Matt Rhule won’t go quietly into the offseason. The Nebraska coach opted to make information, once more, by saying some dumb stuff off the sector. This time it wasn’t to preen about integrity and honesty, however fairly to let faculty soccer know that he is aware of how the sport’s performed — and isn’t going to bend.
Sounding like Dabo Swinney, however with out the credentials, Rhule informed reporters in regards to the harsh realities of the switch portal at his season-ending state-of-the-program presser.
“Make no mistake {that a} good quarterback within the portal prices, you already know, one million to $1.5 million to $2 million proper now, simply so we’re all on the identical web page. Let’s make sure that all of us perceive what’s taking place. There are some groups which have $6 [million] or $7 million gamers enjoying for them.
“We simply sort of imagine in doing issues the old-school means, the arduous means — constructing,” Rhule mentioned.
Oh, nice. The “arduous means.” Clearly, Rhule has been watching Husker soccer this century as a result of this program appears intent on making successful as tough as attainable. The switch portal isn’t the “arduous” means, it’s the best way.
I might make a Mandalorian “That is the best way” joke right here, however I’m unsure if Rhule will get Disney+ along with his Dish Community bundle. Additionally, Nebraska began a switch quarterback this season; he simply wasn’t any good.
Jeff Sims solely lasted two video games as a starter earlier than turnovers/an harm sidelined him. And it’s 100% correct to say Husker quarterback play objectively price them a bowl recreation this yr. At 5-3 after October, and with video games in opposition to Michigan State and Maryland remaining, NU misplaced out to complete 5-7, and hold their bowl-less streak alive.
As soon as Sims went down/bought benched, Rhule opted to go along with Heinrich Haarberg, who wasn’t even within the QB room final season, and whereas he went 5-3 earlier than accidents sidelined him, the offense was severely restricted. Followers had been begging for Haarberg to get the hook within the Maryland loss earlier than accidents gave the employees an excuse to return to Sims. That’s till Sims bought benched for extra turnovers (in the identical Maryland recreation).
When Chubba Purdy (Sure, Brock’s youthful brother) lastly noticed enjoying time, your complete fanbase puzzled why he didn’t play sooner. Warning: This subsequent quote from Wednesday’s media availability is triggering for Huge Purple followers.
“Clearly, everybody can have a look at the negatives and the turnovers and all these issues,” Rhule mentioned. “I additionally see lots of positives. I say to myself, if Chubba had performed extra all through the course of the yr, would he be farther alongside? I believe Chubba has a excessive ceiling. Heinrich wasn’t even in quarterback conferences final yr [during coach Scott Frost’s tenure]. He wasn’t even allowed to go to conferences. So I’m actually happy with him.”
“If Chubba had performed extra”?!?! My man, you’re accountable for who performs, and the truth that it took 9 and a half video games to lastly land on Purdy is sort of as horrifying as Nebraska shedding its first and final video games of the season the very same means, all the way down to the ultimate rating.
In reality, the Huskers misplaced three video games by a rating of 13-10 this yr, and in each considered one of them, NU quarterbacks threw fourth-quarter interceptions that led to game-winning, walk-off discipline objectives. The Huskers led all of FBS in turnovers with 31. That’s rattling close to three per recreation, however certain, see who develops and forge forward blindfolded with out a backup plan.
When you’re questioning how Nebraska received 5 video games in any respect, it’s as a result of the Blackshirts repeatedly bailed out the offense. Talking of which, defensive coordinator Tony White is probably going on his method to USC, so if Rhule prefers the arduous means, he’s bought it.
