Dr. Strangelove
All-Conference
While you're correct here, the main issue is that this applies to literally every team in the country. Middle Tennessee State is a dynamic QB, dynamic RB, a completely new Line-of-Scrimmage, a pass rush and competent coordinators from being a CFB caliber team. If a team needs all of that it means that they aren't particularly close. It's an indictment of where Rhule has taken this program, who has mostly benefitted from easier schedules that are about to get a lot more difficult.
My prediction is a tough 2026 season, but I think the money they extended Rhule makes him likely to be around for 2027 as well. It's pretty obvious the Matt Rhule Era is circling the drain, it's rare to hit the reset button in year 4 and have it all work out. The writing is on the wall, unfortunately the fans are just going to have to suffer through a little more Rhule ineptitude before we start searching for a new coach.
My guess is that they'll finish 5-7 next year, but the recruiting momentum they have will allow Rhule to get one more season after that. It's pretty obvious that Matt Rhule isn't a great coach, can't develop players in todays college football, and is an active liability when it comes to game management. The brain trust in memorial stadium made a massive mistake on giving Rhule an extension, and as such will have a difficult choice to make during or after the 2027 season.