Nebraska can’t seem to catch enough wind in their sails to upset a top team. Not that Illinois was a juggernaut, but it really looked to me that Nebraska may have had enough juice to hang with them for four quarters, prior to Casey Thompson going down.
Such is life the last five years. Even when you think Nebraska might get something rolling, it simply doesn’t have a full arsenal to put it all together for an extended period of time.
Unfortunately for this group, the other ships have likely already sailed off. Nebraska has four games left in their season, with little chance of winning more than one. You can pretty much write off Michigan on the road, and the way Wisconsin has pulled itself off the mat, that seems to be a tall order as well.
Nebraska could upset Minnesota this weekend, but with Casey Thompson not likely to play, that seems like a stretch.
So, what is there to turn too? Well, the coaching search has been silenced for the most part, up until this week. In all honesty, this is the first time a rumor was made that I said to myself that makes some sense.
On Thursday, an Auburn website said that they had reached out to see if Matt Rhule, formerly the coach of the Carolina Panthers, Baylor Bears and Temple Owls, would have interest in coaching at Auburn. The report said that they were told that Matt Rhule is already connected to the Nebraska job and likely wouldn’t be available.
Normally, I wouldn’t give that any thought, other than one reporter saying what they “thought” was happening. On the other hand, why would an Auburn reporter put that out there? They have little skin in the game, as far as Nebraska is concerned. Second, if Mickey Joseph is telling recruits that he will be here next season, it makes sense that if Matt Rhule is going to be the coach, Rhule would be putting the wheels in motion to hire assistants. It doesn’t take long to think that if Joseph knows who is getting the job, that he may already have a spot on the next staff. Rhule not having a job right now makes the transition that much easier if he really is the next coach.
Rhule would be an excellent hire for Nebraska. He has rebuilt two college football programs in a short amount of time. He is considered a coach that knows how to recruit and develop talent. Developing talent has been in short supply around Lincoln for a long time.
I would be fully on board with Urban Meyer, however long of a long shot it is, and my favorite for the job has been Lane Kiffin. If Rhule were to be named the next head coach at Nebraska, I would consider that as a big win, almost as big as getting Kiffin. (Predictions are at the end if you don’t want to read the rest!)
ON WITH THE REWIND…
Last game prediction was Illinois 34, Nebraska 28. The actual score was Illinois 26, Nebraska 9. Unlike against Purdue, Nebraska’s defense played their hearts out for four quarters. Once Casey Thompson went out, it was a disaster behind center. Chubba Purdy was no where near prepared to play. For whatever reason, the staff decided not to go with Logan Smothers. That was a big mistake. You have to account for him in the run game, and if that is the best talent you have, you need to play him. I was scratching my head after each errant Purdy pass. Nebraska let one get away from them, no matter how bad the final score may have seemed.
Quick Notes:
Luke Reimer…Reimer completely changed the linebacking group last week. His ability to make plays from sideline to sideline allowed Nebraska to turn other players loose from the defensive backfield and Nebraska could apply some pressure to the Illinois quarterback. It’s unfortunate that the offense was so bad, Reimer showed how valuable he is to the team.
Offensive Line…It has been bad, maybe historically bad, this season for Nebraska. I don’t know if I remember a time where Nebraska simply could not run the football, game after game. Anthony Grant looked like he could be an all-conference type player at the beginning of the season. That has evaporated. When Ajay Allen went down with an injury, it is as if the entire running game went down with him. The line creates few holes and even fewer blocks down field. They have pass protected well at times, but Casey Thompson has taken a beating. Whoever the new coach is, offensive line rebuild will be their top priority.
Casey Thompson…He is so valuable to Nebraska. We saw it firsthand after he left the Illinois game. Thankfully it wasn’t a broken hand like I had feared and Thompson likely will be back after the Minnesota game. If Nebraska is going to have any chance to win a game the rest of the season, Thompson will need to be in the lineup.
Score Prediction: Minnesota 28, Nebraska 14
P.J. Fleck hates Nebraska, I feel very safe in guessing. He has made it a point to beat Scott Frost and the Huskers every year. If Nebraska has Casey Thompson, I think they would win this game. Unfortunately, Nebraska likely will be playing a combo of Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers. The Gophers have Tanner Morgan back for what seems like the 9th season. Throw in Mo Ibrahim, who has torched the Huskers on the ground, and it looks like a bleak day in Memorial Stadium. If Thompson plays, I think Nebraska will pull the upset. The score up top is what I predict if he doesn’t play. GBR!!
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