The battle over talent — and dollars — is just heating up. Once Kirby Smart took a bold stand on NIL, sparking a firestorm with his straight-shooting remark, “I don’t want a freshman coming in and making more than a senior.” That comment, coming on the heels of Georgia losing top recruit Jackson Cantwell to a hefty Miami NIL deal, sent ripples through CFB. While Smart didn’t take names, the message was clear — the landscape is changing, and it’s messy. Here, Oregon’s Dan Lanning weighed in, nodding to the tough road for programs without deep NIL pockets. But Smart weathered the storm, proving he’s more than just words. Now, all eyes turn to Matt Rhule, who’s stepping into the NIL spotlight with his own sharp takes on recruiting’s new wild west. And what did Rhule say?

Well, Nebraska’s HC Rhule is speaking real talk about the game’s new reality. NIL deals and the transfer portal are shaking up CFB like never before. On the Husker Online podcast, Rhule dropped this gem: “Good QB costs $1-2M in NIL deals in transfer portal.” That’s a game-changer. Programs with deep pockets can now outbid the rest, making recruiting a high-stakes bidding war. For schools with tighter budgets, it’s a tough uphill battle. Rhule also stressed how NIL isn’t just about landing talent—it’s about keeping it. Even star players can be lured away by bigger offers. Honestly, the landscape has shifted, and it’s all about who’s willing to pay the price.

Now, on the May 22 episode of The Ruffino & Joe Show, Blake Ruffino didn’t hold back. He called out Nebraska for pushing the narrative that “bad teams have more money.” Here, Ruffino pointed out that Matt Rhule has been making the media rounds all offseason—CBS hits, sit-downs with top journalists—and now he’s telling one of Nebraska’s biggest fan sites that teams are spending big because they’re desperate. So, Ruffino wasn’t buying it. “News flash,” he snapped. Adding, “Ohio State says, b——t.” It was a fiery take aimed at the shifting NIL landscape—and Rhule’s role in it.

However, Joe didn’t sugarcoat it. As Matt Rhule continued to make headlines for his NIL comments, Joe was clearly fed up. “Can we stop giving that a microphone? Interviewing him?” he asked, frustrated by Rhule’s repeated media appearances. Adding, “Matt, can you stop chiming in on this shit?” Despite respecting Rhule as a coach and holding high hopes for Nebraska, Joe admitted, “He keeps saying things that just make me hate him.”

But the moment that sparked it? Rhule’s claim that top teams have their NIL money “allocated to good players with lots of options.” Here, Joe quoted Rhule directly: “I tell our players, if you’re a good player on this team and you’ve produced, you’re going to get hit up in the portal every single time… you’re going to get hit up.” Although Joe acknowledged that part was true—players are poached all the time—but added that Rhule’s messaging felt off-base.

Then Joe wrapped his rant by challenging the idea that elite programs can’t afford to spend. “Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, LSU, Texas—those teams always make room,” he said. Adding, “They’ve never been in a situation like, ‘We’re out of money.’ When they want a player, they go get him.” So, his takeaway? Rhule’s complaints aren’t about fairness—they’re about falling behind.

Look, Nebraska’s NIL game under Matt Rhule and GM Pat Stewart isn’t about chasing headlines—it’s about building smart. With a reported $4 million quarterback cap, the Huskers are sticking to a plan: pay wisely, not wildly. Rhule isn’t playing the bidding war game. He’s betting on structure, culture, and development. But while his NIL take stirred up plenty of noise, Rhule flipped the script this week. Now, he’s aiming higher—at the College Football Playoff. In true Rhule fashion, he didn’t hold back, dropping the hammer on the playoff expansion talks.

Matt Rhule isn’t buying what the current CFP system is selling

While some coaches are content with the status quo, Nebraska’s HC man wants more—much more. The Sporting News reported that Rhule made it clear: the CFP needs a major makeover. He’s calling for a serious expansion, one that opens the door for more teams to compete on the sport’s biggest stage. Simply put, for Rhule, the future of CFB should be wide open—not reserved for the usual suspects.

Matt Rhule isn’t shy about his stance on the College Football Playoff. “The more spots the better, man. Make that thing 40 and let’s go,” said Rhule with a laugh. But he wasn’t just joking. He pointed to a major imbalance in scheduling across conferences. “I think, again, you’re talking about a league that we play nine conference games where some others play eight. So I think that puts you at an automatic disadvantage,” said the HC.

Then Coach Rhule doubled down, highlighting the grind of B1G competition. “So the more spots, the better. We’re playing in a really, really tough league,” he said. Adding, “We’re playing really, really good teams. And you know what? If you play in this league you deserve a chance to get to the postseason and see what you can do.” Honestly, to Rhule, it’s not just about fairness—it’s about opportunity. And he’s ready to fight for it.