The Common Fan: Critical Stretch for Nebraska Starts with Rutgers

Evan Bland helps the Common Fans break down Purdue and look ahead to Rutgers, which kicks off perhaps the most critical two-game stretch of the Huskers' season.

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Fans hold cards to commemorate the 400th consecutive sellout after the first quarter between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

It's another View From the Blandstands, with the Omaha World Herald's Evan Bland joining the Common Fans to talk all the latest with Nebraska football. 

• Is officiating in college football worse than it’s ever been?
• It feels like officials are being taught to throw flags more than ever.
• Evan’s take on the Purdue game
• Defense turns back into “old reliable”
• Offense finally gets on track late in the third quarter
• Disastrous special teams
• Purdue and Colorado both end up with the same final score: 28-10. Would fans prefer a hot start and coasting in the second half (like Colorado), or the slower start followed by the strong finish (like Purdue)?
• Not always pretty, but Husker fans need to appreciate that the team is winning. 

Plus, looking ahead to Rutgers:

• Head coach Greg Schiano’s teams have historically blocked a lot of kicks and scored a lot of non-offensive touchdowns. 
• His teams are traditionally tough and physical, but this year’s defense has had more of a “bend-but-don’t-break” approach. 
• Scarlet Knights come in as the #12 rushing offense in the country. 
• Huskers are likely the more talented team, but can they avoid the types of mistakes Rutgers is known for creating?
• Next two games absolutely critical for Nebraska: Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers and Indiana represent the swing games for Nebraska’s season, and the Huskers are right in the middle of that stretch.

All this and 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 now! 

MORE: Nebraska-Rutgers Preview with Larry Krayn, Host of the Knight Watch Podcast

MORE: Nebraska Football vs. Rutgers: An Opportunity for an Old School Husker Performance

MORE: Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano: 'The Plate is Full' When Facing Nebraska Football

MORE: Nebraska Versatile Offense to Face Important Test Against Rutgers' Defense

MORE: Nebraska's Matt Rhule on the Importance of Winning the Turnover Battle

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