“Just bulldoze the stadium”: CFB analyst demands harsh consequence for Matt Rhule's Nebraska if they don’t make it to a bowl game

CFB analyst Pat Forde has a bold message for Nebraska’s head coach, Matt Rhule: make it to a bowl game or face the consequences. Rhule, who joined Nebraska in Nov. 2022 with an eight-year, $74 million contract, finished his first season with a 5-7 record and a disappointing 3-6 in the Big Ten.

Speaking on the Yahoo Sports podcast, Forde emphasized the importance of Rhule’s second year. He believes Rhule has the potential to turn things around.

“I think year two for Rhule he's another guy that gives, him a year to find his bearings and then he'll take off,” Forde said. “So, if he can continue that track record, and then Dylan Raiola can he step in and be the quarterback right away … huge recruiting coup for them if he's the real deal and he can handle playing immediately.” [Timestamp - 47:52]

The Huskers have a favorable early schedule, with four home games and only one early road game at Purdue.

“They've got that big Colorado game in week two … they do open four in row at home and their first road trip is Purdue then they got Rutgers at home five of the first six and then they're at Indiana I mean the whole first half of the schedule is set up for them if they can do it,” Forde added.

However, the latter part of the season includes tough matchups against Ohio State, USC, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

“The back half is certainly challenging but if they don't go to a bowl game this year, I mean just bulldoze the stadium,” Forde said.

Matt Rhule talks about his defense and offense of Nebraska

Matt Rhule joined Pat McAfee on ESPN Wednesday morning and shared some exciting insights. Rhule believes his team is ahead of schedule after their 5-7 season in 2023, especially given the current state of college football and the Big Ten.

"When you are running in 110-degree weather, you need to be reminded of why we are doing this," Rhule said.

"We want to go play for the ultimate game and it would be irresponsible of me to walk past five national championship trophies everyday and not talk about winning championships. It has been proven you can do it there."

Rhule is expected to use all three quarterbacks (Dylan Raiola, Heinrich Haarberg, and Daniel Kaelin) this fall. Speaking about QBs, Rhule praised Raiola as a true football player, not just a quarterback.

"We have 3 quarterbacks that we know can play. I expect us to be great on defense and I expect us to make a real jump on offense," he said.

During his Big Ten Media Day appearance, the coach highlighted Nebraska's top-notch facilities, passionate fan base, and optimism for the challenges ahead.