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Nebraska's Disappointing Finish Raises the Stakes for Bowl Game and 2025 Season

The Common Fans discuss the loss to Iowa, the handshake drama, and the implications of Nebraska's 1-5 finish for Matt Rhule's tenure at Nebraska.

TJ Birkel

Nov 29, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hands the ball off to running back Emmett Johnson (21) against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium.
Nov 29, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) hands the ball off to running back Emmett Johnson (21) against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Common Fans break down Nebraska’s mind-boggling, infuriating, ridiculous loss to Iowa. 

  • For the second consecutive season, Nebraska was in a tie game against Iowa with under 25 seconds left in regulation, with the ball.
  • For the second consecutive season, Nebraska turned it over and gave up the game winning field goal before even getting to overtime.
  • Huskers dominant in most phases of the game, except where it matters most: the scoreboard. 
  • Still making too many little mistakes against disciplined teams.
  • Special teams a disaster that must be addressed in the offseason. 
  • Coach Rhule’s biggest hurdle–which may well define his tenure at Nebraska–will be figuring out how to start winning close games instead of losing them. 
  • Ultimately, the loss to Iowa and the 1-5 finish to the season raise the stakes for Rhule. Fans will be hankering for a bowl win, and anxious for the Year 3 leap he saw at Temple and Baylor. 

Plus, the boys wade into the debate about Nebraska’s captains not shaking the Iowa captains’ hands before the game. 

  • The Common Fans are of the school that you just shake hands and beat them on the field. 
  • It’s a rivalry; we’ve certainly seen much worse across college football.
  • But if you’re going to make a thing about not shaking hands, then you have to go win the game. 
  • Iowa has been plenty disrespectful over the years, and they love manufactured outrage. 
  • But the no-handshake stunt feels like the team’s focus is taken away from other things–like making field goals, returning punts, and tackling. 
  • Ultimately you have to win this game. Everything else is a distraction.

This and so much more on the latest episode of the Common Fan Podcast.

Listen on the Common Fan website, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, iHeart Radio, and PocketCasts.

Or watch above! 

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TJ Birkel
TJ BIRKEL

T.J. Birkel is the creator and co-host of the Common Fan Podcast, a Nebraska football podcast focused entirely on Husker football, all the time. We aim to create meaningful episodes and written commentary that fans like us will enjoy, infused with heavy doses of fun and frivolity. We work hard to cover the latest Husker news of the day; to provide insightful commentary and analysis on all things Husker football; and to bring unique stories and perspectives that may not be covered by the media but that Common Fans will enjoy. GBR for LIFE!

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