On the other side, the Iowa Hawkeyes step onto the court with the same do-or-die pressure, knowing there is no safety net at this stage. The winner moves forward into the Elite Eight, while the loser is immediately eliminated.

With no margin for error and no second chances, this game becomes less about long-term storylines and more about execution in real time. One team will keep chasing a national title dream, while the other’s journey comes to a sudden stop.

What happens if Nebraska beat Iowa today?

If the Cornhuskers defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes in this Sweet 16 matchup of the NCAA March Madness, they move one step closer. Nebraska advances to the Elite Eight and keeps its historic March Madness run alive.

A win would push Nebraska into the regional final (Elite Eight), where they would face another top-performing team from the bracket. According to tournament context, they are already chasing their deepest postseason run eve.

What happens if Nebraska and Iowa tie?

There is no tie scenario in the NCAA Tournament, games cannot end in a draw. In the Sweet 16 of the NCAA March Madness, every game must produce a winner to determine who advances to the Elite Eight.

If the score is level at the end of regulation, the game simply goes into overtime. Teams keep playing additional five-minute periods until one side is ahead when the final buzzer sounds.

This sudden-death structure is a core part of March Madness and ensures every matchup produces a decisive result, no matter how close or intense the contest becomes.

What happens if Nebraska lose to Iowa today?

If the Cornhuskers fall to the Hawkeyes, their March Madness run ends immediately in the Sweet 16 stage of the NCAA March Madness. They are eliminated from the tournament, and Iowa advances to the Elite Eight.

For Nebraska, a loss would close the book on a breakthrough season that already delivered a historic Sweet 16 appearance. Despite strong regular-season form and a deep tournament push, one defeat means no continuation.

For Iowa, the opposite becomes true: they would extend their Cinderella-style run after knocking off top competition earlier in the tournament, continuing into the Elite Eight with momentum and belief building at the perfect time.

Ever since Kiffin announced his decision to leave Ole Miss for the head coaching job in LSU, there hasn’t been a dull day in Baton Rouge. Drama and noise seems to follow Nick Saban’s apprentice everywhere, and the Tigers have learned that quickly. As if the twists and turns around Leavitt’s transfer weren’t enough, LSU has now learned a Big Ten program has signed a former offensive lineman in Louisiana.

“LSU transfer OL Paul Mubenga has committed to Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers,” as reported by college football insider Hayes Fawcett and On3. As Mubenga moves on to his next chapter in Lincoln, he has two years of eligibility remaining.

Mubenga enrolled at Louisiana State University in 2023, but as he redshirted his true freshman year, he will be a redshirt junior in 2026, when he hopes to help Rhule and the Huskers bounce back after a disappointing 2025 NCAA campaign.

Nebraska’s situation

In the blink of an eye, the 2025 season spiraled out of control for Rhule and Nebraska. Dylan Raiola suffered a season-ending injury, which was troubling enough on its own. Shortly after, the former five-star recruit announced his plans to enter the transfer portal.

Raiola has now transferred to the Oregon Ducks, where he hopes to become the No. 1 quarterback in Dan Lanning’s offense. That, however, largely depends on whether Dante Moore declares for the NFL Draft or returns for one last year in college football.

Nebraska needs a QB1

With Dylan Raiola out of the picture, Nebraska is in dire need of a starting quarterback. Mubenga’s addition may be exciting, but Raiola’s departure far overshadows it.

As Kiffin and LSU secured the No. 1 quarterback in the transfer portal, expect the Cornhuskers to take an aggressive approach with the remaining candidates. However, the pool of prospects is drying up quickly, as every school races to finalize their rosters.

Mubenga and Raiola’s journey

Mubenga (recruiting class of 2023) and Raiola (class of 2024) played together at Buford High School, but they will just miss the chance to join forces in college, as Raiola left Nebraska shortly before Mubenga transferred there.

After a disheartening NCAA season with the Cornhuskers, Raiola has decided to step away from the program in Lincoln. The 20-year-old quarterback has entered the transfer portal and a decision on his next school is looming. While many believed Mahomes’ college football career would play a role in Raiola’s verdict, a report states otherwise.

According to insider Pete Nakos and On3 Sports, the Texas Tech Red Raiders won’t be a factor in Raiola’s transfer portal decision. Still, several users across social media aren’t buying the report, believing the Nebraska transfer will vie to enroll at Mahomes’ alma mater.

After Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in Week 15 of the NFL season, the coincidences didn’t end with their similar haircuts, facial hair, or even the same pregame routine. Now, both Mahomes and Raiola’s years have been cut short by season-ending injuries.

Raiola’s time at Nebraska

Raiola enrolled in 2024 as a five-star recruit out of Buford, Georgia. Though the Cornhuskers were coming off disappointing seasons in the Big Ten, head coach Matt Rhule’s second year along with Raiola’s arrival created high expectations for the school in Lincoln.

To an extent, those expectations were met as the freshman quarterback led the Huskers to their first winning season in seven years. Moreover, Nebraska won its first bowl game since 2015. The 2025 college football season wasn’t necessarily a disappointment, but it wasn’t ideal, either. The Huskers secured bowl eligibility—they will be competing on New Year’s Eve in the Las Vegas Bowl against the No. 15 Utah Utes.

Raiola has been out for the season after breaking his right-leg fibula in November. Now, the quarterback confirmed he won’t even be with the team as he steps into the portal.

Raiola’s numbers

After spending two years with the Cornhuskers, Raiola is now headed for the exit door. He leaves behind a bittersweet taste on everyone’s mouths. Raiola appeared in 22 games, registering 456 completions for 4,819 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Lastly, he walks away with a 13-9 record (0-5 against ranked teams).

Many pointed to Rhule as a candidate to change programs due to his close relationship with the Lions during his playing days. However, this ultimately did not happen, and the coach ended up agreeing to a contract extension with Nebraska.

In a recent conversation with CBS Sports, the Huskers’ athletic director, Troy Dannen, revealed the message sent by Rhule explaining the reasons why he ultimately declined this important offer.

“Matt’s message to me was: ‘I grew up there, I played there, it’ll always be special to me, but Nebraska’s home,’” he said. In this way, the coach confirmed he will stay at Nebraska for what’s ahead.

Rhule’s numbers at Nebraska this season

Matt Rhule’s third season at the helm of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2025 saw continued progress in the program’s rebuild. As of late November 2025, the team holds an overall record of 7 wins and 4 losses (7-4), with a conference record of 4-4 in the Big Ten.

Statistically, the offense has shown significant improvement, averaging 30.5 points per game (PPG) and 379.5 total yards per game, led by a passing offense that accounts for 242.6 yards per game.

The defense remains a strength, limiting opponents to just 21.5 PPG and 306.3 total yards per game, notably boasting the 2nd-best passing defense in the nation, allowing only 138.8 yards per game through the air. These figures highlight Rhule’s systematic approach, which has secured the team’s bowl eligibility and positioned them for a strong finish.

The trip to University Park ended in a 37–10 loss to the Nittany Lions, a result that could deliver a tough psychological blow as the regular season approaches its final stretch. But Rhule, someone who knows how to bounce back quickly, tried to motivate his players with an eye on what comes next.

“…but just a disappointing day. We don’t have a lot of time to worry about it, think about it. We’ve got a big game on Friday. Take this L and put it on me as a head coach. Credit to them. We have to move forward fast,” Rhule said via 247sports.com.

Next Friday, November 28, the Huskers will host the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium in what could be a decisive game for the program—not only for a potential CFP berth, but also for Bowl eligibility.

Improving red-zone efficiency

The Huskers fell soundly to Penn State in a fast-paced, back-and-forth game where the visitors ultimately showed their biggest shortcomings in the red zone. Matt Rhule knows this is something they must address immediately with what’s ahead.

“That was disappointing. Two shots on third-and-1, fourth-and-1 (on the first series). Came to win. I thought we had good plays. Looked like we controlled the line of scrimmage early and I was fired up about it. You look at the end of the day, we had 300 yards of offense, which isn’t great but we also weren’t getting off the field great (on defense).

“At one point they had 15 first downs, we had 13 first downs. So it wasn’t like we couldn’t do anything offensively. We just didn’t come away with a lot of points. And when you’re down that much you’re having to for it as opposed to take points here and there. I thought it was a great plan early but obviously it didn’t go the way (we wanted).”

Looking ahead

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-4) have their sights locked on the annual rivalry showdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4) this Friday, November 28th. Beyond the battle for the Heroes Trophy, this season-ending contest carries immense weight for the Huskers: a victory is absolutely crucial to boost their resume and keep their slim but realistic hopes for a coveted College Football Playoff berth alive. All focus in Lincoln is on beating Iowa to finish the regular season strong and make a compelling case to the selection committee.

Among them is Emmett Johnson, who stood out as a key figure in the Huskers’ latest 28–21 win over UCLA. In fact, the explosive running back was singled out by his own head coach as a legitimate candidate to be one of the best players of the year.

“I personally believe Emmett Johnson should be in New York; I think he should be a Heisman candidate,” Rhule said during his press conference. “I think he should be a Doak Walker finalist, if not winner. He’s a first-team All-American.”

Nebraska currently holds a 7–3 record as it heads into a bye week, as Matt Rhule’s offense has proven to be one of the most impactful in all of the NCAAF. Up next on the horizon is Penn State, scheduled for November 22.

Johnson’s breakout season

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson is enjoying a breakout campaign and has become the undisputed engine of the Cornhuskers’ offense. The star back has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, currently ranking second nationally with 1,131 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

His dual-threat ability is also evident, contributing 300 receiving yards and three more scores through the air. Johnson’s spectacular play has powered the Huskers to their highest regular season win total since 2016 and earned him a spot as a Maxwell Award semifinalist.

In search of the College Football Playoff

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are positioning themselves for a potential College Football Playoff bid as they enter the final, critical stretch of the regular season. Following their upcoming bye week, the Huskers face a brutal pair of matchups that will define their season.

They first host a massive late-November showdown on November 22nd against the rival Penn State Nittany Lions. The regular season then concludes with a crucial home contest on November 28th against the always-tough Iowa Hawkeyes. Nebraska must run the table in this two-game gauntlet to impress the committee and secure its spot in the CFP conversation.

Still reeling from the events, the talented quarterback spoke out on social media, using a two-word message to convey his feelings about this shocking situation: “God’s Story,” Raiola reflected via his Instagram official account.

Matt Rhule’s team now faces one of its biggest challenges, having to navigate the remainder of the season without its top star, with only a few games left in the regular season.

The news no one wanted to hear

The Nebraska Cornhuskers‘ season has been dealt a major blow, as sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola will miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Raiola suffered a broken fibula in his lower right leg after being sacked in the third quarter of Saturday night’s loss to USC.

This significant blow immediately ends the College Football season for the starting signal-caller, who had completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,000 yards before his exit.

What’s next for Nebraska?

Nebraska’s bowl-eligible season now hinges on its ability to navigate a challenging final three games without star quarterback Dylan Raiola. True freshman TJ Lateef will be thrown into the fire as the Cornhuskers face a demanding road trip to Pasadena next week to take on UCLA at the Rose Bowl, followed by a fierce challenge on the road against Penn State.

The season then concludes with the annual rivalry showdown against Iowa back home in Lincoln. This difficult stretch—featuring two tough road contests and an intense rivalry game—will severely test the depth and resilience of Coach Matt Rhule’s squad.

The talented quarterback, one of the standout players this college football season, suffered a broken fibula during his last game and will miss at least the remainder of the season. A devastating blow for the Huskers and their aspirations.

The news was confirmed by college football insider Pete Thamel, who reported via his official X account (formerly Twitter), about this devastating blow to one of the programs with strong CFP goals.

“Sources: Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola is out for the year with a broken fibula. He suffered the injury against USC on Saturday night,” the insider reported via @PeteThamel.

Rhule took no chances

Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule made a tough, but ultimately principled, decision in the Cornhuskers’ heartbreaking loss to USC, pulling star quarterback Dylan Raiola after a third-quarter ankle injury.

While Raiola was reportedly desperate to re-enter the game with the score close, Rhule delivered a major admission on Dylan Raiola’s departure in Cornhuskers’ loss to USC, stating publicly that he refused to put his young signal-caller back on the field.

“I just didn’t see the respectable thing to do to put a guy out there who can’t run,” Rhule said, prioritizing Raiola’s long-term health and safety over a potential comeback win, even as the offense sputtered with the backup.

Replacing Raiola: Who will take the helm

With the devastating news that quarterback Dylan Raiola is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a broken fibula, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will now hand the reins of the offense to true freshman TJ Lateef.

The highly-touted backup was unexpectedly thrust into action against USC, and while Head Coach Matt Rhule praised his admirable effort, Lateef will face a steep learning curve leading a Power Five offense through the final stretch of the schedule, starting with a crucial road test next week. The immediate future of the Huskers’ attack now rests entirely on the shoulders of the inexperienced QB.

The talented QB suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter and had to be replaced by TJ Lateef. The primary backup could do little to break through the opposing defense, and the Huskers ultimately fell 21–17 at Memorial Stadium.

Speaking to the media after the game, Rhule was clear when addressing Raiola’s situation, stating that although the quarterback could have gone back in, he preferred to protect his health with the rest of the season in mind.

“From a medical perspective, they were like, ‘He can’t run,’” Rhule said. “I just didn’t see the respectable thing to do to put a guy out there who can’t run. …Really at the end of the day, I just don’t think you can put a guy out there who can’t defend himself or protect himself.

“The trainers didn’t want him to go out there, but they didn’t say, ‘No, he can’t.’ They just said he shouldn’t be out there. I told Dylan, ‘I love you too much to ask you to play when you’re hurt like this.”

Protecting Raiola for what’s ahead

Nebraska’s season outlook hinges entirely on the health of quarterback Dylan Raiola after the star suffered an ankle injury late in the loss to USC. Head Coach Matt Rhule confirmed Raiola could not run and was held out for his own protection, making his status questionable for a pivotal three-game slate to close the year.

The Huskers must now monitor their QB1 closely ahead of a difficult road trip to the Rose Bowl against UCLA next Saturday, followed by a demanding contest at Penn State, before returning home to face rival Iowa. A healthy Raiola is crucial if Nebraska hopes to secure a strong finish in a tough conference schedule.

TJ Lateef as the alternative

With the status of star QB Dylan Raiola uncertain for the upcoming road game against UCLA, all signs point to true freshman TJ Lateef taking the reins for the Huskers.

Head Coach Matt Rhule expressed confidence in Lateef, who replaced Raiola in the loss to USC. If Raiola is indeed sidelined, Lateef, a California native, will make his first career Big Ten start in the high-pressure environment of the Rose Bowl.

While it’s undeniable that the talent on this team is one of the reasons they entered the game with a 5-1 record, it was perhaps on the physical side where they struggled last weekend.

This was confirmed by Rhule himself, who took responsibility for the team’s preparation and acknowledged how their opponent clearly outperformed them physically.

“I did not have them prepared to be the more physical team,” the head coach said via Omaha World-Herald’s Sam McKewon. This was reflected, among other things, in the nine sacks allowed on Dylan Raiola — a significant event for Nebraska this season.

A night to forget

The Minnesota Golden Gophers throttled Nebraska 24-6, securing the win by absolutely controlling the line of scrimmage. Minnesota’s ground game was relentless, chewing up yardage and clock while capitalizing on a surprisingly porous Nebraska run defense.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola and the Huskers’ offense struggled to find rhythm, largely due to the Gophers’ defensive front overwhelming a shaky offensive line that allowed nine sacks. The inability of the Cornhuskers’ defense to get stops against the run proved to be the ultimate difference-maker.

What does the future hold for Matt Rhule?

The coaching carousel is spinning wildly with reports linking Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule to the newly opened Penn State job. Rhule, a Penn State alum with strong ties to Nittany Lions Athletic Director Pat Kraft, has emerged as a top candidate and the odds-on favorite in early speculation following James Franklin’s exit.

While Rhule has publicly stressed that Nebraska is a “destination job” and has vowed to remain focused on his current team, his carefully worded statements have done little to quell the rumors, leaving the Husker faithful anxious as the Nittany Lions’ search for a new leader gains steam.

What’s next for the Huskers?

• vs Northwestern, October 25
• vs USC, November 1
• @ UCLA, November 8
• @ Penn State, November 22
• vs Iowa, November 28

Raiola and the Cornhuskers are having none of it, however. When asked about the prospect of Rhule skipping town and heading off for Penn State, the sophomore signal-caller needed less than five words to cancel out the noise in Nebraska.

“He ain’t going anywhere,” Raiola boldly stated on the rumors around Rhule, via On3 Sports. Raiola has never been one to sugarcoat his thoughts in college football. As his head coach’s loyalty is placed under the scope, the Huskers’ quarterback didn’t stutter in his statement.

Unfazed

With the No. 25 Cornhuskers gearing up for a crucial matchup with the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the road, Raiola wasn’t having any of the outside buzz. Thus, he took it upon himself to clear up any doubt on Rhule and his commitment to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“[The rumors] don’t faze him at all,” Raiola added. “It’s just some people stirring things up. He’s as locked in as ever on this football game. I just had to make sure everybody knew that that’s our head coach and he’s staying right here.”

Back at it

Following Nebraska’s first road win of the 2025 NCAA season (though it won at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bearcats) over the Maryland Terrapins, Raiola and the Huskers must do it again in Minneapolis.

The matchup with the Golden Gophers is crucial in more ways than one. Nebraska enters the game on Friday at 5-1 (2-1 in the Big Ten). Meanwhile, Minnesota may boast a 4-2 record, but it shares the same mark as the Huskers within the conference.

On the rise

Raiola will look to maintain his red-hot form and build on his stellar campaign. So far, he has thrown for 138 completions (tied for 2nd in the Big Ten), 1,591 yards (5th), and 16 touchdown passes (2nd).

However, his five interceptions are tied for third-worst in the league, making it an area Rhule will surely want to address going forward. In tight matchups against conference opponents, limiting turnovers can be the difference between winning and losing. Moreover, those wins and losses could be the X-factor in keeping Rhule in Lincoln rather than considering a job in State College.