The Nebraska football team took care of North Dakota 34-7 in a workmanlike performance to finish nonconference play undefeated. And that's really the main story of the first three weeks. The Huskers beat the teams they were supposed to beat, mostly in the fashion they were supposed to beat them, and avoided the kind of early-season disaster Husker fans have a little too much experience with.

Now the real fun begins.

Another Big Day for Jamal Rule

Jamal Rule finished with 119 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, highlighted by a 55-yard touchdown run. The standout freshman running back continues to look like one of Nebraska's most exciting players, period.

Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee also continued to produce, with Nelson appearing to take the co-lead along with Rule, but Mozee showing plenty on his own. Nebraska finished with 277 rushing yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. It’s hard to argue with those numbers.

And Tony C continues to bring something different at quarterback. Anthony Colandrea didn't need to put up huge numbers Saturday, but his mobility, leadership and fire were on display again as Nebraska methodically took care of business.

The Blackshirts Keep Getting Better

One of the biggest questions coming out of the first two games was whether Nebraska could generate enough pressure with its defensive front. Against North Dakota, we finally saw it.

The Huskers finished with five sacks, with contributions coming from all over the defense. More importantly, the Blackshirts appear to be improving each week. After some shaky moments early against Ohio, Nebraska has allowed just one touchdown in each of the last two games.

We still need to see what this defense looks like against Big Ten competition, but there are legitimate reasons to be encouraged.

What Still Needs to be Cleaned Up?

If we're going looking for concerns after a 27-point win, special teams is definitely where we start, and we’re keeping half an eye on the offensive line as well.

Nebraska has run the ball effectively through three games, but there have still been too many individual plays where offensive linemen appear to get beaten. That's survivable against the kind of nonconference slate the Huskers have seen. It could become a bigger problem as we transition to Big Ten play.

Special teams also haven't inspired quite the same confidence they did a year ago. Nebraska continues to commit penalties in the return game, and the kicking and punting games remain works in progress.

Nothing qualifies as an emergency. But there are things that need to be tightened up.

Time to Find Out

All offseason, any path toward a successful Nebraska season started with the same assumption: beat Ohio, Bowling Green and North Dakota. Check.

Nebraska is 3-0. The offense has weapons. The running game is producing. Colandrea looks like exactly what the Huskers needed at quarterback. And the defense appears to be getting better.

But there's also only so much we can learn from three nonconference games. That’s about to change in a hurry. Nebraska heads to Michigan State before hosting Maryland. After that come Indiana and Oregon. The next month is huge for this program. Gigantic.

Let's get on with it.

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 Nebraska football team jumped all over Bowling Green on Saturday, scoring touchdowns on five straight possessions, taking a 35-0 lead into halftime, and cruising to a 56-7 win. Yes, things got a little sloppy in the second half, and there are still a few things we'd like to see cleaned up before Big Ten play. But Nebraska did exactly what good teams are supposed to do against an overmatched opponent: dominate.

The Common Fans break down the win, hand out our Dogs of the Game, and discuss what we're starting to believe about this team after two weeks, along with what we still don’t know.

The Husker Offense is Fun Again

Anthony Colandrea already looks like the best quarterback of the Matt Rhule era. Colandrea’s mobility changes everything. He can extend plays when things break down, take shots downfield, and make defenses account for him as a runner. Just as importantly, the offense looks like it has a rhythm that has been missing in recent years.

And Colandrea has plenty of help. Jamal Rule, Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson give Nebraska multiple options at running back. Kwazi Gilmer, Jacory Barney, Nyziah Hunter provide weapons on the outside. Luke Lindenmeyer continues to do the job at tight end.

We know, it’s only Ohio and Bowling Green. But this offense looks different. Dare we say, it looks fun.

What Still Needs to Get Better?

It's hard to complain about a 56-7 win, but the Common Fans manage to find a few areas needing improvement.

Penalties remain an issue, particularly on special teams. The receivers have to eliminate the drops we've seen through two games. And perhaps most importantly, Nebraska's defensive front needs to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The Blackshirts held Bowling Green to just 169 total yards and 2-for-12 on third down, so there was plenty to like. But getting consistent pressure from the front four becomes much more important once Nebraska starts facing Big Ten offensive lines.

So...How Good Is Nebraska?

That's the question we still can't answer. Nebraska has beaten Ohio 49-21 and Bowling Green 56-7. After North Dakota next week, we probably still won't know much more.

But around the Big Ten, some of the teams on Nebraska's schedule suddenly look a little less intimidating. Rutgers is 0-2. Washington struggled with Utah State. Illinois lost to Duke. Iowa needed another quintessential Iowa performance to escape Iowa State.

None of that guarantees anything for Nebraska. But after years of watching the Huskers struggle with teams they were supposed to beat, there's something refreshing about simply taking care of business.

Nebraska is 2-0. The offense has weapons. Anthony Colandrea looks like the real deal. And there are legitimate reasons to wonder whether this team might be capable of something more. Now bring on the games that will actually tell us.

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!

Nebraska football is back, and the Huskers are 1-0.

It was far from perfect, and much of Husker Nation was sweating a 14-13 halftime lead. But by the time the dust settled, the Big Red had pulled away for a 49-21 win, the offense had shown some firepower, and Nebraska had given fans at least a few reasons to be excited about what this team could become.

The Common Fans break down the win, the good and the bad, and what we actually learned from the first game of the season.

Anthony Colandrea Makes His Husker Debut

Welcome to Nebraska, Tony C.

Anthony Colandrea brought exactly the kind of mobility, energy and swagger Husker fans hoped to see from their new quarterback. He finished with 275 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while also repeatedly using his legs to escape pressure and keep plays alive.

The completion percentage wasn't spectacular, but several drops didn't help. More importantly, Colandrea looked comfortable running the offense and distributing the ball to a Nebraska offense that suddenly appears to have a lot of weapons.

And speaking of weapons...

Jamal Rule Announces His Arrival

True freshman Jamal Rule might have been the biggest story of the day.

Rule ran 15 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns, added a receiving touchdown, and showed an impressive combination of size, speed and explosiveness. He wasn't the only Nebraska running back who looked good, either, as Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee helped the Huskers pile up more than 200 yards on the ground.

The Common Fans try not to get too carried away after one game (emphasis on try), but it's hard not to be excited about what Nebraska may have found in Rule.

A Second-Half Offense Husker Fans Can Get Behind

The Huskers eventually did what good teams are supposed to do against an overmatched opponent: they took control.

One drive in particular stood out. Nebraska marched 73 yards on 11 plays, running the ball 10 times, including a fourth-and-one conversion that featured defensive players lining up as fullbacks and Rule bulldozing his way for 13 yards. It was exactly the kind of physical, downhill football Nebraska fans love to see.

And once the Huskers finally got rolling, they didn't stop. Nebraska scored 35 second-half points and turned a one-point halftime lead into a comfortable four-touchdown win.

Still Plenty of Questions

The final score looks great. The first half raised some legitimate concerns. Nebraska committed nine penalties for 65 yards, had some shaky moments on special teams, and didn't consistently generate the kind of pressure from the defensive front that the Common Fans hoped to see. The offensive line also wasn't quite as dominant early as expected. Those things need to be cleaned up before Big Ten play.

The encouraging part was that Nebraska got better as the game went along. The defense settled in, the offense took over, the Huskers didn't turn the ball over, and they ultimately handled their business. That's enough to keep the optimism alive.

Nebraska didn't show enough Saturday to prove this season will finally be different. But the Huskers showed enough to make us believe there’s still a chance it could be. And for Week 1, we'll take it.

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!

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen joins the Common Fans to talk about his path from a small-town Nebraska kid hoping for a chance to play for the Huskers to becoming a two-time first-team All-Big Eight selection—and, eventually, Governor of Nebraska. Along the way, he shares some fantastic behind-the-scenes stories about Coach Osborne, his thoughts on Matt Rhule, and what concerns him about the direction of college football.

And yes, we finally get a sitting governor on the record about the possibility of banning fall weddings.

Playing for Tom Osborne

Pillen takes the Common Fans back to a very different era of recruiting. His first contact from Osborne came through a card in the mail around the 1974 Cotton Bowl. "My heart is somehow to get to Nebraska," Pillen remembers telling another coach who wanted him to take a recruiting visit.

He eventually got there, joining Osborne's second recruiting class as Nebraska's head coach. Pillen says what made Osborne special wasn't simply his football mind or ability to recruit.

"My answer is really simple. It's just his character, who he was."

Pillen shares a terrific story from his senior season, when he lined up incorrectly during a critical Alabama drive. Osborne repeatedly rewound the film in front of the team but never screamed or personally called Pillen out.

"Got a fifth-year senior lining up wrong. That won't work."

Pillen says the message was enough. He tripled down on his preparation and made sure it never happened again.

Why Pillen Believes in Matt Rhule

Pillen is a believer in Matt Rhule.

"I'm a Matt Rhule fan," Pillen says. "My humble opinion would be he's the closest to Tom Osborne of anybody that's been here in this new era."

Pillen believes relationships and culture remain critical even in an era dominated by NIL and the transfer portal. He also got a firsthand look at the 2026 Huskers during a recent scrimmage and came away impressed by the competition throughout the roster.

College Football's Wild West

Having played college football, and later served on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, Pillen has a unique perspective on college athletics. He's supportive of players having opportunities to make money, but worries about the consequences of constant transferring—including players who enter the portal, don't find another opportunity and potentially lose their path to a college education.

He'd like to see more structure around eligibility and transfers, arguing that constantly moving also costs players something that lasted a lifetime for his generation: relationships with teammates.

"If I haven't seen somebody for 40 years, it's like I saw them just last week," Pillen says.

Governor Pillen Takes on the Toughest Issue of All

Finally, after discussing Osborne, Rhule and the future of college sports, the Common Fans tackle the public-policy question Husker Nation has been waiting for: should Nebraska ban weddings on football Saturdays?

Pillen isn't ready for government intervention.

"If anybody's getting married on a football Saturday, they just must not want anybody to come to their wedding."

Fair enough, Governor. The market has spoken.

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!

We made it, Common Fans. The offseason is over, fall camp is in the books, and your Nebraska Cornhuskers will play an actual game this week.

With game week finally here, the Common Fans offer five bold predictions for Nebraska football in 2026. From a breakout freshman running back to a Nebraska passing record, a resurgent Blackshirt defense, and two very different predictions for the Huskers' final record, we're officially allowing ourselves to believe again. Well, most of us are.

Is Jamal Rule Nebraska's Next Breakout Running Back?

The crew gets things started with a prediction that true freshman Jamal Rule will emerge as Nebraska's starting running back by the end of the season. The Common Fans have a pretty good recent track record when it comes to Husker running backs, as we were driving the Emmett Johnson bandwagon well before his All-American season, so naturally we look forward to taking full credit if this one works out, too.

With no obvious workhorse returning, a (hopefully) improved offensive line and a mobile quarterback helping the running game, the opportunity could be there for Rule to follow in the footsteps of other Husker backs who made an impact as true freshmen.

Can Anthony Colandrea Rewrite the Nebraska Record Book?

Matty O predicts Anthony Colandrea, aka Tony C, will break Nebraska's single-season record for touchdown passes.

The current record is 26, set by Zac Taylor, and the boys discuss the possibility that the combination of Colandrea, Dana Holgorsen and an intriguing group of receivers could finally take it down. After throwing for more than 3,400 yards last season, Tony C has already shown he can sling it. Now we'll find out if he can do it in the Big Ten.

Will the Blackshirts Get Back to Being the Blackshirts?

Another bold prediction: Rob Aurich's first Nebraska defense will finish in the top 25 nationally in total defense.

After the run defense fell apart late last season, the Common Fans discuss why a simpler, more aggressive approach could help Nebraska get back to what we believe should always be the foundation of the program: defense. Stop the run. Get after the quarterback. Force turnovers. Give your dudes an opportunity to make plays.

Nebraska has made progress defensively under Matt Rhule, but after last season’s regression, the next step is becoming the kind of physical, attacking Blackshirt defense that can change games.

Nine Wins...or Five?

The episode sees two wildly different predictions for Nebraska’s final record. TJ predicts Nebraska goes 9-3. Geoff predicts 5-7.

That sends the Common Fans into a full breakdown of a difficult 2026 schedule. Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State represent the top tier, while games against Washington, Illinois and Iowa may ultimately tell us much more about where Nebraska stands in year four under Matt Rhule.

Can Nebraska finally start winning against the teams in its own weight class? Can it knock off a ranked opponent? Can the Huskers catch a couple of the breaks that have seemingly gone against them for years? Or is Geoff right that we're all setting ourselves up to have our hearts broken again?

In any event, the speculation is almost over. Football is back. Everybody is 0-0, every possibility is still on the table, and for at least a few more days, we're choosing to believe.

Well, most of us.

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!

College football is finally back, and the Common Fans are celebrating by bringing back old friend and Omaha World-Herald reporter Evan Bland.

With fall camp winding down and Nebraska’s opener right around the corner, Evan joins the Common Fans to break down what he’s seeing and hearing from Matt Rhule’s fourth Husker team — including some position groups that may be stronger than people realize, the impact of a revamped coaching staff, and why Anthony Colandrea could change the complexion of Dana Holgorsen’s offense.

A New-Look Husker Offense

There are new faces everywhere, starting with a wide-open competition at running back and a revamped offensive line. Evan explains why true freshman Jamal Rule is expected to play immediately, what Mekhi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee bring to the backfield, and why Nebraska may lean heavily on a committee rather than finding another workhorse like Emmett Johnson.

But the biggest reason for optimism may be up front. Nebraska invested heavily in its offensive line — adding experienced transfers and bringing in highly regarded offensive line coach Geep Wade — and Evan thinks the Huskers may finally have legitimate depth beyond the starting five.

Nebraska’s New Look Quarterback Room

The Common Fans have spent all offseason talking about what Colandrea’s mobility could add to Holgorsen’s offense, and Evan sees plenty of reasons for excitement. Beyond his arm and ability to make plays with his legs, Evan says Colandrea has impressed the coaching staff with how quickly he processes the game, and even compares his confidence and swagger to former Husker quarterback Joe Ganz.

The playbook itself may not look dramatically different. The difference could come when a play breaks down. Colandrea gives Nebraska the ability to turn something that isn’t there into a first down, a big play or a touchdown, and that’s something the Huskers simply haven’t had enough of in recent years.

Reasons for Optimism on Defense

After Nebraska’s run-defense struggles last season, the defensive line is understandably one of the biggest questions entering 2026. Evan explains why the return to a four-man front could better fit several players on the roster, while added depth gives the Huskers more options up front.

Meanwhile, the secondary might quietly be the best position group on the entire team. Between returning contributors, experienced transfers and young talent, Evan believes Nebraska could legitimately go eight or nine players deep on the back end.

What Does Nebraska Have to Prove in 2026?

After a much quieter offseason from Rhule and his staff, Husker fans are finally starting to talk themselves into football again. Evan thinks the coaches correctly read the room after last season’s frustrating finish and simply (and quietly) went to work during the offseason. Now Nebraska enters the season with an older roster, a more experienced coaching staff and reasons to believe it can take another step.

Does that mean Rhule has to win eight or nine games to keep his job? Evan doesn’t think so. But there is one thing he believes Nebraska absolutely needs to accomplish: beat a ranked team. After 30 straight losses against ranked opponents, it’s time for the Huskers to finally knock somebody off and give the fan base a signature win. And they’ll have plenty of opportunities.

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!

College football is almost back, and the Common Fans are kicking things into gear with one of our favorite traditions: a visit from legendary college football broadcaster Tim Brando. Tim joins the podcast for the third straight year, and as usual, Timmy B has no shortage of opinions about Nebraska, the Big Ten, the SEC, the College Football Playoff — or ESPN.

Does Brando Think Matt Rhule Can Get Nebraska Over the Hump?

Tim remains a believer in Matt Rhule, pointing to his track record of rebuilding programs while also acknowledging that the process has taken longer at Nebraska. His biggest reason? The Big Ten is simply a much tougher league than the conferences Rhule navigated at Temple and Baylor — and, in Brando’s view, it’s currently the best conference in college football.

But Tim also identifies the issue Husker fans know all too well: Nebraska has struggled to build on good performances from one week to the next. He sees the offensive line and defense as critical areas for improvement and believes the Huskers have to start developing the toughness and identity that defined Rhule’s previous rebuilds.

Timmy B Likes Tony C

The guys also ask Tim about new Husker quarterback Anthony Colandrea, whom Brando watched closely during his breakout season at UNLV.

Tim calls Colandrea a “wrecking crew” and believes his move to Nebraska gives him the opportunity to prove himself against much better competition in the Big Ten. He also credits Dan Mullen for Colandrea’s development and sees plenty of reason for Husker fans to be excited about their new quarterback.

The Big Ten, the SEC and the Future of College Football

Things also got a little spicy.

Brando pushes back — emphatically — against the idea that the SEC is superior to the Big Ten, argues that the new era of NIL and the transfer portal has changed the balance of power in college football, and offers some thoughts on Nick Saban, ESPN and the narratives that shape how the sport is covered.

Tim also makes the case for something that would have sounded crazy not long ago: a 24-team College Football Playoff. He believes expanding the field would actually make more regular-season games matter deep into November, while giving college football a chance to create a postseason worthy of the sport’s enormous popularity.

Who Does Brando Like in 2026?

Tim is extremely high on defending champion Indiana, believes Oregon has one of the most talented rosters in America, and ultimately predicts an Indiana-Oregon national championship game. He also sees Notre Dame as a legitimate contender and expects a wide-open season without one obviously dominant team.

And before we let him go, Tim shares a hilarious broadcasting story from his early days alongside Bill Raftery — plus why, after decades calling games across the country, he still considers Nebraska fans among the very best in college athletics.

It’s another wide-ranging, entertaining conversation with one of the great voices in college football.

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 Mount Rushmore series has been one of our favorite offseason projects, and the final episode was perhaps the most difficult.

After spending the summer building separate Mount Rushmores for quarterbacks, offensive players, defensive players, special teams standouts, walk-ons, and coaches, the Common Fans finally put it all together. Joined once again by Brandon Vogel of the Counter Read newsletter and Mitch Sherman of The Athletic, we narrowed decades of Husker greatness down to just four names.

The Impossible Assignment

One of the biggest challenges wasn't deciding who belonged—it was deciding who had to be left off. Nebraska's history is overflowing with legends, from three Heisman Trophy winners to championship quarterbacks, dominant Blackshirts, and offensive linemen whose names are literally attached to college football awards.

Along the way, the conversation revisits the criteria that guided the entire series: championships, impact on the program, cultural significance, defining moments, longevity, and the lasting legacy each player left on Nebraska Football. Great statistics matter, but they're only part of the equation.

Who Makes the Final Four?

The debate quickly centers around some of the biggest names in school history. Tommie Frazier's unmatched record as a starter. Johnny Rodgers' iconic Game of the Century punt return and status as Nebraska's first Heisman winner. Ndamukong Suh's breathtaking 2009 season and whether any defender has ever been more dominant. Dave Rimington's place as the face of Nebraska's legendary offensive line tradition.

Of course, every selection means somebody else gets left behind.

Heisman Trophy winners Mike Rozier andEric Crouch. Dominant defensive linemen Rich Glover and Grant Wistrom. A truckload of offensive linement, including Bob Brown, Will Shields, and about half the starters from the 1990s. The list goes on and on, and the honorable mention discussion becomes almost as entertaining as the final vote itself, reminding everyone just how deep Nebraska's football history really is.

A Window Into Nebraska's History, A Look to the Future

As the group works through the final list, a pattern becomes impossible to ignore: almost every serious candidate played 15 years ago…or more. Sometimes much more. It's a reminder of just how extraordinary Nebraska's run of success was for four decades...and how long it's been since the program consistently produced players who belong in conversations like this.

That naturally leads to one final question: looking at today's roster, who has the best chance to someday earn a place on a future Nebraska Football Mount Rushmore?

It's a fun way to close out the series—and officially turn the page from offseason history lessons to the excitement of the 2026 season.

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!