Common Fan - A Nebraska Football Podcast

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 ReactionThe boys give their immediate, unfiltered reactions — and they may not be what you expect. They talk about why some fans likely feel disappointment, why others feel relief, and how the transfer portal era has changed the way we process these moments. A few years ago, losing a five-star QB would’ve felt like the sky was falling. Now? It’s still big, but it’s also the world we live in. Ultimately, we wish Dylan well, but it’s time for the Nebraska football team to look forward. Freed Up Cash FlowThe boys dig into a slightly uncomfortable conversation: value. In a world of NIL and revenue sharing, it’s fair to ask whether performance matched investment — and what Nebraska can do now that a significant amount of funds have been freed up. Can they build a better roster by spreading those dollars across multiple impact players, especially in the trenches? And was Raiola’s skill set ever a clean fit for what Nebraska is trying to be offensively?Portal Season = MassiveWith Emmett Johnson off to the NFL and Raiola on the way out, Nebraska has significant work to do in the offseason. They absolutely need to hit on most of the players they add in the portal. Speaking of, they need at least one QB (and maybe two), a running back, probably an offensive lineman or two, and they need a major infusion in the front seven on defense. Additionally, which current players might be hitting the portal? It’s a reality in modern day college football, and the players Rhule and his staff target will to some extent be determined by who they lose off of the roster. Reset Year, Or Just Reality?The Common Fans close out by looking ahead to 2026: a brutal schedule, a fan base that’s tired, and the debate over whether or not Nebraska is in the midst of a reset. Can they find a way to win the bowl game? Can the team exceed expectations in 2026? Are we in the midst of a rebuild? Or is it simply reloading in a sport where everyone is turning over rosters every year?This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 DutiesBoth defensive coordinator John Butler and offensive line coach Donovan Raiola were fired in the week following the Iowa game. One could argue Butler’s unit played well enough in the first 10 games of the season, but the defense fell off a cliff in the final two games of the year. The crew discusses the hire of Rob Aurich from San Diego State to replace Butler, and pontificates on what needs to improve on the defensive side of the ball in 2026. Donovan Raiola also had his moments, and his offensive line seemed to do a pretty good job of paving the way for Emmett Johnson in the second half of the season. But Nebraska’s O line has left plenty to be desired in recent years, between the sacks in 2025, to the lack of NFL draft picks on Raiola’s watch. Raiola’s replacement–Geep Wade from Georgia Tech–has already been named, and appears to be an upgrade. Emmett Johnson to the NFLEmmett Johnson, Nebraska’s best running back in more than a decade, the 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year, and the heart and soul of this year’s football team, announced he will be forgoing his senior season and entering the NFL draft. The Common Fans are not surprised with Johnson’s decision, which almost certainly means he is out for the bowl game. The boys pay tribute to EJ, and look ahead to who might carry the load in the bowl game.  Huskers to the Las Vegas BowlIt’s officially officially official: Nebraska will play Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31. The Utes are the #15 ranked team in the country, and have the nation’s second best rushing offense, averaging almost 270 yards on the ground per game. They also have a rushing quarterback. On paper, this matchup is…not good, to say the least. That said, it will be another opportunity for Matt Rhule’s boys to try to take down a ranked team, and it’s a chance to head into the offseason with some momentum and optimism. Rhule, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, and interim defensive coordinator Phil Snow need to pull out all the stops to try to figure out a way to get a win in the bowl game. Biggest Question in a Big Month for Nebraska FootballWhat is the future of quarterback Dylan Raiola? Or TJ Lateef for that matter? What are Nebraska’s biggest needs in the transfer portal? Will there be more musical chairs among the coaching staff? It’s the most important offseason of Matt Rhule’s tenure in Lincoln, and there are arguably more questions than at any point in the last three years. How Rhule navigates this offseason will go a long way towards determining how his entire time as Nebraska’s head football coach is viewed. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 rallying cry.“Until Further Notice” – The New Reality for Nebraska FootballThe guys open with a declaration: Nebraska football has officially reached “until further notice” status under Matt Rhule. There is no more benefit of the doubt. No one is calling for Matt Rhule’s job, but the days of optimistic projections, culture speeches, and positive preseason vibes carrying water for the program are over. After back-to-back-to-back November collapses, and a squandered friendly schedule, fans have earned the right to be critical—and this loss crystallized why.Emmett Johnson, the Only Corn Cob RecipientFor the second straight week, the Corn Cob segment is essentially one man. Emmett Johnson once again fought to deliver another brilliant performance, singlehandedly keeping the offense afloat. The guys talk about his emotional moment on the field postgame, the likelihood of him turning pro, and the reality that Nebraska may have just wasted one of its best running back seasons in a decade. A Comedy of Errors That Wasn’t FunnyThe boys break down the turning points: the frustrating non-targeting call on Jacory Barney’s fumble, and two back-breaking second-and-four sequences where Nebraska abandoned the run for reasons passing understanding. Each moment becomes a microcosm of Nebraska’s larger identity problem: predictable when they should be adaptable, stubborn when they should be smart, and chaotic when they should be complementary.Big Picture: Identity Crisis, Defensive Regression, and the Rule of Year ThreeThe second half of the show zooms out. The guys confront the uncomfortable comparison between Matt Rhule’s record and Mike Riley’s through the same point. They dive into Nebraska’s defensive collapse, the inability to stop the run, the non-existent pass rush, and the maddening lack of offensive identity. They question everything—staff, scheme, development, philosophy—while acknowledging that Rhule deserves the chance to make changes and evolve.Bowl Game, Portal Season, and the Winter AheadDespite the despair, the episode closes with a sliver of perspective. Nebraska made back-to-back bowl games for the first time in more than a decade. Portal season offers opportunity. Change is possible. Hope—however battered—still flickers. But the message is clear: no more speeches, no more slogans, no more benefit of the doubt. It’s time for proof.This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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–from 1956, 1958, and 1960–Iowa didn’t finish #1 in either the AP poll or the coaches poll. Nebraska owns 46 conference championships, which ranks second in the nation all time. Iowa, by contrast, has 15. Iowa’s record all time is 708-585-39, good for a .546 winning percentage that is 65th best in the country.Nebraska, by contrast, is 931-434-40, which amounts to a .677 winning percentage that is 10th all time. Iowa has one Heisman Trophy winner ever, Nile Kinninck in 1939. This was such a big deal in Hawkeye Nation that they named their stadium after him. Nebraska has three Heisman trophy winners, all of which occurred after World War Two, including one which happened in this century. And of course, Nebraska still owns the advantage in the all time head-to-head matchup between the two teams, 30-22.The list goes on and on; you get the picture. No matter what has happened in recent years, the Common Fans are red ‘til they’re dead. Nebraska will always be the superior program, and it’s always better to be a Cornhusker. Time to buckle in, Common Fans:Have there been frustrating moments this season? Yes. Did the Huskers once again leave some wins on the table? It would appear so. Are there things this team needs to address in the offseason? Absolutely.And guess what: we will have eight months to digest this 2025 season, and to talk about all the ways in which Matt Rhule’s program needs to improve.In the meantime, it’s time for Husker Nation to unite, from Scottsbluff to South Sioux City; from Alliance to Falls City; from Omaha to McCook; from sea to shining sea. IT’S IOWA HATE WEEK!!!!!This is the life we’ve chosen, and it’s time to beat the Hawkeyes.  Celebrating 150 episodes for the Common Fan Podcast:One final note: the Common Fans didn’t even realize it, but the Penn State game recap episode was their 150th episode. The boys reflect on this podcast journey and thank all the loyal Common Fan listeners for a thoroughly enjoyable ride. It’s only been two years, and there is a lot more to come. This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 into the Iowa game.Slim pickings for Corn Cobs: The guys hand out their weekly Corn Cobs — and this one gets interesting. Geoff goes contrarian with a nod to punter-turned-missile Archie Wilson for showing some fire in a late-hit penalty. Matty O sticks with the obvious: Emmett Johnson, who once again carried the offense with 151 total yards despite having to break tackles five yards behind the line just to get back to even. TJ highlights linebacker Jacob Bauer, one of the few bright spots on a bad night for the Blackshirts.Three years in, this shouldn’t be happening:The crew discusses AD Troy Dannen’s early-season comments about Nebraska being “three years into a rebuild” — but pushes back hard. Is year three long enough to expect the Huskers not to get manhandled at the line of scrimmage? The boys discuss Penn State’s struggles coming intothe game, why this wasn’t a great Nittany Lion team, and why all of that makes it even more inexplicable that Nebraska came out of a bye week completely flat. On the stakes for the Iowa game now: The conversation quickly turns to what Friday now represents. Nebraska sits at 7–4. Lose to Iowa, and you’re suddenly staring at the very real possibility of finishing 7–6 for a second consecutive year after another 5–1 start. Beat Iowa, and the season feels salvageable — maybe even encouraging. But the guys agree: the seat doesn’t get “hot” with a loss… but it might start heating up. This is as urgent as a regular-season finale without playoff implications can get. On the offensive identity and the QB conversation: The Common Fans dig into the offense’s lingering identity problem. What exactly is Nebraska’s scheme? What is it trying to be? And how should that shape the Dylan Raiola vs. TJ Lateef conversation moving forward? No one blames Lateef for the loss — but the guys question the play-calling, the lack of RPOs, and the absence of creativity. They agree both quarterbacks bring valuable tools… but the staff needs a real offensive blueprint before either can thrive.On accountability, urgency, and a fan Base at its limitFrom concerns about Rhule’s messaging to frustration with local media predictions to a raw sense of being “bamboozled,” this episode captures the emotional whiplash of modern Nebraska football. The guys close by emphasizing the stakes, the rivalry, and the opportunity: beat Iowa, steady the narrative, and head into bowl season with momentum.This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! As always, GBR for LIFE! Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@commonfanGBR   Check out our website: www.commonfan.co  Our Partners: You can now find all Common Fan videos and articles on www.huskermax.com as well as www.si.com/college/college-football/team/nebraska-cornhuskers.   For more Husker coverage, check out Carriker Chronicles: https://carrikerchronicles.com/  For more college football coverage, check out The College Huddle: https://thecollegehuddle.com/  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy