Common Fan - A Nebraska Football Podcast

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 ...

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 Michigan

• The 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?...

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 Conference

• Rhule pushed back hard on...

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 Reaction

• The boys give their immediate, unfiltered reactions — and they may not be what you expect. They talk about why ...

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 Duties

• Both defensive coordinator Joh...

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 ra...

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–fr...

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 int...

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 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 missin...

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 ...

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 pu...

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 ...

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 ...

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.
• Minnesot...

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...

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 again...

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.

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...