Nebraska Tailgate Talk: Roasting the Hawkeyes would be gravy

The Nebraska Cornhuskers play their last regular game of the season on Black Friday at 11 am, in some very chilly and windy conditions. At stake is the Heroe's trophy. The low the night before will be 22 and it should be 33 degrees at kickoff and at halftime. Currently, wind gusts are anticipated for 15-20 mph,and that occasional 30mph is also a possibility. The game is on CBS. Or if you want better coverage, listen to it on the Husker app while you watch.

Defensive Coordinator John Butler was correct and concise about last week, “we got our a--- kicked.” Yes, we did. I think it was bush league to fake the punt up 20 points too. Keeping a receipt for it. I certainly hope Butler and company has addressed the player, or players, that missed assignments in those first 8 plays. I always had Penn St. circled as a loss, but it was still disconcerting how bad it really was against a much better physically built team. Can't wait for Rhule to buy bigger linemen on both sides of the ball.

On to the short week and a rivalry game Friday. Much like the Mickey Joseph season, if Rhule can pull out at W on Friday, it will go a long way on a season that looked to be living up to the hype until 3rd Q of the USC game. HC Matt Rhule will get off the hook a bit inasmuch as he has a “backup” quarterback, blah blah blah. However, there is a HUGE difference between 7-5, or 8-4. If you listened to Coach Butler’s press conference Tuesday you already know what’s on his portal shopping list in January. Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher left huge, unfilled vacuums in that Blackshirt closet.

Nebraska football's Friday tailgate would be best with some roast Hawkeyes

Friday you can expect more of the same look as last week. Just like Thanksgiving is always the same menu, Iowa is still Iowa. Last week against Mich St., they won yet another game by a last-minute field goal. Sound familiar? What's different this year is they have a QB that can actually run a bit. 6’ 2” South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski has 7 rushing TDs on the year. He’s not a gunslinger either (usually less than 100 yds passing) but with their running game and linemen, he doesn’t really need to be that guy.

Just hand it off to #28 running back Kamari Moulton will be their gameplan. The foul team has the 17th ranked rush defense so it will be tough sledding for Big Red running back Emmett Johnson. It’s not like he has to worry about winning votes in the Doak Walker award now anyway. Total snub in the 4 finalists.

I believe in Husker Coach Mike Ekeler to be up to the task and keep the ball away from 2024 Jet Award winner Kaden Wetjen on punt returns. He would prove to be a wet blanket on a chance for a Big Red victory. The swirly winds won’t be a problem for Husker punter Archie Wilson.

The snack item for the tailgate is a mixture of cinnamon flavored popcorn, red hots, red and white sixlet candies, pretzels and peanuts with a drizzle of melted almond bark bar to keep it sweet in case the game leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

I expect this game to be a cold and slow grind. It’s Husker QB TJ Lateef’s first home game so YEAH for him! Next year could be interesting at the QB position. Maybe that’s why there wasn’t a Spring Game…to stave off the QB controversy. I believe that OC Dana Holgorsen will need to dial up some pass plays to succeed Friday, even though the mindset will be to run and eat clock.

There were lots of open receivers last week and I suspect the Cornhusker Quarterback will be able to see them and deliver accordingly. This is a must win game. Beat the dirty birds and a lot is forgiven about what happened this season (but not forgotten). I’ll be there dressed in lots of layers. Regardless, at least there is a bowl game so the team gets more reps. As always, GO BIG RED!