Matt Rhule isn’t just chasing wins anymore. He’s chasing perfection, and Nebraska fans haven’t felt this kind of anticipation in years. The Cornhuskers rolled through their opening games, capping it off with a statement 68-0 destruction of Akron that had everyone wondering: Is this the year Nebraska finally returns to national relevance? With Houston Christian next on the schedule and Michigan looming, Rhule knows these next few weeks will define everything he’s built in Lincoln.
How Is Matt Rhule Learning from Nick Saban’s Championship Approach?
Rhule delivered Nebraska’s first winning season since 2016 and has the Cornhuskers rolling with a perfect 2-0 start to follow it up. Fresh off that dominant 68-0 dismantling of Akron, Nebraska prepares for Houston Christian before the spotlight intensifies with a crucial Big Ten matchup against Michigan.
If everything goes according to plan, Rhule will lead his squad into that Michigan showdown undefeated and positioned to make a statement on the national stage. During his appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” this week, Rhule discussed the upcoming game against Houston Christian and revealed his evolving expectations for star quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Nick Saban shared his philosophy for FCS games during last week’s McAfee Show appearance, describing how he treated these matchups as de facto practice sessions. When Alabama faced deficiencies in particular areas, like struggling to move the ball through the air, Saban would intentionally call 50 pass plays to work through those issues.
Rhule was explicitly asked if he approached these games to work out weaknesses, or if they were to gear up for Big Ten matchups, or something else. “I think it’s one in the same,” he said. “I think you’re preparing for the Big Ten by fixing the things that you’re not doing well. We’re one of the top pass defenses in the country right now, but we’re not sacking the quarterback.”
The numbers back up Rhule’s assessment. The Cornhuskers have allowed the second-fewest passing yards this season and are allowing 65.5 yards per game. However, they have just two team sacks in two games, which ranks in the bottom third of the nation. This weekend’s matchup presents a good opportunity to get on track there, as Houston Christian has allowed seven sacks through their first two games.
What Are Matt Rhule’s Expectations for Dylan Raiola This Season?
Raiola makes headlines for a myriad of reasons, but Rhule doesn’t want his pure ability to be lost in the noise as 2025 marches on. The coach has a specific vision for how he wants his sophomore signal-caller to develop.
“I want him to come out with amazing numbers and not a lot of highlight plays. I don’t want you to see him running around and throwing the ball behind his back, which he can do,” Rhule explained. “I want him to just play quarterback, and I think he’s so underappreciated nationally.”
Raiola is off to a strong start in his sophomore campaign. He’s 15th in passing yards, tied for tenth in touchdowns, and 17th in rating. More than just the numbers, Rhule, who is a former NFL coach, says that Raiola is developing into a pro-level quarterback.
“He’s throwing the ball under center. He’s throwing the ball from the gun. He’s doing everything you’re going to do on Sundays,” Rhule noted, emphasizing the quarterback’s versatility and NFL-ready skill set.
Rhule and company will look to take care of business this weekend and get ready for their Michigan showdown in Week 4. With the program’s momentum building and Raiola’s steady development, Nebraska appears poised to make some noise in the Big Ten this season.