Once upon a time, a great prophecy was foretold around Nebraska, saying Dylan Raiola is the next Mahomes. The Cornhuskers’ true freshman creator-in-chief has fallen off a bit after it. There might be too much pressure put too early on his young shoulders. Look, this roller-coaster of occasional loop-de-loop speculation will continue. And Rhule’s boys, thrust into the spotlight, found themselves at the center of the storm. Following Nebraska’s triumphant 44-25 win over Wisconsin, Raiola finally addressed the elephant in the room—his future with the Cornhuskers.

The post-Wisconsin win presser on Inside Nebraska brought it to light. When asked about head coach Matt Rhule’s declaration that Nebraska won’t be celebrating just some six wins for long, Dylan Raiola didn’t dodge. “Playoffs next year,” he stated, cool and confident as if this year’s rollercoaster had already reached its peak. That statement was a definitive rejection of the swirling doubts regarding his commitment. Just a week ago, many believed the QB might walk away if the Cornhuskers failed to clinch a bowl berth.

But you see, this narrative wasn’t always this optimistic. Heading into the Badgers matchup, Nebraska’s playoff hopes were flickering at best, and Raiola’s inconsistent performance didn’t help the cause. Over a rough four-game stretch, Raiola threw as many interceptions as touchdowns, leading skeptics to question his readiness and resolve. Local chatter on the radio didn’t pull punches either: “If we just make it to a bowl, he gonna feel proud and he out,” one host bluntly remarked, suggesting Raiola might jump ship for greener pastures.

This sentiment wasn’t without merit. As one of the most highly touted recruits in recent history, Raiola carries expectations of playing for championships, not merely clawing to bowl eligibility. His slow adaptation to the college game, combined with Nebraska’s struggles, raised questions about whether the program could support his lofty ambitions. Yet, Saturday’s win may have flipped the script. Improving 6-5 brought the joy back of Bowl eligibility around Nebraska for the first time since 2016.

It’s been a while for the #15 as he showed flashes of the poise and potential that made him a prized recruit, orchestrating a key victory. All in the midst of an OC surprise by Matt Rhule in the middle of the season. Good for Dylan Raiola, as he completed 28-of-38 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown in the blowout. Events that lead to shed a few tears of joy for his boss.

Rhule is a happy man seeing his seniors and Dylan Raiola staying

Matt Rhule’s emotions were as raw as the chill in the Nebraska air following the breakthrough victory over the Badgers—a win that clinched their return to the postseason. In the postgame presser, he paused mid-sentence, his voice catching as he scratched his head and let out a deep sigh. “I can’t express how much…” Rhule started before stopping to collect himself. Finally, with visible emotion, he finished, “…those guys have meant to me.”

The “guys” he referenced? The 30 seniors who may have played their final game at Memorial Stadium and were honored before kickoff. For Rhule, their journey transcended football—it was about resilience through the chaos of coaching changes and the sting of missed opportunities. “Playing under multiple head coaches is hard,” he admitted, reflecting on the heartbreak he saw in their eyes after tough losses to UCLA and USC.

The freshman phenom shared too on how happy he was for his seniors when asked.