JD PicKell: Matt Rhule must flip culture before making a bowl game

Matt Rhule is in Lincoln for a lot of reasons. Nebraska had a lot of holes to fill and they’re hoping that he’ll be able to plug more than a few over his tenure. However, in order to compete for a bowl game in his first season back in college football, On3’s JD PicKell says the Cornhusker’s chances boil down to one thing: culture.

PicKell ripped Nebraska’s culture from at least the last two seasons on a recent episode of ‘The Hard Count’. He said all of their issues in close games last have boiled down to culture because they’ve had more than enough talent to still get the job done in those scenarios.

“Nebraska really could have made a bowl game in the last two years. I mean legitimately. They probably could have made a bowl game the last two years. And maybe Scott Frost is still there,” PicKell said. “The roster was good enough to make a bowl game. But what was it that ended up keeping them out of the dance? Close losses. That’s it. Over the last two years, Nebraska has lost double-digit ball games by one score. (That’s) heartbreaking stuff. But that needs to change this year.”

“You get better players? (That’s) part of it. You scheme it up better? (That’s) part of it. I’ll tell you what, man. When your culture is revealed? When your character is revealed? It’s in the fourth quarter and you’re down one score. Or you’re up one score,” said PicKell. “And, to be real with you, based on the results? I don’t think Nebraska’s culture has been in a place to where they’re able to close those ball games. And I think that’s ultimately what lost them the games.”

All nine losses in Nebraska’s 2021 season came by less than 10 points. Then, in 2022, five of their eight defeats came in the same manner. That’s all but three of their losses over the last two campaigns that have been within grasp. If they win half of those games instead in either season, the outlook on the program is likely much different than it does with Rhule taking over now.

Still, this is one reason why Rhule is now in Lincoln. PicKell says the program got the right man for the job too considering his football education and how he’s going to set some of these problems straight.

“What it comes down to is attention to detail, how you do the little things, and your character internally,” PicKell said. “Coach Rhule? I think, again, is the exact right guy for this job at Nebraska. Because those are the things he majors in. Structure, discipline, doing things the right way. I think the culture is on it’s way to shifting. How far along is it? We’re gonna find out in 2023.”

Nebraska has 12 games in 2023 to prove that close losses and, in turn, culture are no longer going to be their Achilles heel. If nothing else, PicKell will be looking at that next season when it comes to the ‘Huskers and will measure their success from there.

“I think the roster itself can play for a bowl game,” said PicKell. “Is the character at the same level? Is the culture at the same level internally at Nebraska to win those close games? That’s gonna be the key.”