Is the Offensive Line Finally Ready to Become a Strength for Nebraska Football?
by T.J. Birkel The offensive line occupies a unique space in the psyche of Nebraska football fans. In my experience, we feel a certain connection to it that doesn’t apply to every position. We have The Pipeline. We have All Americans galore across every position up front. The Outland Trophy award ceremony takes place in […]
The Most Glaring Thing About Nebraska Football’s Last 15 Years
As we spent the summer arguing about the greatest players in Nebraska football history on the Common Fan Podcast, one thing started to stick out. Where were all the recent guys? We built six different “Mount Rushmores” of Nebraska players–guys who were the best at their position, side of the ball, or specialty. The most […]
We Spent the Summer Debating Nebraska Football’s Greatest Legends. Here’s Where We Landed.
by T.J. Birkel We spent much of the summer on the Common Fan Podcast attempting perhaps an impossible task: building the definitive Mount Rushmore of Nebraska football. Over the course of seven episodes, we looked at quarterbacks, coaches, offensive players, defensive players, special teams players and walk-ons before finally attempting to narrow the long and […]
Why Anthony Colandrea Is Nebraska Football’s Most Important Player in 2026
by T.J. Birkel We’ve been talking about Anthony Colandrea all offseason on the Common Fan Podcast. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say he might be the most important player on the roster for Nebraska football this season. That’s not to suggest Nebraska doesn’t have talent elsewhere. The skill position talent might be as […]
Three Reasons Nebraska Football Needs to Overperform in 2026
In case you hadn’t heard, the Nebraska football team begins fall camp this week. More than seven months after Matt Rhule’s team ended the 2025 season with a whimper in Las Vegas, a new season is finally here. Thank God. For fans of the Big Red, this season brings promise, intrigue, questions, hope, anxiety, and […]
Three Takes on Dylan Raiola’s Departure From Nebraska
by T.J. Birkel Things move so fast in college football these days, it’s hard to believe that it’s been less than a week since the news broke that two year starting quarterback Dylan Raiola would be entering the transfer portal. After the decommitment of his younger brother Dayton, and the firing of his uncle (and […]
Four Thoughts on Nebraska’s Las Vegas Bowl Matchup vs. Utah
by T.J. Birkel It’s official: Nebraska will play Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31. After much speculation and reporting that this would be the Huskers’ likely destination and opponent, it was confirmed on Sunday. After a disappointing end to the regular season, the Big Red will have the chance to end the […]
Nebraska Football’s Identity Crisis on Full Display vs. Iowa
by T.J. Birkel The Nebraska football team got trounced by Iowa on Black Friday, losing 40-16 in a completely embarrassing and unacceptable performance. The Huskers were only down by eight coming out of halftime, but they completely unraveled in the 2nd half in a scene that was all too familiar to any fan who has […]
Four Questions for Nebraska Football Heading Into the Black Friday Showdown Against Iowa
by T.J. Birkel The Nebraska football team will head into its season finale against Iowa with perhaps a bit more uncertainty than anyone would have hoped for. After starting 5-1 for the second consecutive season, the Big Red has once again run into some roadblocks in the back half of the schedule. After the 37-10 […]
Nebraska’s New Recruiting Resources and the Positions Matt Rhule Must Address
by T.J. Birkel Nebraska football is 7-3, its best record through 10 games since 2016. The Huskers have certainly not been perfect this season, but the team is making strides in its long climb from the swamp to the stars. The final two games plus the bowl game will go a long way toward informing […]