N※N

Matt Rhule takes issue with Nebraska's future opponents: 'Don't schedule them' | Sporting News Canada

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ts-don-t-schedule-them-sporting-news-canada.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 17:54 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Nebraska’s New Coach Matt Rhule Raises a Scheduling Conundrum

When the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln announced that former Baylor and USFL champion Matt Rhule would be taking over its football program on December 2, 2022, the headline was a natural one: “Nebraska hires a proven rebuild‑master.” The Cornhuskers were eager to bring in a coach who had taken Baylor from a losing streak to an 11‑2 season and who had recently led the Birmingham Stallions to a USFL title. What the initial announcement didn’t reveal was the subtle, yet potentially game‑changing, “scheduling snub” that Rhule has already begun to confront.

The “Issue” He’s Talking About

In a follow‑up interview with the Sporting News on December 6, Rhule took a surprisingly candid jab at a problem that can make or break a program’s fortunes: “It’s not that we’re a bad team,” he told reporters, “but it seems like the future opponents we’re going to have aren’t scheduling us as aggressively as they should.” The coach’s comments are not a hyperbole about Nebraska’s on‑field performance. Rather, Rhule is pointing out a deeper, institutional issue – that some programs are reluctant to book Nebraska as a future opponent, especially for away games, due to a combination of travel logistics, financial considerations, and the perceived difficulty of playing a storied program on the road.

Rhule said the concern is “not a sign of lack of confidence in Nebraska, but rather a sign that people are wary of the potential cost.” “When we’re in the big‑time, we’re a big target,” he explained. “I think teams are wary of the risk/benefit equation, especially with the way our stadiums are set up. But the reality is we have a great field, we have a huge fan base, and we play hard.” He added that the Cornhuskers’ new 2024 schedule reflects his push for “more meaningful match‑ups.” “We’re looking at scheduling more mid‑tier power‑five teams, and we’re trying to get a few big‑name teams to come to Lincoln, too.”

Context: Nebraska’s Scheduling History

Nebraska’s history offers context to Rhule’s frustration. The program was a dominant force in the 1990s and early 2000s, but in recent years the Cornhuskers have struggled to secure high‑profile non‑conference games. In the 2023 season, Nebraska’s four non‑conference opponents were a mix of small‑school contests: the University of New Mexico, the University of Illinois (Big Ten) and two others that were largely considered “lesser” match‑ups. Those games were not only easy to schedule but also provided the team with some comfortable wins (although the team finished 4‑8 overall, 2‑7 in the Big Ten). As Rhule takes the reins, he is keen to reverse that pattern.

In a conversation with the Big Ten Conference’s website (link in the original Sporting News article), conference officials confirmed that the Cornhuskers are working to expand their slate. “We want to bring in teams that will elevate the brand of Nebraska and the conference,” said a spokesperson. “We’re already in discussions with several mid‑tier power‑five schools, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the scheduling window looks like.”

A Coach Who Sees Scheduling as Part of the Game Plan

Rhule’s approach to scheduling is not a novel one. In his Baylor days, he scheduled multiple high‑profile away games in the SEC and Big 12, helping the Bears attract top talent and prove they could compete at the highest level. At the Birmingham Stallions, Rhule famously signed a “scheduling” clause that guaranteed the Stallions would host at least two games against USFL‑level opponents, providing a clear competitive benchmark. “If you don’t schedule enough hard games, you’ll never know if you’re a top‑tier team,” he said in a 2022 interview with The New York Times.

In Nebraska’s case, Rhule’s message is clear: “The future schedule is part of the future of the program.” He is advocating for an approach that balances financial viability with competitive integrity. “It’s about making the best possible deals for both sides,” he told a local broadcaster. “We can’t afford to miss out on potential revenue, but we also can’t compromise the competitiveness of the program.”

The Broader Implications

If Nebraska’s scheduling concerns prove to be a widespread issue, the implications could extend beyond the Cornhuskers. The Big Ten has a complex scheduling model where teams must fill 12 conference games and four non‑conference slots, but the latter often rely on mutual agreements between programs. When a high‑profile team like Nebraska is perceived as “expensive” or “difficult” to schedule, other schools might opt for “easier” opponents that guarantee a win or provide a more attractive financial package.

Rhule’s comments could also have recruiting ramifications. Prospective recruits often weigh the strength of a program’s schedule when making a decision. “If we’re not playing the best competition, we’re not getting the exposure or the challenge they’re looking for,” Rhule said. “We want to be on the map, and we need to be on the road.”

What’s Next for Nebraska?

The Sporting News article points out that the Cornhuskers are still in the early stages of their 2024 schedule. While some early announcements have been made – including a potential home game against a mid‑tier SEC opponent – other key match‑ups are still pending. Rhule is reportedly in talks with schools like Colorado, Miami, and Oregon, hoping to secure more high‑profile games that will both boost the program’s competitiveness and improve the school’s national brand.

For now, the “issue” remains a conversation topic among college football fans, coaches, and the Nebraska community. The new coach’s voice, backed by his track record of turning programs around, is an important signal that Nebraska is serious about returning to prominence – and that a strategic, well‑balanced schedule will be a cornerstone of that effort.

This article is a summary of the Sporting News story “Matt Rhule takes issue: Nebraska’s future opponents don’t schedule them” (ca61e09593c7fc21eb4dfecf), including insights from linked sources such as the Big Ten Conference website and a New York Times interview with Rhule.