Husker Doc Talk

As humans, we can convince ourselves of things as being true even when they aren't. For example, the narrative right now is that Nebraska is the best three-win team in the country. What does that even mean? Seriously, what does that mean? Saying that is just an excuse to feel good about losing close games. 

You can spin things any way you want, but the fact doesn't change that the Huskers are 3-7 on the season and 1-6 in the Big 10 Conference. So Nebraska is guaranteed to have a losing record again and miss a bowl game again. 

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, Dr. Rob Zatechka, and Travis Justice discuss the loss to Ohio State. The cold hard truth is that close doesn't count anymore. The only thing that matters now and the only things that count are wins. Until the Huskers start getting some, one, anything, it doesn't matter. 

The Huskers have a bye week and then close the season against Wisconsin and Iowa. Win one or both and the narrative starts to change.  Lose both and it's going to be a long winter, spring, and summer. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

Is the end near for Scott Frost? Only Trev Alberts knows that answer, but it is starting to feel like the perfect candidate for the Nebraska job 4-years ago is not so perfect after all. 

Dr. Rob Zatechka and Travis Justice just happened to have on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 while recording this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy. There's a scene a the end of the movie that resembles Nebraska football these days. 

Lucious Malfoy carried the torch for Lord Voldemort until he realized the torch was going to go out. So Lucious, his wife Narcissa, and son Draco snuck out of Hogwarts during the final battle to save their own lives and any dignity they had left.

Four years ago, the Nebraska media was a lot like the Malfoy family. They believed in Scott Frost and have pushed his agenda and approach to rebuild a program. But, unfortunately, after Nebraska lost to Purdue yesterday, those same disciples are turning into modern-day Judas'.  Just read what they all had to say. Their words are the epitome of getting on the lifeboat before the ship sinks, much like Joeseph Bruce Ismay. 

• Dirk Chatelain

We get it; the Athletic Director should never take the lead from the media. But these voices are prominent. They have been around the program for a long time; they've seen coaches come and go. Just like they did with Frank Solich, Bill Callahan, Bo Pelini, and Mike Riley. So when these voices turn on a head coach and run for cover, it's a pretty good indicator that the end is near. 

Fans flocked out of Memorial Stadium by the thousands with 10-minutes to go in the game against Purdue.  Adrian Martinez threw four interceptions, and the defense was gassed because it couldn't stop the run and was on the field for over 38 minutes of a 60-minute game. 

In this podcast, we go in deeper into the postgame news conference of Scott Frost.  It lasts just around 8-minutes. But, as we find out, that's a lot longer than Frost talked to the team after the game. He turned the motivational speech, or in this case, we have to stick together and get on the same page speech to the Captains. 

There are three games left in the season. Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Odds are Nebraska will lose two of the three, if not all of them meaning they will miss out on a bowl game for the fifth straight year. The longest streak since the late '50s and early '60's when the program was in shambles. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

A couple of weeks ago Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts mentioned on Sports Nightly that the turf at Memorial Stadium needed to be replaced. A caller asked him if he would consider natural grass.  Trev gave it some thought and said he would explore the idea.

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented the Rimington Trophy, Dr. Rob Zatechka and Travis Justice go on a natural grass expedition. We talk to Brad Jakubowski. Brad is a Grand Island native, worked at the University of Nebraska, and is now an instructor of Plant Science at Penn State. He's pro grass and has good reason to be. If you are worried that Nebraska won't be able to have large stadium concerts like Garth Brooks, don't be.  Brad explains why.  As you will find out, grass technology has made a lot of improvements in the last 20-years. 

Before our conversation about grass, Dr. Rob and Travis talk about the bye week and the upcoming game with Purdue. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

It does look like a broken record. The same mistakes that plague the Huskers for the last several seasons continue to haunt them.  They come at the worst times in a game, and the errors are so costly there's just no way to recover from them.

A lot of you are so passionate and write us emails every week seeking the answers. But, unfortunately, Dr. Rob wants you to know there are no easy answers. 

Should Nebraska have kicked a field goal on 4th and short or go for it? 

Will Adrian Martinez ever make a play late in the game to give the Huskers a win? Or better yet, why does he keep making bad decisions with the game on the line? 

Will Adrain Martinez be the quarterback at Nebraska next season, or will he enter the transfer portal? 

Is Scott Frost the head coach at Nebraska next year? 

All good questions with no easy answers, but we address them all on this edition of the Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

There is no doubt that Nebraska is improving. The close losses are proof; it has lost to three teams currently ranked in the top ten by 13 points. So we know the Huskers can "play" with some of the best countries. However, what we don't know yet is if Nebraska can beat the top-level teams. There will be more opportunities as two more teams are currently ranked in the top ten, #6 Ohio State and #2 Iowa on the schedule. 

On this edition of the Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, Dr. Rob hits the sauce hard! Close losses will make you drink! The more he consumes, the more he unloads on the following:

• Turnovers

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

This week's episode of the Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy is a social experiment. Do Husker fans like hearing about the negative? Or are they more focused on the positive? 

For the past several weeks, the downloads of this podcast have been at record numbers. Of course, in years past, we always see an uptick in listens when the Huskers lost.  But how about when they win? Well, Nebraska just played one of its most complete games in years. So will people take the time to listen to what Doctor Rob Zatechka has to say? 

We hope so because he has a lot of good things today, especially about the adjustments on the offensive line. Dr. Rob also digs into a couple of key statistics to the Husker's success against Northwestern. The key moving forward? I'll give it away, consistency. 

Up next for the Huskers, 9th ranked Michigan. The Wolverines are winning, and their head coach Jim Harbaugh is keeping a pretty low profile. Michigan's defense is stout, a will be an actual test for a Nebraska offense that appears to have found its stride. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. But, unfortunately, Nebraska keeps making the same mistakes week in and week out, and it produces similar if not the same result... losses.

• Turnovers

On this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, Travis Justice and Dr. Rob Zatechka discuss the latest broken record for the Huskers, a 23-20 overtime loss at Michigan State. Nebraska should have and could have won the game, but the mistakes listed above come back to haunt them again. 

How do you fix it? Dr. Rob's diagnosis is not an easy one as he says it comes down to discipline, which is a reflection of the program's culture. He's not saying it can't be fixed; it's just hard to flip the switch like that in the middle of the season. 

Dr. Rob also spends a lot of time discussing the offensive line. He says there may be a point when recruiting o-lineman that there is a level of diminishing returns. He's saying size really does matter! It's some insight that makes a lot of sense. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

The emails started flooding into the Doc Talk Sports inbox almost as soon as the game started. Nebraska fans were watching the Huskers give #3 Oklahoma a run for its money, but time and time again, mental mistakes, turnovers, and special teams stopped the Husker from pulling off the upset. 

Overwhelmingly the criticism was directed at the offensive line. To be even more specific, o-line coach Greg Austin. It’s not easy for Husker fans to criticize a former player, but fans expect results and improvement when you put the whistle around your neck. Unfortunately, right about now, they’ve seen enough from a unit that, to this point, has not earned the title of “pipeline.” 

In this edition of the Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy Dr. Rob Zatechka goes into great detail about the o-line and why he thinks they are having problems. Talent is not the issue according to Dr. Rob. Coaching is a part of the problem, but not all of it. Remember that offensive scheme that Scott Frost bragged about? You know the one that EVERY Big 10 defense was going to have to adapt to? Well, Dr. Rob says the scheme is the biggest problem in the entire equation.  Dr. Rob says he goes to bed at night dreaming about zone-blocking for the run game.  Well, he’s now dreaming about Nebraska, but he could be dreaming about almost every other team in the country! 

The Huskers failed to rush for over 100-yards against the Sooners. Up next they will by playing a now ranked Michigan State team that blew out Miami at Miami and held the Hurricanes to below 100-yards of rushing. Mel Tucker had had success against Nebraska when he was in Colorado. Tucker has a boatload of transfers in his second year with the Spartans, and they are off to a 3-0 start on the season.  

Despite the poor play of the offensive line, a dreadful kicking game, and sloppy penalties, Nebraska does have a lot riding in its favor as it goes to East Lansing. The biggest asset they have right now is confidence. They know they can play talented teams and if they eliminate their mistakes, maybe pull off an upset. Also, Adrian Martinez is coming off what may be his best game since his freshman season. If Martinez is clicking on all cylinders, then the Nebraska offense is dangerous no matter what. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

Have you ever wondered where the term "Pipeline" was coined for the Nebraska offensive line?  Dr. Rob Zatechka tells us the story of how it took over 3-years to convince the powers to be to go along with the idea. It's a great story that started with a question from Chad Carr from Ticket Express in this week's Ticket Talk segment brought to you by Ticket Express. 

The Rimington Trophy presents this weekly podcast during the season. Nebraska is now 2-1 on the season after taking care of Buffalo on September 11. It's ironic that Dr. Rob tells the Pipeline story because a lot of the questions coming in from listeners are about the offensive line. Dr. Rob goes into great detail about the o-line, says one excuse he's not buying is being inexperienced and youth. 

Also, Oklahoma is up next for Nebraska. The 50th Anniversary of the game of the century. What does the showdown with the Sooners mean to Dr. Rob? You might be surprised after listening. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.

It's easy to look at the Husker's 52-7 win over Fordham and think that all is right in the world. However, looking at the data, the numbers would indicate the ship is on the right track. 

• 633 yards of total offense

But on this week's Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, former Husker All-American Dr. Rob Zatechka gives his official diagnosis. In his expert opinion, the win over the Rams was a false positive. Although Dr. Rob doesn't want you to be disheartened by what he thinks, he's all in favor of more testing. He believes the game against Buffalo on Saturday will give a better indication if Nebraska is improving. Even more so in the game in two weeks again, Oklahoma. 

How did Dr. Rob come to his conclusion? First, he dove deep into the numbers and found some disturbing trends that might be overlooked. Also, he doesn't consider Fordham an elite FCS team, and the fact that it took until the 3rd quarter to put the Rams away for good raised some concerns. 

Dr. Rob and Travis Justice know this should be a time to celebrate, but what is wrong with proceeding with caution? After all, Illinois, the team Nebraska lost to a week ago, got beat at home by Texas-San Antonio yesterday! A team from Conference USA!  I think it's safe to say the Illini's win over Nebraska was a false positive. 

After you listen to the podcast, would you please give it a rating or a review? Why? Well, the more people that like this show, the more people will see it. Would you please support our local sponsors who help make this podcast happen? During this time of economic crisis, they need us now more than ever!

• Rimington Trophy

If you have questions for Dr. Rob, send them to [email protected]. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. 

Would you please take a moment to give this podcast a rating and review? Your feedback helps more people find us. You can find us on all the major podcast distribution networks.