Nebraska Football 2024

[nebugeater]

With the Ohio State game being an outlier, how does this team continue to get worse as the season goes on year after year when most teams do the opposite?

[CBJason]

Great question! They do have a true freshman starting at QB, however, in today’s environment the game is set up for even a freshman to start playing right away and being successful. I kinda wondered about the Satterfield hire when he was announced and can’t help but continue to think he is just not the right OC. It wouldn’t surprise me to see changes there and at QB coach after the year.

[omaha79]

They treated that game with all of the intensity of a spring half pad scrimmage. And, you have a former player with the audacity to lay it on the fans and say they came out flat because the fans are flat? give me a break. with a bowl game on the line, you'd think they'd have played harder, but I honestly don't think it matters to the players anymore. They are just hired guns.

At this point, this is semi pro football. The fans are paying hundreds of dollars to be there. It's entertainment and investment now, both time and material, and Nebraska football shows, time and again, it's just not worth that kind of investment anymore. I have no urge to spend a dime on players that can't be bothered to show up and coaches that don't seem to understand what it takes to win in the Big Ten. Satterfield saying he needs to wrap his head around committing to the run is embarrassing in a league where the games are won on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

They get worse as the year goes on because they get exposed. period. Everything they've done this season is smoke and mirrors, for the most part, and they are not built to win in the Big Ten. Mini Mahomes has been mostly exposed too. The book is out on him. Nebraska can't run the ball. You'll stuff them and they'll get away from the run. So, bring the pressure when Nebraska starts heaving it up. He will make bad decisions. Then, it will force him outside the tackles where he is way less effective and nothing like Patrick Mahomes. He will throw picks and can't find guys when rolling out. Nebraska has become exceedingly easy to beat on offense and the only time they move the ball is if he completes a video game desperation throw.

Ultimately, we are at the point of the coaching life cycle where fans will be saying "I still believe in Rhule, but Satterfield has to go. I still think he's the guy if he can get the right OC." I've never believed in that nonsense. If he wasn't smart enough to pick the right guy at the start, what makes you think he'll be smart enough to fix it on the fly? So, you waste more money firing an OC, then bring in another, but then create another built in excuse of "well, he'll need to have a couple years to get the new offense in." The coaching staff is a reflection of the head coach. period. If they aren't good enough, it's an indictment on the head coach and maybe he's just not good enough or prepared enough.

We will see where this goes. They have 3 more chances to win a game. That's tangible progress, but sad progress. In a world where Indiana and Colorado might win 10 games, Nebraska finishing with 6 isn't reason to tear the goalposts down and beat your chest, but it's something. If they finish with a 6 game losing streak and finish 5-7 again.....well, Rhule is halfway to being fired then and he will have earned that.

If he starts year 3 with 2 losing seasons and a 6 game losing streak to end year two, I'd consider it 3rd and 20 on the Rhule regime entering year 3. Just creating a huge hole to dig himself out of and reminiscent of Frost. Right now, he's closer to Frost than anything.

[Cermak]

I’ve pretty much tuned out Nebraska football for this year. Every year it’s the same, lots of hype over the summer then the season starts and they never do much, I can’t believe this program can’t even win 6 games a season anymore with a 12 game schedule, disgusting. If Rhule losses the remaining 3 games he will definitely be on the hot seat going into next year.

[mrsticka]

Yeah, it’s not the 90’s anymore. But does it have to be for Nebraska to regain its former glory?

[Louie]

I’ve pretty much tuned out Nebraska football for this year. Every year it’s the same, lots of hype over the summer then the season starts and they never do much, I can’t believe this program can’t even win 6 games a season anymore with a 12 game schedule, disgusting. If Rhule losses the remaining 3 games he will definitely be on the hot seat going into next year.

How much of his contract is guaranteed? And/or how much is the buyout?

[nebugeater]

I’ve pretty much tuned out Nebraska football for this year. Every year it’s the same, lots of hype over the summer then the season starts and they never do much, I can’t believe this program can’t even win 6 games a season anymore with a 12 game schedule, disgusting. If Rhule losses the remaining 3 games he will definitely be on the hot seat going into next year.

He will not be on the hot seat for at least two more years. The fan base may be hot, but the decision-makers will not make a change.

[nebugeater]

I’ve pretty much tuned out Nebraska football for this year. Every year it’s the same, lots of hype over the summer then the season starts and they never do much, I can’t believe this program can’t even win 6 games a season anymore with a 12 game schedule, disgusting. If Rhule losses the remaining 3 games he will definitely be on the hot seat going into next year.

How much of his contract is guaranteed? And/or how much is the buyout?

He owns 90% of the remaining contract if terminated without cause. He is in an eight-year deal @ 74 million before bonus potential.

On November 26, 2022, Matt Rhule signed an eight-year, $74-million contract to become the head coach at Nebraska. Under the contract, Rhule will earn $6.5 million this season and will earn a base salary of $12.5 million by the year 2030, the final year of the contract.

[Busguy2010]

Despite the last few weeks being disappointing, this year has been different. May be the same result by seasons end, but ya can't discredit the start they had. They hadn't started 5-1, or anywhere near that in almost 10 years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty much checked out on them too for the year. Still looks like they're not a good team, but they've been so freakin bad, at this point the 5-1 start is a baby step in the right direction.

[Uffda]

I find this discussion that maybe Rhule has to go after just two years hilarious. It is this ‘well he hasn’t done any thing in two years and we aren’t like our ‘glory days’ (which was like a quarter century ago ) it is this need for instant gratification that is the reason Nebraska has become one of the top universities to pay football coaches NOT TO COACH! Every time you fire a HC, you are starting all over again. And with the open transfer portal and NIL it is easy for the players to. Leave at that point.

There probably needs to be staff let go especially on the offense side. Offensive coordinator definitely, offensive line coach, wide receiver coach - I have wondered about the WR coach hiring since the beginning. He had no background except he knew Rhule. I read an article recently how Pitt more or less replaced all their offensive coaches and last year they were 3-9 and this year so far 7-1. Pitt’s coach has been there Ike 10 years.
So yeah there probably needs to be changes in asst coaches and it might take the AD getting involved as Rhule seems to have very close long relationships with some of his coaches.

[nebugeater]

I find this discussion that maybe Rhule has to go after just two years hilarious. It is this ‘well he hasn’t done any thing in two years and we aren’t like our ‘glory days’ (which was like a quarter century ago ) it is this need for instant gratification that is the reason Nebraska has become one of the top universities to pay football coaches NOT TO COACH! Every time you fire a HC, you are starting all over again. And with the open transfer portal and NIL it is easy for the players to. Leave at that point.

There probably needs to be staff let go especially on the offense side. Offensive coordinator definitely, offensive line coach, wide receiver coach - I have wondered about the WR coach hiring since the beginning. He had no background except he knew Rhule. I read an article recently how Pitt more or less replaced all their offensive coaches and last year they were 3-9 and this year so far 7-1. Pitt’s coach has been there Ike 10 years.
So yeah there probably needs to be changes in asst coaches and it might take the AD getting involved as Rhule seems to have very close long relationships with some of his coaches.

Carfull there, is is sounding like you are using logic! I agree with what you are saying across the board.

As for the OC. He was questionable last year, but I personally gave him a pass last year and took on the wait-and-see approach. WIth all the off. Injuries and the QB situation and injuries last year he got a cautious pass. This year, he has definitely earned my opinion that he is not going to work. If there is only one forced chance on the staff this year, this needs to be it.

[Uffda]

I find this discussion that maybe Rhule has to go after just two years hilarious. It is this ‘well he hasn’t done any thing in two years and we aren’t like our ‘glory days’ (which was like a quarter century ago ) it is this need for instant gratification that is the reason Nebraska has become one of the top universities to pay football coaches NOT TO COACH! Every time you fire a HC, you are starting all over again. And with the open transfer portal and NIL it is easy for the players to. Leave at that point.

There probably needs to be staff let go especially on the offense side. Offensive coordinator definitely, offensive line coach, wide receiver coach - I have wondered about the WR coach hiring since the beginning. He had no background except he knew Rhule. I read an article recently how Pitt more or less replaced all their offensive coaches and last year they were 3-9 and this year so far 7-1. Pitt’s coach has been there Ike 10 years.
So yeah there probably needs to be changes in asst coaches and it might take the AD getting involved as Rhule seems to have very close long relationships with some of his coaches.

Carfull there, is is sounding like you are using logic! I agree with what you are saying across the board.

As for the OC. He was questionable last year, but I personally gave him a pass last year and took on the wait-and-see approach. WIth all the off. Injuries and the QB situation and injuries last year he got a cautious pass. This year, he has definitely earned my opinion that he is not going to work. If there is only one forced chance on the staff this year, this needs to be it.

. Oh and I should have said I follow husker but don’t bleed husker red.
My college (now university) was and still is NCAA Division II so this obsession has always been interesting to observe. But I also go watch games. with TB Husker group.

[nebport5]

Rhule names Dana Holgorsen offensive coordinator

[CBJason]

Wow! I hadn’t even seen that he had been hired as an assistant. Could be a nice move for Rhule!

[nebugeater]

Wow! I hadn’t even seen that he had been hired as an assistant. Could be a nice move for Rhule!

i believe that before this it was only announced that he as hired as a consultant.

Satterfield staysatTight ends coach, which he also had as part of his duties. I'm guessing he probably needs to update his resume on Indeed and start to plan to pack things up, though.

[omaha79]

Despite the last few weeks being disappointing, this year has been different. May be the same result by seasons end, but ya can't discredit the start they had. They hadn't started 5-1, or anywhere near that in almost 10 years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty much checked out on them too for the year. Still looks like they're not a good team, but they've been so freakin bad, at this point the 5-1 start is a baby step in the right direction.

So, starting 5-1 and ending with a 6 game losing streak would be seen as "progress". Wow. how the mighty have fallen. No way anyone should ok with losing 6 straight games to end a season. It's indicative that this coach has zero idea of what it takes to win in the Big 10. the only reason they started 5-1, is the non-conference. Colorado turned out to be a good win, but just more proof this program still isn't built to compete in the Big Ten almost 15 years in.

[Busguy2010]

Not okay at all with how they regressed. But it is progress. Two years ago, this team probably would be 2-7 at this point.

I really just want them to beat Iowa. THATS our championship game this year. I also think there's an outside chance they beat Wisconsin for a change.

[Busguy2010]

Also really interested to see how Indiana stacks up against Ohio State. Indiana is unbeaten and ranked 5, yet they've not played a ranked team.

[omaha79]

Not okay at all with how they regressed. But it is progress. Two years ago, this team probably would be 2-7 at this point.

I really just want them to beat Iowa. THATS our championship game this year. I also think there's an outside chance they beat Wisconsin for a change.

I guess agree to disagree. I've seen very little progress. Early on, you had a QB slinging darts, but he's been controlled once the film got out on him. Now, the book is, "nebraska can't run the ball. Pressure the QB and they'll start rolling the pocket and Raiola can't really make plays while moving or with his feet at all. Controllable as long as you don't let him just set up in the pocket."

Comparing them to the Scott Frost era, one of the worst major college football coaches of all time, isn't a high bar. I actually think that, minus Raiola early in the season, they are about the same as last year. and, definitely an enigma. Play well against an Ohio St. team that was clearly looking past them, but get their skirt lifted for all to see on national TV vs. Indiana. Lost to UCLA, but the spin machine has made UCLA out to be the best under .500 team in the country. Ok, but the wins against Purdue, Northern Iowa, UTEP and Rutgers aren't really that exciting at this point. But, yes, they played a great first half against Colorado. They really haven't strung together two quality halves all season.

In the end, all 3 games left are winnable, but all are losable. USC could be a stretch based on whether or not Raiola is healthy, but Wisconsin and Iowa are possible. But, if you lose 6 straight and extend your nation leading streak of no bowl games or winning seasons, you just can't really replace these seasons. You get, at best, 4 years to make it happen. You'd be 2 years into 4 and I can't really think of a coach that went 0-3 and actually ended up winning at a high level at that school. Fall flat on your face this year with a 6 game losing streak, losing every game since early October, and 2025 becomes make or break. If he can't get it done in 2025, the writing starts to be on the wall. recruits will bail, guys will transfer, the fanbase will push for more assistant changes and year 4 generally becomes a lame duck year.

[mrsticka]

And if Matt Rhule is fired, then what? Just hire a new coach and what if he turns out to be worse than Rhule?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m tired of going through this. Hire a coach, he performs badly, has a bad record, gets fired after 3 or more years, hire a new coach, repeat.

How much longer will we have to go through this? It’s becoming very tiresome.

[nebugeater]

And if Matt Rhule is fired, then what? Just hire a new coach and what if he turns out to be worse than Rhule?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m tired of going through this. Hire a coach, he performs badly, has a bad record, gets fired after 3 or more years, hire a new coach, repeat.

How much longer will we have to go through this? It’s becoming very tiresome.

IMO, Rhule is here for at least three more years. I hope that by then, it will not even be a discussion point.

[omaha79]

And if Matt Rhule is fired, then what? Just hire a new coach and what if he turns out to be worse than Rhule?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m tired of going through this. Hire a coach, he performs badly, has a bad record, gets fired after 3 or more years, hire a new coach, repeat.

How much longer will we have to go through this? It’s becoming very tiresome.

You go through it until you find someone that can win. It is tiresome, but everything about Nebraska football is tiresome. I want Rhule to be the guy, but there are already warning signs in year two that maybe it won't work. He has some time, but honestly, I don't agree he has 3 more years after this. Native son golden child Scott Frost didn't even get 5 full years. He got 4.25 and one of those years was a Covid year. There were other things supposedly going on behind the scenes with Frost, but if an ex husker can't get 5 years, Matt Rhule won't either unless he can at least have a winning season in his first 4.

This fanbase is so fragile and shell shocked that they now prefer to stick with whoever is there, no matter the record, rather than go through coaching changes. It's kind of a "devil you know" syndrome, but honestly, this is big business and Nebraska has to show they even deserve to be in the Big Ten in this era of super conferences. There could come a time, as TV deal money becomes more finite when leagues start looking at who is the dead weight. But Harry Husker will say, "but Nebraska brings so many eyes to the table." Do they? and will they if they go on a 10 year run of losing seasons? I know we have nothing else in this state but corn and alcoholism, but at some point people will tune out, even as evidenced by the late Scott Frost era when they were only scanning roughly 60,000 tickets in a 90,000 seat stadium. And Nebraska isn't in the AAU, the only Big Ten school that isn't, which has been a bone of contention to the other Big Ten members for over a decade now. These leagues are going to start looking at who provides value, and who doesn't. Nebraska has no major media market and only brings tradition, and supposedly, quality football, but the Big Ten's ROI on that has been paltry, at best.

If you want to just be mediocre with Rhule and you want to give him 5 years, no matter the record, then may as well leave and join the Big XII or Mountain West. I know the Pac 12 is looking for members. To quote ex Nebraska coach Bill Jennings, "Maybe we can feed the ego of this state with the football team" once again if they just go to a place where they can compete. Maybe the Big Ten is too much into the deep end of college athletics for a poor sad university on the plains like Nebraska.

[Cermak]

They need to figure out a way to win one more game. USC is not as good as we thought, maybe somehow they can win this Saturday. I would pull the Freshman QB if he is ineffective early and go with the seasoned Haarberg if need be. I actually thought they would be pretty good this year but it looks like the Big10 has figured Nebraska out, they aren’t fooling anybody anymore.

[omaha79]

Here's the way I look at it. Nebraska went to the Rose bowl in 1940. Then, went through a massive drought because of no military program, bad facilities, and bad coaching hires. Yes, this is the ancient age of college football, but it still bears thinking about.

They tried everything. Hot assistants from big programs, NFL assistants, native son alumni coaches. Sound familiar?

All told, Glenn Presnell, Adolph Lewandowski, George Clark, Bernie Masterson, Bill Glassford, Pete Elliott, and Bill Jennings all failed, some more spectacularly than others. That is 7 coaches in 20 years. In the modern era, Nebraska is only 5 coaches in their era of being lost in the wilderness over 21 years. In theory, that era of college football would have rewarded patience more as you didn't have the transfer portal and the game wasn't the big business revenue generator that it is now. Yet, Nebraska was quick to move on when they knew it wasn't the guy. It took until they found the Irishman who spent time at Wyoming and Michigan St. before they became relevant. And, like Indiana this year, he took Nebraska from 3 wins to 9 wins in a year. It wasn't a talent issue, it's a coaching and understanding of the game issue. Today, you simply can't afford patience. And, find me examples where a guy loses his first 3 full years and then turns it around to win at a high level. There is probably only 1-2 in the modern era. After 3 years, the die is cast.

Most studies consistently show Nebraska does the least with their level of talent as anyone in the country. Most experts say it's not a talent issue at Nebraska. It's scheme, not committing to the run in the Big Ten. And, if it's talent, it's not having the right guys on the lines. Nebraska has had 3 coaches in a row who have struggled to bring in recruits on the lines. So, while the stars look good, it's all skill position that can't win in a rough and tumble Big Ten.

The stakes are so much higher in 2024 than 1954, but, Nebraska fans are so battered that they are in the mode to say that any coach should get 5 years, no matter the trajectory or record. I say that's garbage. Winning is the only metric that ultimately matters. I have full faith Rhule will get 2 more years after this year, but he will make that job infinitely harder if he finishes year 2 with no bowl and a 6 game losing streak, especially with multiple winnable games on the schedule. After year 2, other coaches will already be using the "it's not working for Rhule at Nebraska and he won't be there in a couple of years. Do you want to go play at a losing program?" Win one of these next 3 and the narrative is different heading into year 3.

[omaha79]

and, what's laughable is that anyone thinks fans are asking for Nebraska to return to the "glory days". That's such a sad tired argument that no one is having except those that are looking to deflect from the teams poor play. Every Nebraska fan I know just wants competency.

Last year, they had 7 wins essentially on a silver platter, and failed their way to 5 wins. This year, 7 to 8 wins seemed very possible, and 5 wins is looking very possible again. Incremental improvement, bowl games, winning some of the games against rivals that you highlight on the schedule. This isn't 2003 where it was National Championship or bust. If this team won 7-8 wins, they might have a party on 72nd and Dodge. But, that doesn't fit the "narrative" of spoiled entitled Nebraska fans as the coaches and players fumble their way through another failed season.

[mrsticka]

When was the last time 72nd and Dodge was filled with Husker fans celebrating?

[nativeomahan]

When was the last time 72nd and Dodge was filled with Husker fans celebrating?

Back when Crossroads was a bustling mall.

[remline]

Most studies consistently show Nebraska does the least with their level of talent as anyone in the country. Most experts say it's not a talent issue at Nebraska.

NU has obviously had its share of coaching issues. But I think we also have a massive talent issue.

Here are the number of active NFL players from each Big Ten school:

• Ohio State 47
• Michigan 40
• Penn State 31
• Washington 29
• Oregon 28
• Iowa 27
• Wisconsin 25
• Illinois 24
• UCLA 24
• USC 24
• Maryland 18
• Michigan State 16
• Minnesota 16
• Nebraska 15
• Northwestern 10
• Indiana 7
• Rutgers 7
• Purdue 6

So, over the recent past, we have had more NFL talent than Northwestern, Indiana, Rutgers, and Purdue. Those are not promising comps! Every remaining school has more top-tier talent.

Of course, perhaps the failure of NU players to be drafted is because the coaches failed to develop them. However, I think NFL teams are perfectly happy to bring in raw players with potential and then develop the player themselves. So I remain convinced that we demonstrably lack talent.

[mrsticka]

When was the last time 72nd and Dodge was filled with Husker fans celebrating?

Back when Crossroads was a bustling mall.

I assume you mean after the 1996 Fiesta Bowl when Nebraska utterly humiliated and destroyed Florida 62-24 and won the national championship?

[nebugeater]

Most studies consistently show Nebraska does the least with their level of talent as anyone in the country. Most experts say it's not a talent issue at Nebraska.

NU has obviously had its share of coaching issues. But I think we also have a massive talent issue.

Here are the number of active NFL players from each Big Ten school:

• Ohio State 47
• Michigan 40
• Penn State 31
• Washington 29
• Oregon 28
• Iowa 27
• Wisconsin 25
• Illinois 24
• UCLA 24
• USC 24
• Maryland 18
• Michigan State 16
• Minnesota 16
• Nebraska 15
• Northwestern 10
• Indiana 7
• Rutgers 7
• Purdue 6

So, over the recent past, we have had more NFL talent than Northwestern, Indiana, Rutgers, and Purdue. Those are not promising comps! Every remaining school has more top-tier talent.

Of course, perhaps the failure of NU players to be drafted is because the coaches failed to develop them. However, I think NFL teams are perfectly happy to bring in raw players with potential and then develop the player themselves. So I remain convinced that we demonstrably lack talent.

This is impacted by several players who transferred out under previous staffs that ended their college careers at other schools and ended up in the NFL. It says something about the development IMO

[CBJason]

Most studies consistently show Nebraska does the least with their level of talent as anyone in the country. Most experts say it's not a talent issue at Nebraska.

NU has obviously had its share of coaching issues. But I think we also have a massive talent issue.

Here are the number of active NFL players from each Big Ten school:

• Ohio State 47
• Michigan 40
• Penn State 31
• Washington 29
• Oregon 28
• Iowa 27
• Wisconsin 25
• Illinois 24
• UCLA 24
• USC 24
• Maryland 18
• Michigan State 16
• Minnesota 16
• Nebraska 15
• Northwestern 10
• Indiana 7
• Rutgers 7
• Purdue 6

So, over the recent past, we have had more NFL talent than Northwestern, Indiana, Rutgers, and Purdue. Those are not promising comps! Every remaining school has more top-tier talent.

Of course, perhaps the failure of NU players to be drafted is because the coaches failed to develop them. However, I think NFL teams are perfectly happy to bring in raw players with potential and then develop the player themselves. So I remain convinced that we demonstrably lack talent.

This is impacted by several players who transferred out under previous staffs that ended their college careers at other schools and ended up in the NFL. It says something about the development IMO

I would agree with this as well. The Iowa’s, Wisconsin’s and Illinois of the world don’t get that much top end talent but the coaching get’s the best out of the next level of recruits and that’s what NFL GM’s love as that’s what really helps build a full roster.

[omaha79]

schools like Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota also build from the lines out. Nebraska has had this backwards, especially under Riley and Frost, and stockpiled speed and skill position recruits (receivers, DB's, etc). Nebraska hasn't had a true commitment to the running game, maybe since some years under Bo Pelini, but really since Solich. All of this is mind boggling for a school that was once an O-line and running back factory. But, it has a cumulative effect of making everyone worse. You can have the best QB, RB, WR, but if you can't control the line of scrimmage, which they haven't, everyone is going to look bad.

I don't know what it's going to take for someone to actually come in and commit to the run. Rhule hasn't either, but I think part of that is based on glaring deficiencies on the offensive line. The only way they really stand a chance to win most weeks is if Raiola somehow completes 5 or so chunk plays and at least 2-3 of those have to go for TD's, because even if they get it down inside of the 5 yard line, it's often ending in a turnover on downs or missed field goal. We are also working on about 5 years of special teams play that would make most Class B high schools in Nebraska laugh. Miss 3 field goals in a game? yeah, Nebraska can do that!

[omaha79]

I'd say it's a fallacy to say Nebraska doesn't recruit well. They are typically always in the top 5-7 in the Big Ten in any given year and typically in the 25-35 range nationally. I've seen reports that they do the absolute least, over time, with their recruits than any power conference school, and it's not particularly close.

This shows Nebraska has been near the top, they just can't turn that into success and that's coaching. And, once the losing gets cemented, guys leave, because they can. Why stick around for another loser Nebraska coach that won't get it done. If they can't win by next season, Raiola will transfer as well, if he doesn't after this season already. A few of their top guys have gone on to other schools and done more there than they ever did at Nebraska, see Adrian Martinez. Nebraska nearly ruined that guys career with ineptitude.

https://n.rivals.com/news/ranking-big-t ... ast-decade

It's easy to say that Nebraska doesn't produce NFL guys, but it's more of an indictment on every coaching staff since Pelini left that they bring in decent recruits and can't turn them into anything at all.

[remline]

This is impacted by several players who transferred out under previous staffs that ended their college careers at other schools and ended up in the NFL. It says something about the development IMO

Indeed, the transfer portal makes it more difficult to concisely say which college an NFL player attended. The numbers above are presumably the college at which the player played his final college season (I counted them from ESPN). So, for example, ESPN lists Wan'Dale Robinson is playing at Kentucky, while Luke McCaffrey played at Rice.

Ideally, my counts would include any NFL player who spent any time on the college's roster; if I come across such data, I will post new numbers.

It would also be interesting to weight the players by contribution, e.g., an All-Pro player vs. a special teams contributor.

Regardless, an open question remains: all schools see players transfer out; has Nebraska seen more high-end talent leave relative to other B1G schools?

[nebugeater]

This is impacted by several players who transferred out under previous staffs that ended their college careers at other schools and ended up in the NFL. It says something about the development IMO

Indeed, the transfer portal makes it more difficult to concisely say which college an NFL player attended. The numbers above are presumably the college at which the player played his final college season (I counted them from ESPN). So, for example, ESPN lists Wan'Dale Robinson is playing at Kentucky, while Luke McCaffrey played at Rice.

Ideally, my counts would include any NFL player who spent any time on the college's roster; if I come across such data, I will post new numbers.

It would also be interesting to weight the players by contribution, e.g., an All-Pro player vs. a special teams contributor.

Regardless, an open question remains: all schools see players transfer out; has Nebraska seen more high-end talent leave relative to other B1G schools?

I have only a gut feeling, but I think they have, with the exception of MR in year 1.5. Previose staff seemed to lose more than the average high-end players. Of course, I will be the first to admit that I do not pay the same attention to transfers at other programs but it feels that the Huskers have lost more of the upper end than most

[remline]

It's easy to say that Nebraska doesn't produce NFL guys, but it's more of an indictment on every coaching staff since Pelini left that they bring in decent recruits and can't turn them into anything at all.

The failure of decent recruiting to translate to wins is certainly a conundrum. I think part of the explanation is that recruiting rankings have a ton of uncertainty—it is difficult to know which high school players will be good college players. After all, it is difficult even for NFL teams with big scouting departments to know which college players will translate to the NFL!

I must believe that analysts who rank high school recruits are swayed to some extent by which schools give a player a scholarship offer. For example, if the player gets an offer from Ohio State, he must be great! If he gets an offer from Northwestern, perhaps he is just so-so. Therefore, I expect the Nebraska "brand" inflates our recruiting rankings.

The good thing about counting NFL players is that it is completely certain; recruiting rankings are highly uncertain.

[remline]

Breaking news! Jack Stoll was just claimed by the Dolphins off waivers from the Eagles. So, Nebraska is back up to 16 NFL players.

[omaha79]

It's easy to say that Nebraska doesn't produce NFL guys, but it's more of an indictment on every coaching staff since Pelini left that they bring in decent recruits and can't turn them into anything at all.

The failure of decent recruiting to translate to wins is certainly a conundrum. I think part of the explanation is that recruiting rankings have a ton of uncertainty—it is difficult to know which high school players will be good college players. After all, it is difficult even for NFL teams with big scouting departments to know which college players will translate to the NFL!

I must believe that analysts who rank high school recruits are swayed to some extent by which schools give a player a scholarship offer. For example, if the player gets an offer from Ohio State, he must be great! If he gets an offer from Northwestern, perhaps he is just so-so. Therefore, I expect the Nebraska "brand" inflates our recruiting rankings.

The good thing about counting NFL players is that it is completely certain; recruiting rankings are highly uncertain.

I still think it comes down to system and recruiting strategies. Look at Iowa and Wisconsin. They've always been lower middle of the pack in recruiting and almost every year behind Nebraska in total recruiting rankings, by a pretty fair margin. In general, if Nebraska was in the 20-35 range in recruiting, you can count in Iowa or Wisconsin to be in the 50-65 range. But, Iowa and Wisconsin own Nebraska on the football field almost every year. Why? they focus on line recruiting and running the ball.

Riley, Frost, and even Rhule, to an extent, get a few four star receivers and DB's. That pads the rankings. Frankly, those guys are a dime a dozen. And, without a strong offensive and defensive line, it doesn't even really matter if you have those guys or not as you won't be able to move the ball.

In the Big Ten, you have to be able to run the ball and stop the run. This is a simple concept that Nebraska has failed to understand with now 3 consecutive coaching staffs. It's somewhat easier said than done, but you have to have discipline. You may not be flashy, you may no longer get the big WR recruits, but you'll win more in this league. Nebraska has had coaches that value style and flash over substance and that simply doesn't work. of all the things Nebraska has tried, hiring a coach with deep ties to the Big Ten (not just as a player like Rhule), who is a run first and stop the run philosophy guy. There is a reason a coach like Brett Bielema comes in to a school like Illinois and immediately starts owning Nebraska. He gets Big Ten football and Nebraska doesn't. There's a reason Iowa and Wisconsin are a combined 18-2 over Nebraska in the last decade. Look at the fundamentals and overall style compared to Nebraska. It's not even close.

And, the inability to be physical, to own the line of scrimmage is the reason why Nebraska loses all these games in the 4th quarter as well. The average fan looks at it surface level and just thinks, "darn. we were right there. as always. We are just snakebitten." No, those outcomes are basically predetermined. When you aren't as physical as your opponent, and they wear you down vs. you wearing them down, this is what happens. one score late 4th quarter losses are expected when you are soft. If Nebraska was back to their roots of wearing teams down, being more physical, running the ball, and stopping the run, you'd see those close one score losses become one score wins and they'd maybe even blow out a few teams along the way as well.

You get what you earn, and soft play, bad special teams, turnovers, penalties lead to losses.

[omaha79]

Also, I'll leave this out here for the "patience" crowd. My argument stands. You simply cannot afford patience in college football in this day and age. It's win now or GTFO.

https://thespun.com/college-football/re ... IuDyWAJWqA

[Greg S]

4 Star Dawson Merritt flips his commitment from Alabama to Nebraska. He's now the highest rated recruit in the current class: