Common Fan

fter 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 Floor Two 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 Pat One 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! #nebraska #podcast #collegefootball #bigten #football #bigtenfootball #blackshirts #nebraskafootball #nebraskacornhuskers #huskerfootball #huskers #mattrhule #collegefootballpodcast #commonfan #commonfanpodcast #nebraska #lnk #lincolnnebraska #oma #omaha #podcast

Welcome 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 Years The 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 Conversation Revenue 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 Frost Of 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!

The 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 Fans The 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 Ws At 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! #nebraska #nebraskacornhuskers #nebraskafootball #collegefootball #bigten #bigtenfootball #sports #podcast #blackshirts #mattrhule #lnk #lincolnnebraska #memorialstadium #huskers #huskerfootball #nebraskasports #nebraskaathletics #collegefootballpodcast #collegefootballplayoff #nebraskapodcast #commonfan #commonfanpodcast #podcast

We’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 Expectations At 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 Asset At 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! #nebraska #collegefootball #football #bigten #sports #bigtenfootball #blackshirts #nebraskafootball #nebraskacornhuskers #huskers #huskerfootball #mattrhule #collegefootballplayoff #collegefootballpodcast #cfp #cfb26 #LNK #OMA #podcast #footballpodcast #commonfan #commonfanpodcast

There is definitely some uncertainty among the passengers on the HMS Rhule at this point in the coach’s tenure in Lincoln. But how many have actually jumped ship? The boys dive into this question and much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast! Everything But Football School? The crew kicks things off by celebrating Fred Hoiberg being named National Coach of the Year—and what that means for the future of Nebraska basketball. The investment is going up, the fan base is all-in, and for the first time in maybe forever, it feels sustainable. Beyond hoops, the baseball and softball teams are rolling (and ranked!), volleyball is a national powerhouse, and wrestling, track, bowling…you name it, the Cornhusker athletic teams are firing on all cylinders. There’s significant momentum across Troy Dannen’s department, and Nebraska is relevant again in a lot of places. Nothing Can Replace Football Even with the success of all the other sports, when Husker football isn’t competitive, something’s missing and everyone can feel it. Nebrasketball’s run and having the other sports show up certainly help things, and they make the long football offseason go by quicker. But this school and this fan base need Nebraska football to get back to being nationally competitive. What is the View of Rhule Among the Fan Base? How bad is it out there? How much of the fan base is truly out on Rhule? It’s clear people are frustrated, but what’s not clear is what percentage of the fan base actually wants him gone, versus how many people are simply getting nervous, and hoping he can figure it out. And the boys ask – is all this hand wringing and gnashing of teeth fair? Is it impatience? Residual frustration from the last 20 years? Or is it the combination of talking a big game without enough results to back it up? The guys debate whether Husker fans need to relax—or if the skepticism is justified. What Do the Numbers Say About 2026? The early SP+ rankings are out, and they provide a sobering reminder. While not everyone buys into the SP+ rankings, they are at least a data point, and they illustrate the challenge for this coming season. Nebraska sits at #37, but will face three top-5 teams, and three others currently ranked ahead of them. Are We Closer Than It Feels…or Further Away Than Ever? The most maddening part is that Nebraska hasn’t been getting blown out. They’ve been close. That’s been a painful reality for more than a decade. But the Big Red have been on the losing end of way too many of those contests, and that’s what’s driving fans crazy. There’s a lot to like right now in Lincoln. But until football matches the rest, something’s always going to feel incomplete. 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! #nebraska #collegefootball #football #bigten #podcast #bigtenfootball #blackshirts #sports #nebraskafootball #nebraskacornhuskers #huskers #huskerfootball #gobigred #gbr #gbr4life #mattrhule #fredhoiberg #nebraskasports #nebraskaathletics #commonfan #commonfanpodcast #nebraska #football #podcast