Second-year head coach Matt Rhule will seek to achieve bowl eligibility when his Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-3) host UCLA (2-5) on Saturday. The season so far has been a rather tumultuous one for the Huskers. Transcending the 6-win checkpoint for the first time since 2016 would put Rhule’s tenure so far into perspective. However, layered within this progression are pangs of conscience.

Coming off back-to-back losses, Rhule recently laid bare his feelings about the Huskers’ lack of postseason football. He condemned the missed opportunities his players would have if the season stretched into December. Although his team are on the cusp of a breakthrough, Rhule is not content just yet.

In his press conference, Rhule said, “For me, realizing that these guys haven’t had [playoff experience], you know, that’s an extra two weeks to a month of practice. And real practice, right? Preparation. So when you look at the guys on our team, who are sophomores, juniors and seniors, think that they’ve never had that time. How much it can develop them. I mean, from week one till the first bye week seeing what happened, the development of, like, Braylen [Prude]. And that’s across the board, you know. It’s across the board. I think it’s a huge, huge opportunity for a lot of guys.”

Matt Rhule strives to reach the playoffs in large part for the intangible benefits it will bring to his young team. Nebraska fans have been longing to see their iconic red colors feature in the postseason. Although the team looked to be on their way to the promised land initially, consecutive losses to ranked opposition have in all likelihood delayed those desires for at least one more season.

Rhule’s hire was seen as a risk after his ill-fated time with the Carolina Panthers. He has steadily improved results, overseeing a 4-win team in 2022, reaching 5 wins within 8 games in his first year before falling off a cliff and losing 4 straight to finish. He would hope those past demons don’t recur as he looks to get back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon.

Nebraska face a UCLA side that has potentially turned a corner

The Huskers host a potentially rejuvenated UCLA outfit at Memorial Stadium. The Bruins broke the rut of a 5 game losing streak in their previous game against Rutgers. This was off the back of the offense, putting up 35 points. QB Ethan Garbers scored each one of those, with 4 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD. 

The Nebraska defense will have their work cut out for them as they contend with a quarterback brimming with newfound confidence. Oddsmakers believe Nebraska will finally get the monkey off their backs and make bowl eligibility. They are 6.5-point favorites against their B1G counterparts.

As Nebraska heads into the November Slate, Matt Rhule’s team have displayed moments of greatness and moments of growth this season. The program does seem to be on the right path with a freshman quarterback who’s only going to get better. A result on Saturday will be a step in the right direction.