Podcast
Common Fan - A Nebraska Football Podcast
Hosted by T.J. Birkel, Matt Owens, Geoff Langenberg · EN
A Nebraska football podcast by the Common Fan, for the Common Fan.
32episodes
Episodes
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Who Belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Nebraska Football Coaches?
2w ago00:59:03Tap to summarizeThe Common Fans’ Mount Rushmore series rolls on, and with this latest episode, we’re looking at the men in the headsets. Who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Nebraska football coaches? And how do you even begin to compare head coaches, coordinators, assistants, strength coaches, and figures from completely different eras of Husker history?To help sort it all out, the boys are joined by two friends of the program: Henry Cordes, longtime Omaha World-Herald reporter, author of multiple books on Nebraska football, and now investigative reporter for the Flatwater Free Press; and Brandon Vogel of Counter Read newsletter, who is back with us for every episode of this summer series.Two Obvious Faces on the MountainThere’s no real suspense at the top. Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne laid the foundation of modern Nebraska football. They are Nebraska football. If you surveyed every Nebraska football fan on planet earth, there would be 100% agreement on this point. Devaney is the program’s George Washington: the coach who took Nebraska from afterthought to national power and delivered the Huskers’ first two national championships. Osborne is the Abraham Lincoln figure: the coach who preserved, perfected, and elevated what Devaney built, ultimately producing one of the greatest runs in college football history.Those two are automatic. The real debate starts after that.How far back should we be looking? One of the best parts of this conversation is the deep dive into early Nebraska football history. Henry and Brandon both make a strong case for Jumbo Stiehm, whose Nebraska teams from 1911 to 1915 went 35-2-3, won five conference titles, and helped establish Nebraska as a serious football program long before the Devaney/Osborne era.The question becomes: how much weight should we give to a coach from more than a century ago? If Nebraska fans take pride in being one of the winningest programs in college football history, then the early architects of that history deserve serious consideration.Which assistant coaches belong in this conversation?Boyd Epley, Monte Kiffin, Charlie McBride, Milt Tenopir, and Frank Solich all come up in the conversation.Epley helped revolutionize strength and conditioning, not just at Nebraska but across college football. Kiffin was the first Nebraska assistant to hold the title of defensive coordinator, and helped shape the Blackshirts during the Devaney era. McBride’s defenses became the backbone of the 1990s dynasty. Tenopir helped build the Pipeline. Solich played a massive role as a longtime assistant before taking over as head coach.Who made the final four?After plenty of debate, the group lands on four names: Tom Osborne, Bob Devaney, Jumbo Stiehm, and Monte Kiffin.That leaves some painful omissions, especially Boyd Epley and Charlie McBride. But that’s what makes these conversations fun. The goal is not simply to pick the most familiar names. It’s to identify the most important and consequential figures in Nebraska football history.And with coaches, that conversation runs deep.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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Mitch Sherman on Nebraska Football’s Most Important QBs of All Time
3w ago00:59:32Tap to summarizeThe Common Fans’ summer series is officially underway, and the boys are starting in the most obvious place: quarterbacks.This summer, the Common Fans are working to build the definitive Nebraska Football Mount Rushmore. Not just the four “best” names by stats alone, but the most important, most consequential figures in Husker history. Impact, championships, leadership, cultural significance, defining moments – everything will be considered.For episode one, Mitch Sherman from The Athletic and the Locked On Nebraska podcast joins the show, along with Brandon Vogel from Counter Read newsletter, who will be part of every episode in the series. First up: the Mount Rushmore of Nebraska quarterbacks.Who is the first face on the mountain?There was no debate here. Tommie Frazier is the obvious starting point.Two national championships. A 33-3 record as a starter. The stolen Heisman. The swagger. The standard. The mentality.More than anything, Frazier helped define what Nebraska football became at its absolute peak. The guys discuss how his toughness and leadership shaped the entire program, and why he remains the clearest, easiest choice in this whole exercise.How much weight do championships carry?That question comes up quickly as the conversation turns to Jerry Tagge, Scott Frost, and the other quarterbacks who played a part on national championship teams.Tagge’s case is built around the first two championships in program history, including the Game of the Century and the iconic goal-line moment against LSU. Frost’s case is more complicated, given everything that happened later as Nebraska’s head coach, but his role in the 1997 title season still matters.The Common Fans wonder if it’s possible to separate the player from everything that came after – or if it’s necessary to take it all into consideration.The Turner Gill FactorFor several members of the panel, Turner Gill was an easy choice.He didn’t win a national championship, but he helped transform Nebraska’s offense, beat Oklahoma, and quarterbacked some of the best teams Tom Osborne ever had. His impact on the program went beyond stats, and his later role on Osborne’s staff only adds to his legacy.What about Crouch, Berringer, Martinez, and the others?Eric Crouch also gets strong support, and for good reason: Heisman Trophy, unforgettable moments, and the last true flash of national-title-level joy for Nebraska fans.The guys also discuss Taylor Martinez, Tommy Armstrong, Adrian Martinez, Steve Taylor, Joe Ganz, Zac Taylor, and others who deserve to be remembered — even if they don’t quite make the final four.And of course, it is agreed among the group that Brook Berringer deserves his own separate monument, given his contributions to the program, and the place he holds in Nebraska football history. So who makes the final Mount Rushmore of Nebraska QBs?After plenty of debate, the crew settles on four names: Tommie Frazier, Eric Crouch, Turner Gill, and Jerry Tagge.The quarterbacks are only the beginning. Over the next several weeks, the Common Fans will tackle coaches, offensive players, defensive players, special teams, walk-ons, and finally the ultimate Mount Rushmore of Nebraska football.Listen to the full debate by checking out the episode on YouTube, listening on the Common Fan website, or finding it on any audio platform where you get your podcasts.As always, GBR for LIFE!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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The Common Fans Attempt to Build the Mount Rushmore of Nebraska Football
4w ago00:39:18Tap to summarizeThe Common Fans are back with a little housekeeping and one big announcement: the next Common Fan summer series has officially arrived.Mount Rushmore SeriesFor the third straight summer, the boys will do a series of episodes focused on an important segment of Nebraska football history. Two summers ago, it was The Reckoning – six episodes focused on the coaches, administrators, bad decisions, and history of the post-Osborne era. Last summer, it was TO – an in-depth look at the coaching career and legacy of the great Tom Osborne. What is the Common Fan summer series this year?Over the next several weeks, the Common Fans are setting out to build the definitive Mount Rushmore of Nebraska football.Over the course of the series, the crew will break things down across several categories: quarterbacks, offensive players (non-QBs), defensive players, special teams, walk-ons, and coaches. Then, after all of that, the guys will try to pull everything together and determine the ultimate four faces on Nebraska’s Mount Rushmore.The goal is not simply to identify the “best” players or coaches by stats alone. Like the actual Mount Rushmore, this is about impact on the program, cultural significance, leadership, championships, defining moments, and what each person meant to Nebraska football.Who belongs in the conversation? Some names are obvious. Some are surprisingly difficult. Some players have the stats. Some have the rings. Some have unforgettable moments. Some helped define entire eras of Husker football.And in classic Common Fan fashion, the debates get serious, nostalgic, funny, and occasionally ridiculous.Who’s Joining the Series?Friend of the program Brandon Vogel will be part of every episode, bringing his usual mix of historical perspective, research, analytics, and deep Nebraska football knowledge.Each episode will also feature another great guest from the Husker media world, including Mitch Sherman, Henry Cordes, Brian Christopherson, Gary Sharp, Mike Babcock, and Mike’l Severe.In other words, the Common Fans brought in reinforcements.Who Won the Oak Barn Beef Giveaway?As Husker fans kick off the summer grilling season, the Common Fans partnered with Oak Barn Beef on a fun giveaway contest. Thanks to everyone who entered by sharing favorite Husker players and memories. The emails were passionate, heartfelt, and a reminder of why this fan base is so much fun.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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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The Memorial Stadium Food Debate Every Nebraska Football Fan Understands
Jun 100:44:38Tap to summarizeThere are certain conversations that only happen during a Nebraska football offseason. Who’s going to start at quarterback. Whether the defense can stop the run. If Matt Rhule can finally engineer the leap everyone has been waiting for.And then there are the truly important debates…like what are the best food items in Memorial Stadium history?This week, the Common Fans take a joyful trip through the culinary history of Nebraska football Saturdays, ranking the stadium staples that defined a generation of Husker fans. Part of the Gamedy Experience The smell of Valentino’s pizza walking through the concourse. The striped popcorn boxes. Fairbury hot dogs. Runzas on cold November Saturdays. The tastes and smells Nebraska fans have encountered at Memorial Stadium are as much a part of the gameday experience as anything else. The boys debate which foods are most identified with Memorial Stadium, and discuss their favorites. They discuss how somehow Valentino’s and Runza might just taste better at the stadium than anywhere else. They debate acceptable toppings for Fairbury hot dogs. And they talk about how the stadium popcorn is like a drug.There’s also a realization that certain foods are tied directly to eras of Nebraska football. Some items instantly transport you back to childhood, to freezing games in the late 90s, to halftime walks with your dad, or to sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in packed rows while balancing pizza on your knees.Side DishesThe episode also brings plenty of chaos. Geoff develops a bizarre fascination with becoming the official Memorial Stadium “Wiener Slinger” operator. There are discussions about condiment strategy, concourse traffic patterns, and the ethics of stadium nacho cheese.But underneath all of it is a genuine appreciation for what Memorial Stadium means to Nebraska fans. Because even the food carries memories.Impact of Upcoming Stadium RenovationsFinally, the episode touches on the upcoming stadium renovations and the changing nature of the game-day experience. Expanded concourses, premium seating, new restaurant concepts, and more food options than ever before will fundamentally change the stadium experience. Perhaps even for the better. But there is some melancholy attached to the conversation, because every modernization quietly moves Memorial Stadium a little farther away from the version many fans grew up with.Every fan listening probably has their own favorite stadium food, their own routine, their own memory attached to a Saturday in Lincoln. This episode tries to put all of those memories on the table.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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ranking the Most Annoying Coaches Nebraska Football Will Face in 2026
May 2600:45:11Tap to summarizeThe Common Fans rekindle a time honored offseason tradition by looking at the most annoying coaches the Nebraska football team will face in 2026. Joined by friend of the program Nic Olsen, the boys have a rollicking good time talking through the head coaches that make them laugh, squirm, or even angry. Not necessarily coaches from the biggest rivals or the best teams. Just the guys who drive Husker fans absolutely insane.As it turns out, the 2026 schedule is loaded with candidates.What Makes a Coach Annoying? The episode starts by trying to define the category itself. The Common Fans dive into the traits that make certain coaches uniquely aggravating to Nebraska fans:smugness after winsendless whining to officialsfake humilitygimmicky culture-buildingmedia overexposureacting like beating Nebraska is the Super Bowlor simply existing while coaching Iowa.And once the categories are established, the floodgates open.The Ferentz FactorThe Common Fans kick things off with Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, who somehow continues ruining Thanksgiving weekends year after year while barely opening his mouth when he talks. Seriously—Nick Olsen points out that Ferentz might have missed his calling as a ventriloquist.The conversation quickly spirals into:Ferentz family HOA dramaHis permanent sideline smirkWhy Nebraska-Iowa losses hit differently on Black FridayAnd the simple fact that Iowa always seems to win ugly while Nebraska finds painful ways to loseFitz and Bert Enter the ChatEven after leaving Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald’s name rises to the top of the list. Nebraska fans have suffered through too many of Northwestern’s random upset wins, along with the endless endless “he does more with less” narrative (even when he does less with less). Not to mention the infamous onside kick game. The guys debate whether Fitzgerald’s move to Michigan State will actually work—or if the college football world simply romanticized his Northwestern years too much.Meanwhile, MattyO admits something he never expected to admit: he’s kind of starting to like Bret Bielema.Not completely. But a little bit.Bert still checks plenty of annoying coach boxes. But there’s also something undeniably entertaining about him. And yes…the guys revisit the infamous “I outkicked my coverage” quote about his wife.Is Curt Cignetti the New King of Annoying Coaches?Curt Cignetti stormed onto the scene with his famous “Google me. I win.” quote—and unfortunately for everyone else, he backed it up immediately.The Common Fans wrestle with what to think about Cignetti. While there is plenty of respect for what he has accomplished, everyone can agree there is a growing desire to watch somebody finally shut him upLet’s Not Forget About Ryan DayGeoff in Lincoln makes a passionate closing argument for Ohio State’s Ryan Day, complete with:“Just For Men” beard accusationsLou Holtz fight referencesAnd the belief that literally nobody outside Columbus likes this manAlso Included in This Episode:Eddie George somehow coaching Bowling GreenLane Kiffin discoursePJ Fleck catching random stray bulletsDan Lanning’s “possibly on cocaine” Big Ten title game celebrationAnd one of the more absurd George W. Bush impersonations in Common Fan historyCheck 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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Three Games That Will Define the Season for Nebraska Football in 2026
May 1800:49:28Tap to summarizeThis week, the Common Fans tackle one of their favorite offseason traditions: discussing and debating the three games that will define Nebraska football’s 2026 season. Not necessarily the biggest games. Not necessarily the toughest games. But the games that will ultimately shape how we feel about Matt Rhule and the direction of the program.A Sneaky Big One in East LansingThe guys start with Nebraska’s first road trip of the season: at Michigan State.It’s early. It’s the first game of conference play. It’s a road environment against a respected new coach in Pat Fitzgerald. And maybe most importantly—it’s the kind of game Nebraska simply cannot afford to lose if this season is going to feel different.Any conversation about the Huskers exceeding expectations–much less making a bowl game–has to involve winning this game. A win will likely have a “taking care of business” feel for the fan base, and may not move the needle much. But a loss will feel like an ominous sign for the rest of the season. The Playoff TeamsThe Big Red plays three teams that have made the College Football Playoff the last two seasons: 2024 national champion Ohio State, Oregon, and defending national champion Indiana. Can the Huskers get a win against any one of these teams? Nebraska has the potential to be 4–1 or 5–0 heading into the Indiana game. If that’s the case, Memorial Stadium will be electric. The Huskers could be ranked and there will be national attention on the game. The boys in red follow that up with a trip to Eugene the very next week. The guys talk through the need for, at the very least, a competitive performance against a top-tier program. But a win against one of these top conference foes would be a game changing turning point for Matt Rhule and his program. About NovemberEvery conversation eventually leads to November. Nebraska football has not been good in November for years, and that includes the Rhule era. The guys zero in on games like at Illinois and home against Washington (which is actually on October 31, but we lump it in with the other November games) as pivotal “prove-it” opportunities for a program trying to shake the reputation that it fades late in the year.If Nebraska wants to take the next step as a program, it can’t just beat the teams it’s supposed to beat in September. It has to start showing up in November.And Then There’s IowaPerhaps unsurprisingly, all three Common Fans have Iowa on their list of games that will define the season. The frustration pours out in this segment—not because Iowa is some unbeatable monster, but because Nebraska has repeatedly found ways to lose games it probably should have won.The boys dive into why Iowa has become Nebraska’s rival in the Big Ten era, how Husker fans are exhausted watching Iowa play “clean football” while Nebraska implodes, and why the Big Red needs to run off their own win streak against the Hawkeyes. At some point, Nebraska has to start winning this series consistently again.Is That Optimism Starting to Creep Back In? Summertime’s close, which means fall camp is right around the corner. Anthony Colandrea is preaching confidence. And the boys are starting to get excited for Nebraska football again.Not blindly optimistic. But hopeful. And ready for 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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Let’s Try Some Optimism About Nebraska Football for a Change
May 1100:51:09Tap to summarizeAfter an offseason of hand wringing, gnashing of teeth, and some serious skepticism surrounding Nebraska football, the Common Fans take a step back and try something different this week: an episode built around optimism. The boys have not been immune from airing their grievances about the way the 2025 season ended, so they decide to take an honest look at why and how Nebraska football could take a step forward in 2026.Is Husker Nation Being Too Negative? There’s no denying how last season ended. The 1–5 finish. The feeling of the missed “Year 3 leap.” The manner in which the Big Red lost the final three games. Even the usually Kool Aid-drinking Common Fans have had their share of frustrations during the offseason. But one thing hasn’t changed: nobody here is rooting against Matt Rhule. The best thing for the program would be for Rhule to figure out how to get Nebraska over the hump, and back to national relevance. Matt Rhule Has Already Raised the FloorTwo straight bowl games. Back-to-back winning seasons. A program that, objectively, is in a better place than it was three years ago. It’s not where anyone wants to be yet—but it’s much better than where we were.Perhaps the progress of the last three years sometimes gets lost in the broader conversation. Husker fans should never apologize for wanting more, never apologize for expecting greatness. But we also must acknowledge that the program was at its lowest point in decades when Rhule took over. Rhule Doesn’t Stand PatOne thing you can’t accuse Rhule of is standing still. The boys in red will enter the 2026 season with a new defensive coordinator, a new offensive line coach, a run game coordinator, and several high impact transfers. It’s important for Husker fans to acknowledge that, when something hasn’t worked, Rhule has owned it, and he’s made changes.Could the Offense Finally Look Different?This might be the biggest reason for optimism. A new, mobile quarterback with three years of starting experience at the Power Five level provides an opportunity for a fresh start. The Dylan Raiola era brought hype, attention, and expectations. But it also may have taken the program in a direction that ultimately wasn’t beneficial.Add in what looks to be a significantly upgraded offensive line, weapons at wide receiver, and a young but promising running back room, and there’s a real path to something Nebraska hasn’t consistently had under Rhule: a physical, reliable run game.Is the Tough Schedule Actually an Opportunity?As has been discussed ad nauseum since the 2025 season ended, the 2026 schedule is a beast. Nebraska plays three playoff teams in Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon, and the rest of the Big Ten schedule isn’t exactly a cake walk. But the difficulty of the schedule is also an opportunity. If Nebraska is going to take a real step forward, it has to show up in the biggest games anyway. Beat some times they’re not supposed to, and things around the program will start to feel different. 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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Matt Rhule Needs More Money & Scott Frost Doesn’t Want to Talk About Nebraska
Apr 3000:51:53Tap to summarizeWelcome back to the Common Fan Podcast, where the guys take a look at Nebraska’s NFL draft results (or lack thereof), Matt Rhule’s recent comments about NIL, and Scott Frost once again being in Nebraska football-related news. Nebraska’s Dwindling Draft Performance Over the Past Several YearsThe conversation starts with the NFL Draft—and what it says about Nebraska football. The numbers are pretty sobering.We dig into the data showing Nebraska’s declining NFL draft production over the past two decades, including a staggering stat: Nebraska is one of only a few Power Four programs without a top-50 pick since 2012.That’s not just a recruiting issue. That’s development. That’s evaluation. That’s everything. And until Nebraska starts consistently producing NFL-level talent again–whether through talent acquisition, development, or both–there will be a ceiling.Can a “Developmental Program” Still Work in 2026?Can “developmental programs” still succeed at the highest levels in today’s game? With the transfer portal, NIL, and instant roster turnover, the idea of waiting three to four years for players to develop feels…outdated. The guys debate whether Nebraska can still win that way—or if the sport has moved on.Because right now, it feels like the Huskers are stuck in the middle: not elite in recruiting or development. The Money ConversationRevenue sharing. NIL deals. $40 million rosters. Matt Rhule spending half his offseason fundraising like a politician.Raising money has become a central necessity for coaches and athletic departments alike. The boys unpack what this means for Nebraska, and more importantly, where the Big Red actually stands. Because while it’s easy to say “we’re getting outspent,” the reality is more complicated.And Then There’s Scott FrostOf course, it wouldn’t be a Common Fan episode without a little chaos.The guys react to Scott Frost’s recent comments about Nebraska—specifically, his reluctance to talk about his time in Lincoln and his take on the “pressure” of coaching at his alma mater.That leads to a bigger question: is Nebraska really that different from every other major program…or was Frost just not built for it? The takes are…not subtle.At the end of the day, this episode keeps circling back to the same truth: Talent matters. Development matters. Money matters. But eventually, it all has to show up on Saturdays.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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Should Nebraska Football Prioritize Players Over Stadium Upgrades?
Apr 2000:50:09Tap to summarizeThe Common Fans discuss the big news of the week in Husker Nation: Nebraska’s $600 million plan to renovate Memorial Stadium. Fans are naturally curious: curious about how the renovations will be paid for, about why that money isn’t going to the roster, and about why stadium upgrades now cost more than some small towns.The boys dive headfirst into the Big Red Rebuild—what fans are saying, and what it means for Nebraska football moving forward.Is a $600 Million Stadium Renovation the Right Investment in the Right Place at the Right Time?Nebraska hasn’t consistently won in a long time. How will fans respond to a massive stadium renovation?We break down the reality behind the numbers—what’s actually being funded (deferred maintenance plus fan experience), where the money is coming from (donors plus bonds), and why this probably isn’t as simple as “just spend it on players.”Still…it’s fair for fellow common fans to ask the question. When you see programs like Texas Tech suddenly spending like drunken sailors to load up on talent (and making the playoff because of it), fans may wonder: could some of those dollars be used differently?Is Stadium vs. Roster the Wrong Question?Is this really an either/or decision? Or is it about growing the pie?The guys talk through the difference between one-time donor gifts (that often come with naming rights and legacy appeal) versus the ongoing, annual grind of funding a roster in the NIL era. It’s not apples to apples.But it won’t stop fans from wondering, and this will likely be a discussion topic in Husker Nation for years to come. What Happens If the Team Doesn’t Win?A renovated stadium is great. Premium seating, 360-degree concourse, bigger video boards—even for old souls who just want to cheer on the Big Red, it sounds pretty cool (not to mention seatbacks for everyone!).But none of it matters if the product on the field doesn’t improve. Because the reality is this: Ticket prices are going to go up.Required donations are going to go up. And that means expectations are going way up.And if Nebraska is still sitting at six or seven wins in 2028 with a shiny new stadium, that will be a problem.An Investment in the FansThe crew cites Tom Shatel of the Omaha World Herald, who makes one of the more compelling arguments in favor of the project: this is an investment in Nebraska fans.The idea is simple: reward the people who keep showing up. The same fans who have kept the sellout streak alive through two decades of frustration.Make Memorial Stadium not just historic, but modern. A place people want to spend an entire Saturday. A place where people want to attend concerts, big events…and even get married. If done right, it could make one of the best environments in college football even better.You Can’t Replace Memorial Stadium…Right?One detail that caught everyone’s attention: Nebraska at least explored the idea of building a brand new stadium.That…does not go over well with the boys from Lincoln.It’s All About the WsAt the end of the day, this conversation keeps coming back to the same place: everything comes back to winning.You can upgrade the stadium. You can enhance the experience. You can modernize everything. But eventually, the product put on the field by Nebraska football has to match 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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Are Nebraska Football Fans Part of the Problem?
Apr 1400:50:11Tap to summarizeWe’ve hinted at it. It’s come up before. But we have never devoted an entire episode to the discussion. Until now.This week, the Common Fans take on a slightly uncomfortable question about Nebraska football: are we part of the problem? Not the administration. Not the coaches. Not the players.The fans.It’s a conversation that came directly from the Common Fan community, and it turns into an honest, passionate, wide-ranging discussion about the role of the fans, and whether or not our passion has inadvertently made it harder for the football team to get back to its winning ways. Does an Empty Seat Speak Louder Than a Filled One?Nebraska’s sellout streak is one of the most iconic things in college football. It’s a badge of honor for the fan base. It’s a recruiting tool for the team and the coaching staff. It’s a point of pride from Omaha to Scottsbluff. But…what if it’s also part of the issue?We dig into whether constant support from the fans, no matter the results, has removed any real pressure on the people running the program. Would fewer fans in the stands send a stronger message? Or would it just create more instability in a program that’s already had plenty of it?Are Husker Fans Too Loyal…or Too Intense?On one hand, Nebraska fans show up. To borrow a phrase from Tom Shatel that the boys reference regularly, Nebraska football fans are undefeated against apathy. That’s one of the things that makes Husker football special. On the other hand, that same passion creates a “fishbowl” dynamic: a level of scrutiny and expectation that’s hard to fully understand unless you’ve lived it. From message boards to social media to talk radio to podcasts and beyond, there are more outlets than ever for frustration, criticism, and, let’s be honest, occasional insanity (the fellas point out they are proud to be part of the insane in this case).So the question becomes: does that environment help drive success…or quietly work against it?Great ExpectationsAt some point, this conversation always comes back to expectations.Are we projecting 1990s-era expectations of dominance onto today’s players and coaches? And if we are…is that unfair? Or is that exactly what makes Nebraska Nebraska?Because the reality is, for a lot of us, this isn’t just a team. It’s part of our identity. It’s basement walls covered in memorabilia. It’s part of our family tradition. It’s Saturdays in the fall. It’s something that’s been woven into the fabric of who we are for decades.And if we let go of those expectations, we risk ceasing being what has always made us great. So…Who Actually Deserves the Blame?If it’s not the fans, then who?When you step back and look at the last 20+ years, one thing stands out: Nebraska hasn’t acted like a blue blood when it comes to hiring coaches. Fired NFL coaches. First-time head coaches. “Value brand” hires. These were huge misses that feel obvious in hindsight and, when taken together, combined to set the program back to a level we could never have imagined 20 years ago.The Program’s Greatest AssetAt the end of the day, this fan base is still here. Still showing up. Still caring. Still investing time, money, and emotion into something that hasn’t given enough back in a long time.And the boys decide that’s not the problem. Maybe that’s the one thing that still gives Nebraska a chance to get this right. At the end of the day, this is the life we’ve chosen, and there is only one guarantee: Husker Nation doesn’t need to apologize for anything. 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!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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