Week 4: Matt Rhule speaks with media, scouting Michigan State

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule took to the podium for his weekly press conference following the team’s 34-7 win over North Dakota on Monday morning at the Hawks Championship Center. Coach Rhule previewed to this weekend’s conference-opener against Michigan State.

“They’re going to run the football, they’re going to have a powerful offensive line, they’re going to play good special teams, they’re going to play good defense, they’re going to take away the run,” Rhule said. “They’re not going to give you anything easy. They’re going to force you to win if you want an explosive play.”

Following Nebraska’s 34-7 win over North Dakota, the Huskers now sit 3-0 on the season, even receiving a few AP Poll votes this week.

Big Red now hits the road for the first time this season, facing a battle-tested Michigan State team following its 27-10 loss to No .3 Notre Dame. The Spartans are now 2-1 in 2026.

This will be the teams’ 15th meeting, as the Huskers lead the Spartans all-time 10-4. Last season, Nebraska faced the Spartans in Lincoln, winning 38-27.

Watch the full press conference here:

Scouting Michigan State

Michigan State is led by a familiar face in the Big Ten, as first-year coach Pat Fitzgerald now leads the program. Fitzgerald previously spent 17 years as head coach of his alma mater, Northwestern, from 2006-2023. The Spartans’ two wins are over Toledo and Eastern Michigan.

Leading the way is quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who has accumulated a total of 540 yards through the air over three games, throwing for three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.

MSU is averaging 25 points per game, while only allowing 18 through three contests. The Spartan rushing attack has shown strengths early this season, as the team is accumulating an average of 150.7 per outing. Cam Edwards is the lead workhorse, including a rushing performance of 152 yards in the win over Eastern Michigan.

Nebraska’s secondary will want to keep a close eye on receiver Rodney Bullard Jr., as the Spartan wide out is averaging just over 15 yards a catch. Rodney has also hauled in a touchdown.

Defensively, MSU is allowing an average of just over 295 yards per game. Through three games, the Spartans have only forced a pair of turnovers total. Nebraska’s offensive line will have to contain Eli Coenen well, as Coenen leads MSU in sacks thus far with three.

In 2025, Michigan State went 4-8 with a 1-8 tally in Big Ten play.

Score Predictions

Nick Eriksen: 31-28, Nebraska

Will Charlton: 20-17, Nebraska

Rod Fowler: 24-23, Nebraska

Kickoff between the Spartans and Huskers is set for 4:00 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.