Life comes at you fast in the Big Ten. One minute you're celebrating the arrival of a generational five-star savior, and the next, you're watching his highlights in an Oregon Ducks uniform while scrolling through transfer portal trackers at 2:00 AM.
That is basically the vibe in Lincoln right now. If you've been following the news on nebraska football, you know the "Dylan Raiola era" didn't just end—it evaporated. After 22 starts and plenty of flashes, Raiola packed his bags for Eugene on January 12, 2026. Honestly? It’s a gut punch. But Matt Rhule isn't exactly sitting around crying into a bowl of Runzas. He’s gone full "defiant mode," and the roster he’s building for the 2026 season looks nothing like the one that just walked off the field.
The Raiola Fallout and the New Room
Losing a guy with Raiola's arm talent is never "good," but there's a growing sentiment among the Husker faithful that maybe, just maybe, the "Raiola circus" was getting a bit heavy. You’ve probably heard the rumors about friction with the coaching staff or the family dynamic. When Rhule started making moves like hiring Dana Holgorsen and shaking up the offensive staff, the writing was on the wall.
So, who's taking the snaps now?
Rhule didn't waste time. He went out and snagged Anthony Colandrea, the former UNLV and Virginia starter. He also brought Daniel Kaelin back into the fold. It's a different look. Less "savior of the program" energy, more "let’s just move the chains" efficiency. Colandrea brings a level of chaotic playmaking that Raiola lacked. He’s a gambler. Sometimes that’s what you need when the protection breaks down, which, let’s be real, has happened a lot lately.
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Trench Warfare: Fixing the Big Guys
If the news on nebraska football over the last three years has taught us anything, it’s that it doesn't matter who your QB is if he’s constantly running for his life. The 2025 season saw the Huskers give up 33 sacks. That's a lot of grass stains.
To fix this, the staff went on an absolute tear in the portal this January.
- Paul Mubenga (LSU): A massive 6'5", 310-pounder who started 11 games in the SEC. You don't get that kind of experience every day.
- Tree Babalade (South Carolina): He followed his O-line coach to Lincoln. He only allowed one sack last year. One.
- Brendan Black (Iowa State): A veteran with 30 starts. He’s likely the replacement for Rocco Spindler at right guard.
It’s an overhaul. Rhule is basically betting the 2026 season on the idea that an older, meaner offensive line can mask a lot of other flaws.
The Running Back "Problem"
Here is something that’s kind of bothering people: the running back room. Emmett Johnson is gone to the NFL. Jamarion Parker and Kenneth Williams hopped in the portal. Yet, Matt Rhule recently went on Sports Nightly and said he’s probably not adding a portal back.
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Wait, what?
He’s putting all his chips on Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee. Nelson showed some real "home run" speed in the bowl game against Utah, but he’s still pretty green. Mozee has the size, but can he stay healthy? Rhule’s logic is that the short-yardage failures last year weren't about the backs; they were about the line. If the new big guys do their job, Nelson and Mozee should theoretically be enough. It’s a risky play.
Why 2026 is the Ultimate Litmus Test
Look, the 2026 schedule is a nightmare. There’s no other way to put it. You’ve got Oregon (the Raiola homecoming game), Ohio State, Indiana, and Iowa.
Most people are looking at this and seeing 6-6. Some pessimists are whispering 4-8. But the "defiant" Matt Rhule we're seeing right now seems to be leaning into the underdog role. He’s stopped trying to please the boosters and the legacy families. He’s hiring "his" guys—like Rob Aurich as DC and Corey Brown—and telling everyone else to deal with it.
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There’s also the news about the Women’s Flag Football program starting up, which is cool for the school, but the fans only care about one thing: wins. Year four is usually when the "Rhule Process" finally clicks. We saw it at Temple. We saw it at Baylor. But those places didn't have the weight of a 20-year drought and a frantic, portal-driven landscape.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve, keep your eyes on the spring game (if Rhule even decides to have one this year—he’s been weird about that lately).
- Monitor the 2027 In-State Targets: Rhule has been spotted all over the state lately, especially looking at linemen. He's trying to lock down the borders.
- Watch the Defensive Line Depth: While the O-line got the headlines, the defensive front still feels a little thin. If they don't add one more veteran DT before the spring deadline, it could be a long autumn.
- Check the NIL Spend: Rumor has it that losing Raiola "freed up" a massive chunk of change. Where is that money going? Probably into the trenches and the secondary.
The 2026 season isn't going to be about hype. There are no five-star slogans left to sell. It’s just going to be about whether this "blue-collar" rebuild can actually stand up to the heavyweights of the Big Ten.
Next Steps for Fans:
Start by tracking the "dead period" departures; if the current roster holds steady through the end of January, that’s a win for retention. Also, keep an eye on the official spring practice schedule, which usually drops in late February, to see how the new-look offensive line is grouping up. Finally, check the 2026 ticket renewal deadlines, as the "Raiola Tax" might finally be replaced by a more realistic market value for a team in transition.