Matt Rhule Takes Aim at the Big 12

Do you remember when Nebraska was good at playing American tackle football?

I was born in 1989, so I’m just barely old enough to have a couple of coherent memories of the Huskers being a program that the college football world envied. 

I ask because the head coach of the least-accomplished Power Four football program of the last decade, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, decided to take some shots at the Big 12 in his latest press conference. (Click below to hear it)

What set him off? Iowa State. The Cyclones already have commitments from five players in the state of Nebraska for the class of 2026 and are in the mix for four more.

Meanwhile, Rhule and the Huskers have dragged their feet on offering those same in-state kids—waiting to extend scholarships until after they attend Nebraska practices or camps—while Iowa State scoops them up like a five-year-old on an Easter egg hunt.

The Omaha World Herald wrote extensively about Rhule’s dilema: should he be quicker on the trigger to offer kids who grew up bleeding Husker red to block a regional rival from further encroaching on their turf?

A clearly frustrated Rhule made it known at his latest spring football press conference that he’s holding off because Nebraska has to abide by a higher standard than teams like Iowa State in the lowly Big 12. 

“There’s lots of kids I would love to recruit. If they’re committed to a Big 12 school or somewhere else like that — come to camp. If you want to play in the Big 12 over the Big Ten? I got it. But make no mistake: There’s a big difference.”

“It’s the reality,” Rhule said, using his right hand to indicate how the Big Ten and SEC were stronger than the rest of the conferences. “The Big Ten and SEC, especially moving forward, are going to be ‘here’ in terms of everybody else.”

Look, he’s not entirely wrong. The Big Ten and SEC obviously have more top-tier teams than the Big 12. But here’s the thing:

Matt Rhule is a horrendous messenger for that point.

He’s 12-13 overall at Nebraska, with twice as many Big Ten losses as wins. The Huskers barely stumbled their way to 6-6 last year, finally snapping the longest bowl drought in Power Four football.

This is a program that hasn’t won a New Year's Six equivalent bowl since before Y2K. And their coach wants to talk down to Iowa State?

Iowa State won 11 games last season. They've played in two conference title games in the last five years. They won a NY6 bowl five seasons ago.

A recruit who signs with Matt Campbell has a much better shot at reaching the College Football Playoff than one who signs with Rhule. Iowa State was one game away last season. Nebraska was one game away from missing out on a bowl game sponsored by a second-rate lawn mower. 

Maybe Rhule should take a page out of Campbell’s book and start prioritizing the local prospects he thinks the middling Husker brand is too good for. He should also rip a page or two from Chris Klieman and Lance Leipold—coaches of two other regional rivals whose programs are running circles around the once mighty Huskers. 

At this point, it’s laughable to hear anyone in Lincoln thumbing their nose at the Big 12. Sure, they’re in the Big Ten and cashing checks, but they've averaged less than five wins per season over the last decade.

Nebraska bragging about being in the Big Ten is like flying to Miami just to stand outside the hottest nightclub all night and never get in—just so you can take a picture by the sign for Instagram.

The Huskers fit right in with the gang of influencers who got caught renting fake private jets for social media photo shoots. They might look the part, but there’s nothing behind the curtain. 

These days, the Huskers live a hollow, unfulfilling life. I’ll take the all-substance, no-fluff program that Campbell has built and maintained any day of the week.

What You Need to Know

• We now have more details on Big 12 quarterbacks who turned down Tennessee when the Volunteers tried to lure them into the transfer portal. Check out how much the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that TCU quarterback Josh Hoover was offered to play for the Volunteers. On3 reports that the Volunteers also made a push for another top-tier Big 12 quarterback who quickly said, “no thanks.” 

• BYU has been hit hard by the spring transfer portal. All-American returner Keelan Marion entered last week and has heard from Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, and others. Starting linebacker Harrison Taggart also hit the portal after starting 16 games over the past two seasons. 

• Former five star receiver Micah Hudson is heading back to Texas Tech. The one time Red Raider portaled to Texas A&M but didn’t even make it to spring football with the Aggies. Here’s to hoping Hudson can get settled in and figure it out in Lubbock. 

• Oklahoma State quarterback Maealiuaki Smith is heading to the portal with four years of eligibility left. Smith started two games late in the season last year for the Cowboys.

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