Nebraska football sports a new look in 2023. Scott Frost is gone. Matt Rhule is in.

Rhule marks the 6th head coach to take over the Cornhuskers since Tom Osborne retired following the Huskers’ 1997 national championship season. The once proud program has fallen on hard times. Six consecutive losing seasons. No bowl appearances since 2016. Can Rhule turn things around?

It won’t be easy. Recruiting needs to improve. Player development must get better. Finding a way to win close games has eluded Nebraska.

But if there’s ever a man for the job, Rhule is he. He’s performed reclamation projects at Temple and Baylor. The man knows how to turn programs from bottom feeders to winners. His track record proves it. Temple was 2-10 in Rhule’s 1st season in Philly, then 10-4 in each of his final 2 seasons with the Owls.

Rhule also turned around a Baylor program that had fallen on hard times. The Bears were 1-11 in his first year in 2017, but they made a bowl the next season and went 11-3 just 2 years later.

How will 2023 shake out? It’s anyone’s guess. Let’s take a look at 5 areas the Huskers will be better in, and 5 where they may still struggle, starting with the improved areas.

Better: Quarterback

There’s a lot to like about Jeff Sims. The Georgia Tech transfer has all the tools to be an elite QB in the B1G. Just recently, Sims was named to the preseason Davey O’Brien award watch list.

Sims can sling it. Nine times while at Tech, Sims went over 200 yards in the air. His career-high of 359 yards came against Pittsburgh in a 2021 loss.

He’s been solid in early practices and Rhule and OC Marcus Satterfield have been impressed with his decision making. If Sims can stay healthy and take care of the football, he provides a slight upgrade over Casey Thompson, who transferred to FAU.

Better: Running back

Nebraska has a deep running back room. Rhule calls it the team’s deepest position.

Anthony Grant returns after posting 915 yards and 6 TDs in 2022. Grant went over 100 yards on 5 occasions, showing good burst, vision and toughness.

Gabe Ervin Jr., perhaps the story of August camp, will start. Ervin hit the weight room hard this offseason and is bigger and stronger than ever. After injuring a knee in 2021 at Oklahoma, he was limited last year. Rhule says he’s all the way back. Look for him to play a major role in 2023.

Rahmir Johnson is a versatile runner and pass catcher. Johnson was mysteriously lost in the shuffle last year after posting solid numbers in 2021 (600 combined yards and 6 TDs). Satterfield likes to use his backs in a variety of ways. That could help Johnson get on the field more.

Better: Linebacker

Nick Henrich returns after missing the latter half of last season with a knee injury suffered at Purdue. Henrich is a solid tackler and one of the leaders of the defense.

Luke Reimer led the 2022 team with 86 tackles. His leadership and savvy play return in 2023.

Georgia transfer MJ Sherman has made a big impact since arriving in Lincoln. New DC Tony White loves his motor and ability to cover the field sideline to sideline. White’s 3-3-5 defense looks to be in good hands with those 3 manning the second level.

Better: Offensive line

Let’s be honest: This unit is still not up to snuff. It needs to vastly improve for Nebraska to compete in the West.

But the Huskers get a big boost with Nouredin Nouili returning at left guard in 2023. Nouili missed the 2022 season after being suspended. The 6-4, 315-pound senior should help in the run game and in keeping Sims upright.

Arizona State transfer Ben Scott takes over at center. Scott is 6-5, 305 and has experience anchoring the middle.

Bryce Benhart, Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka are returning veterans. Prochazka battled injury a year ago and is currently banged up early in camp. Rhule hopes to have him back for the opener at Minnesota.

Better: Head coach

Trev Alberts made a heckuva hire landing Rhule after Rhule’s stint in the NFL. Rhule is a college football program builder, and just what the doctor ordered for Nebraska.

Rhule is the polar opposite of Scott Frost. Gone are the days of the head coach showing up late to practice and slacking on the recruiting trail. Rhule will lead by example. He runs a tight ship and holds everyone — players and assistant coaches — accountable. It’s a step in the right direction.

It may not happen overnight, but Rhule will turn the Huskers into contenders again. His past stops prove it.

Worse: Receiving, top to bottom

Gone is Trey Palmer and his record-setting production. Palmer is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving behind his single-season school record 1,043 receiving yards. His 71 receptions were the most ever in a season by a Huskers’ wide receiver, and his 9 TDs rank as 5th most in a season.

Replacing Palmer’s production will be challenging. Things got dicier after Zavier Betts informed Rhule earlier this month of his desire to move on from football. Betts told Rhule his “heart’s not in it” anymore.

Nebraska was hoping Betts would return to his 2021 form, but now Satterfield and WR coach Garrett McGuire will be scrambling for depth.

Virginia transfer Billy Kemp IV will lead the new group of WRs. Kemp should see a ton of targets, but finding depth and reliability behind him could be tough.

Worse: Secondary

The Huskers also received a blow when Myles Farmer, the team’s 2nd leading tackler from a year ago, hit the transfer portal at the start of August camp. Replacing Farmer will be difficult.

New position coach Evan Cooper likes his young guys. Plus, he’s got a veteran in Quinton Newsome holding down one of the cornerback spots and Isaac Gifford locking down a safety spot.

But in Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense, having a deep back end will be key. Early on, this unit could be challenged.

Worse; Pass rush

The Huskers must replace both Garrett Nelson and Ochaun Mathis at edge. The duo combined for 9 sacks and 14 TFL in 2022.

Blaine Gunnerson will get first crack at one of the edge spots. Veteran Ty Robinson provides depth on the inside and is good against the run.

Who else steps up? In the rugged B1G, Nebraska will need to find answers fast.

Worse: Kicking game

Brendan Franke handled kickoff duties admirably in 2022. Thirty-six of his 54 kicks went for touchbacks. Only 15 of his kicks were returned, for an average of just 18 yards.

Franke transferred to Georgia Southern, and his production will be hard to replicate. Who handles KO duties? Is it punter Brian Buschini?

As for place kicker, incumbent Timmy Bleekrode and true freshman Tristan Alvano are battling for the job. Bleekrode made 9 of 12 FGs in 2022 and will need to be even more consistent to hold off the talented Alvano. Rhule wasn’t happy about Saturday’s missed kicks during practice inside Memorial Stadium.

Worse: Overall depth

The Huskers once again open the season against a conference opponent. It’s the 4th straight year it will happen. A Thursday night trip to face Minnesota and PJ Fleck’s talented Gophers team throws Rhule into the deep end of the pool immediately. Will Nebraska be ready, or have the physical depth, to challenge the Gophers?

The following week Nebraska travels to Boulder to take on Colorado and Coach Prime. Two straight road games against Power 5 opponents to start the year is no way to ease into a coaching tenure. It will test the Huskers’ preparation and depth, especially if the weather is hot.

Nebraska can’t afford to lose certain guys to injury. Sims and Kemp top the list. If either goes down, things could spiral south. Nebraska fans have seen this script too often of late. Some good fortune — especially in the injury department — would be welcome.