety around another wasted season is going be high. For fans, and for coaches and players.