Common Fan - A Nebraska Football Podcast

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 frivolou...

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 na...

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 u...

Now that the transfer portal is finally, officially (mostly) closed, the Common Fans zoom out and take a look at some major questions for Nebraska football as the program heads into a critical offseason full of uncertainty. The season ended with a thud, the critical position groups have been reshaped in a matter of weeks, and Husker Nation is firmly in “trust, but verify” mode heading into 2026.

Should We Be Concerned A...

The Common Fans discuss transfer portal madness, a completely reshaped quarterback room, big swings on the offensive and defensive lines, and what it all means for 2026. They also share their thoughts on Dylan Raiola’s move to Oregon, Mike Ekeler rumors, the excitement surrounding Nebraska basketball, and much more! 

A New Year, A New QB Room

• Nebraska’s quarterback room has been completely remade heading into 2...

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, GB...

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 ...