Alright, imagine this: you’re Matt Rhule, head coach of Nebraska, and your team’s O-line is struggling like a bad Wi-Fi connection during a Netflix binge. The transfer portal is your saving grace, but it’s a jungle out there. Now, here comes a 6’5″ wrecking ball from Notre Dame, one of the most sought-after linemen in the game. He’s up for grabs, but Michigan, with its deep NIL pockets, is standing in your way like the last boss in a video game. What happens next? Well, let’s just say Nebraska’s playing the underdog card, but does it stand a chance?

On January 26th, Nebraska insider, Wilson Dittman, broke the news about Nebraska going all-in on Rocco Spindler. It set Cornhusker fans buzzing. Spindler, the 6-foot-5, 325-pound grad transfer with NFL dreams, isn’t just any lineman—this guy’s a machine. He’s started 23 games for Notre Dame, including 13 this past season, where he held his ground against some of the nastiest defenses in the nation.

“Rocco Spindler is a guy with a lot of starting experience. If you can start at Notre Dame, especially after a National Championship run, I want you here at Nebraska,” Dittman said. “I don’t care what the price tag is; we need offensive linemen. Nebraska understands that—let’s get it done.”

But here’s the kicker: Michigan is sitting pretty as the favorite to land Spindler. Why? NIL money, plain and simple. Michigan’s got bags bigger than Santa’s sleigh, and they’re not afraid to use them. Ya’ll know they cooked a $12 million NIL deal for Bryce Underwood to flip from LSU. They would make sure that the big man eats well. Add to that a chance to play closer to home in Clarkson, Michigan, and, well, it’s no wonder the Wolverines are leading the race.

Yet Nebraska isn’t backing down. They’re hustling to get Spindler on campus before the dead period hits next week. Dittman doubled down, “It’s going to come down to the money—I’m not going to sugarcoat things. We’ve seen this happen all the time with offensive linemen. It’s going to come down to money.”

The man’s on the point, money and reputation matter, “Nebraska hasn’t done a good job selling itself to O-line transfers, but they have to change that with Rocco.”

Michigan’s position here is stronger than an offensive lineman’s pancake block. Spindler’s got a shot at joining a Wolverines line that’s already stacked with talents like Lawrence Hatter, Giovanni El-Hadi, Myles Hinton, and Josh Priebe.

Moreover, Spindler has only allowed two sacks in over 1,300 career snaps per season. That’s NFL-caliber consistency right there. And with two starting spots potentially up for grabs, Spindler could slide in seamlessly—or so Michigan hopes. But Nebraska’s pitch is clear: immediate impact. Spindler would be a lock to start on their O-line, a unit that desperately needs his size and skill.

However, the question is whether Nebraska’s bag can compete with Michigan’s. Spoiler alert: probably not.

Matt Rhule’s O-line problem at Nebraska

Let’s be real—Nebraska’s O-line last season was like trying to run a marathon with a flat tire. Their offense averaged 46.5 fewer yards per game than in 2023. And don’t even get started on their pass protection, which looked more like Swiss cheese than a solid wall.

Jon Rhoades, host of the Big Ten Huddle Podcast, didn’t hold back: “Nebraska’s offensive line remains a concern. They brought in Alabama’s Elijah Pritchett, which helps, but they’ve still got gaps to fill.” Ty Robinson and Nash Hutchmere heading to the NFL left Nebraska’s line looking thinner than a Hollywood A-lister on a juice cleanse.

For Nebraska, landing Spindler isn’t just about improving their O-line—it’s about sending a message after a 7-6 season. The Cornhuskers must prove they can compete in the Big 10, and Spindler is the perfect litmus test. “He’s really good in the running game and solid in pass protection. He fits Nebraska’s style,” Dittman said. But as Rhoades pointed out, “The portal doesn’t have a lot of elite players right now.” Rocco is one of the last elite o-line in the portal.

Can Matt Rhule and Nebraska pull off the upset? If they do, it might just be the spark they need to rebuild their offense. But if Michigan’s NIL game and hometown pitch stay on point, Nebraska fans might ask the same old question: “What if?”