Common Fan - A Nebraska Football Podcast

The Common Fans got so fired up during their Las Vegas Bowl recap episode, they forgot to award Corn Cobs for the game. In this supplement to the full episode, the boys discuss their Corn Cob recipients and find some silver linings from the game. Check out this supplemental episode on YouTube, listen on the Common Fan website, or find it on any audio platform where you get your podcasts.As always, GBR for LIFE! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Since the Las Vegas Bowl, there’s been no shortage of Husker news — and even less shortage of angst in Husker Nation. On this edition of the Common Fan Podcast, the boys air their grievances about Nebraska’s 44–22 loss to Utah, react to major transfer portal news, and zoom out to the big-picture question hanging over the program as we turn the page to 2026: based on the last three games of the 2025 season, do we have clarity on anything going into 2026? Kenny Minchey Transfers to NebraskaThe news broke right before the Common Fans hit record: Notre Dame QB Kenny Minchey is headed to Lincoln.Geoff in Lincoln breaks down what Husker fans are getting: a QB with a big arm, the ability to push the ball downfield, and (importantly) some mobility—something the crew has been begging to see integrated into Nebraska’s offensive identity.The boys are excited to see more from Minchey, but also admit they are officially in “show me” mode.The Las Vegas Bowl: A Fast Start, Then the Same Old MovieNebraska scored on its first two possessions by shoving the ball down Utah’s throat, and for a moment it felt like the Huskers might actually belong on the same field.Then the bottom fell out — again. The defense couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t stop the pass, and the offense never overcame the adjustments made by the Utes’ staff. Sadly, the way the game played out was not at all surprising, and the anger among the fan base is still boiling several days after the game. Everything Should Be on the Table for Nebraska Football in 2026The crew considers a thesis: no one should feel comfortable heading into next season — players or coaches. To be clear: no one is calling for any firings. But everyone should be feeling uncomfortable with how the season ended. The broader frustration isn’t “why aren’t we Georgia?” It’s: why can’t Nebraska be a consistent Top 25 program—8 to 10 wins, a team we’re proud of, and no more November faceplants?The crew debates patience vs. urgency in Year 4 under Rhule, especially with a brutal schedule looming and a fan base that feels like it’s living on the edge of a cliff.The Backwards Camo Hat, The Vibes, and the “Earn It” StandardYes, the infamous backwards camo hat gets its own segment — because when you get embarrassed three games in a row, everything becomes fair game.The guys agree on the simple solution: win, and nobody cares about the hat.This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast. Check out the episode on YouTube, listen on the Common Fan website, or find it on any audio platform where you get your podcasts.As always, GBR for LIFE! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans discuss the latest news around Nebraska’s upcoming bowl game against Utah, and look at three questions heading into the matchup vs the Utes.Kyle Whittingham to MichiganThe Utah head coach - who was already planning to leave Salt Lake City after this season - has officially been named the head man at the University of Michigan. Will this development create uncertainty for the Utes? Will it benefit the Huskers?Whatever the case, Whittingham is undeniably one of the good guys in college football, and all three Common Fans agree the cheaters in Ann Arbor do not deserve him. He is one of the best coaches in the country, and he is a clear upgrade for the Wolverines. What should we expect from TJ Lateef in the bowl game?Is Lateef fully healthy? Matt Rhule says he looks good to go and ready to run the offense.The boys wonder if offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will open up the playbook, having Lateef run the ball and possibly even mixing in some trick plays. The Las Vegas Bowl will be a big opportunity for Lateef to cement his status as the starter going into 2026. How well will Nebraska’s offense run the ball without Emmett Johnson?The crew gives one final shoutout to EJ, the best back Nebraska has had in at least a decade. How will the Big Red run the ball without him?While backups Isaiah Mozee, Kwinten Ives, and Mekhi Nelson have shown promise at times, none of them even has 20 carries on the season. There are a lot of unknowns, simply because of how much #21 carried the load all year.Will the Blackshirts be able to stop the run?Utah comes into the Las Vegas Bowl at #2 in the country in rushing, averaging nearly 270 yards on the ground per game. Rushing defense, of course, has been a challenge for Nebraska’s defense in 2025.Can the Husker D come up with any answers? Two of the Utes’ best offensive linemen will forego the bowl game to begin preparing for the NFL draft. Will that make enough of a difference for Nebraska’s defense to slow down the run?This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! A very heartfelt Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from TJ, MattyO, and Geoff in Lincoln, and as always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans dive into the biggest developments surrounding Nebraska football this week. From a spicy Matt Rhule press conference to personnel changes to an opportunity in the Las Vegas Bowl, there’s a lot on the line as 2025 turns into 2026. The boys discuss what it all means, and also share their Christmas wish lists for Husker football. Matt Rhule’s Press ConferenceRhule pushed back hard on any suggestion that Nebraska is in a “reset,” calling that idea ridiculous while acknowledging the late-season slide wasn’t good enough. Rhule acknowledged the team should have won nine games instead of seven this year — owning the results while still defending his progress and process. The boys discuss Rhule’s assertion that he inherited a mess. While that may be true, Rhule has mostly refrained from making those types of statements for most of his tenure. The coach also referenced getting his staff fully in place and pointed to the incremental year-by-year improvement of the team’s record, while speaking frankly about the work still ahead. The Common Fans react to what felt like a more emotional Rhule at the podium.Staff Moves Signal a New DirectionThe Huskers made significant changes in the wake of the rough end to the regular season, with John Butler (defensive coordinator), Donovan Raiola (offensive line coach), and Terry Bradden (defensive line coach) among those who were let go. The crew hones in on two new hires in particular: Georgia Tech’s Geep Wade as offensive line coach, and Lonnie Teasley as run game coordinator. Both have significant experience as Power Five offensive line coaches, and both are known as strong recruiters. The Common Fans speculate–and hope–that this is a signal that Coach Rhule is shifting the offense to a more run-heavy approach. Common Fan Christmas Wish ListsThe boys wrap up by providing their Christmas wish lists for Nebraska football this year. They discuss everything from hoping for a bowl win to knowing who the next starting QB will be to beating a top team in 2026.Many thanks to all the Common Fan listeners this year. We love doing this and we will continue to be coming out with new episodes throughout the entire offseason. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans discuss the biggest news of the week: the announcement that two year starting quarterback Dylan Raiola will be entering the transfer portal. They also discuss what it means for 2026, the upcoming bowl game, and some of the news around college football. The Raiola ReactionThe boys give their immediate, unfiltered reactions — and they may not be what you expect. They talk about why some fans likely feel disappointment, why others feel relief, and how the transfer portal era has changed the way we process these moments. A few years ago, losing a five-star QB would’ve felt like the sky was falling. Now? It’s still big, but it’s also the world we live in. Ultimately, we wish Dylan well, but it’s time for the Nebraska football team to look forward. Freed Up Cash FlowThe boys dig into a slightly uncomfortable conversation: value. In a world of NIL and revenue sharing, it’s fair to ask whether performance matched investment — and what Nebraska can do now that a significant amount of funds have been freed up. Can they build a better roster by spreading those dollars across multiple impact players, especially in the trenches? And was Raiola’s skill set ever a clean fit for what Nebraska is trying to be offensively?Portal Season = MassiveWith Emmett Johnson off to the NFL and Raiola on the way out, Nebraska has significant work to do in the offseason. They absolutely need to hit on most of the players they add in the portal. Speaking of, they need at least one QB (and maybe two), a running back, probably an offensive lineman or two, and they need a major infusion in the front seven on defense. Additionally, which current players might be hitting the portal? It’s a reality in modern day college football, and the players Rhule and his staff target will to some extent be determined by who they lose off of the roster. Reset Year, Or Just Reality?The Common Fans close out by looking ahead to 2026: a brutal schedule, a fan base that’s tired, and the debate over whether or not Nebraska is in the midst of a reset. Can they find a way to win the bowl game? Can the team exceed expectations in 2026? Are we in the midst of a rebuild? Or is it simply reloading in a sport where everyone is turning over rosters every year?This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Since the Nebraska football team’s Black Friday loss to Iowa, there have been some seismic changes around the Husker program. On this edition of the Common Fan Podcast, TJ Birkel, Matty Owens Sr., and Geoff in Lincoln give their thoughts on the latest news, and look at the biggest questions hanging over the team heading into the Las Vegas Bowl.John Butler and Donovan Raiola Relieved of Their DutiesBoth defensive coordinator John Butler and offensive line coach Donovan Raiola were fired in the week following the Iowa game. One could argue Butler’s unit played well enough in the first 10 games of the season, but the defense fell off a cliff in the final two games of the year. The crew discusses the hire of Rob Aurich from San Diego State to replace Butler, and pontificates on what needs to improve on the defensive side of the ball in 2026. Donovan Raiola also had his moments, and his offensive line seemed to do a pretty good job of paving the way for Emmett Johnson in the second half of the season. But Nebraska’s O line has left plenty to be desired in recent years, between the sacks in 2025, to the lack of NFL draft picks on Raiola’s watch. Raiola’s replacement–Geep Wade from Georgia Tech–has already been named, and appears to be an upgrade. Emmett Johnson to the NFLEmmett Johnson, Nebraska’s best running back in more than a decade, the 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year, and the heart and soul of this year’s football team, announced he will be forgoing his senior season and entering the NFL draft. The Common Fans are not surprised with Johnson’s decision, which almost certainly means he is out for the bowl game. The boys pay tribute to EJ, and look ahead to who might carry the load in the bowl game.  Huskers to the Las Vegas BowlIt’s officially officially official: Nebraska will play Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31. The Utes are the #15 ranked team in the country, and have the nation’s second best rushing offense, averaging almost 270 yards on the ground per game. They also have a rushing quarterback. On paper, this matchup is…not good, to say the least. That said, it will be another opportunity for Matt Rhule’s boys to try to take down a ranked team, and it’s a chance to head into the offseason with some momentum and optimism. Rhule, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, and interim defensive coordinator Phil Snow need to pull out all the stops to try to figure out a way to get a win in the bowl game. Biggest Question in a Big Month for Nebraska FootballWhat is the future of quarterback Dylan Raiola? Or TJ Lateef for that matter? What are Nebraska’s biggest needs in the transfer portal? Will there be more musical chairs among the coaching staff? It’s the most important offseason of Matt Rhule’s tenure in Lincoln, and there are arguably more questions than at any point in the last three years. How Rhule navigates this offseason will go a long way towards determining how his entire time as Nebraska’s head football coach is viewed. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nebraska’s regular season ended with a 40–16 gut punch that left Husker Nation stunned, exhausted, and questioning everything. On this edition of the Common Fan Podcast, TJ Birkel, Matty Owens Sr., and Geoff in Lincoln sit down shortly after the meltdown in Memorial Stadium to process a rivalry loss that felt like a referendum on the entire Matt Rhule era. The conversation is part therapy session, part postmortem, and part rallying cry.“Until Further Notice” – The New Reality for Nebraska FootballThe guys open with a declaration: Nebraska football has officially reached “until further notice” status under Matt Rhule. There is no more benefit of the doubt. No one is calling for Matt Rhule’s job, but the days of optimistic projections, culture speeches, and positive preseason vibes carrying water for the program are over. After back-to-back-to-back November collapses, and a squandered friendly schedule, fans have earned the right to be critical—and this loss crystallized why.Emmett Johnson, the Only Corn Cob RecipientFor the second straight week, the Corn Cob segment is essentially one man. Emmett Johnson once again fought to deliver another brilliant performance, singlehandedly keeping the offense afloat. The guys talk about his emotional moment on the field postgame, the likelihood of him turning pro, and the reality that Nebraska may have just wasted one of its best running back seasons in a decade. A Comedy of Errors That Wasn’t FunnyThe boys break down the turning points: the frustrating non-targeting call on Jacory Barney’s fumble, and two back-breaking second-and-four sequences where Nebraska abandoned the run for reasons passing understanding. Each moment becomes a microcosm of Nebraska’s larger identity problem: predictable when they should be adaptable, stubborn when they should be smart, and chaotic when they should be complementary.Big Picture: Identity Crisis, Defensive Regression, and the Rule of Year ThreeThe second half of the show zooms out. The guys confront the uncomfortable comparison between Matt Rhule’s record and Mike Riley’s through the same point. They dive into Nebraska’s defensive collapse, the inability to stop the run, the non-existent pass rush, and the maddening lack of offensive identity. They question everything—staff, scheme, development, philosophy—while acknowledging that Rhule deserves the chance to make changes and evolve.Bowl Game, Portal Season, and the Winter AheadDespite the despair, the episode closes with a sliver of perspective. Nebraska made back-to-back bowl games for the first time in more than a decade. Portal season offers opportunity. Change is possible. Hope—however battered—still flickers. But the message is clear: no more speeches, no more slogans, no more benefit of the doubt. It’s time for proof.This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Throw out all the records. Throw out all the stats. Throw out anything that has happened this season. It’s Iowa week, and it is time for all of Husker Nation to unite against the hated Hawkeyes. Looking at Iowa’s history: The Common Fans lay out the facts to explain why Nebraska football is and always will be superior to Iowa. The Hawkeyes claim five national championships, but two are from the 1920s, and for the other three–from 1956, 1958, and 1960–Iowa didn’t finish #1 in either the AP poll or the coaches poll. Nebraska owns 46 conference championships, which ranks second in the nation all time. Iowa, by contrast, has 15. Iowa’s record all time is 708-585-39, good for a .546 winning percentage that is 65th best in the country.Nebraska, by contrast, is 931-434-40, which amounts to a .677 winning percentage that is 10th all time. Iowa has one Heisman Trophy winner ever, Nile Kinninck in 1939. This was such a big deal in Hawkeye Nation that they named their stadium after him. Nebraska has three Heisman trophy winners, all of which occurred after World War Two, including one which happened in this century. And of course, Nebraska still owns the advantage in the all time head-to-head matchup between the two teams, 30-22.The list goes on and on; you get the picture. No matter what has happened in recent years, the Common Fans are red ‘til they’re dead. Nebraska will always be the superior program, and it’s always better to be a Cornhusker. Time to buckle in, Common Fans:Have there been frustrating moments this season? Yes. Did the Huskers once again leave some wins on the table? It would appear so. Are there things this team needs to address in the offseason? Absolutely.And guess what: we will have eight months to digest this 2025 season, and to talk about all the ways in which Matt Rhule’s program needs to improve.In the meantime, it’s time for Husker Nation to unite, from Scottsbluff to South Sioux City; from Alliance to Falls City; from Omaha to McCook; from sea to shining sea. IT’S IOWA HATE WEEK!!!!!This is the life we’ve chosen, and it’s time to beat the Hawkeyes.  Celebrating 150 episodes for the Common Fan Podcast:One final note: the Common Fans didn’t even realize it, but the Penn State game recap episode was their 150th episode. The boys reflect on this podcast journey and thank all the loyal Common Fan listeners for a thoroughly enjoyable ride. It’s only been two years, and there is a lot more to come. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nebraska football walked into Happy Valley on Saturday night needing a breakthrough — and instead got bulldozed. The Huskers were outplayed, outcoached, and overpowered in a 37–10 loss to Penn State that leaves the fan base frustrated, salty, and searching for answers. On this week’s episode of the Common Fan Podcast, the crew breaks down everything that went wrong in State College and what it means for Matt Rhule heading into the Iowa game.Slim pickings for Corn Cobs: The guys hand out their weekly Corn Cobs — and this one gets interesting. Geoff goes contrarian with a nod to punter-turned-missile Archie Wilson for showing some fire in a late-hit penalty. Matty O sticks with the obvious: Emmett Johnson, who once again carried the offense with 151 total yards despite having to break tackles five yards behind the line just to get back to even. TJ highlights linebacker Jacob Bauer, one of the few bright spots on a bad night for the Blackshirts.Three years in, this shouldn’t be happening:The crew discusses AD Troy Dannen’s early-season comments about Nebraska being “three years into a rebuild” — but pushes back hard. Is year three long enough to expect the Huskers not to get manhandled at the line of scrimmage? The boys discuss Penn State’s struggles coming intothe game, why this wasn’t a great Nittany Lion team, and why all of that makes it even more inexplicable that Nebraska came out of a bye week completely flat. On the stakes for the Iowa game now: The conversation quickly turns to what Friday now represents. Nebraska sits at 7–4. Lose to Iowa, and you’re suddenly staring at the very real possibility of finishing 7–6 for a second consecutive year after another 5–1 start. Beat Iowa, and the season feels salvageable — maybe even encouraging. But the guys agree: the seat doesn’t get “hot” with a loss… but it might start heating up. This is as urgent as a regular-season finale without playoff implications can get. On the offensive identity and the QB conversation: The Common Fans dig into the offense’s lingering identity problem. What exactly is Nebraska’s scheme? What is it trying to be? And how should that shape the Dylan Raiola vs. TJ Lateef conversation moving forward? No one blames Lateef for the loss — but the guys question the play-calling, the lack of RPOs, and the absence of creativity. They agree both quarterbacks bring valuable tools… but the staff needs a real offensive blueprint before either can thrive.On accountability, urgency, and a fan Base at its limitFrom concerns about Rhule’s messaging to frustration with local media predictions to a raw sense of being “bamboozled,” this episode captures the emotional whiplash of modern Nebraska football. The guys close by emphasizing the stakes, the rivalry, and the opportunity: beat Iowa, steady the narrative, and head into bowl season with momentum.This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mitch Sherman joins the Common Fans to discuss TJ Lateef, the remainder of Nebraska’s season, the outlook for recruiting and the transfer portal, possible bowl destinations, and much more! Assessing Coach Rhule’s comments about having the resources to compete for the best players in the nation: There will be more resources, both in the form of dollars in the NIL collective and in sponsorship deals for players, to help shore up the roster. It’s important not to forget the need to keep current impact players on the roster.Money isn’t always the deciding factor in where a player lands, but Nebraska feels like it can be competitive with anyone now.As always, offensive and defensive linemen will be a priority, along with at least one running back. Looking at Nebraska’s win over UCLA:It was an excellent first outing from true freshman quarterback TJ Lateef, and the playbook wasn’t exactly watered down. The offense ran a lot of the same things they would have run if Dylan Raiola had been playing. Moving forward, ideally Nebraska would be able to put a game like that away, and not let the opponent back in it. On Emmett Johnson’s Heisman Trophy chances:Realistically, Mitch doesn’t think EJ has a shot to win the prestigious award.The momentum among the national media, and the campaign being run by the University, really got going in November which is just too late. That said, Johnson is likely in line to be a 1st team All Conference player, and possibly an All American. Looking ahead to Penn State:With Penn State’s win against Michigan State over the weekend, the Nittany Lions can still make a bowl game, and will have plenty to play for. With quarterback Drew Allar out for the remainder of the season with an injury, it will be critical for Nebraska to stop the run. PSU’s defense is formidable. They will have players who can come off the edge and get after the quarterback in a way that only Michigan has done against the Huskers this season. Can Nebraska keep both Dylan Raiola and TJ Lateef in 2026?Lateef will almost certainly be coveted, and will likely get an offer to leave Nebraska.Will the Huskers be willing to pay top dollar for two quarterbacks? Possible bowl destinations for the Big Red:The Music City Bowl in Nashville is looking increasingly likely as a possible bowl destination.One of the Florida bowls would be an indication of a strong finish to the season.Whatever the case, Nebraska will definitely not be returning to New York City this year. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans discuss Nebraska’s bounce-back win against UCLA, TJ Lateef’s coming out party, Emmett Johnson’s continued dominance, and much more. On true freshman quarterback TJ Lateef: Lateef sparkled in his debut as Nebraska’s quarterback, leading the Big Red past the Bruins in front of 20,000+ Husker fans at the Rose Bowl. The offense seemed to find a spark they have been missing in recent games.Lateef’s ability to run with the football is such a benefit to the offense.On do-everything running back Emmett Johnson: What can’t Emmett Johnson do? EJ continues to shine. He continues to top his own performance from previous games, seemingly getting better, stronger, and faster as the season goes on. Will Johnson return for his senior year in 2026? The Common Fans speculate on the pros and cons from a player’s perspective. Hopefully, the prospect of more money in college, being a potential Heisman candidate, and drastically improving his draft stock are enough to bring him back for one more season. On the performance by the defense:It wasn’t a perfect performance by the Blackshirts, and they were gashed by running quarterback Nico Iamaleava.That said, they made critical stops when the Huskers absolutely had to have them, and they did enough for Nebraska to win the game. John Butler’s unit has a lot of young talent, and optimism is sky high for the future. On the Nebraska crowd at the Rose Bowl: Husker Nation does it again! 20,000+ fellow Common Fans take over the Rose Bowl in what was an electric night to be a Cornhusker.Common Fan co-host T.J. Birkel was in the house, and shares his experiences on the night. On the future of Nebraska football:Vibes are sky high among the Common Fans right now. No, it hasn’t been a perfect season, but the Big Red continues to improve, and Matt Rhule is committed to being in Lincoln for the long term. The Huskers have a real chance to finish strong this season, and they have one of the youngest rosters in all of college football. Rhule will have to figure out how to get over the hump, and go from being good to great, but it feels like a strong culture and foundation are in place for much future success. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Evan Bland joins the Common Fans to discuss the loss to USC, Dylan Raiola’s injury, and the upcoming game against UCLA. On the atmosphere on Saturday night: The blackout at Memorial Stadium was next level. It was an incredibly impressive effort from the fan base. The blackout was particularly beneficial for the big recruiting guest list that was on hand. On the game against USC: Nebraska played about as well as they could for nearly two and a half quarters.This wasn’t Minnesota–Nebraska showed up ready, they had a good plan, and they played well for large chunks of the game. Defense did everything you could have asked them to do. Additionally, the Huskers probably win without Dylan Raiola getting hurt. But this one was unique, in the sense that it involved some bad luck as well. In the end, they fell short of an opportunity to make a statement on a national stage. On the two third quarter timeouts:On the 4th and 1 play, Nebraska was going to go for it, and ultimately changed their mind. On the other timeout–it’s still unclear why Matt Rhule used the timeout in that moment. Huskers playing too fast and loose with their timeouts. On Dylan Raiola’s injury: Recovery time according to Rhule is 8-12 weeks. He may miss some winter conditioning, but the expectation is that he will be ready for spring ball. Raiola still expected to be a leader for this team: mentoring TJ Lateef, sitting in on game planning meetings, and generally supporting the team. On bouncing back from the USC loss and the importance of the remainder of the season: Players and coaches talked this week about how anxious they are to get back out there. Like a closer in baseball who blows a save, the Huskers are ready to get the bad taste out of their mouth and try to get back in the W column.Year three still needs to be about upward momentum. Even with the loss of Raiola, and even if it’s not a traditional “Year 3 leap” for Matt Rhule, progress is important. The next step for Nebraska is to be a team that can finish strong. What record would constitute success for this Nebraska team? They need at least one more win, preferably two. Looking ahead to UCLA:You normally don’t see a team fire its coach, pivot to an interim coach, and then have the kind of resurgence the Bruins have had. Interim head coach Tim Skipper and interim offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel have been bright spots. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava can be expected to run the ball as much as any quarterback Nebraska has seen. UCLA does have some talent, although Nebraska has been the more explosive offense of the two. Expect the Huskers to have heavy doses of Emmett Johnson, as well as some designed keepers for Lateef. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans discuss Nebraska’s heartbreaking loss to USC. Huskers looked ready to play and came out strong on an electric night in Lincoln. Coaching staff had a solid game plan, as the defense completely took away the Trojans’ passing game and the offense scored on two of its four 1st half drives. Nebraska ultimately couldn’t close the deal, like so many recent heartbreak, gut punch losses. Pivotal 3rd quarter ultimately turned the tide in favor of the Trojans: Going 3-and-out on the opening drive of the 2nd half is inexcusable. The Common Fans hate the deep shot on the opening play of the half with the fire of a thousand suns. After the Blackshirts force a pick, disaster strikes for Nebraska. At 1st and 10 from the USC 23 yard line, the Huskers dial up another pass, during which Dylan Raiola fumbles and gets injured–an injury we now know will end his season. Hard to understand why the Big Red didn’t pound the rock, considering how much success Emmett Johnson had on the ground.Even after such an unfortunate turn of events, the defense stood tall again, forcing a turnover on downs and giving the offense the ball back around mid-field. The Huskers then burn two timeouts unnecessarily on the way to a missed field goal. Getting zero points on these first three drives of the half is ultimately what doomed Nebraska. Some positives on the night: The defense, while getting gashed on the ground, held one of the nation’s best offenses well under its season average for points and yards. Holding USC to 21 total points is certainly enough to give the team a chance to win. Even after seeing Raiola go down, the team fought to the end. Other than the Minnesota game, this team has shown tremendous fight this year. Nebraska’s identity on offense still lacking:What is this offense trying to be?Whatever it is, the Huskers continue to lose at the line of scrimmage. Thoughts on the blackout: Hats off to all common fans in attendance who made the blackout a smashing success. The Common Fans are definitely in favor of making this an annual tradition. Looking ahead to UCLA and the rest of the season:While no one would ever choose to have Dylan Raiola be injured, or to be out of the playoff race, in a way it’s freeing for this team. They will likely not be favored the rest of the way; they can simply go play without any expectations. Anxious to see what backup quarterback TJ Lateef can do with a full week of game prep. UCLA has been a bipolar team. Huskers should expect a battle at the Rose Bowl. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Former Michigan Tight End and current Big Ten Network analyst Jake Butt joins the Common Fans to discuss Nebraska’s season to date and the upcoming game against USC. Jake shares some fantastic stories about his time as a player.Overlooked by Ohio State and Notre Dame, even though he grew up 15 minutes from Columbus.Coming face-to-face with Urban Meyer for the first time. Winning the John Mackey Award as college football’s best Tight End. Jake sees Nebraska as having made huge strides in several critical areas: Winning one score games. Improvement in turnover margin. Special teams is so vastly improved, the third phase is likely responsible for at least two of Nebraska’s wins this year. Jake calls out Mike Ekeler in particular as a massive addition to Rhule’s staff over the offseason. That said, the Huskers need to develop in the one area that is most important for winning in college football: the trenches. Missing Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson on defense. Offensive line has sustained some injuries, but they still need to be better. Jake sees winning in the trenches as the next step Matt Rhule’s program needs to take to get over the hump and start playing at an elite level. Assessing Dylan Raiola eight games into his sophomore year:  Dylan likes to make the huge play, but sometimes that can come back to bite you. With maturity comes understanding about when it’s appropriate to make the big play, and when you need to throw it away. Jake would put Dylan definitely in the top half of Big Ten quarterbacks, and possibly in the top quarter. Dylan’s leadership has been a huge intangible benefit to the 2025 Nebraska football team.Looking ahead to USC: November is championship football season. It’s when the contenders get separated from the pretenders. This game will be a huge separator for both programs. Key for this game: the run game for both teams. USC’s run game is much improved over previous years. For Nebraska to win, they have to stop the run, and be able to run the ball. Like the Common Fans, Jake is a huge fan of Emmett Johnson. Feed Emmett!!!This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans discuss Nebraska’s win over Northwestern and celebrate getting to bowl eligibility for the second consecutive season. Huskers get up off the mat after Minnesota: After a disappointing performance in Minneapolis last Friday night, the Big Red brought more fight and energy to the game against the always-pesky Northwestern Wildcats. It wasn’t always pretty–it rarely has been in 2025–and the officiating was some of the worst we’ve seen in a long time. But the Huskers found a way to get the W. Is it actually better?The Common Fans do an exercise to go through the different phases of the game to examine if–and how much–the team has actually made progress this season. Special teams is so clearly better in every way that Mike Ekeler might be the most important hire of the last 10 years for Nebraska football. One could argue the third phase is the difference between Nebraska being 6-2 and 4-4 this year. Offense and defense are more of a mixed bag. The offense as a whole is better, although their inconsistency drives Husker fans crazy. Quarterback play is better overall, running back play is better (we love you Emmett!), wide receiver play is better, but the unit stalls all too often and the offensive line needs work. The defense has probably taken a step back given all that they lost, but the pass defense is still strong and a plethora of young talent gives hope for the future. Other things that are better: winning close games, making late stops, and putting together game winning drives. Husker teams of recent years have simply not done these things.Ultimately, the Common Fans conclude that Nebraska football is in fact better; they are making progress. That said, it is often not as consistent, or not as good, as Husker Nation would like to see. At 6-2, we’ve gotta celebrate all the Ws, and hope 2025 will still see a breakthrough win for the program. Celebrating the Common Fan tailgate: Thanks to all those who came out to say hi (or in some cases, hang out all day) at the Common Fan tailgate. It was awesome to have Husker legend Steve Taylor and longtime sports talk radio guys Mike’l Severe and Gary Sharp hang out with us. Equally as awesome was to see so many friends, family, and listeners. We love the Common Fan community!This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike’l Severe joins the Common Fans to discuss Nebraska’s meltdown in Minneapolis, the chatter among Husker Nation this week, and the coming battle against Northwestern. What went wrong against Minnesota: Mike’l suggests the number one difference between the two teams on the field on Friday night was not anything related to blocking or tackling, or throwing or catching the football. It had everything to do with culture.Minnesota knows exactly who they are and what they want to do. While Matt Rhule has established a culture in Lincoln, the Huskers appear to be lacking an identity. Still, Huskers should not have been pushed around in the way that they were. Sacks and Dylan Raiola’s struggles:The sack problem lands on everybody’s feet. The offensive line needs to be better, running backs need to be better in pass protection, and Dylan needs to have better pocket awareness. Raiola missed Dane Key twice on Friday, both of which would have been touchdowns and possibly changed the game. He needs to be better in those situations–especially throwing the deep ball. Checking the pulse if Husker Nation: There seems to be a broad cross-section of reactions among the fan base after Saturday’s loss, everything from calm and collected to full meltdown mode.How concerned should we be about Matt Rhule’s program a little more than halfway through Year 3?Troy Dannen’s comments about being in year three of a rebuild:Is Dannen right? Do Husker fans need to be just a little more patient? Or, in the era of Curt Cignetti completely flipping the Indiana program, should we expect more success sooner?Mike’l suggests Cignetti is an outlier, and Rhule is still on track to have success at Nebraska. The importance of the Northwestern game to the remainder of the season:The entire crew agrees the coming game against Northwestern is absolutely pivotal for Nebraska’s outlook the remainder of the season. The team needs to show they can bounce back and beat a physical Big Ten opponent. Mike’l suggests everything from 1-4 to 5-0 are on the table for this team. Northwestern could go a long way toward determining how the remaining five games play out. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans discuss Nebraska’s disappointing performance against the Minnesota Gophers on Friday night. The Huskers were outcoached, outhit, and outplayed against the Gophers. Whether they were tired or felt like it would be an easy win, Nebraska simply didn’t show up against Minnesota. It’s Lucy with the football once again–every time Nebraska feels like it’s about to turn a corner, we see a performance like this. It’s incredibly frustrating for fans.Yes, there is more parity than ever before in college football. Yes, every team is investing in players, coaches, and facilities now. But Husker fans deserve to see the upside of that investment and not just the pain. Nebraska fans could have told you exactly the kind of game P.J. Fleck wanted to play, and that’s exactly what we saw. The Gophers had an answer for the Nebraska offense, they had an answer on 3rd down, they seemed to have all the answers all night. The offense has to figure something out. Commit to the run, and come up with some better options when the straight drop-back game isn’t working. If you’re going to run this kind of pro-style offense, the line play and the quarterback play both need to be better. At this point, the sacks are on everybody. With all the frustration from Friday night, the Common Fans are not giving up hope. We only get to do this 12 Saturdays a year, and we’re going to enjoy it. There’s still nearly half the season left.  The team still has the opportunity to prove itself; the game against Minnesota is not predictive of the remainder of the season. This week’s game against Northwestern is now crucial for getting the boys in red back on track. If this team has improved to the extent that we want to believe it has; if this program is in a different and better place, as we’ve been told, then Northwestern is exactly the kind of game they need to win. Beat Northwestern, get to 6-2, and then see what happens in November. The life of being a fan:While it’s exciting to see the basketball team beat preseason #8 BYU in an exhibition game, it does not take away the sting of a Nebraska football loss. Most fandom is pain: only one team ends the season with a championship. But you don’t only show up when things are going well. Speaking of, hats off to Nebraska fans.In the words of Tom Shatel, Husker fans are undefeated against apathy. Husker Nation showed up at Maryland, they showed up at Minnesota, and we know they are going to show up to fill up the stadium once more against Northwestern. Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Josh Peterson joins the Common Fans to discuss all the latest with Husker football. The Penn State question:Would Matt Rhule leave for Happy Valley? How high would he be on PSU’s list?Does anybody really know anything? What Penn State needs to show their fans. What Matt Rhule needs to hear to stay.On the upcoming game against Minnesota:Would Husker fans actually like P.J. Fleck if he was Nebraska’s coach?Assessing where quarterback Drake Lindsey fits among the QBs the Blackshirts have faced this season. Nebraska looks like the better team–but are they ready to take the next step and get the Gopher off their back? The big picture: Did the Maryland game indicate a renewed commitment to the run game for Nebraska?Is this defense just getting better and better?And finally, discussing the ceiling for this 2025 Nebraska squad. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Common Fans discuss Nebraska’s comeback win against Maryland on Saturday. The Huskers give up two 10 point leads, and were losing with under two minutes to go, before pulling out a 34-31 victory.HUGE PROGRESS: Putting together not one but two 4th quarter scoring drives to ultimately propel the team to victory. SPECIAL TEAMS AGAIN! The kickoff return team has entered the chat.The Blackshirts–despite not playing their best game–bowed up when it mattered. Emmett Johnson absolutely carried the team in arguably his best game as a Husker. Nyziah Hunter emerging as a major threat. Despite three picks, Dylan showed his heart and his toughness in leading Nebraska to the win. Offensive line takes a major step forward. Plus, discussing where the 5-1 Huskers fit in the broader Big 10 conversation. It’s a brave new world in 2025, and the Common Fans are celebrating all the Ws!This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brandon Vogel from The Counter Read joins the Common Fans to talk about the win over Michigan State and look ahead to Saturday’s game vs. Maryland.  Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the win over Michigan State was the huge step forward taken by the defense. Blackshirts becoming a havoc defense. The way the Huskers finished–scoring 24 unanswered points even after stalling in the middle part of the game–makes the 2025 squad seem different from other recent Nebraska teams. Do Husker fans need to calm down and enjoy the win? What’s behind Nebraska’s inability to protect Dylan? What to make of the offensive line so far? Brandon’s take on the excellent play from Mike Ekeler’s special teams units so far. Is Ekeler the best hire Matt Rhule has made? Message to all Common Fans: don’t message Husker players on social media! Also, the crew pivots to Saturday’s game vs. Maryland: Taking a look at what we know about the Terps. Mike Locksley’s team is a surprising 4-1 so far, leading the Big Ten in sacks and coming in with a strong pass defense. Maryland offense struggling so far. Discussing what it means that the Huskers are getting to College Park a day early. Brandon sees a tight game, with Nebraska ultimately prevailing.And finally, Nebraska's got a chance to be 6-2 or 7-1 going into the USC game. That would feel like real improvement and real momentum for the program. Discussing the importance of the next three games. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy