Husker Dan: The Matt Rhule Era Begins Thursday

Unless you’ve been held prisoner on the planet Gorko for the past year, you know Matt Rhule’s Husker coaching career will officially begin Thursday night when Nebraska opens the 2023 season at Minnesota.

The Huskers go into the game as a 7½-point dog. Based on the past performances of these two teams, it’s no wonder the Gophers are favored.

Compounding the situation, NU has lost the four times to Minnesota, the last three by seven points each. The Gophers are also coming off back-to-back nine-win seasons. They also come into Thursday night’s game with the ninth-rated defense in the country.

That the contest is a road game for NU complicates matters. The Huskers also have a new head coach, new offensive and defensive coordinators, and seven other new assistant coaches. Oh, and did I mention Nebraska is breaking in a brand new defensive scheme?

So what should Husker fans be looking for in Thursday’ game and the upcoming season? More importantly, can the Huskers beat the Gophers?

First, here are some things Husker fans might want to keep track of as the season develops.

Offense

1. Can the offensive line improve enough to give quarterback Jeff Sims time to go through his reads, or will he be running for his life?
2. Can the O-line open holes big enough to allow Husker running backs to gain positive yardage?
3. Will Nebraska be able to run the football when it needs to late in games?

Defense

1. Will the 3-3-5 defense work in the Big Ten?
2. How quickly will the Huskers master it?
3. Will the new D get the Huskers more sacks and interceptions this fall?

Special teams

1. Will Nebraska be able to return a kickoff for a touchdown this fall?
2. Last year NU ended the season ranked 108th in the nation with 17.08 yards per kickoff return. Minnesota was No. 8 (23.61 ypr).
3. In punt returns, NU was an amazing eighth nationally with a 15.4-yard average, while Minnesota was 91st (6.0 yards).

Miscellaneous

Turnover margin

1. Can NU finish the season with a positive turnover margin? Last year, NU was ranked 92nd in the nation with a -.25 average. To give some perspective, Iowa ended the season ranked 20th (+.40 average). Michigan was 22nd (+.57 average), Illinois No. 3 (+1.08 average), and Minnesota was 39th (+.38 average).
2. If NU can finish 2023 with a positive turnover average (even by a slim margin), the Huskers should have a winning record this fall.

Time of possession

1. Can NU finish the season with a big improvement in time of possession? Last year, NU was ranked a pathetic 124th (out of 131 teams) with 26:44 per game. Minnesota finished the year third in the nation (34:31). Michigan came in at No. 4 (33:47).
2. Time of possession will be a huge indicator of how well NU does this season

Husker Dan’s game prediction

This Thursday will be a huge test for Matt Rhule’s first Husker football team. Nebraska has come one possession short the past three years against the Golden Gophers. The question is, can Rhule make the Huskers at least eight points better this year?

Gone from last year’s Gopher team are star QB Tanner Morgan, 1,600-yard rusher Mo Ibrahim and three O-line starters. HD thinks Rhule and his staff will be the difference in Thursday’s game.

The pundits are predicting another Husker loss, but your humble correspondent thinks NU will pull off the upset, 24-17. Remember, you heard it here first.

Correction

A reader was quick to bring to my attention to an error in last week’s column. Sonny Cumbie, not Jamie Chadwell, is the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Chadwell is in his first year at Liberty and Cumbie is in his second year at LaTech. Sorry for the mistake.

Ken Korte (Chadron, NE)

One of my very good friends passed away unexpectedly a year ago this week. He was a great man who left us way too early.Ken and I shared common interests, including a love for history – especially that of the Old West. He was also a lover of classic cars, antique guns and, of course, Husker football. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say good-bye to him or tell him how much he meant to me. He had an infectious laugh that would make anybody smile. He leaves a daughter Hilory, a son Jason and several grandkids. Rest in peace, my friend.

How ’Bout Them Huskers

Grandson Will and I preview the Minnesota-Nebraska football game. We also talk about Matt Rhule’s first depth chart, the single-digit jerseys and the Blackshirt tradition.

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