Matt Rhule is staring down another ranked opponent, and let me tell you, that losing streak against AP Top 25 teams is NOT ending this weekend. Nebraska hasn’t snagged a win against a ranked foe since way back in September 2016, and everything we’re seeing points to that trend holding strong.
Rhule’s Streak: Why This One Ain’t Breaking
The Indiana Hoosiers have a winning mentality, and their number one quality is simple: they do not beat themselves. Period. This team doesn’t turn the ball over and they don’t commit boneheaded penalties. That’s a massive deal when you’re talking about winning on the road. On offense, Indiana is straight up controlling the line of scrimmage, ranking 36th in successful rush rate and 15th in yards before contact. Their offensive line is actually first in the country in pressure rate, though yeah, we gotta admit they’ve had one of the easiest schedules out there. Quarterback Josh Hoover is making his first road start, and he’s not Fernando Mendoza, but the coaching staff looks like they’ve fixed his biggest issue because he’s got zero interceptions this season. That’s a big deal.
Nebraska’s Numbers Game: Look Closer, People!
Now, let’s talk Nebraska. Their defense has some raw numbers that look great, like being first on third down and 15th in yards per play. But hold up, people, they’ve faced exactly ZERO good offenses in five games! When you dig deeper, there are some serious matchup worries against Indiana. Nebraska’s defense doesn’t stop the runner behind the line all that often, ranking 74th in tackle success rate, and they’re allowing a ton of completions that turn into first downs. That’s not gonna fly.
On offense, the Huskers have actually made one of the biggest positive jumps from last year, clocking in at eighth in points per drive and with top-25 success rates in both passing and running. But here’s the catch: I’m worried they just aren’t dynamic enough to break down this Indiana defense. Nebraska runs the ball and throws it short, ranking 122nd in the country with just 5.5 air yards per target. Most of their pass attempts go to the slot or the running back. Indiana’s defense might not be quite as sharp as last season, but like any elite unit, if they have an idea of what you’re doing, success follows. And I’m telling you, they’re gonna have a beat on what Nebraska is trying to do.
And finally, the biggest killer: penalties. Nebraska is 123rd in penalties per game, and their offensive line is averaging over three penalties a game. You just aren’t winning many games, especially against a disciplined team like Indiana, when you’re committing that many flags.
The Oklahoma Bet: No Points For You!
Shifting gears for a sec to the Red River Rivalry, because another pick is screaming at me: How in the world is Oklahoma going to score in this game? The answer is simple: they won’t. Oklahoma’s offense is hands down the most disappointing unit in the entire country this season. They’re sitting at 112th in yards per play and points per drive, and a truly abysmal 127th in rushing success rate. That’s not just bad, that’s historically bad.
So yeah, for Matt Rhule and Nebraska, the struggle against ranked teams is looking like it’ll continue. And for Oklahoma, well, good luck finding the endzone.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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