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Can you not drink Kool-aid but still be excited for season?

RBigredMax1

RBigredMax1

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Jul 16, 2025
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I love the Huskers - love watching them play and look forward to every game. I’m not drinking the koolaid this year in the offseason but I can’t wait for football and see what the boys can do!

Hope spring practice has great development and everyone stays healthy!

Trying to push politics waaaaay down the page 😬
 
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Scoop123

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Jan 9, 2026
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Low expectations is actually my strategy. I don't want to be a neg Nellie, I simply think it will help me enjoy the games more :). Too many years of the opposite. I am hopeful but no part of me is hypeful. lol.

If they start making hype videos or Rhule starts pumping things at pressers I will immediately delete or click off. Don't interrupt my serenity!
 
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TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,102
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I can see the adjustment that people say they are making from drinking the good stuff to just taking a few shots and hoping for the best. That all sounds good until the season starts and then everyone loses control and the red fever kicks in and the fans “want some butt and they want it now! “. If this team gets a good run through the cupcake part of the schedule, the expectations will go right back to contending for a playoff spot like was talked about on here this year. Then before we know it, the fire Rhule bandwagon will be running super sonic.
 
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Steely Dannebrog

Steely Dannebrog

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Jul 8, 2025
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Excited about what, though? Im genuinely curious.

First of all, "drinking the kool-aid" needs to be decommissioned. Its a reference to a cult leader murdering his idiotic brainwashed followers. I won't answer to that, and neither should you.

Secondly...what? A coach that has no clue? A team of stitched together, overpaid portal whores that DGAF about NU? A track record of NEVER beating a ranked team? A very real possibility of winning 1 conference game or less? The prospect of having to PAY for the privilege of watching this dumpster fire while everyone responsible gets rich with no accountability whatsoever?

Genuinely, what has you excited? Because this trace of a Xerox of a fax of a ghost of what NU football used to be...well, its supposed to be more than a hotdog cannon and an N on the helmet.

Maybe thats enough for some.
 
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Truewooper

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Jun 1, 2022
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RBigredMax1 said:
I love the Huskers - love watching them play and look forward to every game. I’m not drinking the koolaid this year in the offseason but I can’t wait for football and see what the boys can do!

Hope spring practice has great development and everyone stays healthy!

Trying to push politics waaaaay down the page 😬
Click to expand...
Yes i'm always excited to see the players and see what's gonna happen. I've started to wonder if we can manage to get to 7 wins. 5 wins at the start. Then Rutgers late. Can the UNLV qb beat Illinois or Washington? I think its possible. I bet and won a lot of games with UNLV he's got some dog in him.

In other news I hope somehow Dan Mullen is available for us to snag as our coach.
 
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realHuskerDrew

All-Conference
Jun 12, 2001
13,138
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I would have been more excited had we not done the stupid extension, that way at least if we sucked there was an outside chance of a firing, or at the very least maybe after 2027.

now it seems we are stuck with moron Rhule for at least 4 years or more… so now I don’t gaf about Husker football… wake me up when we have a new coach
 
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Champs 70-71-94-95-97

Champs 70-71-94-95-97

Senior
Aug 17, 2010
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I think I stopped with the Callahan debacle. I had bought in heavily to the recruiting voodoo. (I was upbeat about Frost, thinking he would bring an identity to this team -oof) These days I go into each season with a blank slate mentality - try to watch for improvements in fundamentals, but yeah no, no more blind optimism.

In 2005, I made a donation to the program, nothing outrageous, but enough to get my wife and I on the director's club, a dinner with the coaches, etc. Former player Paul Miles is a friend of mine and he was the associate AD for fundraising back then. I cannot fathom, on any level, where I would throw money at this program right now...
 
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Redscarlet

Redscarlet

Heisman
Jun 17, 2001
32,767
10,702
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Champs 70-71-94-95-97 said:
I think I stopped with the Callahan debacle. I had bought in heavily to the recruiting voodoo. (I was upbeat about Frost, thinking he would bring an identity to this team -oof) These days I go into each season with a blank slate mentality - try to watch for improvements in fundamentals, but yeah no, no more blind optimism.

In 2005, I made a donation to the program, nothing outrageous, but enough to get my wife and I on the director's club, a dinner with the coaches, etc. Former player Paul Miles is a friend of mine and he was the associate AD for fundraising back then. I cannot fathom, on any level, where I would throw money at this program right now...
Click to expand...
My donation this year went to the basketball program, they deserve my donation and hoping it will help next years team.
 
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RBigredMax1

RBigredMax1

All-Conference
Jul 16, 2025
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Steely Dannebrog said:
Excited about what, though? Im genuinely curious.

First of all, "drinking the kool-aid" needs to be decommissioned. Its a reference to a cult leader murdering his idiotic brainwashed followers. I won't answer to that, and neither should you.

Secondly...what? A coach that has no clue? A team of stitched together, overpaid portal whores that DGAF about NU? A track record of NEVER beating a ranked team? A very real possibility of winning 1 conference game or less? The prospect of having to PAY for the privilege of watching this dumpster fire while everyone responsible gets rich with no accountability whatsoever?

Genuinely, what has you excited? Because this trace of a Xerox of a fax of a ghost of what NU football used to be...well, its supposed to be more than a hotdog cannon and an N on the helmet.

Maybe thats enough for some.
Click to expand...
I’m excited for the following:

3 new Olineman with a new coach. Genuinely excited to see if they can gel and see a big lift - similar to ST’s last year.

I’m excited to see what we get at QB - if it’s Colandrea, will he have a bit of a Diego Pavia vibe where he can make some big gains with his mobility and play extension.

I’m excited to see if Aurich can make the D something much better and have a scheme that is disruptive with the front 4.

I know you were truly curious - so those are things I’m looking forward to seeing. GBR!
 
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king_kong__

king_kong__

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Nov 3, 2021
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Yes, of course

college football is awesome, even when we are not

and AC is a fun player. He’s not going to win P4 games by himself, but he won’t be boring to watch at least while he’s healthy (assuming washed up dana doesn’t castrate him with his “offense”)
 
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mgbreeze

mgbreeze

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2004
10,071
3,485
113
I heard we're breaking out the Charlie Brown alternates in '26.
Charlie Brown Football GIF
 
ADV88

ADV88

Junior
Oct 26, 2018
1,860
392
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Walleye 1 said:
If Rhule pulled out 9 wins with next years schedule and keeps the 27 class together. I could get back on board. I don’t think he will. But hypothetically speaking if he did. I would be back on the wagon. With all that said. I have zero excitement/expectations for next year.
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I think that's where I'm at as well... I'm pessimistic about this Fall and while I haven't given up, my expectations are way low.

My only excitement is my trip to Eugene... would be nice if DONU would at least make it a game
 
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HuskerInCarolina

HuskerInCarolina

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Dec 2, 2024
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Yes we can not drink the kool-aid this offseason, though it gets a lot more potent the closer we get to fall. The disappointment from this last season has me pessimistic for this coming season. However, there really are a lot of changes that there's no way we can gauge whether or not this team will be better or worse. As of now with no basis, I would guess Nebraska wins 6 games next year. While it's not what I'm happy with, it's not enough to fire Rhule.

In one scenario, this OL becomes a top 5 unit in the conference and makes it easy for Colandrea to look like a T-Magic with a better throwing motion and a lot more swag. That same OL unit allows the RB room to rush for 6.0+ ypc (they ran for 5.62 last year). The WRs get a lot more wiggle room on the field now that a QB isn't a lighthouse at UNL. Aurich's defense looks a full 180 from last year's team. DL and LBs are able to finish sacks, gaps are filled, and teams find it tough to consistently throw and run against Nebraska. Nebraska wins some and loses some, but gets 8+ regular season Ws.

In another scenario that isn't a fantasy but worst case, most the transfers are duds. The defense looks completely lost running something new. The offense is so hit and miss, Colandrea gets killed, Kaelin and Lateef look mediocre at best in trying to replace him, OL is a bandaid unit that hardly looks better. Nebraska wins 4-5 games.
 
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meo1960

meo1960

Senior
Jan 15, 2003
19,995
846
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RBigredMax1 said:
I love the Huskers - love watching them play and look forward to every game. I’m not drinking the koolaid this year in the offseason but I can’t wait for football and see what the boys can do!

Hope spring practice has great development and everyone stays healthy!

Trying to push politics waaaaay down the page 😬
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm tired of winning the off season National Championship. The only thing that matters is a Dubya after the game is over.
 
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OxfordComma

Senior
Feb 4, 2020
617
675
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3-0 start is mandatory, assumed, and boring if it happens. Then they have games against 2 teams they beat last year: MSU and Maryland. Need to win both of those because 6 of the last 7 are all tougher than the first 5. A 5-0 start would predict nothing for how this team finishes.

My prediction is that it’s just a matter of when during the season that this team falls apart. Will they be exposed in the cupcake Q1 portion, the B1G dregs Q2 portion, or can they hold out until the second half until they get boat raced by the upper half of the B1G.

I hope I am wrong. I expect I won’t be.
 
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RealTucoSalamanca

RealTucoSalamanca

Heisman
Aug 18, 2016
16,625
10,901
113
I'm tired of losing, I'm tired of talking about off season stuff, I'm tired of listening to the coach talk about his team. Then what the hell are we doing on a football message board during the offseason? Other than some good political banter of course. But there are folk unhappy that those conversations are going on as well.
 
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suffocation_

suffocation_

Junior
Jan 29, 2026
297
283
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NikkiSixx said:
I am actually quite nervous about the defense this year. Initial impression of the new DC left a lot to be desired.
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I must've missed what he said.

He could be our own David Braun, which would be a huge upgrade over what we've had the past decade.
 
Trike Rider

Trike Rider

All-Conference
Jan 6, 2009
7,474
1,039
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Champs 70-71-94-95-97 said:
I think I stopped with the Callahan debacle. I had bought in heavily to the recruiting voodoo. (I was upbeat about Frost, thinking he would bring an identity to this team -oof) These days I go into each season with a blank slate mentality - try to watch for improvements in fundamentals, but yeah no, no more blind optimism.

In 2005, I made a donation to the program, nothing outrageous, but enough to get my wife and I on the director's club, a dinner with the coaches, etc. Former player Paul Miles is a friend of mine and he was the associate AD for fundraising back then. I cannot fathom, on any level, where I would throw money at this program right now...
Click to expand...
Nebraska has not been relevant as a program since Callahan's players were gone.
 
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K Rod

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The Ohio game worries me a little. If we get to 5-0 then one would hope that we can find 2 more wins on the rest of the schedule. Will be interesting to see how the new portal guys do, and if any player development has happened with the younger players. Its about time for this program to show some progress in that area. Beating Iowa is a must.
 
O

OxfordComma

Senior
Feb 4, 2020
617
675
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To do better than 6-6, will need to win one of these games.

Indiana
@Oregon
Washington
@Illinois
Ohio State
@Iowa

I think it’s more likely we lose to either Mich St, Maryland, or Rutgers than we win any of the other conference games. Perhaps Washington. If that happens, the bowl streak stops at 2.
 
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KolacheKing

KolacheKing

Redshirt
Jul 8, 2025
10
9
3
I just hope that the coaching changes make a huge difference, but Rhule's track record for hiring coaches doesn't give me any confidence. Most of the transfer and high school class coming in is not very good. It looks like there are a few serviceable guys in there, but not much top end talent at all (by that I mean top 300-350). I really want things to turn around because Matt Rhule isn't going anywhere in the next 3-4 years, barring a 4 or 5 win season.
 
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loper

Senior
Jun 29, 2001
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Absolutely I am excited for the season. At the same time, Matt Rhule still needs to prove on the field he is the right coach for us. I have no delusions about how much we can improve on a national stage. Hope always springs eternal no matter where we end up. I attended my first Husker game in 1963 and love Husker and college football, so I wish the season started tomorrow.
 
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Wasker73

Senior
Sep 2, 2025
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OxfordComma said:
To do better than 6-6, will need to win one of these games.

Indiana
@Oregon
Washington
@Illinois
Ohio State
@Iowa

I think it’s more likely we lose to either Mich St, Maryland, or Rutgers than we win any of the other conference games. Perhaps Washington. If that happens, the bowl streak stops at 2.
Click to expand...
The Huskers stats under Rhule show the most conference wins on the road in one season is 2 games and that was last season Maryland and UCLA. (The first two seasons the Huskers only won 1 road game.) So, if the team holds serve, I believe they will have the best chance on the road to beat Michigan State and Rutgers and lose to Illinois and Oregon. Then he has won just 2 conference home games every year with the Huskers. I am going with Maryland and Washington. Give them 3 wins in the nonconference games. I don't think he can coach the team to wins playing three highly ranked teams so give them 3 losses in the games against IU, Oregon and Ohio State. Until they beat Iowa, I am going to give the evil team from next-door a win.

This is what I think the ceiling is for the upcoming season and this will be tough to do. No one will know until the Huskers start playing.

Ohio, Bowling Green, North Dakota, Mich State, Maryland, Washington and Rutgers Wins

IU, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State and Iowa Losses

(Rhule's BIG record 6-6 Home 4-11 Road)
 
O

orclover11

Senior
Dec 1, 2014
1,145
810
113
king_kong__ said:
Yes, of course

college football is awesome, even when we are not

and AC is a fun player. He’s not going to win P4 games by himself, but he won’t be boring to watch at least while he’s healthy (assuming washed up dana doesn’t castrate him with his “offense”)
Click to expand...
College football has been on a downward spiral since 2007...that Texas/USC national title was probably the peak of the sport. It started with new academic regulations, then coaches jumping from schools year after year, which eventually lead to the argument that kids should be able to do the same thing. Then the pandemic, NIL, and it is all mashed together into a poop pie. The fact that Oregon, one of the best teams in the nation, was down to like a 4th string running back, who was himself in the portal, during a SEMIFINAL game just showed how pointless the game actually is...that and Indiana beat a two loss team to win the national title. As cool as it is to see everyone complain about Indiana, the fact that they could build a team with NIL, and easily win a national title just shows how far the quality of the sport has fallen. NU used to build teams over a half a decade, fill in spots with crazy dudes from juco and compton and it was all planned and built from the ground up. Never again.
 
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TDLaww2020

Freshman
Dec 6, 2017
378
98
28
Scoop123 said:
Low expectations is actually my strategy. I don't want to be a neg Nellie, I simply think it will help me enjoy the games more :). Too many years of the opposite. I am hopeful but no part of me is hypeful. lol.

If they start making hype videos or Rhule starts pumping things at pressers I will immediately delete or click off. Don't interrupt my serenity!
Click to expand...
I tried to have low expectations last year and wasn't surprised that we shut down the way we did, but I was more disappointed than last year.

Already looking to 2027.
 
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