Jeff Sims: Nebraska is 'ready for anything,' but stresses importance of preparation ahead of opener

At Big Ten Media Days, Matt Rhule spoke about wanted Nebraska to be “feared” again. To do that, the Cornhuskers will have to buy in to the mantra and be prepared for anything thrown at them during the season.

Jeff Sims sounded confident Nebraska is ready for the season opener against Minnesota. However, he noted there’s still time to clean things up even more.

“I think this team is ready for anything,” Sims said. “But we’ve still got five days to prepare and we’re going to use those five days to prepare as hard as we can. We’ve just got to go out there and play for each other.”

Sims has been preparing to be Nebraska’s starting quarterback since spring ball wrapped. Casey Thompson entered the transfer portal, paving the way for Sims to take the starting role after coming in from Georgia Tech.

He’s also emerging as a leader in the locker room. Rhule made that known by giving Sims a single-digit number. He only gives those numbers to the “toughest” guys on the team, and Sims isn’t taking that honor lightly.

“It was definitely cool,” said Sims, who will wear No. 7 for the Cornhuskers. “I was honored. Just to be one of the first guys voted and I think when you just transfer to a school and your teammates think that highly of you, it says something about you. And I was just really honored and humbled for it. And I appreciate those guys.”

Matt Rhule: ‘I’m really excited about’ Jeff Sims at Nebraska

Throughout the spring and summer, Rhule spoke highly of what Sims has done since arriving on campus at Nebraska. He also pointed out a decision the staff made during the spring that helped him grow.

“I think the thing that we did was we made him live in the spring,” Rhule told Greg McElroy on Always College Football. “And for a quarterback, you understand why you have to do it. The thing about quarterback play is it’s high-speed decision-making. You make the throw and it’s an unbelievable play, and it’s on SportsCenter. Then, (if) you make the same throw a second later or a second to the right, and all of a sudden, it’s picked off and you’re the goat.

“So, to me, you need those high-speed decision reps. You can’t just have everything scripted and every play is a touchdown. You have to fail a little bit. Have some good (and) bad play.”

Sims will make his Nebraska debut in Week 1 when the Cornhuskers take on Minnesota on Aug. 31.