Matt Rhule - Iowa Week Interview

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

Nebraska Football HC Matt Rhule Press Conference Today | Iowa Hawkeyes Preview

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule’s Monday media availability on November 24, 2025 to discuss preparations for the Huskers’ Black Friday game with the ...

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As much as I hate Nebby, Rhule says a lot of nice things and has high amount of respect for Phil Parker.

 

[Fryowa]

Nebraska Football HC Matt Rhule Press Conference Today | Iowa Hawkeyes Preview

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule’s Monday media availability on November 24, 2025 to discuss preparations for the Huskers’ Black Friday game with the ...

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As much as I hate Nebby, Rhule says a lot of nice things and has high amount of respect for Phil Parker.

I watch all nebraska HC and coordinator pressers during the week and postgames because that's who I am. Every coach since Pelini it's been a slow descent into madness not unlike Jack Torrance in The Shining. Rhule is not an exception. Yeah I know they're 7-4 but that's not enough for nebraska fans and his pressers are showing me he's slowly falling apart. Watch the MSU postgame. He's jumpy, and a total mess. You can tell it's getting to him when you go back and watch his first year pressers. Rhule has finally figured out that unless he wins 10 games every year and makes the playoffs he's never going to do anything right in the eyes of fans and the athletic department.

He looks like a genuinely nice guy, but I don't feel sorry for anyone who 1) makes millions, and 2) is there voluntarily.

Like some of my mouth-breathing nebraska colleagues have been saying, Matt Rhule is a great motivator and says the right things, but he's a very average coach. Hasn't beat a ranked team since a fluke a decade ago at Temple vs. Naval Academy (LOLZ), Barak Obama was president. 0-18 in P5 football against ranked opponents.

And before anyone says that 7-4 shows he's improving, look at their schedule. Charmin Ultra triple ply soft. The only win they have over a team with even a faint pulse is Cincinnati. Below is their schedule this year and opponent record. Take Cincinnati out, and the WP of teams they've beat is .382.

 

[ChosenChildren]

You of course are correct about Nebraska fan expectations. It's a little ridiculous.

I think it is going to be a very close game Friday. Iowa is rated #20 by Massey and Nebraska #32. Weather very cold and windy (big surprise). with 40% chance of snow.

I think the weather favors the better running team, which is Iowa with Moulton, Patterson and Gronowski and a healthy O-Line (hopefully).

Hawks need to bring it on both sides of the ball. Big rivalry game!

 

[Fryowa]

I think the weather favors the better running team, which is Iowa with Moulton, Patterson and Gronowski and a healthy O-Line (hopefully).

False.

Emmett Johnson is a generational talent and by far the best RB in the big ten. He's doing what he's doing behind a terrible OL and with defenses knowing nebraska can't throw the ball.

Unfortunately for us, MG has regressed in the passing game which doesn't help our chances running the ball.

The NWS shows only a 20% chance of snow starting around noon and by then temps will be above freezing. This is as of 30 seconds ago, if the current forecast holds weather won't be much of a factor:

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I live amongst the Sand People and you gents are overstating the general sentiment I get from my family, friends and the radio heads here in Omaha. If Nebbie were to beat Iowa, this season would be considered a big success. 8-4 and beating Iowa. No real bad losses except for maybe Minny (who always plays Nebbie tough). And all that without the golden boy QB the last third of the season. Its not back to the 90s, but they would be popping some cheap champagne driving down Dodge Street with a win. Best season in a decade+. Do they want more? Sure, they are as delusional or more so than every other fan base. Everyone wants more. But, 8-4 is a very good season to sane Husker fans.

If they lose? Still a solid season, but most fans would be a disappointed. They were expecting 8-9 wins. Riola is a good excuse, but most sane fans would probably say, "meh, its incremental. Still not sure about Rhule."

So, this game means a hell of a lot to how Rhule is perceived going into the offeseason. Its huge.

The problem Matt Rhule has is that next seasons schedule is brutal and the recruiting juice is not there right now. There is the real possibility for regression next season, and then the torches will really be out.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

False.

Emmett Johnson is a generational talent and by far the best RB in the big ten. He's doing what he's doing behind a terrible OL and with defenses knowing nebraska can't throw the ball.

Unfortunately for us, MG has regressed in the passing game which doesn't help our chances running the ball.

The NWS shows only a 20% chance of snow starting around noon and by then temps will be above freezing. This is as of 30 seconds ago, if the current forecast holds weather won't be much of a factor:

View attachment 11788

Exactly. Parker needs to load the box and stop Johnson before he gets through the line. They are very boom or bust because the OL is not great. But, he can break a big one at any point. Our safeties need to be down and solely focused on stopping that run game. Dare them to pass. The problem I fear is that Parker usually plays vanilla base until his hand is forced. Do that with Johnson, and he will get his early. Iowa needs to stifle Nebbie's run game or they really can lose this.

Nebbie's defense is okay, but they are better defending the pass than the run. Since we don't try to pass much, that sort of favors Iowa. Iowa's veteran OL have to control this game. If so, we win.

 

[Fryowa]

Iowa needs to stifle Nebbie's run game or they really can lose this.

This is the biggest trap game of the past few years. Neither team has anything to lose, styles that don't match up on either side of the ball, and it's on the road. My personal guess if I had a gun to my head is it's going to be an ugly shit show of a game that's going to come down to less than a field goal. The only thing I feel good about is having Wetjen returning but Matt Rhule is smart enough to not kick the ball to him while also not screwing up the punts a la MSU.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

I think they were saying Johnson leads the league and is pretty high up in yards after contact. So hopefully we wrap up. Very impressed with his skillset. Hoping Parker challenges the defense and we show out. Nebby has had this game circled. Let's make it 10 out of 11.

 

[Fryowa]

What Iowa needs to do is take Big E and George Kittle on the road with them and have both of them on the sideline patrolling and pumping guys up the entire time. Get their minds right.

 

[Fryowa]

...Johnson leads the league and is pretty high up in yards after contact. So hopefully we wrap up....

Keep Nwankpa on the bench. Any replacement is better.

He's the absolute worst fundamental tackler in the game. His style is turning himself into a missile and if he hits the mark it's okay. But if he doesn't, or he doesn't knock a guy down, it's all over. Can't stand him being out there.

The guy could take some notes from Polamalu. He was a missile who actually used his arms and hands.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Keep Nwankpa on the bench. Any replacement is better.

He's the absolute worst fundamental tackler in the game. His style is turning himself into a missile and if he hits the mark it's okay. But if he doesn't, or he doesn't knock a guy down, it's all over. Can't stand him being out there.

The guy could take some notes from Polamalu. He was a missile who actually used his arms and hands.

My son goes to SEP. We are transplants so not originally from here. He was a big Nwampa guy at first until I pointed out how he does not wrap and like you mentioned often misses or knocks a would be tackler out. It's maddening how he just flies around throwing his shoulder into ball carriers. Wrap the F up!

Finally, he is starting to realize what I saw all along. We won't even get into how he was a fan of Proctor too. I emphasize "WAS".

I think Entinger and Luttmer will be busy. Unless we can get Sharar/Montgomery/Harrell to stay clean and get some good reads.

 

[kameltoez102]

Keep Nwankpa on the bench. Any replacement is better.

He's the absolute worst fundamental tackler in the game. His style is turning himself into a missile and if he hits the mark it's okay. But if he doesn't, or he doesn't knock a guy down, it's all over. Can't stand him being out there.

The guy could take some notes from Polamalu. He was a missile who actually used his arms and hands.

Unfortunately, this a growing trend in college and even the pros. It is very rare to see a DB go in and tackle a TE and bring their arms with them. They either try to hit stick or dive at the legs. Iowa has bailed him out several times this year because they fly to the ball and are very good at gang tackling.

 

[Fryowa]

Unfortunately, this a growing trend in college and even the pros. It is very rare to see a DB go in and tackle a TE and bring their arms with them. They either try to hit stick or dive at the legs. Iowa has bailed him out several times this year because they fly to the ball and are very good at gang tackling.

Cooper DeJean is a walking master class in tackling. Nwankpa with his athleticism and size could've probably put himself on an active roster next year if he'd have taken notes the past few years.

 

[HuckFinn]

Exactly. Parker needs to load the box and stop Johnson before he gets through the line. They are very boom or bust because the OL is not great. But, he can break a big one at any point. Our safeties need to be down and solely focused on stopping that run game. Dare them to pass. The problem I fear is that Parker usually plays vanilla base until his hand is forced. Do that with Johnson, and he will get his early. Iowa needs to stifle Nebbie's run game or they really can lose this.

Nebbie's defense is okay, but they are better defending the pass than the run. Since we don't try to pass much, that sort of favors Iowa. Iowa's veteran OL have to control this game. If so, we win.

And, we need to tackle.

 

[dagdaj]

Cooper DeJean is a walking master class in tackling. Nwankpa with his athleticism and size could've probably put himself on an active roster next year if he'd have taken notes the past few years.

I've been thinking a lot about Nwankpa. Obviously, he came in with a big blast. Probably the most memorable high school signing outside of Proctor and all that followed with him. And yet, he never completely captured fandom. Sometimes even drew some mild ire from fandom.

I have really high hopes for this guy in the NFL. He should go and give it a shot.
Guy's never asked for any hype...deserved or undeserved. He's shown he can be part of the team. I don't recall any sideways comments about him by coaches or any time he got punished and had to sit for a series, which means he's doing what is asked of him. I assume he's showing some leadership this season as he's tenured. Clearly he's found another gear and has maintained it. I would think the 'biggest hits' highlight reel for this season is extremely heavy with Nwankpa. Dude is channeling his inner Bob Sanders.

I wanna see him be the breakout undrafted 'star' of Hard Knocks who makes the team and goes on to have a prosperous NFL career. That would make me happy.

Of course, if he picks off Nebby 4 times on Friday and the Hawks win, I'll throw him a tickertape parade and we could consider at least a park bench or a small corner of a plaza near Kinnick in his honor.