The guys kick things off by celebrating the Common Fans’ run to the Final Four of Mike’l Severe’s local podcast bracket challenge. Thanks to an incredible push from the Common Fan community, the pod took down some major names–including the Pick Six Podcast and Nick Bahe’s podcast–before finally losing in a razor-close matchup with the Schick and Nick Podcast. It was shameless, deeply competitive, and wildly fun. In other words: it was perfect.

What should we make of Nebraska’s 2026 projected win total?

The conversation then turns to FanDuel’s early over/under for how many games the Nebraska football team will win in 2026. It opened at 5.5, quickly moved to 6.5, and that number says a lot about where the outside world sees this program right now. The boys dig into what that means, why expectations have dropped so considerably, and whether that might actually be a good thing (at least for now). For once, Nebraska is not winning the offseason. There’s not much hype. There’s not much juice. And maybe, just maybe, that’s better than the annual offseason national championships.

Does Matt Rhule need a Fred Hoiberg season?

Watching Nebraska basketball explode past expectations this year naturally raises the question: can Matt Rhule do the same with football? Fred Hoiberg’s team wasn’t just “better than expected.” It shattered expectations. It changed the conversation. It reset belief in the entire program for years to come. That’s the kind of season Nebraska football badly needs. Not necessarily a playoff run, but a season that feels undeniably different. A season that makes fans stop bracing for disappointment and start believing the trajectory has finally changed.

The fellas wrestle with what that would actually look like. Is 7-5 enough if the team looks better? Is 8-4 the line where people finally exhale? And how much of Nebraska’s long, strange post-Osborne drift is about unrealistic expectations… versus just repeatedly hiring the wrong guys?

Can Husker fans still enjoy the ride?

The episode closes with some love for Nebraska basketball, some NCAA tournament hype, and a reminder that this has been one of the most enjoyable Husker sports years in a long time. The footballization of fandom has made everybody a little insane, but the guys make the case for stepping back and appreciating what’s happening — even while still demanding more from football.

Ending with Gratitude

The crew also reflects on just how invested they got in the aforementioned bracket challenge, and how cool it was to see so many Common Fans show up and vote. There’s a lot of gratitude here — and also a lot of laughing at themselves for how emotionally attached they got to a Twitter poll. But bottomline: we’re so grateful to all the Common Fans who have joined us on this ride, and can’t wait for a lot more fun and frivolity to come!

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!

Clester Johnson joins the Common Fans for one of the most fun conversations we’ve had in a while: a mix of Husker history, current program talk, and some unfiltered truth about what has gone wrong at Nebraska over the last two decades. Put on some Common Fan socks, kick up your feet, and enjoy this conversation with one of the major contributors on two of Nebraska’s national championship teams.

Bring Back the Wingback

Before diving into the current state of Nebraska football, the guys spend time with Clester reflecting on his own story, from growing up in Memphis, to starring at quarterback at Bellevue West, and eventually becoming a Husker.

Clester shares how Tom Osborne’s leadership helped turn things around when he hit a crossroads early in Lincoln, and how a mindset shift and a position switch to wingback changed the course of his career. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the mentality of those championship-era teams and the standard that made Nebraska great.

Tom Osborne’s Influence

Clester’s stories about Osborne alone are worth the listen. He talks about TO’s presence, wisdom, and the way he could challenge players without calling them out by name. One speech in particular stuck with Clester for life — a message about accountability, distractions, and whether players were really doing everything they could to become the best version of themselves.

The Frost Era, Loyalty, and Accountability

The conversation also takes a more serious turn when the guys ask Clester about a tweet he recently sent regarding Scott Frost, the people around him, and the larger failures that deepened Nebraska’s slide. CJ does not duck the topic.

He explains that he was excited when Frost came back and believed, like many fans did, that Frost was the right choice. But when things began to unravel, he became frustrated with the people inside the program and around the program–especially former players–who protected personalities instead of staying committed to the standard.

It is an honest, thoughtful discussion about accountability, loyalty, and why Nebraska’s problems have gone far beyond just one coach.

The Future Under Matt Rhule

The boys also discuss Matt Rhule and the current state of Nebraska football. Clester gives his candid read on Matt Rhule, and why 2026 feels like a massive year.

There’s still hope. There’s still belief that Nebraska can get back. But Clester makes it clear: this season has to look like progress. Real progress. Not spin. Not promises. Not another reset.

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!

Spring ball is well underway, Nebraska turns 159 years old, and the Common Fan Podcast is ready to try a little offseason optimism. Plus, the Common Fans are still alive in Mike’l Severe’s bracket competition among local sports podcasts! Look to vote on Tuesday!

If Nebraska is going to take a step forward in 2026, who HAS to hit?

After the way last season ended–and with Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, and Iowa waiting on this year’s schedule–this fan base is firmly in prove-it mode. If the Huskers are to actually prove it in 2026, which guys absolutely have to hit–or perhaps even exceed–their potential this season?

• Tony C: It’s probably the most obvious of the bunch. Quarterback is the most important position in sports, and Anthony Colandrea is expected to be the guy in 2026. The career stats are strong (7,500+ passing yards, 1,100+ rushing yards, improved TD/INT ratio in 2025), but the Big Ten jump is still the unknown.
• Elijah Pritchett: Can the offensive line actually be a strength? That’s where a lot of Nebraska’s investment went in the offseason, but the Common Fans agree the most important piece is a guy who has already been on the roster for a year. The Alabama transfer looked shaky early in 2025, but eventually started to look like Nebraska’s best lineman. The season might hinge on whether or not Pritchett becomes the anchor of Nebraska’s O line.
• Mekhi Nelson: We haven’t seen a lot of Nelson in two seasons as a Husker, but part of that is because he was behind the great Emmett Johnson. He looked solid in the bowl game, and when you add in a mobile QB, new transfer offensive linemen, and two new O-line coaches, the run game should be as well positioned as it has been in years. Somebody has to step into the Emmett-sized void. In order for the Huskers to surprise some people in 2026, it needs to be Nelson.
• Riley Van Poppel: Husker fans have been waiting for RVP to dominate. Perhaps scheme/fit was part of the problem last year; he’ll get a fresh start with a new position coach, new defensive coordinator, and new scheme. Hopefully it plays to Van Poppel’s strengths; Nebraska sure needs it to.
• Owen Chambliss: The San Diego State transfer already knows the system and shows real instincts. The Big Red felt short-handed at linebacker at times last season (even with Vincent Shavers being a beast). Nebraska needs an “eraser;” a guy who turns what should’ve been seven yards into two. If Chambliss hits, the whole defense gets better.
• Cam Lenhardt: It’s been way too long since Nebraska consistently made quarterbacks uncomfortable. The tools are there. Now it’s time for the breakout season: tackles for loss, sacks, havoc, and the kind of blindside strip-sack that makes you yell so loud your neighbors consider calling somebody.

Honorable mentions and the real point

Yes, the receivers matter; Jacory Barney, Nyziah Hunter, and Kwazi Gilmer have to make plays (and maybe stay upright), and the room has depth and upside. The boys also discuss Carter Nelson, Cortez Mills, and some other talented youngsters who might take a step forward.

And on defense, the DBs have been solid… but the takeaway numbers have to rise. Because most fans won’t see 6–6 as progress, no matter how challenging the schedule–especially not with every other Husker sport winning games and raising expectations. Nebraska needs impact players to actually hit.

Keep it simple, Common Fans: enjoy spring ball… and vote for the Common Fans on Tuesday!

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!

Friend of the program Gary Sharp joins the Common Fans to discuss the big questions, most important position groups, and major storylines as the Nebraska football team kicks off spring practice.

What’s the biggest question facing Nebraska football right now?

Gary put it in a way that hits a nerve: Matt Rhule has to rebuild trust with a fan base that watched the bottom fall out late last season. It wasn’t just the record — it was the feeling that the foundation was cracking. The defense that was supposed to be Rhule’s calling card slipped. The team looked worn down. And Husker fans are left wondering what they should believe about this team going into the 2026 season.

At the same time, there’s a weird upside to the current vibe: Nebraska isn’t winning the offseason as loudly this year. Fewer headlines. More “lay low and work.” After years of offseason championships, that might be exactly what this fan base needs.

Mixed signals about the future of the offense

The discussion naturally swung to the quarterback conversation, with Anthony Colandrea likely to take the reins as QB1 in the coming season. Gary framed it as something Nebraska hasn’t had in a while: real swagger at quarterback. Not performative swagger. Not “run out first and act like it means something” swagger. Real, fearless swagger.

And that matters because it changes what Dana Holgorsen can do. The question we keep asking remains an open question: what offense is Dana running? How different will it look from the last three years? It depends on the QB, and it depends on whether the offensive line becomes what Nebraska thinks it can be — older, more athletic, and capable of letting the offense actually stress defenses with a power run game, motion, mesh, and using the middle of the field.

What’s the position group that should worry everyone?

The crew agrees: it’s the defensive line. Until we see pressure, disruption, and proof Nebraska can hold up in November, it’s the biggest concern. Nebraska has not run the ball or stopped the run nearly consistently enough, especially late in the season. Can this year’s D line be different?

But the episode also offers a hopeful twist: the decision to run it back with many of the same defensive linemen might be an indication that the staff thinks last year was a scheme/fit problem, and not so much a talent problem. Will a new position coach and a different scheme unlock more production from the same players?

What does success actually look like in 2026?

Gary laid out three things that would be signs of progress in year four for Matt Rhule. All three are things that Nebraska hasn’t done in the Rhule era (or much of the last 10 years):

• Beat a ranked team
• Win at home consistently
• Be better in November than September

Everyone agrees: even if they get to six or seven wins, progress has to look like something more than just surviving.

And yes: Vote for the Common Fans!

The Common Fans survived Round 1 of Mike’l Severe’s bracket competition among local sports podcasts, beating Nebraska Basketball Hour 52% to 48%. They now stare down the barrel of a showdown with number one seed, the Pick Six Podcast. It’s David vs. Goliath. MySpace vs. Facebook. Whatever analogy you need — we are shamelessly asking for votes.

Remember–enjoy spring ball!

Even with so many questions, it’s OK to be excited for football! Embrace the spring practice period, start gearing up for fall, and allow a little optimism to creep back in.

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!

Former Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos released a nearly-700-page book (Crab Creek Chronicles), and the ensuing discussion has consumed Husker Nation for the last week. Friend of the program Mike’l Severe joins the Common Fans to discuss Moos’ revelations, the failures of leadership among university higher-ups, Frost’s shortcomings, and much more.

What did Moos actually say about Scott Frost?

The boys dig into the disclosure that’s perhaps drawing the most attention: Moos claiming he knew Frost wasn’t ready, but hired him anyway. Severe gives his take on why that explanation doesn’t really hold water, and the crew breaks down what an incredible failure of leadership it is to make such a decision. More broadly, many of Moos’ revelations fit the entire Frost-era vibe — the sweatpants energy, the weird decision-making, and the constant feeling that something was missing for Nebraska football.

Running from Rutgers? Running from Oklahoma? Running from… the Big Ten?

We talk through the reported moments where Frost allegedly didn’t want to play the 2020 Rutgers crossover game, didn’t want to play in a bowl game, and even tried to get out of the 2021 Oklahoma game — a game Husker fans had circled for years. While these individual stories have been covered in the past, Moos provides additional context from some of the more embarrassing moments of the Frost era.

Then we pivot to Moos’ claim that Nebraska leadership was at least exploring a return to the Big 12. The crew agrees, that’s the ultimate “tuck your tail and run” move, and it taps into a core frustration fans feel: if Nebraska wants to be relevant again, you don’t back out of one of the premier conferences in college athletics…you figure out how to win in it.

Is it really that dysfunctional up there?

This episode hits the nerve Husker fans have felt many times before: the sense that the leadership surrounding Nebraska athletics is a dysfunctional mess. Moos’ book, Severe argues, essentially confirms what fans have feared: too many bosses, too many people holding the hammers, too many people trying to curry favor and operate behind the scenes. The boys also lament the fact that Nebraska athletics can feel like a small-town coffee shop where everybody knows something… but nobody says it out loud until years later.

Dana Altman and the politics of decision-making.

One of Moos’ biggest non-football revelations was the fact that he wanted to hire Dana Altman to be Nebraska’s basketball coach, but was overruled by then-Regent (now-Governor) Jim Pillen. The boys uniformly agree: it’s not a matter of Altman vs. Fred Hoiberg, but at the time, the vast majority of Husker fans would have celebrated the hiring of Altman. Severe calls it what it is: powerful people making sports decisions they aren’t qualified to make.

So where are Husker fans right now?

The timing of Moos’ book doesn’t exactly help the offseason vibes for Husker football fans. TJ points out that last year’s way-too-early schedule preview episode did 3,000+ views… this year’s struggled to hit 500. Severe compares the mood to 2002, when fans were disappointed, skeptical, and waiting to see if change was real.

He does offer some hope — returning production on defense, optimism about the staff changes, and a path where Nebraska rebounds — and that’s where we wrap up. Mike’l exhorts Husker fans to stick with it. Nebraska basketball looked hopeless for decades… and now they are in the midst of their greatest season in history. The same can happen for the football program.

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!

Friend of the program and fellow Common Fan Nic Olsen joins the crew as they dissect the 2026 Nebraska football schedule. It’s never too early to look ahead, and the coming season is a doozy. Can the Huskers break through with a win over a highly ranked team? Or any ranked team? Can they avoid slip-ups against teams they “should” beat? Can they finally get the Hawkeye off their back? We discuss it all in this fun and frivolous episode full of lots of laughs and yes, even a little bit of hope.

Is the non-conference slate “boring”… or exactly what Nebraska needs?

Ohio, Bowling Green, and North Dakota aren’t going to sell out your emotional bandwidth like a Colorado or Oklahoma home-and-home — but the Common Fans make the point: in the playoff era, wins are more important than anything else. We talk about the Solich Bowl (and whether Frank shows up wearing a half-Ohio/half-Nebraska shirt), the eternal danger of MAC teams knocking off Power 4 teams, and what we hope to see in the first three contests of the year, before the reality of Big Ten play smacks us in the face.

Can Nebraska get to 6 wins with room to spare?

We zero in on the true “must-win” Big Ten tier — Michigan State, Maryland, and Rutgers — and debate what “take care of business” actually looks like for a program still searching for consistency. Matty breaks down the “who do they play the week before?” logic, Nic brings the MAC scouting report like a true sicko, and TJ lays out the uncomfortable truth: if you can’t beat the teams you’re supposed to beat, even a bowl game might be in jeopardy.

What does “prove it” look like in Year 4 of Matt Rhule?

It’s been a common theme for the Common Fans this offseason: Nebraska fans are tired of offseason championships and moral victories. We talk about identity (does Nebraska even know who it is?), the portal/fresh staff reality, and why the bar in 2026 isn’t “be competitive.” It’s “win one you’re not supposed to.” That leads straight into the monster stretch: Indiana (yes, the national champs), Oregon in Eugene, and Ohio State coming to town.

Is this schedule actually as impossible as everyone is acting like it is?

Here’s the core thesis: if Nebraska does what it should do — win the non-conference games and beat Michigan State/Maryland/Rutgers — you’re sitting at 6 wins (understanding that Nebraska football is not in a place to take anyone for granted). From there, how many wins can they get against the following: Washington, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State. The Common Fans argue Nebraska fans shouldn’t preemptively accept mediocrity just because the schedule looks scary in February.

And finally…Nebraska needs to beat Iowa.

We don’t sugarcoat it. The frustration is real, the history is painful, and the “we should have won” list is long enough to qualify as an audiobook. MattyO calls it the thorn in the paw. Nic says the quiet part out loud: “If you can’t beat Iowa, what are we doing here?” Geoff brings the November doom. TJ admits he needs to see it before he can pick it.

This episode is part coping mechanism, part therapy session, and part offseason adrenaline shot. We go game-by-game, talk ourselves into optimism, talk ourselves back out of it, and then somehow end up planning a group trip to Oregon for the big one against the Ducks.

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!

The Common Fans welcome old friend Evan Bland back to the program for another trip to the Blandstands, and we spend a big chunk of the show digging into what Matt Rhule has to do to show progress in 2026. We hit the excitement, the concerns, the “prove-it mode” vibes, and what all of this says about where the program is actually heading in the face of a brutal 2026 schedule.

What does Matt Rhule have to do in 2026?

The schedule is nasty. The fanbase is restless. And “progress” isn’t going to feel like progress unless Nebraska finally beats somebody it’s not supposed to beat. We talk big-picture identity, what Indiana’s rise tells us is possible, and why “prove-it mode” might be the most honest place Nebraska has been in years.

The intrigue surrounding Anthony Colandrea

Evan shares nuggets from his reporting on Colandrea’s background, his path through the transfer portal, and why Nebraska’s late pivot might end up shaping the entire season. The crew talks style of play, the “gunslinger” element, and why a quarterback who can move isn’t just a luxury in college football — it might be the difference between punting and putting a team away.

Plus – Colandrea’s career turnover numbers come up (because they have to), but so does the bigger point: Nebraska has watched quarterbacks turn it over anyway — and still struggle to extend drives. If you’re going to live with some chaos, wouldn’t you rather get the explosive plays and third-down magic that come with it?

Is Dana Holgorsen finally going to cook?

The boys assess how the combination of a new direction at quarterback, the impressive transfer portal additions on the offensive line, and two new offensive line coaches might actually unlock the Holgorsen offense fans have been waiting to see. Will we see a run-first offense that also incorporates some of the dynamic elements Holgorsen is known for?

Portal grade: Are we upgraded… or still incomplete?

Evan gives his overall portal grade, with clear “wins” (hello, offensive line and linebacker) and the one area that continues to hang over everything like a storm cloud: the defensive line. The Huskers need their D line portal additions to hit, and they need some young Blackshirts to take the next step in 2026.

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!

Brian Christopherson joins the Common Fans to take a hard look at Nebraska’s transfer portal class: what the Huskers added, what they didn’t, and what it all says about the direction of the program.

The boys go position-by-position through Nebraska’s portal haul, grading each group and discussing lingering questions. Along the way, the conversation keeps circling back to one central theme: we won’t know for sure until the Huskers prove it on the field in the fall.

A Reset at Quarterback

Nebraska’s quarterback room went from sparse to crowded in a matter of days. After Dylan Raiola’s departure and the brief Lenny Minchey saga, the Huskers pivoted quickly, landing Anthony Colandrea from UNLV and welcoming Daniel KaeIin back into the fold.

Colandrea brings proven production, mobility, and a fearless play style that Nebraska simply hasn’t had at quarterback — the kind of player who can turn broken plays into first downs. Add in KaeIin, TJ Lateef, and mobile 2026 addition Vibabul, and suddenly the Huskers have competition and depth again. It’s not a guarantee of success, but it’s a much healthier foundation than where things stood just weeks ago.

The Trenches Tell the Real Story

If there’s one place Nebraska clearly prioritized in the portal, it’s the offensive line. The additions of Brendan Black (from Iowa State), Tree Babalade (from South Carolina), and Paul Mubanga (from LSU), paired with the hiring of not one but two offensive line coaches, make the message unmistakable: Nebraska wants to pound the rock.

The boys are anxious to see how Matt Rhule’s squad goes about building an offense that can run the ball, protect a mobile quarterback, and control games late — something Husker fans have been begging for going back many years, across multiple coaching staffs. Whether it works remains to be seen, but philosophically, this feels like a meaningful shift rather than another offseason slogan.

The Most Underwhelming Position May Have Been the Most Important

The most uncomfortable part of the conversation centers on the defensive line. Nebraska needed help stopping the run and getting after the quarterback, and while the Huskers added three players to their D line room, it’s fair to wonder whether enough difference-makers arrived.

BC explains why the portal can be ruthless at that position — top-tier defensive linemen disappear fast, prices soar, and schools are often forced to choose where to spend their resources. Nebraska appears to have chosen the offensive line over chasing elite defensive line talent, betting instead on development, retention, and a new defensive system to unlock more from the players already on the roster.

That bet may define the season.

Linebackers, the Secondary, and a Bet on Continuity

Linebacker quietly emerges as one of the stronger portal groups, highlighted by Owen Chambliss, who knows new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich’s system and could become a centerpiece immediately. Additions in the secondary, especially Dwayne McDougal, aim to stabilize the back end after a late-season collapse.

Just as notable, though, is where Nebraska didn’t add — namely at running back. BC explains why the staff appears comfortable betting the existing room after Emmett Johnson’s departure.

What It All Means Heading Into 2026

This episode isn’t a victory lap or a doom spiral. It’s a reality check. The big questions remain unanswered:

• Can a more mobile quarterback unlock the offense?
• Will the rebuilt offensive line deliver?
• And can the defense, especially up front, take a real step forward?

Those answers won’t come until fall. But for now, the roster is in place as Husker Nation waits for spring ball.

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!