LINCOLN, NE — Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule isn’t ready to reveal his hand just yet. As speculation swirls around the Huskers’ depth chart at running back and offensive tackle, Rhule made it clear: fans will have to wait until Saturday to see how it all unfolds.
“We have a real good plan,” Rhule said, “but we won’t say anything till Saturday.”
The comment came as Nebraska prepares to face Michigan State, with questions mounting after a tough loss to Michigan. The Wolverines sacked Nebraska quarterbacks seven times, exposing vulnerabilities at both tackle positions. Gunnar Gottula and Elijah Pritchett rotated at left tackle, while Teddy Prochazka took snaps on the right. Rhule previously hinted at the possibility of flipping tackles to optimize the line, but declined to confirm any changes this week.
“You’ll see it on Saturday,” he reiterated. “I thought guys clarified a bit what they’re going to do. After a game like that, you know exactly what you have to work on.”
At running back, Emmett Johnson remains the starter, but the backup role has been less defined. Kwinten Ives and Mekhi Nelson have seen reps, while freshman Isaiah Mozee has been used in the slot following Janiran Bonner’s season-ending injury. Rhule acknowledged the team was still searching for its backup identity before the bye week, but now feels confident in the direction.
“We came out of the bye week feeling really good,” he said. “We have some clarity, and we’ll still have some things going on this week — guys battling things out on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Despite the internal movement, Nebraska’s official depth chart heading into Michigan State week remains unchanged. Whether that’s gamesmanship or genuine indecision, Rhule isn’t saying.
For now, the Huskers’ strategy remains a mystery — one that will be revealed only when the whistle blows on Saturday.