Nebraska 40 Iowa 16 – To Call This A Sh*tShow Would Be Unfair To Sh*tShows

Nebraska vs Iowa 2024: A Loss That Demands Answers

There’s a moment in every Nebraska fan’s season where blind optimism crashes headfirst into cold reality. In 2024, that moment came on a Friday afternoon in Lincoln when Iowa walked into Memorial Stadium and administered a 40-16 beating that left the home crowd streaming for the exits well before the final whistle.

The Nebraska vs Iowa rivalry has produced heartbreak before, but this felt different. This wasn’t a last-second field goal or a controversial call. This was systematic demolition—the kind of loss that forces uncomfortable conversations about whether Matt Rhule is actually the answer in Lincoln.

The Defensive Collapse

Let’s start with the decision that will haunt defensive coordinator John Butler all offseason: running a three-man front against Iowa inside the 10-yard line. In what universe does that make sense against a physical, run-first offense? Iowa didn’t need to get creative. They simply lined up and pushed Nebraska around like they were playing against a scout team.

The issue runs deeper than one playcall. Butler came to Nebraska without significant Power Four experience as a defensive coordinator. Rhule took a gamble on potential over proven success, and that gamble has consistently failed to pay off. When your defensive line lacks the size to clog running lanes in a three-man scheme, you’re setting your players up to fail before the ball is even snapped.

The Offensive Struggles

On paper, Nebraska’s offense should have been competitive. TJ Lateef showed flashes in the first half, but a knee injury appeared to limit his mobility as the game progressed. When your quarterback can’t threaten with his legs, the passing windows shrink, and suddenly those catchable balls become contested throws.

Emmett Johnson remains the heart and soul of this offense. Without him, it’s difficult to imagine Nebraska moving the ball at all. But one running back can’t carry an entire program, especially when high-profile transfer portal additions like Dane Key are dropping passes in crucial moments.

The Fire Matt Rhule Debate

Here’s where it gets complicated. Going from 7-5 to 7-5 isn’t progress—it’s treading water. The fire Matt Rhule contingent has a legitimate argument. Three years in, the problems look systemic rather than developmental. The coaching hires have consistently lacked Power Four experience. The roster construction has prioritized skill positions over the trenches. The mental toughness required to win close games remains absent.

But firing Rhule now means entering a coaching carousel that’s already spinning out of control with desperate programs throwing absurd money at unproven candidates. Is that really a better path?

What Has to Change

At minimum, Nebraska needs a complete overhaul of the offensive line coaching. The run blocking improved throughout the season, but pass protection remains a disaster. Any stunt or twist causes the entire unit to malfunction. That’s a coaching problem, not a talent problem.

The defensive coordinator position demands scrutiny as well. Butler may develop into a quality coordinator someday, but Nebraska can’t afford to be anyone’s learning experience. Not anymore.

This game didn’t just end Nebraska’s hopes for an 8-win season.

It forced an entire fanbase to confront an uncomfortable question: after three years, are we actually any closer to relevance? The answer, based on what Iowa just showed the world, is far from certain.