Locked On Nebraska - Daily Podcast on the Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Nebraska defense took the stage Tuesday in Lincoln. We heard from defensive coordinator John Butler, who’s growing comfortable in his role during this first full offseason with the Huskers. We heard from Ceyair Wright, the cornerback who’s leading a big group that’s taken a step forward in man coverage this spring, according to coaches. And we heard from Riley Van Poppel, the Texas-grown defen...

Ready or not, the transfer portal in college football is about to re-open. It happens on Wednesday. At Nebraska, the Huskers are deep into spring practice, an important period as Matt Rhule’s team gets ready for August. How might the next 10 days disrupt the Huskers’ progress?  Connor and Mitch are here to offer some perspective and a few predictions. At what position might Nebraska suffer a few l...

We’re back on this Monday. And an old friend of the Huskers, James Williams, set social media ablaze over the weekend as fans reacted to his comments on a podcast, saying that his new program, Florida State, is “built different” than Nebraska and that football reigns supreme in the South. But not in Nebraska? Connor and Mitch offer their thoughts on a dramatic episode built for the college footbal...

The Friday mailbag is open. We start with a question in response to our assessment from Thursday that the Dylan Raiola hype meter is trending down nationally. Is that actually a good thing for Matt Rhule’s Nebraska team? And keep in mind, Raiola remains a big deal at home – and in the eyes of his teammates. Kwinten Ives as the Huskers’ No. 2 running back? It’s happening. Connor and Mitch field a q...

Can the Wisconsin Badgers defy the odds and secure a bowl game this season? With the Big Ten conference heating up, the spotlight is on Wisconsin's football team as they aim to surpass their 5.5 win total. Spencer McLaughlin, alongside guests Roman Tomashaw, Mark Culkin, and Ryan Herring, dissects the Badgers' prospects, analyzing their schedule and quarterback dynamics. The conversation also tack...

List season in college football is upon us, even before spring practice ends at Nebraska. We saw two sets of rankings emerge this week to slot the top returning quarterbacks nationally. You know who wasn’t on either list? Dylan Raiola.  Another second-year player, D.J. Lagway of Florida, got a major dose of hype here. Why the discrepancy between two QBs with similar production in 2024 and perceive...

Today on the pod, two people who stayed at Nebraska and had to accept new roles. What do the returns of Marcus Satterfield and Heinrich Haarberg say about Matt Rhule’s program – and how they can come together in 2025 to prove that the right choices were made? Satterfield, the former OC, is back with Nebraska as its tight ends coach. Haarberg, the former starting QB, is back as a tight end. Rhule a...

Monday in U.S. District Court, Judge Claudia Wilken sent the terms of the House Settlement back to the NCAA lawyers for adjustments. One of the points up for revision directly impacts Nebraska football: Roster limits.  Coach Matt Rhule has been operating for months under the expectation that the Huskers’ roster must be trimmed to 105 players by August. And now, there’s talk of a grandfather clause...

A busy Monday on the Nebraska sports scene is here. Nebraska basketball won the College Basketball Crown on Sunday in Las Vegas. Juwan Gary was crowned MVP of the postseason event. Gary and Brice Williams went out as kings. Congrats to Fred Hoiberg and the Huskers. What do we make of this unlikely finish to the hoops season?  Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule shared some news on Saturday. Transfe...

The Friday mailbag is open, and we’re starting this week with a simple question: Is it OK to get excited about Nebraska football? Connor and Mitch say yes, go ahead. What’s the worst that could happen?  We’re tackling a question about the 105-player roster limit. Could it lead to more opportunities for development at Nebraska? Do the Huskers have a center? Why not just build a new stadium? How has...

Can the Purdue Boilermakers defy the odds in the Big Ten football landscape? With a win total set at just 3.5, the Boilermakers face a challenging season under new coach Barry Odom. This episode dives into bold predictions and hot takes, exploring whether Purdue can surpass expectations. The discussion also covers Ohio State's quarterback situation, with Julian Sayin poised to lead the Buckeyes, a...

Nebraska football has undergone massive change since the late stages of last season. Matt Rhule replaced every coordinator. There are new assistant coaches all over the field. The Huskers have a new general manager, and the roster was made over. So… what reasons do we have to believe this is all going to work?  Connor and Mitch take a step back today and assess the big picture around the Huskers....

The Nebraska football team is one-third of the way through spring practice. We heard on Tuesday from defensive coordinator John Butler and three of the Huskers’ veteran defenders. Butler presents a contrast in personality from Matt Rhule and the other coordinators on staff. Is the new DC a puzzle piece that Nebraska needs?  We touch on Nebraska basketball in The Crown, Nebraska baseball after a lo...

We’re tackling important questions about the Nebraska defense as the Huskers reach the one-third point of spring practice. Who is impressing defensive coordinator John Butler, set to speak to the media on Tuesday? Newcomers like Dasan McCullough? Rising returnees Riley Van Poppel and Keona Davis?  Also, as Connor and Mitch recorded this Tuesday episode, they watched Nebraska basketball in The Crow...

On this final day of March, we’re looking back at media sessions from last week with Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and second-year quarterback Dylan Raiola. They both shed light on the offseason so far in Lincoln.  For Holgorsen, there’s been no time to rest as he’s caught up on the Huskers’ personnel and shaped his offense to fit what he expects will work in 2025. Raiola, coming o...

The Friday mailbag is open. Nebraska football completed its third practice of the spring on Thursday. The media got some first impressions of the Huskers in action this month. We have thoughts on a couple of the transfers. Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen spent about 15 minutes answering questions. It was enlightening, as usual. We answer questions on the Huskers’ tight end hierarchy, about pr...

On this important day on the sports calendar, we’re turning our attention to the Nebraska running backs. Coach Matt Rhule said this week that the Huskers are not concerned about the position, despite their lack of experience behind junior Emmett Johnson.  Is that a wise stance? Connor and Mitch share their feelings about the backs – and the gamble that Nebraska might be taking if it stands pat to...

USC's recruiting prowess is shaking up the Big Ten landscape. Could the Trojans' 2026 class redefine college football dynamics? With top-tier recruits and a national #1 ranking, USC's potential impact is a hot topic. The episode dives into the pressure cooker of Big Ten coaching, spotlighting figures like Kurt Signetti at Indiana and Ryan Day at Ohio State. The stakes are high, and expectations ar...

We heard on Tuesday from Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule and Huskers Emmett Johnson and Marques Buford after two practices in this spring. Rhule had plenty to say as usual, diving into the latest around pertinent topics in college football. He also set the record straight on QB Dylan Raiola’s bid to better his body composition during the offseason.  Connor and Mitch are here to go over Rhule’s...

We’ll hear from Matt Rhule on Tuesday in Lincoln as the Nebraska football team wraps its second practice of the spring. It’s time in this episode to talk about John Butler’s defense. How will the Huskers handle all of the change – and there’s a lot – that has taken place on that side of the ball since early December?  What’s the key to the Blackshirts’ success in 2025? Connor and Mitch have ideas....

Spring football is here at Nebraska. The Huskers’ work starts Monday on the practice field. Connor and Mitch have got you covered, with conversation on a few spring storylines in Lincoln – including one that involves the offensive coordinator, Dana Holgorsen. It’s been underplayed in discussions this offseason.  How much will look new with the Nebraska offense in August? It might be more than we’r...

The mailbag is here on this NCAA Tournament Friday. We’ve got a spring practice schedule for Nebraska. Connor and Mitch answer your questions about the ceiling for the Huskers’ defense in 2025. We select our favorite walk-ons ever and explain how NIL might look different in the revenue sharing era. What’s the outlook for Nebraska’s freshmen linebackers. A listener asks if we’re overlooking a third...

Our spring preview of Nebraska is well timed as the great March thaw continues after Lincoln and other nearby areas were buried on Wednesday by a blizzard. Connor and Mitch dug out. And they pick up the pre-spring discussion with questions about the Huskers’ defensive size and strength? Do not overlook just how much Nebraska lost to graduation and the transfer portal after last season. Even with a...

Deion Sanders' bold proposal for spring football scrimmages could revolutionize college football. Imagine the Florida Gators clashing with rivals in off-season showdowns, boosting fan engagement and team readiness. Is this the future of college sports? Explore the NCAA basketball tournament's controversial selections, with UNC's inclusion sparking debate. Craig Sheeman and other experts weigh in o...

Our spring preview of the Nebraska football team moves to defense. We’re looking at skill and numbers among the defensive backs. New secondary coach Addison Williams walks into a packed room. The roster includes 29 DBs. How many will remain when the Huskers open at Arrowhead Stadium on Aug. 28?  Mitch and Connor offer their thoughts on strengths in the secondary and the biggest questions. Is Ceyai...