Greg McElroy believes Matt Rhule has Nebraska in the right direction 'no doubt about it'
Expectations are slightly different for Nebraska heading into year two of the Matt Rhule era.
Featuring a new-look offense and an imposing defense, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy is high on the Cornhuskers ahead the the 2024 college football season. He recently explained his expectations for Nebraska this fall.
“I look at this year’s team and I think this could be a bounce-back season for the Cornhuskers with where their program will ultimately be,” McElory said. “I think Matt Rhule has got them going in the right direction. I believe they are going in the right direction, no doubt about it. But how quickly can they get there?
“If you look at Matt Rhule’s tenure as a head coach at both Baylor and Temple — year one was really underwhelming and year two was a big step in the right direction. There were times last year when you watch Nebraska and it’s like, they’re kind of doing some nice things. Then they turn it over, they fumble it, they do something. It’s like okay, well that was catastrophic, and now they’re dead.”
McElroy believes the turnover woes may not be as frequent in 2024. Rhule has a decision to start either Heinrich Haarberg or five-star freshman Dylan Raiola at quarterback, while the Huskers’ wide receiving corps is seemingly improved as well.
In the spring game, Haarberg threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns while completing 16 of his 22 passes for 239 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception. One of those touchdowns included a 64-yard catch-and-run touchdown for Raiola to speedy wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd over the top of the White team’s defense.
McElroy also sees the Nebraska defensive unit to be a top-15 group in the country this season. The group, which returned some key pieces from last season, ranked as the nation’s No. 13 scoring defense as well as ranked No. 11 in total defense last year in Rhule’s inaugural season in 2023.
“I look at what Nebraska is — and Vegas agrees. Vegas expects them to go bowling,” McElroy continued. “Vegas actually expects them to potentially flirt with that eight-win plateau. That’s what I’m thinking for Nebraska this year. I think 8-4 is well within reach. I wouldn’t be surprised at all for a bounce-back year from Matt Rhule in year number two.”
The Huskers will kick the 2024 regular season off against UTEP on Saturday, Aug. 31.