Common Fan - A Nebraska Football Podcast

T.J. Birkel, Matt Owens, Geoff Langenberg
  • 4.8 (63)
  • Football
  • Updated Semiweekly

A Nebraska football podcast by the Common Fan, for the Common Fan.

  1. The Common Fans Attempt to Build the Mount Rushmore of Nebraska Football

    3d ago

    The Common Fans Attempt to Build the Mount Rushmore of Nebraska Football

    The Common Fans are back with a little housekeeping and one big announcement: the next Common Fan summer series has officially arrived. Mount Rushmore Series For 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/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    39 min
  2. The Memorial Stadium Food Debate Every Nebraska Football Fan Understands

    Jun 1

    The Memorial Stadium Food Debate Every Nebraska Football Fan Understands

    There 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 Dishes The 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 Renovations Finally, 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/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    45 min
  3. Ranking the Most Annoying Coaches Nebraska Football Will Face in 2026

    May 26

    Ranking the Most Annoying Coaches Nebraska Football Will Face in 2026

    The 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 Factor The 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 lose Fitz and Bert Enter the Chat Even 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 up Let’s Not Forget About Ryan Day Geoff 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 man Also 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 history 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/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    45 min
  4. Three Games That Will Define the Season for Nebraska Football in 2026

    May 18

    Three Games That Will Define the Season for Nebraska Football in 2026

    This 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 Lansing The 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 Teams The 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 November Every 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 Iowa Perhaps 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/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    49 min
  5. Let’s Try Some Optimism About Nebraska Football for a Change

    May 11

    Let’s Try Some Optimism About Nebraska Football for a Change

    After 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! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    51 min
  6. Matt Rhule Needs More Money & Scott Frost Doesn’t Want to Talk About Nebraska

    Apr 30

    Matt Rhule Needs More Money & Scott Frost Doesn’t Want to Talk About Nebraska

    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! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    52 min
  7. Should Nebraska Football Prioritize Players Over Stadium Upgrades?

    Apr 20

    Should Nebraska Football Prioritize Players Over Stadium Upgrades?

    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! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    50 min
  8. Are Nebraska Football Fans Part of the Problem?

    Apr 14

    Are Nebraska Football Fans Part of the Problem?

    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! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    50 min
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A Nebraska football podcast by the Common Fan, for the Common Fan.

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