Matt Rhule’s run at Nebraska was always going to be a long haul. After being hired in November 2022, the new head coach was looking at a program that last had a winning season in 2016. His first year didn’t defy the narrative. Another losing season. However, in year 2, the program finally made it to a bowl game after seven seasons of waiting. A 7-6 finish with a freshman under the center will be termed as progress, but Rhule knows that the progress must continue for him to make his mark for the Huskers.

What’s in store for Nebraska in 2025? For starters, Dylan Raiola is returning. A year under his belt, he is already taking up a leadership role in the offense. However, a lot needs to go right for Nebraska to improve on its 7-6 record. The analysts of Crew 3 discussed Nebraska’s future in a debate on Big Ten Dark Horses in the 2025 season. 

Chip Patterson opened the floor for the other two hosts to discuss Nebraska’s position at the end of the season. “The question is, you know, are you talking dark horse to make the playoffs or a dark horse to win the conference? I think that those are in some of these conferences, the same conversation… Nebraska to make the College Football Playoff? +650 at FanDuel Sportsbook… +3700 to win the Big Ten. Which side would you play for that one?” asked Patterson. 

Co-host Bud Elliot placed his bet on Nebraska qualifying for the playoffs rather than winning the Big Ten conference. He had a fair analysis. “I think it depends on how much of your analysis is that you like the schedule. Right? If your analysis is you really like the schedule more, then I think you probably prefer the playoff. If your analysis is that you think they’re really, really going to be good and you could actually survive like a game against, we’re assuming, Penn State, Ohio State, or Oregon, in some order, it’s the Indiana path. That’s what I was looking at. I think I would rather have Nebraska make the playoff, imagining that they go on some fever dream 10-0 start,” said Elliot. 

What’s the Indiana route here? Well, the Hoosiers had an easier schedule in 2024, and first-year head coach Curt Cignetti made the most of it. The program went 11-1 in the regular season and made it to the playoffs. If we dive into Nebraska’s schedule this season, some say that they have the easiest schedule in the Big Ten, which can actually turn in their favor. Their tough games are at home, which will give them a strong home-field advantage. USC and Michigan will come to their stadium. The only difficult away game is at Penn State, and even if you mark that as a loss, the program can still aim for a 10-2 finish. A lot will depend on how Dylan Raiola performs. 

Matt Rhule shows confidence in QB Dylan Raiola for 2025

Matt Rhule’s confidence in Raiola has remained intact despite the latter’s struggles in the second half of the season. A few months ago, some media misrepresented the head coach’s comments on his QB’s weight, but the former was quick to ratify the situation.  

In an episode of the Always College Football with Greg McElroy podcast, Rhule talked about his young QB. “I mean, he’s always been a tremendous worker. When you’re a young player, you can be emotional. And when things are great, you’re great. When things get bad, sometimes you kind of get quiet, you get introverted, you start to get frustrated. And actually, he and I sat together in the cafeteria today, we actually had this exact conversation. We had the UCLA game on TV. And he was like, ‘Man, it was 13-7 at the half.’ And then you know we came out,  we threw a pick six, he threw a pick six, and we talked about how far he’s come.” What a statement! What a change!

Definitely, things are different now. After struggling with his performance last year, Raiola has dialed in. He understands the narrative around his weight. Hence, he has been on a fitness spree this offseason. Now, he is listed at 230 pounds. Under a new OC (Dana Holgorsen), the sky is the limit for the Huskers’ mini-Mahomes.