Emmett Siegel, managing editor of the Testudo Times, our Maryland SBNation site, will join me for an interview about the Terrapins, the opponent Nebraska plays this weekend.

We might discuss football. We might discuss turtles. We will certainly learn how to pronounce Tua’s brother’s name correctly.

It was apparent during the interview that fans of neither team have much faith to pull out a win this weekend.

Maryland started the year 5-0. Since then, they’ve fallen to 5-4.

Emmett talked about how the Terps have completely abandoned the run game, having thrown the ball 40 times, and rushed only 7 last week in a lopsided loss against Penn State. (Penn State held the Terps to -49 rushing yards because of sacks.)

cobbycorn.com

Two interceptions that were just poor decisions. One lost fumble that was questionable in the lack of a backbone of the officiating crew to rule the play an incomplete pass.

I say it in the show and I’ll reiterate now...this loss cannot and should not be blamed on the officiating. Nebraska had plenty of opportunity to win this game and as such, provided plenty of opportunity to give the game away.

But let’s look at some positives:

• Nebraska went the whole game without a penalty, something that hasn’t happened in almost twenty years.

And while not official, it seems to be clear that the path to victory lies in RUNNING THE DAMN BALL!

So let’s see if the real lesson was learned and if bowl eligibility will be attained this weekend when the Huskers host Maryland.

Also, Hoss was at the game in East Lansing and did not have a memorable trip, at least not for the right reasons. And he summed up his thoughts on the facilities very succinctly.

GBR!

Nebraska lost to Michigan State 20-17. It was a terrible loss. It was an unexpected loss. It was... different than many other losses we’ve experienced in the past couple years.

Something has changed.

But what?

I guess you’ll have to listen to find out.

During the show I mentioned a series of interviews I did with a Division I football official years ago. Here is an article entitled:

Why don’t they call holding?

It has links to several other articles about officials as well:

It takes years to become a FCS-level official, working your way up through the system. We’ve defined the different officiating positions, their responsibilities and the players they watch throughout a play.

Lots of discussion about the quarterback, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

There wasn’t nearly as much negativity as I thought there’d be. Plenty of good ideas about what to call my bathroom videos. In fact, we released t-shirts and hoodies around part of the concept - the toilet.

This week, it's Greg and a co-host to be named later (that is, assuming he can find a co-host in time). But Greg will be there, and talking a little about the effort given in the win over Purdue and looking ahead to the game in East Lansing.

Michigan State has been a program in turmoil much of the season, and most of that is from what transpired off the field. But the hope is that the conversation stays with that takes place between the sidelines.

Nebraska is 5-3, and winners of its last three games. As the Corn Nation Over Reaction guys put it, "that's a winning streak." It also means that the Huskers are one win away from being bowl game eligible. It's more than what a lot of Husker fans (and especially those outside of the fanbase) thought would be possible in Matt Rhule's first year at the helm.

Buckle up...we don't know what type of show we're getting.

Join us at 7 PM tonight as Kevin Knight (formerly of Corn Nation) of Spartans Illustrated (part of the Rivals network) joins me to talk about the upcoming game between Michigan State and Nebraska!

Who will Michigan State be starting at quarterback? What other offensive playmakers does Nebraska need to worry about?

What about Sparty’s defensive line? The defensive secondary?

How will Michigan State win? How are they with turnovers? Worse than Nebraska?

What about special teams? And what about the location - East Lansing? Will anyone show up?

The line is very low. Is it a good line. Nebraska is favored by three points, according to Draft Kings. The Over/Under is 34.5 which is INCREDIBLY LOW.

What the hell is going on at Michigan State anyway? Will Mel Tucker win his money back? Is Urban Meyer going to be the next head coach?

OR HAS EVERYONE SPARTY GIVEN UP AND GETTING READY FOR BASKETBALL SEASON?

Nebraska sits at 5-3. One more win to get a bowl bid - and the game this week is against the 2-6 Michigan State Spartans. Sparty is currently on a six-game losing streak, and things don’t look they’re going to get any better with Nebraska, Ohio State, Indiana and Penn State left on the schedule.

Our beloved Huskers just finished a win over Purdue; an ugly, ugly win, but a win nonetheless.

Todd and I discussed... well, honestly, not that much Michigan State talk.

• Jeff Sims at quarterback

I know what you’re thinking. How do you win in all phases of the game when the offense commits five turnovers?

A fifteen-play drive that lasted almost nine minutes and ended with points. Then just moments later, after a Tommi Hill interception, the quick attack from Haarberg to Lloyd to extend Nebraska’s lead to 14-0. Meanwhile, the Huskers rushed for 155 yards and a late Emmett Johnson touchdown to put the game away.

Defensively, what can you say about a unit that continually answers the call? From being put into bad situations early on to two Hill interceptions, a Quentin Newsome fumble recovery, and a blocked punt that led to Newsome’s touchdown return. Add another eight tackles for loss and the defense continues to do all it can to keep Nebraska winning.

This week on the show (a little later than usual, and we apologize for that), Greg and Hoss enjoy the fact that we’re riding a winning streak and one game away from bowl eligibility. Also, Hoss will be in East Lansing this weekend for the game that could get Nebraska bowling, so next week’s episode could be quite a celebration, even if it’s recorded on Monday night again.

Go Big Red.

On the Five Heart Podcast this week, Jon and Greg are talking about the scourge of injuries that has hit Nebraska’s beloved football team.

Nebraska has lost:

- Their top two running backs

- Their top four receivers

- 83 offensive linemen

- Numerous defensive players

Why?

Some theories that have been tossed around include the physicality in practice. Greg had the thought of tying in some of the complaints being levied in the NFL that maybe grass is better than turf. But would replacing the RealTurf even be feasible in Lincoln?

The show gets started with some conversation about music, including the group’s first albums. Jon claims we have too much “off-season chatter” for a 4-3 team looking to become bowl-eligible for the first time since the Obama Administration, while also stating that there isn’t enough buzz around the football team.

Apparently Purdue Head Coach “hates the color red, hates the letter N, and hated Sesame Street.” All because he played at Colorado fifteen years ago. Boo hoo. But you don’t hear Matt Rhule saying anything to the press about how “it’s personal.” And that just indicates a higher level of maturity than that coach over there (Colorado).

Predictions were overwhelmingly for Nebraska winning on a day that is likely to include inclement weather. Even with the decimated offense, the defense is strong. The defensive line is playing at a high level and getting plenty of help from the rest of the unit.

And along the way, we make Jon super uncomfortable!

Our beloved Huskers play Purdue this weekend, and YOU NEED A GAME PREVIEW.

You need to know about the Boilers. They have Hudson Card, the best quarterback in the Big Ten West. They have Devin Mockobee, that crazy legs running back.

They have Graham Harrell for an offensive coordinator. He’s that guy that knows all about the Air Raid offense. They have Ryan Walters as a head coach. He hates Nebraska because he grew up a Colorado fan.

Jon is joined by Drew Schneider. Drew is the co-manager at the SBNation Purdue site Hammer and Rails and also writes for ShakintheSouthland (Clemson) and Bring on The Cats (K-STATE). Drew is a Clemson grad, but his dad brainwashed him into the Purdue cult of pain and sadness at a young age. Drew currently resides in Athens, Georgia.

Drew sounds like he needs a lot of therapy.

So say we all.

Nebraska football beat Northwestern. It was ugly, but that’s a thing we should accept as beautiful in itself.

Someone made a comment that we lost ugly for years, and now instead of losing, we’re winning ugly.

I don’t know why we would think we’d just jump from losing ugly to winning beautifully, when winning ugly is the next natural step towards greatness.

Nebraska volleyball beat Wisconsin. Our beloved Huskers took the first set, then got bludgeoned by Wisconsin’s block in the second. We then lost the third, and I honestly thought the match was over.

Silly me. Our volleyballers have a helluva lot of resilience. It was beautiful, the win. Merrit Beason flying from the back row is some of the best ballet I’ve ever seen.

Nebraska soccer became Big Ten Co-Champs. #2 seed Nebraska will face the #7 seed Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Hibner Stadium. Maybe get out there and support them?