Nebraska HC Matt Rhule isn’t exactly hiding his nerves about tough competition. The Sooners and Cornhuskers are set to reignite their rivalry with nonconference games in 2029 and 2030 — but if Rhule has his way, those matchups might never happen. He recently joked on social media that the CFP should expand to 40 teams — the only way his Huskers could sneak in. Beneath the humor, though, Rhule voiced frustration over Nebraska’s demanding B1G schedule, which includes a 9 conference game, unlike the SEC’s eight, a clear disadvantage in his eyes. On the other side, Oklahoma is gearing up for a tough road ahead. Beyond their upcoming clash with Nebraska, the Sooners face a relentless SEC slate and prefer matchups that won’t drain them as much. So, the rivalry is set, the tension is rising — but are both programs ready for what’s next…

Well, Matt Rhule’s below .500 record at Nebraska—12-13 overall and 6-12 in B1G play—comes with a catch: that extra conference game. “We play nine conference games where some others play eight,” Rhule told HuskerOnline. Moreover, he argues that an extra matchup puts Nebraska at a disadvantage. “If you swapped one Big Ten game for a Group of Five opponent, our 5-7 seasons turn into 6-6 or even 7-5,” he said. Simply put, fewer tough games could mean more wins—and Rhule’s critics aren’t buying it.

Matt Rhule’s Nebraska now finds itself in the same stormy waters as Oklahoma after the Sooners announced major athletic department layoffs. Facing the financial fallout from the upcoming House vs. NCAA settlement, Oklahoma is bracing for a new era of athlete revenue sharing. An internal email leaked to OU Daily revealed staff were notified Wednesday, with the university confirming the cuts Thursday. Athletic director Joe Castiglione called it a “limited reduction in force,” a necessary shake-up as the program adapts to the costly new reality of paying athletes. So, change is coming — and it’s hitting hard.

On the May 24 episode of  The Number One CFB Show, RJ Young dropped some real talk about Oklahoma football. “We’ve had pro football in the state of Oklahoma for over a hundred years,” he said, “and I’m saying that with my tongue planted firmly in my cheek.” But the heart of Oklahoma? It’s all about the football team. “That’s what we’ve built our entire existence around.”

Now, he sees Nebraska as their perfect counterpart — “Nebraska’s got to win, Nebraska’s got to play great football.” Although it’s been rough for Nebraska lately, Young believes both programs are headed for similar waters. “It’s the place where you make all the money,” said Young, “and the place where everybody wants to be a part of what you’re doing.” So, the stakes are high, and the rivalry means everything.

But the financial squeeze at Oklahoma is starting to hit hard. According to Associate AD Mike Houck, around 5% of the university’s 302 full-time athletic staff — about 15 employees — were laid off. RJ Young didn’t hold back either, noting that AD Joe Castiglione might even take a pay cut himself. However, the reason? The school is bracing for the new wave of athlete compensation. “You’re having to redistribute a lot of the money you were making to athletes — not just in football, but basketball too,” explained Young. So, the Sooners are adjusting fast.

And Castiglione is leading by example as Oklahoma braces for major changes. According to Sportico, Castiglione’s latest compensation was $1.93 million, making him the 5th-highest-paid AD in the country. But now, he’s trimming his own salary to protect the program’s future. “This is the only expected reduction in force for the department,” he wrote in the email. Adding, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to you and to the mission that drives us: serving our student-athletes and representing the University of Oklahoma with pride and integrity.”

Back in February, Joe Castiglione gave OU fans a heads-up—change was coming. In a letter, he laid out the university’s bold move to embrace the new revenue-sharing model. Starting July 1, OU will commit the full $20.5 million toward athlete compensation, a massive shift that demands serious financial reshuffling. Meanwhile, Matt Rhule’s soft stance on scheduling might put the brakes on a classic. His cautious approach could jeopardize the long-awaited Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry game. In a time when programs are stepping up, Rhule seems more interested in stepping back.

Matt Rhule’s cautious take

Back in February, Matt Rhule didn’t hold back when chatting with Urban Meyer on The Triple Option podcast. The topic? High-stakes nonconference games like Oklahoma vs. Nebraska. Rhule, in his usual blunt style, threw shade on the idea: “Why would you ever play one of those games?” he quipped. With a shrug to convention, he added, “Coach Meyer, I’m at a lucky point in life where in my fourth job and after getting fired in the NFL, I kind of say what I feel nowadays. I could care less.” Rhule doubled down, questioning the logic for any B1G program: “Why in the world would a Big Ten team who’s already playing nine conference games, why would you ever play one of those games?” Safe to say, he’s not lining up to reignite old rivalries.

Matt Rhule’s NFL exit may have given him the freedom to speak his mind, but it also exposed a truth he might not admit out loud: he’s dodging real competition. Now, with Nebraska still struggling under his watch, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll even be around when the Huskers are scheduled to face Oklahoma in 2029.

At this pace, it’d take a miracle for Rhule to still be on the sidelines. But his current mindset could still shape the program’s future. If he keeps steering clear of tough matchups, don’t be surprised if Nebraska finds a way to quietly sidestep the Sooners altogether. Let’s see how it all unfolds.