Paul Finebaum rips Nebraska coach over his predictions for Big Ten teams making College Football Playoff: "Your program sucks"

SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum didn't hold back on his criticism of Nebraska heading into the 2024 season. The college football analyst responded to Matt Rhule after the Nebraska coach's comments at the Big Ten media days.

Rhule had suggested that a certain number of teams from the conference should get automatic qualification into the College Football Playoff.

During the Paul Finebaum Show last week, the SEC analyst asked Rhule to focus on improving his program rather than worrying about others.

"I just think when you're a cellar dweller, your program sucks like the Nebraska program does, don't worry about everyone else," Finebaum said. "Try to get to a bowl and stop blowing games and choking games on the final play."

Nebraska has one of the richest football traditions. The Cornhuskers have won five national championships, but its last triumph came in 1997. Moreover, the program has posted just one season with 10 or more wins since joining the Big Ten in 2011.

During Nebraska's media days appearance last Wednesday, coach Rhule suggested that the new Big Ten conference is the best in the country.

He also said that the conference should earn no less than four bids into the College Football Playoff since the NCAA has changed the format to include 12 teams.

Paul Finebaum aims dig at Nebraska coach Matt Rhule

SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum (Source: Imagn)

Paul Finebaum appeared slightly irked at Matt Rhule's suggestion about four Big Ten teams making the College Football Playoff. He took shots at the Nebraska coach on ESPN's Get Up on Friday.

“Matt, stay in your lane. Job 1, win enough games to get to some stupid bowl game,” Finebaum said. “Don’t worry about the big boys because you’re not one of them.

"We saw what you did in the NFL; you were a complete disaster in Carolina. You somehow got this job in Nebraska. And you’re talking like you belong at the table with Ohio State and Georgia — you don’t. Just try to win maybe six games, quit choking big games on the final play, and leave the punditry to the professionals. Thank you.”

Rhule took over the reins at Nebraska before the 2023 season. He posted a 5-7 record with the team in his first year but will aim to get the Cornhuskers to a winning season in 2024.