What is your minimum won/loss record in 2026 to say we are on right track?
- Thread starter Righteous Red
- Start date
Good. For the record, nothing would make me happier than to be wrong here. Indiana, being the defending national champs, will most likely be ranked, definitely in the Top 10, perhaps Top 5 and well, our record against ranked teams going back the last 24-25 games is abysmal. I think we're like 1-24 against ranked teams.
Win at least one game they are not supposed to win.
But reality is 6-6.
But reality is 6-6.
At this time of year, the Nebraska media always tell us the team is going to be better than last year. Progress would be defined as a record better than last year.
But the schedule this year is significantly more challenging. I saw a ranking the other day where their top three teams in the nation are Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State (I don't remember in what order they had them, but they were at the top).
So with that in mind, I would say the floor to see "progress" might be 7-5. That record against this upcoming schedule is more impressive than the 7-5 they earned last year against a schedule tailor-made for a breakout season.
But the schedule this year is significantly more challenging. I saw a ranking the other day where their top three teams in the nation are Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State (I don't remember in what order they had them, but they were at the top).
So with that in mind, I would say the floor to see "progress" might be 7-5. That record against this upcoming schedule is more impressive than the 7-5 they earned last year against a schedule tailor-made for a breakout season.
I mostly concur, but am hard-pressed to figure out where 9 wins will come from because as I have previously stated, I think 6, maybe 7 wins, is the ceiling for this team. I think we'll win the first 3 games and have an above average chance to beat Michigan State, Maryland, and Rutgers. I also acknowledge we could potentially lose to any of those three teams. The rest of our schedule? Four nearly guaranteed losses with the other two being 50/50.
I dunno Johnny, I REALLY want Matt Rhule to succeed here because: a) I like the guy, b) I'm tired of the coaching carousel, and c) I am hoping he can break our curse.
7 wins vs. this schedule is improvement. So - for me - that's the bar I want to see. Measurably better at a team and at least 7 wins. I will accept 8 is likely the ceiling this season. While I understand Fumble's point about how we play.....this far into Rhule's tenure we gotta see the Ws stack up. Would 6 wins get him fired.....no. But if we only win 5 and miss a bowl.....a fire will be burning under his backside.
This is Rhules 4th year. I like the guy I want him to succeed. But lets be honest its time for him to start winning. If we only win 6 or 7 games even with this years schedule I wont really consider it improvement. Its also time to get the signature win. If he does that he could win 9 games. I think anything less than 8 wins his seat will be VERY hot next year and a losing season may see him on to his next job. AS 99 said I'm tired of the coaching carousel but if we fire two 9 win coaches why do we keep one who cant reach the 9 win plateau?
It's hard for me to forget that back-in-the-day you argued with me that we should keep Frost (and his four straight losing seasons) for a fifth year--and you got what you asked for.
I did. And I wont say I didnt. I was wrong and I admit it. And I said nothing bad about Rhule. But if you dont think 6 wins or a losing season wont make his seat VERY warm next year you are nuts.
This 2027 recruiting class should be in the Top 10 nationally and potentially even Top 5. We need to start stacking elite recruiting classes one on top and after the other. And in order to do that, we have to start winning and winning against the better teams. If Rhule wants to get Nebraska to that elite level, then we have to beat Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana and when we face the better teams from the SEC, we have to win those games as well.
Again, I really like Matt Rhule and I want him to succeed. I'm just not convinced anymore he can get the job done. This is one instance where I have no interest in being right. I want to be wrong, I just don't think I am. If I am, I'll gladly eat a giant helping of crow and ask for a second helping and maybe for dessert some crow pie.
Again, I really like Matt Rhule and I want him to succeed. I'm just not convinced anymore he can get the job done. This is one instance where I have no interest in being right. I want to be wrong, I just don't think I am. If I am, I'll gladly eat a giant helping of crow and ask for a second helping and maybe for dessert some crow pie.
Yes - that's where this team ultimately needs to be. Rhule first 3 teams have been pretty similar in terms of results - but I will say watching Iowa and Utah mash our defensive front was hard to watch. We have to fix that this season. If Rhule doesn't - I think the AD and powers that be have to work on an exit plan for Rhule. Maybe not for 2027 but certainly by 2028.
Considering he just got an extension, seems like that would be yet another very expensive buyout.
Unfortunately - yes. I had visions of a Harbaugh deal that made getting rid of him easier - but I think Rhule's agent is too savvy to allow any changes like that. Forcing the full buyout pretty much means he can retire, do TV, etc. I don't see him going back to the NFL. No blue blood program would want him. If he wants another Baylor level job I am sure he'd find takers.
Harbaugh broke out in Year 7 and won a Natty in Year 9. We fans grumble about the coaching carousel yet we're already pining for a new coach who has been digging us out of the bigass hole we were in, post-Frost?
I will freely admit that I was on the Fire Frost bandwagon early-on but that's because my gut--and my eyes--told me early-on that we'd made a huge mistake. Thanks to Bo's classless exit, followed by Riley's and Frost's ineptitude, our once-proud program got driven into the damn ground.
Seriously, multiple 3-4 wins seasons?
But--hey, we're NEBRASKA, baby! So despite playing in the toughest league in football, we'd damn well better be in playoff contention by Year 3 or it's time to get Rhule's worthless butt out of town.
I'm just a know-nothing fan but this strikes me as a bit odd.
