It’s been ten long years, folks. Ten years and 31 straight losses. That’s how long Nebraska has been stuck in this wild drought against ranked opponents, and on Saturday, the unbeaten Huskers finally get a shot to smash that thing to pieces against No. 7 Indiana. This isn’t just another game; it’s a decade of frustration on the line, and if Matt Rhule wants to prove his two-year extension through 2032 was a good move, this is his moment to show it.
The Streak and Rhule’s Rocky Road
Think about it: September 17, 2016. That’s the last time Nebraska actually beat a ranked team, way back when Mike Riley’s squad took down No. 22 Oregon. They even started 7-0 that year and pushed into the top 10 themselves! Since then, every single opportunity has ended the same way: a loss. Now, it’s on Matt Rhule to change that narrative and keep Nebraska’s best start in a decade rolling. But let’s be real, Rhule himself hasn’t exactly been a giant killer. He walked into this season with a brutal 2-25 career record against ranked opponents. That’s a .074 winning percentage, which is the fourth-worst among Big Ten coaches with at least nine games against top-25 teams. Seven of his nine losses with the Huskers against ranked squads have come from inside the league, including some gut-punching narrow setbacks last fall against No. 23 USC (21-17) and No. 21 Michigan (30-27). This isn’t just about a team streak; it’s about Rhule’s personal history, too.
Indiana’s Reign of Terror and Rhule’s Pain
So, who’s standing in the way of breaking this curse? Only the reigning national champion Hoosiers, No. 7 Indiana, who haven’t lost a game since December 20, 2024. That’s 21 straight wins for Curt Cignetti’s program, including their first national championship last season. Yeah, *that* Indiana. And just to rub salt in the wound, remember how Indiana clubbed the Huskers by a staggering 49 points during their 2024 season, a five-turnover beatdown on their way to the CFP? Rhule hasn’t forgotten that. When asked if his program has changed since that embarrassing matchup, Rhule said, “I hope it has grown… I think we’ve grown. We’re just a better football team. I hate looking back, but I guess I should. I went back and watched it this week. So, I always look back. I like to feel the pain myself and relive the pain… It was, I think, just poorly done by us as coaches. You know, not giving our guys the best chance. And then kind of maybe panicking a little bit.” Man, that’s some real talk right there, admitting the coaching errors from that disaster.
The Gauntlet Ahead
Breaking this streak is critical, not just for the emotional weight, but because the schedule is about to get gnarly for these Huskers. Their two Big Ten victories this season have come against Michigan State and Maryland, teams with a combined 4-6 record and no league wins. After Indiana, Nebraska has to travel to No. 13 Oregon, and then later in November, they’ve still got No. 5 Ohio State and No. 20 Iowa looming. If they can’t get it done against Indiana, this unbeaten start could fall apart fast. This Saturday isn’t just a game; it’s a test for Rhule, his program, and a shot to finally put ten years of pain behind them. Can they do it? We’ll find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply