Nebraska's Matt Rhule falls in USA TODAY Sports' coaches rankings

USA TODAY Sports released its rankings of Big Ten football head coaches on Monday, with a few shake-ups compared to last year’s list. Last season’s results and new coaching hires reshuffled the list, benefiting some but not others. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule did not benefit, being ranked No. 9 after placing No. 5 heading into last season.

Heading into the 2025 season, expectations were high for Rhule’s team entering his third year, with his previous stints at Temple and Baylor resulting in massive jumps in season three. Though Nebraska got off to a 6-2 start and reached its second straight bowl game for the first time in a decade, the final five games left a sour taste for the overall season.

Rhule’s contract extension also adds to the tension before year four. It remains to be seen what the season will bring after numerous changes to the roster and coaching staff. But USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg emphasized that it comes down to the trenches.

“The third-year bump didn’t quite arrive in 2025, though Rhule did get Nebraska into the postseason for the second year in a row. After pulling off remarkable rebuilding jobs at Temple and Baylor, whether he can turn a solid foundation into bigger things hinges on the Cornhuskers’ play on the offensive and defensive lines.”

The lines were a massive factor in Nebraska’s second-half slump. For starters, the offensive line struggled to protect its quarterback, finishing 112th in the nation in sacks allowed (2.54 per game) and 98th in team sacks (1.69 per game).

The Huskers also ranked 98th in rushing defense, allowing an average of 175.4 yards per game on the ground. For the offense, though Emmett Johnson ranked fourth in the nation with 1,451 rushing yards, the team still finished 80th in rushing offense, averaging 145.9 yards per game.

Nebraska opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers will host Ohio at 11 a.m. CT, and the game will be shown on FS1.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska’s Matt Rhule falls in USA TODAY Sports’ coaches rankings