Just when you think things can’t get worse for Nebraska, reality delivers a cold, hard slap in the face.

Forget the fact that Nebraska dropped a 34-3 decision Saturday to No. 3 Michigan. Everyone saw that coming.

What they didn’t see is insult to injury. Nebraska, already without starting QB Casey Thompson due to injury, lost Chubba Purdy in the same fashion. Even offensive coordinator Mark Whipple couldn’t avoid it. Nebraska’s play-caller had to leave Saturday’s game after being taken out on a Michigan kick return late in the 1st half.

Are you serious? Just when you think things can’t get worse, Murphy’s Law rears its ugly head.

Purdy left after sliding awkwardly in the 2nd quarter on a run. He was later seen on crutches and his status will be determined later.

Whipple clearly was shaken up after taking a spill on the sideline. He was carted to the locker room at half for further evaluation. Head coach Mickey Joseph, without a play sheet, took over play-calling in the 2nd half.

When it rains, it pours

Things have not gone well for Nebraska in 2022. That’s obvious.

But you have to feel for Joseph. He inherited a mess. He’s done an admirable job trying to patch the holes. But let’s be honest. The rest of the season is like putting a Band-aid on an open wound. It’s going to take a massive reclamation project to get this thing turned around.

Joseph and his team were already behind the 8-ball. But injuries have taken things from bad to worse. Thompson missed his 2nd straight game after being injured vs. Illinois. Purdy went down on basically a non-contact injury. Logan Smothers came in, but has also been fighting a nagging injury the past few weeks.

More bad luck ensued this week as starting safety Myles Farmer was suspended after being cited for DUI following last week’s loss to Minnesota.

Could a movie director script a worse plot for this team? I’m not sure

Where it all went wrong

We’ll keep this as simple as can be. And yes, hindsight is 20/20.

Trev Alberts should’ve pulled the plug on Scott Frost following the 2021 season. The results weren’t going to change. Frost suddenly wasn’t going to alter course and turn this thing around. Four seasons of results showed otherwise.

But Alberts did the admirable thing and threw Frost a lifeline. Frost then cut ties with assistants. Did a staff overhaul.

There was an ounce of hope it could work. That hope faded in late August in Ireland after Northwestern posted its only win of the season to date over the Frost-led Huskers. At that point the writing was on the wall.

Saturday’s pillaging was a microcosm of Nebraska’s problems. There was a glaring disparity in the quality of offensive line play. Michigan put on a clinic up front, creating huge holes for Blake Corum and company to waltz through.

Nebraska continues to struggle providing protection for its quarterbacks. Anthony Grant and the other RBs had few creases to hit. The quality of play Nebraska is putting out across the line of scrimmage is not cutting it. Not only for this league, but any Power 5 league.

Recruiting, especially across the offensive and defensive lines, must take high priority in the offseason. Whomever is hired as head coach must hit it hard.

But at this point, who will want the job? It’s a massive undertaking and even though the portal allows for quick fixes, the holes to plug in Lincoln are aplenty.

It goes without saying the gap on the field between the Michigan and Nebraska programs is wider than the Grand Canyon. Hard to believe that 2 blue bloods in the sport have drifted this far apart in such a short time.

Limping to the finish

As bad as it is (and yes, it’s really bad), Nebraska still has 2 games to play. The Huskers host Wisconsin in their home finale next Saturday. A trip to Iowa on Black Friday concludes the season. Two games against 2 physical foes. It’s certain to not go well.

With Purdy hurt, nursing a high ankle sprain according to Joseph, it looks like Smothers is the guy at QB. Home state products Matt Masker and Jarrett Synek are behind him. It makes zero sense for Thompson to try and return. Especially dealing with a nerve issue in his arm. There’s literally nothing to play for. A bowl game is off the table. Just getting to the finish line is now the goal.

It’s all about pride at this point. Joseph and staff must find a way to motivate the team. It won’t be easy. Senior day at Memorial Stadium awaits. Then a trip to Iowa City.

After that? It’s a major overhaul. Where Alberts turns is anyone’s guess. Whether it is Joseph or an outside hire will be decided soon.

Joseph was put in a no-win situation. To his credit, the team hasn’t quit. They continue to play hard and show up. It’s obviously not enough. A talent upgrade is needed.

Joseph said recruiting is how Nebraska can close the gap. He vowed after Saturday’s loss to make it happen. The only drama left in Nebraska’s season is if he’ll be given the opportunity to try.