What are realistic expectations for Nebraska Football in 2023?

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule has impressed the fanbase with his recruiting victories but what’s a realistic win total in 2023? 

If there was a segment of the Nebraska football fanbase that wasn’t completely on board with the hire of Matt Rhule, that part has totally dissipated.

Rhule has won over the fans with the way he has recruited and the effort has put into rebuilding the Nebraska football program. It doesn’t hurt that Rhule is very polished and a really good communicator.

But there’s no question that he and his staff have hit the ground running on the recruiting trail. The Huskers have landed five commitments this week from recruits/transfers and that’s been par for the course over the past month or so.

The Huskers have a top-25 class according to the 247 sports composite rankings. Rhule also added some key transfers such as former Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims and a couple of pieces along the O-line such as former ASU starting center Ben Scott.

Malachi Coleman, a top-100 prospect (in 2023) and the No. 1 player in the state of Nebraska, also committed despite a strong push from Deion Sanders.

Recruiting wins are nice. But what will Nebraska football look like on the field next season? The Huskers haven’t played in a bowl game since 2016. Will that drought end next season?

Here’s a look at realistic expectations for Nebraska football in year one under Matt Rhule.

How many wins can Nebraska football expect in 2023?

Nebraska opens the 2023 season with road games against Minnesota and Colorado. That’s not an easy start but both games are winnable.

If the Huskers can win one or both, they should be well on their way to a bowl game. All of the home games are winnable but Michigan is going to be tough.

The road games are at Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan State in addition to the first two. Putting together a 3-2 record on the road would exceed expectations but all five of them are winnable. Not easy but very manageable.

The home games are all winnable too probably outside of Michigan with Iowa, Maryland, Purdue, and Northwestern in addition to Louisiana Tech and Northern Illinois.

While last season was a struggle at 4-8, Nebraska beat Iowa on the road at the end of last season and was a few plays away from beating Northwestern, Purdue, Georgia Southern, and Minnesota.

Even a 2-2 record in those games, and you can throw the Wisconsin game in there too, would have given the Huskers a 6 or 7-win season.

With Sims or Casey Thompson starting at quarterback (Thompson’s injury doomed the Huskers in 2022), an improved offensive line, and a stellar running back combo of Anthony Grant and Ajay Allen — a bowl game should a minimum expectation.

Nebraska should be able to win 7-9 games in the regular season. This might not be a TCU-type of turnaround but there’s no reason Nebraska football can’t have a winning season in 2023.

And if Matt Rhule is worth his salt as a college football head coach, Nebraska will go bowling.