Nebraska HC Matt Rhule sparked outrage from college football fans after a recent statement about the current state of the College Football Playoff system, ahead of the system changing once again in 2026.
Matt Rhule ended a nine-year postseason drought for the Cornhuskers last season, qualifying for a bowl game after a 3-0 start that included a statement victory over Wisconsin, knocking them off for the first time since 2012.
Fans Clap Back Online As Nebraska Coach Matt Rhule Calls for 40-Team College Football Playoff
In his statement, when asked about the potential playoff expansion to 16 teams in 2026, Rhule responded with a sarcastic comment that sparked outrage from college football fans.
Matt Rhule on potential College Football Playoff expansion:
“The more spots the better, man. Make that thing 40 and let’s go.
…you’re talking about a league that we play nine conference games where some others play eight. So I think that puts you at an automatic… pic.twitter.com/RR2VdVAFXv
— On3 (@On3sports) May 21, 2025
“The more spots the better, man. Make that thing 40 and let’s go… You’re talking about a league where we play nine conference games and others play eight. So, I think that puts you at an automatic disadvantage.” Rhule explained.
In response, despite the comment outwardly appearing as a joke, College Football fans tore into the Cornhuskers’ Head Coach online.
“You still aren’t getting in,” one fan wrote about the Cornhuskers, whose last national championship was back in 1997.
“Imagine being so bad that you have to suggest a playoff expansion to 40 teams so that you can make it in,” an Iowa fan suggested, earning ridicule from the replies.
With the recent changes to the College Football Playoff system being discussed, many coaches, including NC State’s Head Coach Dave Doeren, have given their opinions on the matter.
“We are fighting for our spots. We believe we deserve three automatic qualifiers as a minimum.” NC State head coach Dave Doeren explained to Yahoo Sports.
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Fans online also apparently agreed with NC State’s Head Coach, believing that the new proposed rules should not give the Big Ten and SEC schools a clear advantage.
“The SEC & Big 10 want 4 automatic bids so that they’re guaranteed that many spots in a down year. That’s why this shouldn’t happen. No team should make the CFP if they don’t deserve it,” claimed one Oklahoma State fan.
Going into 2025, both fans and Matt Rhule will have nothing to worry about for the time being, with the NCAA sticking with the 12-team playoff system.
However, it can be expected that the topic of a 16-team playoff system going into 2026 will spark debate both online and between coaches for months to come.
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