Ex-Nebraska football coach has team poised for Conference Title in third year

While Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule is considered a bit of a specialist when it comes to rebuilding a program, there’s one former Husker coach who is quickly gaining that reputation for himself. What’s really interesting is that Jay Norvell might be mapping out a path Husker fans hope Rhule can follow.

When Norvell opened his third season with Colorado State with a 52-0 loss to Texas, it’s a safe bet some wondered whether the Rams hired yet another head coach who couldn’t really do the job. After all, his first two years in Fort Collins, he went 8-16 and 6-10 in the Mountain West.

However, despite also losing 28-9 to Colorado and their only win in the first three games being against an FCS opponent, the former Nebraska football coach has led Colorado State to wins in five of its last six games.The Rams have clinched their first bowl game since 2017.

Former Nebraska football coach has new team in Conference Title picture

Not only is Norvell’s team 6-3 on the year, but they’re also 4-0 in the Mountain West. Their last three opponents, Wyoming, Fresno State and Utah State are a combined 9-19 with only Fresno State at .500 or better at 5-5. That means no Boise State or UNLV to try and get by.

There’s also the quirk of scheduling with the Pac-12 that saw the Rams play 5 nonconference games. All of this means the Norvell has a very good chance to go to the Mountain West Title Game. While Boise State looks like the best team in the conference, far and away, stranger things have happened than an upset there.

Even if Norvell’s squad doesn’t win that game, it’s clear his bowl bid is secure. And that’s plenty impressive for a former Nebraska football coach who took over a team that’s been mostly bad for a while now.