Matt Rhule has a message for the «schedule hand-wringers» and the doubters: The gauntlet isn’t a problem—it’s the plan. With Nebraska football entering a high-stakes 2026 season, Rhule is making it clear that neither he nor his players are intimidated by what many are calling a «make-or-break» year for his era in Lincoln.
After back-to-back 7-6 seasons, Husker Nation is hungry for more than just «barely over .500.» While fans and analysts worry about a schedule that includes road trips to Oregon and Iowa and a home clash against Ohio State, Rhule is using the difficulty as a weapon.
«We literally use the schedule to recruit,» Rhule told Hurrdat Sports this week. «We want competitive, tough dudes… We acknowledge the challenge in front of us, and it excites us.»
The 2026 Gauntlet
The Huskers will play seven games at Memorial Stadium, including a massive October stretch against defending national champion Indiana and a Halloween showdown with Washington. However, the road is where the real «test of moxie» lies, with trips to East Lansing, Champaign, and a terrifying October 17th date in Eugene, Oregon.
Walking the Walk?
While Rhule is talking a big game about wanting «tough dudes,» some fans are pointing out the irony of Nebraska recently moving Tennessee off the schedule. Is Rhule truly embracing the chaos, or is he trying to balance the «tough guy» image with the reality that too many losses in Year 4 could be disastrous?
One thing is certain: Rhule is done with the fear. He’s betting his career at Nebraska on the idea that to be the best, you have to survive the worst.