Locked On Nebraska - Daily Podcast on the Nebraska Cornhuskers

College football playoff chaos looms as postseason expansion rumors ignite fierce debate. Could the Big Ten secure eight playoff spots in a future super-sized format? The Big 10 Squad tackles the growing influence of money on NCAA tournament and College Football Playoff changes, questioning whether tradition or TV contracts will shape the future of Big Ten powerhouses like Michigan State, Penn State, and USC. The crew breaks down Michigan State’s outlook under Pat Fitzgerald, with FanDuel setting a three-and-a-half win total. Can quarterback Alessio Milivojevic and the Spartans shock critics with a stronger season? Plus, hot dog eating contests and schedule traps add intrigue to a season already rich with drama. With insiders debating expansion fatigue, scheduling quirks, and long-term survival for non-revenue sports, this heated roundtable asks: Where is college football heading, and who will rise or fall when change arrives?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

According to Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen, people “don’t realize what NIL is today.” Is that right? And if so, how can the Huskers expect to fund a roster with a payroll that exceeds the rev-share cap by millions of dollars? Dannen has answers to these questions. But is he walking a fine line in admitting that donors don’t care for NIL and that Nebraska can’t legally take checks from its boosters in order to pay for Matt Rhule’s team.

Nebraska baseball won another game Tuesday in dramatic fashion. Jeter Worthley had a huge night. The bullpen got its act back together. And the weekend pitching order is set to shift as the Huskers head to Ohio State. Also, we’ve got more trough talk. And what is this, a Bucc-ee’s scoreboard? Genius. Nebraska is set to make an impact soon. Join us. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lots happening in Nebraska sports. But we’re starting on this Tuesday with a look back at Aug. 28, 2025 — not the game itself, but the quarterbacks involved in the Huskers’ season opener against Cincinnati. Brendan Sorsby and Dylan Raiola, both of whom moved through the transfer portal, have been in the news this week for very different reasons. The Sorsby story is alarming. For Raiola, not so much. But Nebraska is moving forward without any of the drama.  

Mitch’s story on Elijah Pritchett is finally out. Check it out in The Athletic. Pritchett has a shot next year at this time to be Matt Rhule’s first NFL Draft pick who arrived in Lincoln via the portal. Strength coach Kurt Joseph is leaving Nebraska basketball for the NBA. Nebraska baseball is back on the diamond on Tuesday night and looking at a variety of postseason possibilities. And 18 Nebraska football players are headed into a legal battle this week with important ramifications for college athletics. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Memorial Stadium renovation project is a go. Nebraska’s Board of Regents gave it the green light on Friday, followed by a press conference with athletic director Troy Dannen and president Jeffrey Gold. Dannen and his team have got some tough decisions ahead that involve season-ticket holders. We’re getting into a few of the details at the outset of a conversation sure to last beyond the next two years. 

Emmett Johnson landed with the Kansas City Chiefs. They selected the former Nebraska running back in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. It made for a heartwarming moment, but no other Huskers were drafted — which isn’t so heartwarming. We finish this Monday podcast with a review of the weekend for Nebraska baseball, Nebraska softball and our attempt at analysis of a sport that we’ve never discussed. Join us. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Friday mailbag episode is here. Thanks for all of your questions. We start with the return of our favorite viewer, Gigi, who’s wondering — and for good reason, with all the money thrown around today in college football — how the fans are represented? New in the apathy conversation, we’ve got a mailbag question about Matt Rhule’s contract extension. Is it a source of fan apathy? Would Nebraska fans trade places with Wisconsin? 

What do we think of the job that EJ Barthel has done as coach of the Nebraska running backs? Our critiques of Kansas baseball continues with a question-and-answer about the Jayhawks’ artificial (and all green) playing surface. What if Scott Frost could have brought his UCF players to Nebraska eight years ago? And is Troy Dannen a caretaker — or just a really smart guy? Join us.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Big Ten faces backlash as 24-team College Football Playoff proposal stirs controversy—will expanding the playoff ruin the regular season’s intensity? The Big 10 Squad tackles the heated debate, weighing tradition against big-money incentives. Are classic rivalries and crucial games losing meaning in the quest for more playoff spots, or can college football thrive with a larger field? The squad shifts focus to Purdue Boilermakers' bleak outlook, with brutal honesty about Barry Odom’s second-year prospects and Ryan Browne’s struggles under center. Is three and a half wins realistic in a daunting schedule, or has the program hit rock bottom? The hosts break down potential upsets, coaching hot seats at Wisconsin and Maryland, and why Purdue football fans may just be counting the days until basketball season.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nebraska football, after Thursday night, will have gone 15 years without a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. It’s become something of a non-issue, seemingly, for Nebraska fans. But should it be? Look around. The drought reflects the Huskers’ lack of winning over that same time. Are better times ahead? Connor and Mitch are here to talk about the draft — and about Emmett Johnson’s shot to find a spot, as he did at Nebraska, that allowed him to exceed expectations.

Also, Nebraska baseball dropped a Tuesday night contest at Kansas. The Jayhawks swept the season series. How does this impact the Huskers’ hopes to host an NCAA regional. Will Bolt’s team heads to Illinois this weekend. We discuss. Don’t forget to send us your mailbag questions. That show is coming Friday.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You never know what you might get on a Tuesday in April. On this day, Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule stopped by to visit with Damon Benning and Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports. We were listening. And we’ve got thoughts on Rhule’s comments about the Minnesota game last year, the 2026 schedule, the success of various sports at Nebraska and the pressure to win. 

Also, Ugnius Jarusevicius is leaving the Nebraska basketball program. The arbitration hearing between the College Sports Commission and 18 Nebraska football players might not matter. And the Huskers’ former coach, Scott Frost, is again not saying things about his alma mater. Join us.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s a Tuesday in late April and Nebraska baseball and softball have taken over the spotlight. The softball team rose to No. 1 in one of the national polls. That’s a first. Will Bolt’s baseball team returned to the top 20 as it heads south for a grudge match against Big 12 frontrunner Kansas. 

The last time the Huskers and Jayhawks met, Bolt got ejected. Tempers flared. What will happen as they tangle at Hoglund Ballpark? We’re also talking on this Tuesday about lingering questions after Nebraska unveiled its big plans for Memorial Stadium. Why not spend it on NIL? Why so much deferred maintenance? We take a look at what you’re talking about. Join us. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nebraska football is in the news. The university is set to approve $600 million in upgrades to Memorial Stadium. That’s a big project. Nebraska basketball is in the news. Fred Hoiberg added three more players from the portal, bringing the haul in this transfer cycle to four. But we’re starting this episode with Nebraska baseball, which broke out the brooms against USC over the weekend at Haymarket Park. 

Are the Huskers a CWS-caliber team? Connor and Mitch discuss, then we get into all of the football and hoops conversation. Also, a shout out to the Huskers’ latest national champion. And Nebraska softball, at least for now, cannot be stopped. Appreciate them while time remains. Join us for a full Monday podcast. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.