Nebraska Tailgate Talk: Election season reveals the true pulse of the Husker fanbase

It’s Nebraska’s football bye week, and it couldn’t come at a better time for the Big Red to heal from new injuries and lingering ones. As for last week’s loss, yes, I was upset. It was gut-wrenching to watch the game slip away… again. However, I took a broader perspective and was glad the Huskers stayed in it right up to the end. I was fearful early on in the season that would NOT be the case for either of the last two.

Since it’s a BYE week, use the opportunity to say “GOOD-bye” to the negativity that is out there. We had a horrid red-zone defense last year; that’s no longer the case. There was an anemic run defense last year that is fat and happy this year. And the linebackers who couldn’t seem to close an umbrella, let alone close in on a tackle, are doing very well this year. AMEN

The Husker offense looks far better in 2026, too. Even though our running backs can’t seem to avoid tackles like Emmett Johnson did, they are doing good things overall. Yes, the last two weeks were thin, but those were also against two of the best run defenses in the B1G and in College Football, for that matter! Remember when Nebraska was overloaded at running back? Outstanding basher Jamal Rule is/has been battling a bad ankle. Hopefully, it’s not a high ankle sprain. Running back Isaiah Mozee left the game with a dinged-up ankle too. Unfortunately, Vincent Genatone is out for the rest of the year after surgery -- a torn pectoral muscle (I think). People are being very quiet about his injury. So, it looks like it’s up to Kwinton Ives and Connor Booth to be the next man/men up.

I’m still not happy about the on-again, off-again successes and failures of some of our Husker wide receivers, but I can't do anything about it anyway. For the most part they are healthy, and I’ll take it. MOST of all, we have a healthy Anthony Colandrea at QB1! That species is falling faster than a fat kid on a seesaw all across the B1G! Oregon, UCLA, Washington, Iowa, and even Ohio State are missing their number 1. Fortunately for Nebraska, Anthony Colandrea is holding up better than Mom’s meatloaf on day 4.

Tailgate polls reveal Nebraska football fan opinions on the defense and running game

In case you didn’t know, it’s voting season (aren’t you way over all the spam texts, mail, and calls?). I’ve even been conducting weekly tailgate polls. I want to give a HUGE shout-out to my peeps for always making it fun. In Week 1, the subject was the win/loss record for the Huskers. Choices were 9/3, 8/4, and 7/5. The results were 3 votes, 14 votes, and 12 votes, respectively. Overall, most people wanted to hold back their vote until they saw the team play in the first game. With so many transfers and new coaches, some people wanted to abstain. That’s fair.

Week 2 tailgate poll question was “which is more important for YOU to have the Huskers be good at?” (forgive me, Mom, for ending that with a preposition) Passing Game, Rushing Game, or Defense? One of my favs (Robby) voted, then told me to watch and see what his wife voted. She didn't pick run game as he did. He was crushed and vowed to talk with her on the way home about why a good run game opens up the passing game. (LOL) There were several of these voting situations between spouses and significant others. It was for sure a fun conversation starter. The win that week went to the Blackshirts! (21 passing, 27 run, and defense 37.)

Week 3 was: Imagine having dinner with a prominent media member, a former Husker offense star, and a Blackshirt. Which group would you choose? Team 1: Kenny Bell, Jason Peter and Ravi Lulla. Team 2: De’Mornay Pierson-El, Grant Wistrom and Steve Sipple. Team 3: Rex Burkhead, Jay Foreman and Gary Sharp. Some voters loved one guy but didn’t like the others. Some voters picked with their heart (MANY cries of Sexy-Rexy were heard), and others with the media person in mind because they felt they could get some insider skinny. I can tell you that the crowd still loves Kenny Bell a lot, too. This one took the most time for people to decide. It was a very close race, but Team 3 won with 28 votes, Team 2 with 27, and Team 1 with 25.

The 4th tailgate was “If you could ensure 1 victory out of the three, which would you choose? Oregon, Indiana, or Washington”. This wasn't who you thought they would beat, but who you wanted to beat most. This one started very skewed one way, then swung the other way, and then finished back where it started. Most people wanted to beat Oregon, with 25 votes, and Indiana was a close second with 24. Washington was only 2 votes.

Tailgate 5 was another morning game, and attendance was fast and furious. Usually, morning tailgates are slow, then there's a quick rush about an hour before they head into the game. I missed handing out Husker coins to a lot of people, but the voting was “Which is your choice of beverage for a morning tailgate?” Choices were Beer, Coffee with an alcohol creamer or addition, or Bloody Mary (or some other mixed drink). Beer won the AM with 29 votes, the Bloody Mary category with 26, and a coffee mixer with 18. THANKS again to all who participated. Each poll had lively conversation.

Enjoy your BYE week, my peeps. I know the Huskers are working on getting healthy and getting better at winning in the 4th quarter. Remember, we ALWAYS win at the tailgate. As always, GBR!

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