We dig back into the mailbag to end this week. Questions about Matt Rhule’s team and the upcoming Nebraska football season are coming fast here in August. We’re tackling topics that include the production of the Huskers’ tight ends in 2025, Mike Ekeler’s career path and an individual season record likely to fall in the months ahead. What kind of impact should we expect from Williams Nwaneri this year? Is the O-line really a strength? Who’s destined to play in the NFL on this roster? At what neutral destination would you like to see Nebraska play a game? We choose the greatest Nebraska football nickname of all time. And of course, freshman Archie Wilson – the Crocodile Punter – remains a hot topic. Join us on this Friday.

Big Ten football faces SEC dominance in AP Top 25. Can the conference prove its worth on the field? Hosts dissect perceived SEC bias in rankings, with 10 SEC teams vs 6 Big Ten squads making the cut. The panel explores potential Big Ten expansion targets, weighing academic fit and competitive balance. Fall camp updates reveal key position battles and injury concerns across the conference. Spencer McLaughlin, Mark Culkin, and other team insiders offer exclusive insights on quarterback competitions, offensive line configurations, and defensive strategies. Tune in for heated debates on team rankings, conference realignment possibilities, and insider perspectives on Big Ten football's evolving landscape.

The single-digit jersey list is nearly complete as preseason camp winds to a close at Nebraska. Four more Huskers got new numbers on Wednesday – Javin Wright, Jacory Barney, Janiran Bonner and Vincent Shavers. We discuss each and what they bring to the Huskers. The group this year is trending young. It includes more offensive talent. And the big question: Who gets the last single digit? Will it be the quarterback, Dylan Raiola, whose leadership role has increased during his second offseason at Nebraska? We’ll likely find out soon, with Raiola, his uncle Donovan and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen set to answer questions from the media on Friday. Also, the Archie Wilson story continues to gain steam. It showed up on NBC’s “Today,” then Australian TV, with his family brought into the mix. Wilson’s mom, dad and his two brothers are headed to America soon. Are we ready?

What’s it like to play football with your “damn hair on fire?” First-year Nebraska special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler appears intent to show us. Ekeler stood in the front of the microphone after the Huskers’ 13th practice of the preseason on Tuesday and breathed fire as he talked about the kicking game. Coach Ek ready to hit someone, seemingly, still more than two weeks ahead of the opener. We heard also from freshman punter Archie Wilson, a delightful addition to Nebraska football. Wilson spoke about his excitement to punt at Arrowhead Stadium this month and about how he landed with the Huskers. It was all quite pleasant – until Mitch asked one question too many at the end. But all is well that ends well, and there’s a happy end to the story about Wilson’s sadness on Tuesday. Also, we’ve got observations and takeaways from the open-to-the-media portion of Nebraska’s Tuesday practice. Join us for a full episode.

Looking back at the 2024 Nebraska football season, there’s a Big Red flag that perhaps we’ve failed to take into account as the offseason hype built this spring summer. Does everyone realize just how poorly the Huskers played on special teams last year? We dive down a dark hole – and then take a look at the potential impact of new special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler. As Ekeler meets with the media on this Tuesday, he’s got a major task in front of him. And it will take more than just the freshman phenom punter, Archie Wilson, to fix all that ailed Nebraska on special teams last year. In fact, the punter was the least of the Huskers’ issues a year ago. Also, two single digits have been revealed. Who got them? We break it down. And we look at four under-the-radar risers in camp this month. Join us.

Just five days remain in preseason camp for the Nebraska football team. The Huskers scrimmaged in front of Matt Rhule on Saturday. He was again awestruck with freshman punter Archie Wilson. The coach is doing nothing to diffuse hype around the dual-footed Australian. In fact, Rhule is building him up ahead of the Aug. 28 opener at Arrowhead Stadium, which is set to be the first time that Wilson plays in a football game. Also, the picture at running back for Nebraska has come into focus. Two young backs have stepped up behind Emmett Johnson. Who are they, why is Rhule saying he likes them, and should you take it all at face value? We’re discussing depth, too, along the defensive front. Finally, Troy Dannen talked about the renovation project that’s somewhat on hold at Memorial Stadium. And we’ve got big developments to discuss that involve Nebraska women’s basketball and volleyball.

It’s Friday and the mailbag is open. Thanks to our listeners and viewers, as always, for your questions. You truly make these shows our most enjoyable. Connor and Mitch burn through 22 questions, providing answers in what is now our longest episode ever. We got from talking about how AI projects the Huskers’ finish in 2025, based on specific variables, of course, to the best running back groups ever in Lincoln to an explanation about how the Nebraska defense works. A listener wonders if FOX employs a statistician whose sole job it is to torment Nebraska. That’s possible. Did Ty Robinson represent Nebraska’s ceiling as a player and pro prospect? Should we adjust expectations for Nebraska based on the rising level of competition in college football? Do the Huskers have enough dawgs? Should Heinrich Haarberg try yet another position? All of that and more in this packed show. Join us.

Big Ten football's future stars take center stage. Who will lead the conference in passing, rushing, and receiving? Spencer McLaughlin and a panel of college football experts break down the top contenders for statistical dominance. From Ohio State's Julian Sayin drawing Dwayne Haskins comparisons to Oregon's Makai Hughes as a potential rushing leader, the discussion covers every angle. Dark horse candidates emerge, including Purdue's Devin Mockbee chasing rushing records and Nebraska's Dane Key making waves as a transfer. Will Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith live up to the hype as the next great receiver? Can Drew Allar elevate Penn State's passing game? Tune in for insider predictions and heated debates on the Big Ten's offensive powerhouses.

Nebraska hit a milestone on Thursday in preseason football camp. It’s 40 percent of the way through its practices ahead of the season opener – now just three weeks away as we discuss the latest from around Lincoln. On Friday, AD Troy Dannen will stop into the media room to take questions. About what? We’ll see, but the topics of Memorial Stadium and revenue sharing are sure to come up. Wednesday in Nebraska was a massive day for the sport of volleyball. The Huskers open the season at No. 1 in the preseason poll. And the recently retired John Cook is coming back – not to coach and not in Lincoln. Cook took a role with the Omaha Supernovas amid a busy week for the pro side of the sport nationally and in the state of Nebraska. We discuss Cook’s latest move. Finally, we turn our eyes to the east. Iowa unveiled a video Wednesday of QB Mark Gronowski from a recent practice session. People got excited. We weigh in. Join us.

Tuesday in Lincoln, we heard from new defensive coordinator John Butler. The intensity was high. Butler is made in the mold of a typical defensive coordinator. He’s all business. Connor and Mitch are here to offer analysis on Butler’s style – and on what we learned about the Huskers on defense. The defensive linemen appear set to play with a chip on their shoulder. Butler is encouraging it. He’s got no interest, though, in addressing narratives with the Huskers that exist about their supposed shortcomings. In the secondary, Nebraska is deep at every position. Addison Williams offered some insight into his defensive backfield. We heard, too, from new cornerback Andrew Marshall and returning D-linemen Elijah Jeudy and Riley Van Poppel. Join us on this Wednesday.

As preseason football camp continues at Nebraska, a new feature has taken hold. Matt Rhule is taking fans on virtual walks. He’s talking with the Huskers. He’s updating injuries. He’s showing a side of the head coach that matters to players – and that matters to many fans as Nebraska continues to try to reach new audiences in this changing world of college sports. Back on the field, the Huskers are into their second week of practice in camp. And it’s a good time to step out of the bubble and ask this question: Is Nebraska more advanced in its progress as a program than at any time in the Rhule era? Assuming the answer is yes, is it closer to a real breakthrough than it was at any time in the Scott Frost era? Connor and Mitch discuss. We finish on this Tuesday with a look ahead to media availability sessions with John Butler, Addison Williams and the defense. What will be talking about Wednesday on that side of the ball?

Preseason camp at Nebraska is in full swing. The Huskers completed their first workout in full pads on Saturday. Practice was open to the public. The Big Ten Network visited Lincoln on Friday to see Matt Rhule’s team. The observations and takeaways are coming fast. We’ve got a big list of players whose stock is on the rise through one week. And a chunk of our list includes Huskers from one class in Rhule’s build of the roster. What class is it, and what does that mean for Nebraska in 2025? There are, of course, questions, too, that remain unanswered. We look at three of the most important. Join us on this Monday.

The first Friday of August is here. It delivers a mailbag, and we start with a heavy subject that involves Matt Rhule, Nebraska as a “forever job” and the possible draw of Penn State. Why aren’t we hearing more about Dana Holgorsen’s mesh concepts? Kenai, Alaska gets a pin on our new world map. What seasons in the Huskers’ past have delivered too much hype and painfully little substance? If you’re going to travel to Nebraska road games, where’s the best place to live? Should more than one Nebraska receiver be ranked the top 115 nationally? We’ve got a Rhule career comparison from Wine Country. And where is the most faraway place that you’ve ever met a Nebraska fan? Join us for the answers.

Big Ten football shakeup: Oregon's debut season under the microscope. Will the Ducks soar or stumble in their new conference? Spencer McLaughlin and the Locked On crew dissect the top 100 college football players, questioning Big Ten representation and debating surprising inclusions. The hosts analyze Oregon's challenging 10.5-win total, breaking down key matchups against Penn State, USC, and Washington. Quarterback situations across the conference take center stage, with Drew Aller, Dante Moore, and Garrett Nussmeier sparking heated discussions. Tune in for expert predictions on Oregon's inaugural Big Ten campaign and discover why some hosts believe the Ducks might fall short of expectations.

Nebraska football continues to maneuver through the opening week of preseason practice. Matt Rhule’s Huskers have progressed to wear shoulder pads at practice, with full pads likely to come Saturday for the Big Red Preview event inside Memorial Stadium. Before we get to that, there remains plenty to digest about the events of Thursday and Friday – which include appearances in the media room from Dana Holgorsen, Daikiel Shorts and a group of Huskers. Holgorsen, the OC, is back from summer vacation and ready to game plan for an offense that looks better at every position in comparison to a year ago. Is that right? Connor and Mitch debate, and we go in depth on the wide receivers, Shorts’ position group. How many pass catchers might fit into the playing rotation in four weeks when the Huskers take the field at Arrowhead Stadium? We’re also previewing a visit on Friday to Lincoln by the Big Ten Network team. What do we expect that they’ll like about this team?

Locked On has released a list of the top 100 players in college football. On it, you’ll find two representatives from Nebraska, wide receiver Dane Key and QB Dylan Raiola – both ranked in the 90s. Are they too low? Too high? Perhaps this is just about right for a program that’s still got plenty to prove under third-year coach Matt Rhule. Who else, if anyone, should have made the cut? We discuss the perception nationally of Nebraska football and its players to enter the 2025 season. Week 1 of preseason camp continues in Lincoln. People are already talking about freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Jones. We predict the excitement will grow after the Huskers practice in front of the public on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Another wide receiver in Nebraska camp, Jacory Barney, is drawing notice from Rhule for the energy that he brings to the team. Join us as we plunge deeper into preseason camp in Lincoln.

Opening day is in the books at Nebraska football preseason camp. Matt Rhule and the Huskers took to the grass – and the turf – and plowed through the opening hours on Monday. We heard from the coach in addition to several Huskers. And we’ve got observations on the tight ends, the offensive line, the running backs and a young punter named Archie Wilson. We hear in this episode from Rhule on the psychology of coaching Nebraska. He tells a story about the Huskers’ reaction a year ago to entering the locker room at halftime of two games that Nebraska had chances to win – but did not. Why does it matter for this 2025 football team? Rhule explains.

Preseason camp is officially open. Matt Rhule and the Nebraska football team are practicing on the beautiful, new green grass outside of the Osborne Legacy Complex on this Monday morning. And we are here to talk with you about the questions that face the Huskers as camp opens. To start, did Nebraska already clear a big hurdle during this long offseason? And if not, what do you need to see for to know that progress is real? We’re looking at the most compelling position battles of camp. Is it right tackle or the backup job at running back? With the introduction of revenue sharing, Nebraska and most programs must grapple with new challenges in the locker room. And finally, what will be talking about one month from today, when the preseason is complete and thousands of Nebraska fans are driving south on Interstate-29 toward Arrowhead Stadium on the morning of the season opener?

The final Friday without real-life football observations from the practice field is here. We’re filling up our plate with your questions in a mailbag. Which freshmen from Matt Rhule’s third signing class might make an impact, aside from Isaiah Mozee and Cortez Mills, as preseason camp opens on Monday? Are the Big Ten and Tony Petitti as “uppity” as they seem? What is the SCORE Act, and does it matter this fall in college football? We get very specific in our answers to a question about where one of our listeners should live in the Omaha suburbs in order to most enjoy football. Is it OK to fly the K-State flag? Who might get the single-digit jerseys next month in Lincoln? And we have a rant on Scott Frost. Join us.

Another day in the desert at Big Ten media days has come and gone. We heard plenty on Wednesday from coaches and players who repped Penn State, Oregon, Minnesota, Northwestern, Washington and Wisconsin. And guess who brought Nebraska and Matt Rhule into the conversation? PJ Fleck, the Gophers’ coach. In fact, Fleck offered a prediction about the Huskers as they enter Year 3 under Rhule. Connor and Mitch are here to discuss Fleck. What are Nebraska fans supposed to think of him now that he has coached Minnesota to five consecutive wins against the Huskers? We’re also talking about James Franklin. He came as close as any coach in Vegas to veering off course as Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has gathered support behind him for the league’s proposed playoff plan. Franklin just wants uniformity in scheduling with the SEC. It makes sense. And we revisit Dylan Raiola’s appearance on Tuesday in Las Vegas. The Nebraska quarterback handled the spotlight well. Is it a sign of things to come in his sophomore season?