Matt Rhule was handed the Washington game on a silver platter. Night game, Blackout, nationally televised, perfect weather, over 50 recruits on site, and a fan base that was stoked and ready to do their part. Yet Rhule let it slip through his fingers.
He responded Monday with a 50-minute press conference that included an opening statement that lasted around 19 minutes. If you know anything about Rhule it’s that he likes producing word salads sprinkled in with hidden messages. It’s why several fans call him a used car salesman. Think of Bill Paxton’s Simon character in Arnold Schwarznegger’s movie True Lies. “I have to lie to fans to get paid, and I don’t score much. It’s pathetic!”
Yes, I took liberties with that quote.
Before I go any further, let me add, part of Rhule’s opening lecture was a story about what some idiot fan said to his thirteen-year-old daughter. Let me just say this, I can in no way justify what that fan said. It’s flat out wrong and totally uncalled for. In my day if other fans heard someone say something like that they would have grabbed him by the collar, dragged him outside the venue and put knots on his head.
Moving on, other than Rhule sharing what happened to his daughter his word gumbo might as well have been him bending over to the microphone, letting out a disappointed sigh, and saying, “Whoopsie…did we do that?”
Notice I said we. Yes, while Rhule will stand and tell you he’s the one responsible, and it all ends with him, he’ll also be quick to point out he’s not the only one in the boat.
No matter what happens in this one, tongues will be waggling. If Nebraska wins this game, some will bemoan…FINALLY! Others will be rejuvenated enough to start once again talking a 9-3 record.
But because this is a must win game for Nebraska, if they lose this one, more than likely the bottom falls out. And by that, I mean, Rhule will have completely lost both the team and the fan base.
No matter what happens, this game will give fans something to talk about. You haven’t seen ugly yet.
Most Notable News
Rhule announced that Dana Holgorsen, Geep Wade, and Tyler Yelk will be moving to the press box for the Illinois game. Several fans have spaced this off saying it makes no difference. Others are saying it’s just Rhule throwing things at the wall and seeing if anything sticks. Others have said Holgorsen is trying to get away from Rhule’s micromanaged play calling.
Bad, good or otherwise, I personally am flabbergasted it hasn’t been that way all along. Nebraska has almost two position coaches for every position on the field. Why wouldn’t you want the ability to see what’s going on from both the sky and field level.
Some are pointing out the current use of I-Pads as a reason it won’t make any difference. But when you are watching from above what you’re seeing is instantaneous. There is no delay or interpretation.
With coaches moving to the press box, the big question becomes who is coming down or who loses a headset? Coaching staffs are only allowed so many headsets. By adding three individuals upstairs it means either three individuals move down to the side lines or remain in the press box only being able to communicate verbally with the coaches they are sitting next to.
As far as Holgorsen, Wade, and Yelk’s move upstairs there are still plenty of position coaches on the sideline. Quarterback coach and co-offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas will be on the sideline communicating with the quarterbacks.
Offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley will be on the sideline talking to the offensive line. He’ll more than likely be connected to Wade through a headset.
And finally, cornerback coach Addison Williams will be on the sideline talking to the secondary players. He too will probably be connected to Yelk upstairs.
In my opinion it could potentially change everything. Both on offense and defense. And it sure in the world won’t hurt special teams.
Then again, maybe it’s just a different game with the same results.
Bielema’s Silver Platter
This is a Friday night nationally televised game and Illinois is calling for a blue-out. Head coach Brett Beilema personally paid for new helmets just for this game. The goal, the Illini are making this game special and will try to take advantage of a team they feel will give up if they get down early.
When Illinois looks at this Nebraska team they smell blood in the water. Their goal will be to hang on until they can drag the Huskers into the deep water late, because once they have them there, they know this team will panic and not be able to save themselves.
I started to call Illini head coach Brett Bielema ‘Pig Farmer’, but I’ve decided I will no longer use that nickname. Bielema is too good of a coach to disrespect. He knows Big Ten football and understands how the game should be played and that’s a problem for Matt Rhule because Illinois is 10-3 in one score games the last three seasons.
So, don’t underestimate Bielema and his staff. Remember their second half adjustments against the Huskers and Dylan Raiola in 2024. They brought pressure from the center, overloading the A-gap and making Raiola non-existent. They’ll also have a plan to minimize Colandrea and what he does best.
Illinois’s offense tries to manage the game and does not put the ball in harm’s way. It’ll be difficult for the Blackshirts to get takeaways with QB Katlin Houser managing the offense. Houser is perfect for what Bielema wants to do, throwing for 1,663 yards with a 65% completion rate and a 13-to-5 TD interception rate.
Houser’s favorite receiver is Collin Dixon, who is in the top 12 in the nation in receiving yards with 60 receptions for 781 yards and 10 TDs.
Houser is also supported by a good running game with Aidan Laughery who has rushed for 560 yards with a 6.3 yard per carry average. The Illini will not get discouraged running the ball and due to that they can be explosive.
On defense, the names to remember are D-Lineman Will Holmes, 6th in the Big Ten in pressures, and cornerback Juice Clark.
With games remaining against UCLA, Iowa, and Northwestern, Illinois needs this game to reach six wins. Nebraska has been targeted because they are the most gettable of the Illini’s last four games.
Holgorsen’s Goal
Former Nebraska defensive coordinator Charlie McBride mentioned on Tuesdays Average Joe Sports Show that Nebraska’s offense is easy to prepare for defensively. It’s too easy to look at the formation and personnel and know whether it’s a run or a pass.
There could be something to that. Holgorsen comes from the ‘Air Raid’ offense and game planning a running game hasn’t ever been something he’s concentrated on consistently.
Nebraska needs to come into the game with a plan offensively. And when plan ‘A’ doesn’t work as desired, go to ‘B’ or even plan ‘C’. At this point Holgorsen’s offense hasn’t appeared to have had anything but plan ‘A’. Defenses adjust, Nebraska doesn’t.
Holgorsen and run game coordinator Geep Wade must get a running game established. And that can’t be little motion sweeps with wide receivers. It will need to be one of the running backs, and I don’t care who that is, whether it’s Jamal Rule, Mekhi Nelson or Conner Booth. Run the ball throughout the game and find someone who can establish a rhythm and pound the rock.
Game time temperatures are expected to be in the 40’s and there is a chance of 5-to-10 mile per hour winds, which isn’t conducive to Nebraska’s passing game. The Illini are next to last in receiving yards gave up in the Big Ten. For Nebraska to capitalize on that Colandrea will need to find the open receivers and they will need to make catches. We saw way too many drops against Washington.
I loved what we saw from Kwazi Gilmer in the first five games, but he’s up to nine drops so far this season. It’s yet another puzzling stat for an offense that started out hot.
Holgorsen and Colandrea need to stop pressing. Before the Washington game Dana Holgorsen talked about the race to score 21. So, what did we see against Washington. An offensive coordinator and a quarterback pressing to make winning plays throughout the game. It didn’t appear there was any effort to put together clock burning drives that put points on the board. It was a game where big play attempts were more coveted than first downs.
That can’t happen again. Because we’ve seen over the last two games when a play goes south, Colandrea tries to put the team on his back and make up for it on the next play.
If Nebraska wins this game, it’ll be because the offense finally moved the ball and produced points. Nebraska has been outscored 39-10 in the fourth quarter of their three losses.
Some fans want to put the collapses at the end of games on the Blackshirts, but they’re wrong. Rob Aurich is being forced to call the perfect game due to always playing with a small lead. If the Huskers are up by 10 to 14 points it changes what Aurich can do on defense.
As of now, Nebraska isn’t playing complementary football. That needs to change.
Wild Cards
Rhule also announced John Hohl will take over the field goal kicking. That’s big because special teams will probably decide this game. Nebraska’s kicking game has been suspect while Illinois’s is very good.
I’m anticipating Hohl will need to kick two to three field goals for the Huskers to win this game. And not only do we need Hol to perform we need another top performance from punter Archie Wilson as well. If we get that we won’t need the return or cover teams to do anything special, just do their jobs. Which is protect the ball and make tackles.
One little piece of sunlight for the Huskers, over the last two match ups the visiting team has logged the win. Which means nothing in this one.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Photos courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home - Falls City Journal - Falls City, NE
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