Joel Klatt Believes Historic College Football Program Is Primed For Bounce-Back Season

Despite being one of the most storied programs in college football history, Nebraska has struggled to compete over the past 25 years. The Cornhuskers have won five national titles but have failed to win a conference championship since 1999.

Head coach Matt Rhule enters his second season with the Cornhuskers and looks to build on last season's 5-7 record. Nebraska is searching for its first winning season since 2016, and expectations for next season are extremely high.

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt believes that the Cornhuskers are primed to be one of college football's bounce-back teams next season. On a recent episode of The Joel Klatt Show, he explained why Rhule has the program ready to take a significant step forward in 2024.

"Nebraska is a team that I think could be really good," Klatt said. "They were 5-7 a year ago, and you look at those seven losses, and I'm telling you it was all quarterback turnovers. They were very competitive, in fact, way more competitive in Matt Rhule's first season than their 5-7 record indicates.

"They get a little bit better quarterback play and namely just protecting the football, and they're going to be much better. He's a builder, speaking of Matt Rhule. He did it at Temple, he did it at Baylor... I believe it's going to work at Nebraska."

The Cornhuskers struggled offensively last season, finishing 123rd nationally in scoring offense with only 18.0 points per game. Quarterback play was a major issue for Nebraska as Jeff Sims, Chubba Purdy, and Heinrich Haaberg all saw significant action.

Despite the offensive woes, Nebraska ranked No. 13 nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to 18.2 points per game. Isaac Gifford led the defense with 86 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception, and eight pass breakups.

Klatt noted the defensive success is something that the Cornhuskers can build on next season.

"The defense was really good last year and they bring a lot of players back, Dylan Raiola at quarterback. My biggest question is going to be who's catching the ball," Klatt said.

Nebraska will open the 2024 season against UTEP on Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.

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