The Akron Zippers will get stuck in the land of corn!

Despite Matt Rhule’s anxiety, the Husker will dominate.

The bowl-banned, zip-less Zips from Akron bring a big basket of scheduling bravery into this weekend’s clash with the Cornhuskers. Fresh off a shutout loss to Wyoming, the Zipless enter the game as 34.5 point underdogs.Or maybe - just maybe - this “Jake Paul versus Nate Robinson” football game will end up as a trap game for Nebraska. Akron has the ultimate Lloyd ”so you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance” Christmas sense of optimism. Is this Georgia Southern 2.0?

The big question - Is Nebraska more like Jake Paul (still waiting to see if it’s real) or Terence Crawford (oh, we know it’s real.) While SMQ is as optimistic as ever that this team is the real deal, we’re still waiting on proof. Saturday will give us some clues!The second big question is whether Nebraska - with 250,000 beer cans in the house - will run out of beer. The SMQ team puts the over/under at halftime, as it’s the first time alcohol sales have been allowed in Memorial Stadium AND it’s a night game.

The crowd will come ready! For Nebraska, this game should give the team a chance to work out the kinks both offensively and defensively. For Akron, it’s both a chance to shock the football world and/or make sure that too many kids don’t get hurt.Overall, the SMQ team thinks the Cornhuskers will both cover the 34.5 point spread AND the over of 47.5 points.Prediction - Nebraska 56, Zipless 7.

Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.

#NebraskaFootball #Huskers #AkronZips #CollegeFootball #BigTenFootball #GameDay

Taylor Swift Bowl: Nebraska Defeats Cincinnati in Kansas City

Nebraska shows well in all three phases vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Defensive line play emerges as a concernThe season opener in Kansas City between Nebraska and Cincinnati was billed as the “Taylor Swift Bowl,” and for good reason. With Taylor Swift and her fiancé Travis Kelce in attendance, the game attracted national attention. But once the lights came up at Arrowhead Stadium, it was Nebraska that stole the show, pulling out a hard-fought 20–17 victory to start the 2025 season on the right foot.

Nebraska’s defense was the difference, forcing two key turnovers in the second half that halted Bearcat drives and gave the Cornhuskers the edge. A late fourth-quarter field goal sealed the win and set off celebrations from the thousands of Husker fans who made the trip to Kansas City. The Huskers’ ground attack was also strong, controlling the tempo with a bruising run game that kept Cincinnati’s offense off the field. One concern thought. The Blackshirts gave up 202 yards or 6.7 yards per carry with four runners contributing to the verage.The victory was particularly meaningful given the setting.

The matchup was technically a Cincinnati home game but played in Kansas City, only the second time these programs have met since 1906. Nebraska’s ability to grind out a close win on a national stage offered an early statement about the team’s toughness and discipline. For head coach Matt Rhule, it was validation that his squad is ready to compete against anyone, anywhere.Off the field, Swift and Kelce generated nearly as many headlines as the game itself. Media outlets referenced Swift dozens of times in coverage, analyzing her fashion choices, her sparkling new engagement ring, and her role in turning a regular season opener into a cultural spectacle.

The buzz intensified when Nebraska’s athletic department posted, then quickly deleted, a controversial image of mascot Herbie Husker photoshopped into the couple’s engagement photo. Swift fans blasted the move as disrespectful, forcing the school to walk it back amid national attention.Still, the night ultimately belonged to Nebraska. While the Taylor Swift storyline trended across social media, the Cornhuskers left Kansas City with a win that could set the tone for their season.

With strong defensive play, timely offense, and the ability to deliver in the clutch, Nebraska showed resilience under pressure. For fans, it was a memorable evening, part football showcase, part pop-culture frenzy, that ended with the scoreboard in the Huskers’ favor.Nebraska’s 20–17 triumph in the so-called Taylor Swift Bowl will be remembered not only for the celebrities in the stands but for the grit and determination of the team on the field.

Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.

#nebraskafootball #huskers #CincinnatiBearcats #collegefootball #ncaafootball14revamped

Adam Carriker stops by SMQ to preview the Cincinnati Game.Kansas City Showcase: Nebraska Meets Cincinnati in the Battle Sports ClassicThe stage is set at Arrowhead Stadium this Thursday, August 28, when the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Cincinnati Bearcats kick off the 2025 season in the inaugural Battle Sports Kansas City Classic. It’s a neutral-site showdown in a packed venue more than 66,000 tickets sold (90% Nebraska) and a sea of scarlet Husker fans primed for a raucous night under the lights.Nebraska enters the contest riding strong momentum. Under third‑year head coach Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers are eager to build on a successful close to 2024 that included a Pinstripe Bowl victory. Their offense now coordinating under Dana Holgorsen, showcases rising star quarterback Dylan Raiola, whose poise and arm talent have been lauded throughout fall camp. Freshman wide receiver Carter Nelson, newly transitioned from tight end, adds big‑play potential on the perimeter.But Nebraska’s defense isn’t to be overlooked. With early losses on the defensive line, Elijah Jeudy is stepping into a critical leadership role as he attempts to anchor the run defense and bring pressure up front. His presence could be key in slowing down Cincinnati’s attack.Cincinnati, meanwhile, enters as a resilient mid‑tier Big 12 squad coming off a disappointing 5–7 season last year under coach Scott SatterfieldBearcats are looking to surprise early but face an uphill battle against Nebraska’s balanced and improved roster.Expect fireworks. ESPN’s FPI gives Nebraska a 66.2 %-win probability, signaling a clear but certainly competitive edge. Betting models echo that outlook, projecting a Huskers win in the 7–10-point range.Both SMQ and Mr. Carriker, the Dean of Nebraska podcasters, are expecting a double-digit victory. SMQ is calling for a 28-14 victory. Mr. Carriker is going further and taking the over at 35-21 betting that offense will hit on all cylinders.Beyond the analytics, this game matters, a sentiment echoed by Husker fans who ranked this opener, above even big rematches like Michigan and Iowa, as the most important of the season It’s more than a game, it’s a tone‑setter. Nebraska fans expect the Huskers to be 3-0 heading into the Michigan game.Game details: Thursday, August 28 at 8 PM CT / 9 PM ET, broadcast nationally on ESPN from GEHA Field at Arrowhead StadiumIn sum: Nebraska brings explosive offense, a developing defense led by emerging leaders, and an energized fanbase. Cincinnati arrives battle-tested but with work to do. Expect an intense early-season showdown—Kansas City’s stadium should be electric.Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. #huskerfootball #bigtenfootball #collegefootball #gobigred

SMQ predicts a major season 3 Matt Rhule bounce!

SMQ welcomes Demoine "DeMO" Adams, CEO of Teammates and former Husker Defensive End under Coach Solich.Expectations are sky-high among the SMQ crew and their guest. George and Bob have us in the conference championship and the College Football playoffs. DeMo has us losing to Iowa in a year-end gut punch. Only Commander Stockwell, USNR (ret.) takes a more sober, yet still successful 8-4 view.

SMQ is proud to extend our relationship with David Max, Joe Hudson and HuskerMax team for our third year. We are very excited for Coach Rhule, Dylan Raiola and the entire Husker team. GO BIG RED!

Please subscribe to SMQ on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.

#nebraskafootball #huskers #collegefootball #MatthRhule #huskernation

SMQ visits Las Vegas for the season-end podcast. Matt Rhule gets an A+ rating in Executive Function as CEO of the Husker Franchise.

The curse of the Bambino will rock the Boston College Eagles At Yankee Stadium!

Deja vu all over again! Huskers lose to Iowa in a walk-off gut punch.

Expect Holgerson Highlights to continue vs. Iowa! There will be no Thanksgiving indigestion on Friday. Only multiple trips to the Red Zone for second, third, and fourth servings of touchdowns!

Tony White will put 8 in the box to stop the 13th-ranked running attack.

Kirk Ferentz will think his son is running the offense again. Emmet Johnson will have Iowa defenders tearing their shoes loose. Dylan Raiola will get the ball out early and often and have a record-setting day as the offense gains confidence under Holgorsen. Expect a dominant Husker performance 42 - 21.

Adam Carriker of  @carrikerchronicles90  reaches out to the SMQ crew for some Husker Therapy!