Big Red Junkies - Nebraska Football Podcast

By Jed Burks, Matt Layher, BJ LayherSports Football

Big Red Junkies - Nebraska Football Podcast episodes

May 09 10 Commandments to Fix College Football (Huskers Take)
Nebraska Football fans, we're breaking down Stewart Mandel's 10 Commandments to fix college football and what each one means for the Huskers, the Big Ten, and the future of the sport.
We get into whether the SEC has actually lost its grip on college football, why the 12-team playoff needs to grow to 16, and why those first-round byes keep blowing up in everyone's faces. From there it's campus quarterfinals, killing the FCS cupcake game, the NIL Go clearinghouse mess and the Nebraska lawsuit that could blow the whole thing up, plus the five-for-five eligibility rule and what it means for guys like Cam Lenhart, Andrew Marshall, and Anthony Cavalleri. We hammer the case for a real college football commissioner, a players union, and actual contracts so the transfer portal stops being a free-for-all every January. Matt Rhule called it "professional collegiate football" on the Sharp & Benning show this week and yeah, that's exactly what it is. Treat it that way. We also hit the Trey Taylor Rivals camp QB MVP news, the dumb spoof story about Dylan Raiola bolting Oregon for Texas Tech after the Brennan Saurusbee stuff, and why the preseason AP poll needs to die or at least wait three weeks. Oh, and Nick Saban or Pat McAfee for commissioner? Hard pass on both.
00:00 Intro and Thanks for Sticking Around
02:00 Has the SEC Lost Its Luster?
04:37 12-Team Playoff or Go to 16?
10:20 Quarterfinals on Campus, Kill the Bye
18:30 Two Super Conferences Are Coming
28:30 NIL Go, the Clearinghouse, and the Nebraska Lawsuit
35:20 Five-for-Five and What It Means for Cam Lenhart
35:50 Rhule Said It: Professional Collegiate Football
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!
#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
50 min
May 02 Memorial Stadium Renovation: What Nebraska Got Right (and Wrong)
Nebraska Football's South Stadium renovation is officially approved, and the Big Red Junkies break down what the Memorial Stadium overhaul means for Husker fans.
BJ, Jed, and Matt get into why BJ thinks Nebraska should've just built a brand new stadium instead of putting lipstick on a 120-year-old pig, and why the practice facility basically made that impossible. They talk through the Kiewit deal that locks in the price and timeline, Troy Dannen's promise of only missing one season of seats, and the $200 million in infrastructure work that's been needed for a decade. The crew gets into the reseeding controversy and pricing out families, the new 20,000 chair back seats, the 360-degree concourse, and the band/student section setup that could turn Memorial Stadium into the kind of home-field nightmare Minnesota and Oregon have with way fewer seats. Plus, RIP to the troughs — Troy Dannen going on record as "team trough" might be the strangest AD quote of the year. They also hit the 5,000 seat reduction, the end of the season ticket waiting list for the first time in 50 years, and whether dropping below 80,000 actually matters when atmosphere beats capacity every time. Nostalgia versus moving forward, what Trev Alberts had wrong, and what the average fan actually gets out of this thing.
00:00 Intro: South Stadium Plan Is Official
02:49 Should Nebraska Have Built a New Stadium?
09:15 Reseeding, Chair Backs & Pricing Out Families
15:25 RIP the Troughs — Dannen Goes Team Trough
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!
#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
April 03 Is Matt Rhule All Business? | Nebraska Football Spring Review
In this episode, we provide a deep dive Nebraska Football recap following the Husker Spring Game. We analyze the latest from the Big Red, including Matt Rhule’s coaching shift and the impact of new transfers on the roster.
We break down QB Anthony Colandrea's performance and how his "gunslinger" mentality compares to previous seasons. Our team also discusses the standout "Twitch" of defensive lineman Whittington, the rise of freshman Jamal Rule, and why the wide receiver room might be the best in the Big Ten.
00:00 Intro & Welcome Back
01:10 The "Quiet" Spring & Matt Rhule’s New Attitude
04:02 Career Defining Season for Matt Rhule
07:30 Hacked Twitter & Big Red Junkies Updates
08:08 Will the Matt Rhule Podcast Return?
10:55 Spring Game Stat Review: Rushing Dominance
11:55 Anthony Colandrea QB Analysis: The Gunslinger
15:15 Comparing Colandrea to Dylan Raiola
18:15 Is the Offensive Roster Upgraded?
19:15 Jamal Rule: The Next Great Husker RB?
21:35 Wide Receiver Depth & Quinn Clark Potential
25:45 Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line Battle
26:55 Whittington "Bread" Analysis: The New Aaron Donald?
32:20 Defensive Standouts: Derek Wacker & Jeremiah Charles
38:40 Special Teams: Australian Punters Exhibition
39:45 Spring Game Crowd & Donation to Farmers
41:40 Offseason Development & Strength Program
Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
49 min
January 13 PORTAL COMBAT - If We Die, We Die...
Nebraska Football transfer portal analysis covering Matt Rhule’s 2025 roster changes and grades for previous transfer classes. We break down the evolution of the Huskers' roster management and what to expect this season.
The discussion covers major departures like Dylan Raiola and Malcolm Hartzog while evaluating new impact players such as linebacker Owen Chambliss and offensive lineman Braden Black. We also analyze the current quarterback depth chart and the shift toward size and physicality on the line of scrimmage.
00:00 Intro
03:18 2023 Portal Class Review
08:25 2024 Transfer Hits & Misses
13:42 2025 Strategy Shift & GM Role
21:00 Key Departures: Raiola & Hartzog
32:01 Owen Chambliss & Defensive Additions
36:29 QB Room Breakdown
44:19 O-Line Physicality & Braden Black

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!
#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
52 min
January 06 Bowl Disaster to Portal Chaos: Is the Sky Falling?
The official Nebraska Football offseason begins with breaking transfer portal news as Mincey heads to Kentucky and the Huskers land two key transfers. We react to the roster turnover, including Keanu Davis entering the portal, and analyze the additions of Brendan Black and Trinidad Chambliss.
This episode also recaps the disappointing bowl game performance and sparks a heated debate on our confidence level in Matt Rhule moving forward. We break down the quarterback situation, discuss the pros and cons of portal QBs versus high school recruits, and review our preseason predictions.
Topics & Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Offseason Officially Begins
00:13 Breaking News: Mincey to Kentucky
01:20 Bowl Game Reaction & Offensive Struggles
03:38 Season Trivia & Prediction Results
13:00 Fantasy League Recap
14:50 Debate: Confidence in Matt Rhule?
21:00 QB Strategy: Portal Veteran or Recruit?
22:50 Reaction to Keanu Davis Entering Portal
28:40 New Commit: Brendan Black (Iowa State OL)
30:15 New Commit: Trinidad Chambliss (San Diego St LB)
35:00 DJ Lagway Rumors & Final Thoughts
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
December 31, 2025 Nebraska vs Utah Preview: Las Vegas Bowl Picks
In this Nebraska Football podcast, the Big Red Junkies preview the Las Vegas Bowl matchup between the Huskers and the Utah Utes. We break down the impact of TJ Lateef making his first start and analyze the defensive changes with Matt Rhule coaching the D-line.
The crew dives into key matchups, including Utah's red zone defense versus Nebraska's rushing attack, and debates player prop bets for the game. We wrap up with betting lines, keys to victory, and our final score predictions for this New Year's Eve showdown.
Topics & Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Utah Coaching News
04:38 Nebraska Defensive Changes
07:40 Rushing Attack & Injuries
09:50 Utah Offense Breakdown
12:55 Utah Defense Analysis
18:10 Prop Bets: Rushing Yards
22:30 Lateef vs Dampier Comparison
31:57 Special Teams & Punting
41:25 Betting Lines & Game Info
43:25 Final Score Predictions
Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
55 min
December 17, 2025 Husker Football 2025 Season Autopsy | Fatal Wounds & Final Grades
A full autopsy on the 2025 Nebraska Football season, breaking down exactly where the Huskers succeeded and where the "fatal wound" occurred. We dive deep into season grades for every position group and evaluate Matt Rhule's Year 2 performance.
From the impact of Dylan Raiola's injury against USC to the surprising regression of the defensive line, we leave no stone unturned in this Husker season recap. We also debate the true team MVP, discuss the John Butler experiment, and analyze whether the "Minnesota mindset" issue was a sign of deeper coaching failures.
Topics & Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Seasonal Autopsy
02:40 Team MVP Debate: Emmett Johnson vs. Dylan Raiola
05:00 The Fatal Wound: How the USC Game Changed Everything
16:00 The "Minnesota Mindset" & Coaching Red Flags
31:15 Quarterback Room Grades
34:15 Tight Ends: Disappearing Act?
39:00 Offensive Line: Scapegoats or Failures?
43:00 Wide Receivers: Banks Underperforms, Hunter Shines
49:00 Running Backs: The Emmett Johnson Show
51:40 Defensive Backs: The Best Unit on the Team
01:02:30 Linebacker Grades & Coverage Issues
01:07:00 Defensive Line: Why the Pass Rush Failed
01:11:30 Special Teams: Eckler's Elite Unit
01:16:00 Final Grade for Head Coach Matt Rhule
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!
#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 24 min
December 12, 2025 Nebraska Football Staff Shakeup: Rob Aurich & Geep Wade Hired
Nebraska Football is making massive moves. We break down the firing of John Butler and Donovan Raiola and analyze the new hires: Defensive Coordinator Rob Aurich (San Diego State) and Offensive Line Coach Geep Wade (Georgia Tech).
Is Rob Aurich the rising star the Blackshirts need? Will Geep Wade bring the physicality Matt Rhule wants in the trenches? We discuss the "Orrick" (Aurich) defense, the Georgia Tech rushing attack, and what this means for Dylan Raiola and the Huskers' bowl prep.
00:00 Intro
01:53 Coaching Shakeup: Butler, Raiola & Bradden Out
08:29 New DC Rob Aurich: Analyzing the "Tape"
11:58 DC Search & Elijah Robinson Rumors
15:53 Aurich's Defense: Energy & Reckless Abandon
21:58 Geep Wade Hired: Georgia Tech Connections
31:40 Why Wade is an Upgrade over Raiola
36:50 The "Pillow" Factor & New Staff Roles
40:40 Transfer Portal Targets (Georgia Tech OL)
41:40 Bowl Game Prep & Final Thoughts
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!
#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
50 min
December 03, 2025 Is it an Identity CRISIS? | Butler Fired + Questions about the Offense
Nebraska Football fires defensive coordinator John Butler following the loss to Iowa, sparking a massive search for a replacement. We debate if Matt Rhule made the right call or if the program is facing a deeper identity crisis.
The crew breaks down potential DC candidates like Jim Leonhard and Phil Snow while analyzing Dana Holgorsen’s offensive struggles. We also discuss Dylan Raiola’s future, handling distractions, and if the Huskers can fix these issues in one offseason.
Topics & Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Iowa Recap
02:43 John Butler Fired: Reaction & Reasons
15:35 Defensive Scheme & Player Fit
22:30 Potential DC Replacements (Snow, Leonhard, Pry)
31:36 Is Nebraska an Attractive Coordinator Job?
34:40 Dana Holgorsen: Washed or Mismatched?
46:00 Matt Rhule's Identity Crisis Debate
57:11 Can This Be Fixed in One Offseason?
01:03:40 Handling the Dylan Raiola Situation
If you enjoyed this debate, please Like and Subscribe!

#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 13 min
November 25, 2025 Nebraska vs Iowa PREVIEW | Can the Huskers Win on Black Friday?
We preview the massive Nebraska Football rivalry game against Iowa on Black Friday and break down the keys to a Husker victory. We also recap the difficult loss to Penn State, analyzing the offensive struggles and what needs to change.
The crew dives deep into Iowa's statistical anomalies, the crucial Emmett Johnson matchup, and the weather forecast for Memorial Stadium. We also run through our prop bets for the week and give our final score predictions for this Black Friday showdown.
00:00 Intro
01:26 Penn State Recap & Analysis
09:30 Offense & Emmett Johnson Performance
16:40 Nebraska vs Iowa Preview
19:40 Breaking Down Iowa's Offense
23:10 Iowa Defense & Matchups
29:50 Prop Bets: Sacks, Turnovers & Yards
43:40 Lincoln Weather Forecast
46:00 Final Score Predictions
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like and Subscribe!

#gbr #huskers #nebraska #cfb #b1g

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
55 min

About Big Red Junkies - Nebraska Football Podcast

From the publisher's feed

We laugh, we drink, we talk all things Nebraska Cornhusker Football. Similar to our drinks, our opinions are strong. The only thing we're experts in is having fun. If you're an ADULT Husker fan,…