Nebraska Football 2025: A Season That Will Define Matt Rhule's Tenure

The 2024 season brought relief to Nebraska fans. After seven consecutive losing seasons, the Cornhuskers finished 6–6. They earned a victory over Boston College in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, marking their first bowl win since 2015. Despite this progress under head coach Matt Rhule, the upcoming 2025 campaign leaves no room for complacency or continued rebuilding.

With the Big Ten now featuring 18 teams, including Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA, the conference's competition level has risen dramatically. Rhule enters his third year facing one of the most demanding schedules in college football, and expectations from new athletic director Troy Dannen, fans, and donors are higher than ever. This season is about proving belonging in the top half of the elevated conference, not merely survival.

A High-Stakes Season in a Changed Big Ten

When Rhule was hired in December 2022, he was touted as a program builder capable of instilling culture, discipline, and preparation, based on his experiences at Temple and Baylor. However, fan patience has its limits, and Nebraska's new athletic director, Troy Dannen, did not hire Rhule. That places additional pressure on the coach to deliver results.

The Big Ten's expansion means Nebraska faces more top-tier teams and fewer easy victories. Now, a six- or seven-win season requires beating not only historic rivals but also national contenders on both coasts.

Adding complexity to Rhule's challenge is his aggressive use of the transfer portal. Nebraska brought in over 20 portal players this offseason, with the goal of addressing deficiencies at key positions, including wide receiver, linebacker, and offensive tackle. While this influx of talent boosts the ceiling, it also raises chemistry questions. With so many new players needing to integrate quickly, the risk is that the team may not gel in time to compete in early-season matchups. Continuity can be a decisive edge, and Nebraska may struggle to establish it before Big Ten play begins.

On the NIL front, Nebraska's 1890 Initiative has kept the program competitive. However, it is still middle-of-the-pack in the new Big Ten pecking order. Schools like Michigan, Oregon, and USC outpace Nebraska in NIL compensation and collective reach, which limits Rhule's margin for error in portal recruiting and roster retention.

Nebraska's 2025 Schedule: Game-by-Game Analysis

Week 1 – Cincinnati (Neutral site): A rare Thursday opener in Kansas City against a once-respected opponent now trending downward. Cincinnati is still rebuilding under Scott Satterfield, and Nebraska's more complete roster and continuity should give them the edge in the matchup. Look for a conservative offensive approach early, with a second-half surge to pull away.
Prediction: Win

Week 2 – Akron (Home): A significant talent mismatch. Nebraska should dominate both lines of scrimmage and rotate in younger players by the third quarter. This is a chance to refine red zone execution and test situational defense.
Prediction: Win

Week 3 – Houston Christian (Home): FCS-level program visiting Memorial Stadium. This game will showcase depth and allow for experimentation with offensive tempo and defensive sub-packages. It is not about winning. It is about cleaning up mistakes before conference play.
Prediction: Win

Week 4 – Michigan (Home): The Wolverines lose key stars but reload yearly. Michigan will likely control the line of scrimmage unless Nebraska's front makes a surprising leap. If Nebraska falls behind early, its offense lacks the explosiveness to play catch-up. Anything closer than a two-score loss could still be encouraging.
Prediction: Loss

Week 5 – Michigan State (Home): Both programs are rebuilding, and this is the definition of a toss-up. Michigan State has experienced defensive instability and will be introducing a new quarterback. If Nebraska avoids turnovers and plays clean in special teams, it could tilt the field. A tone-setter for bowl aspirations.
Prediction: Slight edge to Nebraska, but truly 50/50

Week 6 – Maryland (Road): Maryland consistently generates explosive plays, especially at home. Their offensive speed will challenge Nebraska's linebackers and safeties. Unless Nebraska controls time of possession and wins the turnover margin, they will struggle to keep up.  This prediction, although controversial, will likely stand up.
Prediction: Loss

Week 7 – Minnesota (Road): The Gophers have been a thorn in Nebraska's side, often winning ugly. Their run-first, slow-paced style puts pressure on opponents to be efficient. Nebraska must be better on third downs and avoid back-breaking penalties. This is a critical game to prove toughness on the road.
Prediction: Win

Week 8 – Northwestern (Home): The Wildcats are a program in decline, plagued by turmoil, limited NIL funding, a poorly-conceived offensive scheme, and a severe lack of talent. Nebraska's roster is superior across the board. However, this game often turns into a slog. Nebraska must start fast and avoid letting Northwestern hang around.
Prediction: Win

Week 9 – USC (Home): Lincoln Riley's squad will test Nebraska's defensive backfield with elite quarterback play. Unless Nebraska can pressure the quarterback without blitzing, this will be a long day. Still, home-field advantage could make it interesting for three quarters.
Prediction: Loss

Week 10 – UCLA (Road): A tricky road game with a West Coast trip. UCLA has speed and tempo but often lacks physicality. If Nebraska can slow the game down and win the turnover battle, it can steal this one. Still, playing in Pasadena favors the Bruins.
Prediction: Loss

Week 11 – Penn State (Road): Among the most demanding environments in the country. Penn State's defense is relentless, and its offense is more balanced than it has been in past years. Unless Nebraska's offensive line has made a significant leap, it will struggle to keep up.
Prediction: Loss

Week 12 – Iowa (Home): The rivalry returns to Lincoln. Iowa's traditional formula of elite punting, physicality, and mistake-free football combines with a Tim Lester led offense featuring more talent behind a massive offensive line. Nebraska must be nearly perfect to win. A missed field goal or turnover could be the difference.
Prediction: Loss

Projected Record: 5–7 Regular Season

This outlook assumes wins against Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian, Northwestern, and Minnesota. Michigan State remains a toss-up, and a win there could salvage bowl eligibility. Losses to elite teams like Michigan, Penn State, and USC are expected. At the same time, road challenges at UCLA and Maryland add difficulty. Iowa looms as the critical game and potential spoiler.

Implications for Rhule's Future

A 5–7 season puts Rhule in a precarious position. With a new athletic director and rising NIL support from the 1890 Initiative, patience will begin to fade if progress stalls. Nebraska fans will tolerate rebuilding only if clear signs of development are visible in close losses and improved consistency.

Rhule's defenders can point to competitiveness and schedule strength. Still, critics will note that three years is a relatively short period to show an upward trajectory. The optics of finishing behind UCLA or Maryland, while also losing to Iowa again, could shift sentiment rapidly.

Conclusion

Nebraska's 2025 schedule is unforgiving. Rhule's ability to beat the teams Nebraska should beat, and occasionally steal one it should not, will define his tenure. A second straight bowl berth is possible but far from guaranteed. This year is about more than wins. The goal is to demonstrate that the trajectory is upward.