Husker Doc Talk

Utah 44 Nebraska 22, the final from the Las Vegas Bowl. In the final episode for 2025, Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka give their immediate postgame thoughts from the Las Vegas Bowl. To sum it up, a bad end to a bad season. If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: GDEFY Shoes Every runner, every athlete, every patient knows the moment when the body says “stop.” The ache takes over, and you’re done. But most pain doesn’t start where you feel it — it travels through your body like a chain reaction. That’s why G-DEFY shoes with VersoShock® technology — a mechanical spring system invented in 2006 — are such a game changer. They don’t just cushion impact; they absorb shock and return energy to help your body move the way it was meant to. Try G-DEFY shoes now and get $30 off plus free shipping. Visit www.gdefy.com  and get back in motion. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

The Husker Doc Talk Podcast wraps up the year with a festive, wide-ranging post-Christmas episode that blends holiday humor, sponsor shoutouts, and deep college football analysis—exactly what Husker fans have come to expect from Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka. The episode starts off lighthearted, and then the conversation turns serious with an in-depth breakdown of one of the biggest coaching stories of the season: Kyle Whittingham’s stunning move from Utah to Michigan. Travis and Dr. Rob examine the timing of the decision, the rumored friction with Utah’s administration, and what it means for Utah’s bowl preparation. They also debate whether Whittingham’s departure removes emotional fuel—or creates new motivation—for the Utes as they prepare to face Nebraska. The discussion naturally pivots to Nebraska football and the upcoming bowl game in Las Vegas. With key players opting out and a new coaching staff still settling in, expectations are tempered. Dr. Rob explains why this bowl game should be viewed through a developmental lens rather than a win-or-else moment, outlining Nebraska’s current roster gaps, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines. The two also explore how the transfer portal and NIL have reshaped roster construction—and why player evaluation and development matter more than ever. Quarterback play, portal strategy, and long-term program building dominate the second half of the episode, including a thoughtful debate about Nebraska’s future at QB and whether stability might be more valuable than chasing a one-year rental. The episode closes with a broader look at college football’s shifting power structure, comparing development-first programs like Iowa with big-money NIL schools, and questioning whether the Big 12 can truly keep pace with the Big Ten and SEC. It’s a candid, thoughtful, and entertaining year-end conversation—equal parts football breakdown, industry insight, and holiday camaraderie—making Episode 23 a perfect way to close out 2025 on the Husker Doc Talk Podcast. If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: GDEFY Shoes Every runner, every athlete, every patient knows the moment when the body says “stop.” The ache takes over, and you’re done. But most pain doesn’t start where you feel it — it travels through your body like a chain reaction. That’s why G-DEFY shoes with VersoShock® technology — a mechanical spring system invented in 2006 — are such a game changer. They don’t just cushion impact; they absorb shock and return energy to help your body move the way it was meant to. Try G-DEFY shoes now and get $30 off plus free shipping. Visit www.gdefy.com  and get back in motion. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

It’s a Christmas edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, and Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka are in full post season form—mixing college football playoff takes, Husker reality checks, and the kind of off-the-rails holiday banter that feels like hanging out with your buddies in the basement… if your buddies also happened to break down offensive line technique and playoff selection politics. Episode 22 opens with the guys reacting to the first round of the College Football Playoff—what they watched, what surprised them, and what didn’t. From the “coulda/shoulda” playoff arguments (and the clickbait that fuels them) to the teams that looked legit, Travis and Rob debate what the games actually told us. They talk Alabama’s situation under Kalen DeBoer, the pressure of rebuilding in the NIL/portal era, and why judging coaches the same way we used to just doesn’t work anymore. Then the conversation shifts into one of the most hot-button topics in the sport: playoff expansion. Is 12 enough? (Rob says no.) Should it be 16? 24? Travis says bring it on—especially if it means more on-campus playoff games, which both guys agree are the best thing to happen to the sport in a long time. They dig into the ripple effects of automatic qualifiers, the shifting criteria coming next year, and what it means for group-of-five teams going forward. From there, it’s back to Lincoln. Travis asks the question Husker fans have been asking: Does Matt Rhule look different? More stressed? More “fishbowl-aware”? Rob reads the body language, talks staff changes, and explains why this moment feels less like a rebuild and more like a reset—new voices, new systems, and possibly a new quarterback era after Dylan Raiola’s departure. The guys also get real about what Nebraska should do next: chase a portal QB… or build around TJ Lateef and invest where it matters most—up front. Along the way, you’ll get sponsor shout-outs, a peppermint chocolate stout “breakfast beer,” stories from Rob’s debutante weekend, and a quick holiday wrap-up with what’s next for the podcast—more playoff talk, portal moves, and interviews lined up for the new year. Merry Christmas, Husker fans. Episode 22 is equal parts football, fun, and future-looking—exactly how the holiday edition should be. If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: GDEFY Shoes Every runner, every athlete, every patient knows the moment when the body says “stop.” The ache takes over, and you’re done. But most pain doesn’t start where you feel it — it travels through your body like a chain reaction. That’s why G-DEFY shoes with VersoShock® technology — a mechanical spring system invented in 2006 — are such a game changer. They don’t just cushion impact; they absorb shock and return energy to help your body move the way it was meant to. Try G-DEFY shoes now and get $30 off plus free shipping. Visit www.gdefy.com  and get back in motion. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

On this episode of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, former Nebraska assistant coach Bill Busch joins Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka in the studio for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation. A fan-favorite guest, Bill brings his trademark knowledge, perspective, and strong opinions. The discussion opens with Nebraska volleyball and the Huskers’ surprising Elite Eight loss to Texas A&M, then quickly shifts to football. The trio dives into Nebraska’s upcoming bowl matchup with Utah, a game with personal connections for Coach Busch, who previously worked with the Utes and counts head coach Kyle Whittingham among his closest friends. They also tackle Nebraska’s recent coaching changes and evaluate how Matt Rhule’s staff is recruiting in the state, offering candid insight into where the program stands and where it’s headed. If you like this podcast, please support  our sponsors who make this all possible: GDEFY Shoes Every runner, every athlete, every patient knows the moment when the body says “stop.” The ache takes over, and you’re done. But most pain doesn’t start where you feel it — it travels through your body like a chain reaction. That’s why G-DEFY shoes with VersoShock® technology — a mechanical spring system invented in 2006 — are such a game changer. They don’t just cushion impact; they absorb shock and return energy to help your body move the way it was meant to. Try G-DEFY shoes now and get $30 off plus free shipping. Visit www.gdefy.com  and get back in motion. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.

Nebraska closed the regular season with a thud, getting blasted 40–16 by Iowa and stumbling into the offseason searching for answers — and maybe an identity. On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast, Travis Justice and former Husker offensive lineman Dr. Rob Zatechka break down exactly how the Huskers unraveled in their final two games, getting outscored 73–26 and dropping their third straight Black Friday matchup against Iowa. Since joining the Big Ten, Nebraska has gone 4–11 against the Hawkeyes — and the gap feels wider than ever. So now the question becomes: What changes are coming?Will Matt Rhule overhaul his staff? Will key players stick around or move on? We dive into the big offseason decisions, including: Will QB Dylan Raiola enter the transfer portal? Is RB Emmett Johnson NFL-bound? What roster and coaching moves must happen to stop this downward slide? It was also a wild weekend across college football — coaches fired, coaches hired, chaos everywhere, and Lane Kiffin doing what Lane Kiffin does: lighting a dumpster fire and then pretending he’s the one getting smoked out. One thing is certain: big changes are coming to the sport, and the ripple effects will hit everyone, including Nebraska. GDEFY Shoes Every runner, every athlete, every patient knows the moment when the body says “stop.” The ache takes over and you’re done. But most pain doesn’t start where you feel it — it travels through your body like a chain reaction. That’s why G-DEFY shoes with VersoShock® technology — a mechanical spring system invented in 2006 — are such a game changer. They don’t just cushion impact; they absorb shock and return energy to help your body move the way it was meant to. Try G-DEFY shoes now and get $30 off plus free shipping. Visit www.gdefy.com  and get back in motion. Orr Law Group Life throws legal challenges at all of us — and when it does, you need a team that’s trusted, respected, and proven. Orr Law Group provides expert legal representation with a client-first approach, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, family matters, and more. When you need clear guidance and strong advocacy, the Orr Law Group is in your corner. Learn more at www.orrlawgrp.com. Husker Hounds Whether it’s game day, bowl season, or the long wait until spring practice, Husker Hounds is your go-to source for the best Nebraska gear. Jerseys, hoodies, hats, collectibles — if it’s Husker-related, they’ve got it. Family-owned, locally operated, and serving Husker Nation for decades, Husker Hounds helps you show your Nebraska pride every day of the year. Shop online at www.huskerhounds.com.