Picture this: your beloved football team staging a heart-pounding comeback in the final minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, all while a rival powerhouse spirals into a series of demoralizing losses that shake the very foundations of their program. It's a tale of triumph and turmoil that has college football fans buzzing—and it's exactly what unfolded over the weekend, setting the stage for some big decisions ahead. But here's where it gets controversial: could the coach of that winning team really be the right fit for the struggling squad? Let's unpack this drama together, step by step, so even if you're new to the gridiron, you'll grasp the stakes and the debates.
Let's rewind to Saturday's action in College Park, Maryland, where Nebraska clashed with Maryland in a nail-biting back-and-forth battle. Both sides showcased solid teamwork on offense and defense right through the fourth quarter. For instance, with Nebraska trailing 31-24 and Maryland on a 3rd and 2 play from Nebraska's 31-yard line, linebacker Dasan McCullough made a game-changing sack, pushing the opponent back four yards for a loss. That momentum swing fueled Nebraska's next possession—an impressive 83-yard drive over 12 plays that ended with a field goal to narrow the score to 31-27.
This was no ordinary tackle; it was a pivotal moment in Nebraska's victory. Maryland had just rattled off three scoring drives in a row—a field goal, a touchdown, and even a pick-six for 17 unanswered points—putting them on the brink of extending their lead to 10-14 points. Dasan McCullough's heroics turned the tide, and it's hard not to cheer for plays like that.
The Huskers' defense wasn't done yet. Facing a four-point deficit, they forced another turnover, handing the ball back to the offense with just 3.5 minutes remaining. Quarterback Dylan Raiola and company marched 81 yards in seven plays, capping it off with a three-yard touchdown pass to Dane Key for a 34-31 lead. One final defensive stand sealed the deal. This marked the first time since Nebraska's 25-24 win over Purdue back in 2017—under then-head coach Mike Riley—that the offense punched in a fourth-quarter touchdown to take the lead. Yes, you read that right: a breakthrough win that has fans dreaming big.
At the same time, across the map, Penn State was suffering yet another setback, their third straight loss, this one at the hands of Northwestern. The Nittany Lions had entered as heavy favorites, a 21.5-point underdog's nightmare, just a week after dropping a game where they were 24.5-point favorites against UCLA. And that came right after a grueling double-overtime home defeat against Oregon in a whiteout game—talk about a tough stretch for the faithful. James Franklin, known for winning the games that mattered less but faltering in the spotlight, couldn't even secure wins in the 'easier' matchups anymore.
By Sunday afternoon, the news hit like a thunderbolt: James Franklin was officially out as Penn State's head coach.
Almost instantly, the 'Hot Boards'—those speculative lists of top candidates for coaching vacancies in college football—sprang up everywhere. And guess who kept popping up on most of them? None other than Nebraska's current head coach, Matt Rhule.
(For those just getting into the lingo, a 'Hot Board' is essentially a ranked wishlist of potential hires, compiled by insiders and analysts based on buzz, connections, and fit. It's like a dream team draft for coaches, and after Penn State's latest tumble, these lists were hot off the press.)
I have to admit, last week after the UCLA loss, I was pretty sure James Franklin would stick around for the season. But by Saturday night, seeing him on the sidelines against Nebraska next month felt unimaginable. I'd bet every seasoned Penn State reporter had their 'Franklin's out' stories queued up before hitting the sack.
And Rhule? He wasn't just on a few lists—he was a mainstay on many. (I can't say all, since I haven't scoured every single one, but it'd shock me to find one without him.)
Delving deeper, let's explore the arguments for and against Rhule potentially moving to Penn State. Pete Nakos summed it up well: as a former Penn State linebacker and longtime pal of athletic director Pat Kraft, plus his proven success track record, Rhule's connections make him a no-brainer top contender.
Reporters like Eli Lederman, Max Olson, and Adam Rittenberg echoed this, noting Rhule's 'fit factor' is sky-high. He walked on at Penn State, played linebacker there, and coached under Kraft at Temple from 2013 to 2016. Their bond is rock-solid, though some wonder if keeping that friendship intact might complicate things. They added that at 50, Rhule loves his role at Nebraska, where he's revitalized the program after a long downturn. But could he snag a national title there? At his alma mater, however, the possibilities seem even brighter.
Bruce Feldman put it bluntly: it's doubtful Rhule could turn down his old school or his former boss.
Yet, if I'm being honest, I'd be floored if Rhule was Penn State's top pick from the jump.
Consider the stats: James Franklin went 1-18 against top-10 Big Ten foes, with his only win a Block Six victory over Ohio State back in 2016. Now, compare that to Matt Rhule's record: he's 2-23 against top-25 teams overall, dropping to 0-11 versus top-10 squads. At Nebraska, it's 0-7 against top-25 opponents and 0-2 against the elite top-10. Those numbers paint a stark picture.
This is the crux of why I doubt Rhule fits Penn State's blueprint. Sure, you could highlight his deep ties to Penn State AD Pat Kraft or his playing days under Joe Paterno. As the legendary Bear Bryant once quipped, when your 'mama' calls, you answer. But that overlooks the bigger issue: why swap out a coach who couldn't crack a certain ceiling for one who's struggled even more against tougher competition?
To put it another way: what rationale makes Rhule Penn State's immediate go-to choice? It just doesn't add up. Penn State craves a fresh approach, distinct from what Franklin delivered—and what Rhule might replicate. Both are 'culture' coaches at heart: they build team spirit, foster loyalty, and excel in the public eye. Criticisms of their off-field personas often stem from on-field woes, like Rhule's podcast antics grating more during losses, or Franklin's infamous press conference blunder last year after handling questions about former players accused of rape—culminating in a post-win apology against Wisconsin.
Their in-game strategies, though, are a common sore spot. How often do you hear praise for Franklin outmaneuvering rivals tactically? Or Rhule's teams executing brilliant game plans to upset stronger opponents? Franklin's squads often mirrored his demeanor in big games—they tightened up, played it too safe when boldness was needed, and came up short.
So, the solution from Kraft and his team would be... the coach with an even worse record in high-stakes matchups? Help me understand the logic here.
And this is the part most people miss: Rhule holds significant leverage in this scenario. With Nebraska sitting at 5-1, are they poised for that 'third-year breakthrough' Rhule has achieved elsewhere? If so, why bail just as things heat up, especially after departing Temple and Baylor near similar milestones? He'd surely want to stick around and reap the rewards, right?
Plus, Nebraska's quarterback recruiting pipeline looks promising for the post-championship era—on paper, at least. While plans can shift, it begs the question: why not commit to seeing this unfold?
There's one more layer: Rhule succeeded Scott Frost, who 'returned home' to Nebraska aiming to restore glory. We all know how that panned out. Could this background work against Rhule for Penn State? Following in the footsteps of someone who tried the same 'homecoming' gambit might raise eyebrows, even if Frost's flaws were the real issue (and I believe they were). It could serve as a cautionary tale for both sides.
If you're rooting for Rhule to stay in Lincoln long-term, here's a thought to ponder: what if the Penn State gig isn't as glamorous as it seems? And following that, what if they get rejected multiple times by top choices? That's when Rhule's bond with Kraft might truly shine—a desperate plea of 'you're our last shot' could tip the scales, transforming him from a secondary option to the chosen one.
In my educated take, Rhule will be coaching Nebraska next season. Penn State seeks a transformative leader capable of dominating top-10 teams and chasing national titles. Is Rhule that transformative figure? Time will tell.
But until the dust settles, brace yourselves—it's been ages since a Nebraska coach, not even Bo Pelini pacing the sidelines, generated this much speculation about elsewhere opportunities. With mid-October upon us and six regular-season games left (plus a bye week), expect a whirlwind of debates, insider reports, and whispers. Oh, and don't forget: Nebraska travels to Penn State in just over a month.
This whole situation sparks heated opinions—does Rhule's loyalty to Nebraska outweigh a potential homecoming? Is Penn State's ceiling too high for him, or could his culture-building turn the tide? Agree or disagree; I'd love to hear your take. Drop Josh a line at joshpeterson.huskermax@gmail.com and let's discuss!
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