The Friday mailbag is full. We start this episode with an assertion that every set of college football rankings released before October qualifies as “too early.” And to take it a step further, Nebraska’s historic streak of losses against ranked foes does not matter. Do you agree? Connor and Mitch discuss.

We’re talking about the single most important hurdle that the Huskers must clear to win a national championship in the next decade. Is it OK to put pineapple on pizza? How bad is the Big Ten baseball tourney format? There’s more in this episode on Millard South QB Jett Thomalla. Are the Nebraska linemen ready to make a contender of the Huskers?

And does the success of various women’s sports in Lincoln add pressure to the high-profile men’s teams? Join us for all the answers and more.

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USC and Notre Dame's storied rivalry faces an uncertain future. Could this be the end of an era in college football? Dive into the potential shake-up in NCAA governance and its implications for teams like the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Ohio State Buckeyes. Spencer McLaughlin, alongside guests Roman Tomashaw and Zach Seiko, explores the impact of a proposed 40-team playoff and the controversial noon kickoffs for Ohio State games. Key figures like Matt Rule and P.J. Fleck are at the center of these discussions, with insights into Minnesota's win total predictions and the potential for a relegation model in college football.

Join the conversation and discover how these changes could reshape the landscape of college football. Listen now for expert analysis and insider perspectives!

Nebraska football never strays far from the spotlight. On Wednesday, the offseason picked up energy as Matt Rhule was called out by On3 columnist Ari Wasserman for saying “incredibly soft things” about College Football Playoff expansion and scheduling.

Rhule was joking, as all parties recognized, about growing the playoff to 40 teams. But the coach is not joking about his plan to take Nebraska to the next level in the sport. We spend time in this episode on the chain of events that led Nebraska fans on social media, unsurprisingly, to melt down. There is a pleasant ending to this media-generated story.

Also, Nebraska baseball received a gift in the opening round of the Big Ten baseball tournament. The Huskers are now among six teams still fighting for the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA-regional field. Will Bolt’s team will play regular-season champ Oregon on Friday night for a spot in the tournament semifinal round. Join us on this Thursday.

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Here at the Locked On Nebraska podcast, we’ve got a list to add to the countless others that are circulating this spring on the college football landscape. On the show today, Connor and Mitch bring you 10 Huskers who aren’t getting enough attention ahead of the 2025 season.

They come from the offense and defense, with a special teams twist at the end. There are transfers. There are veterans. There are forgotten pieces. Some got attention in the spring – but it wasn’t enough in our estimation. Others were entirely overlooked. Not today.

Also, the Big Ten baseball tournament starts today in Omaha. Nebraska faces a do-or-die situation against Michigan State. And we circle back on Nebraska softball star Jordy Bahl, who was named Monday as a finalist for the USA Softball/ESPN Collegiate Player of the Year. Will she win? We have thoughts. Join us.

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Until further notice, this is a Jordy Bahl podcast. The Nebraska softball program walked to center stage over the weekend, and the Huskers’ biggest star took over. Bahl and the Huskers dominated the Baton Rouge regional to earn a matchup against Tennessee this week for a trip to the Women’s College World Series.

Elsewhere, intensity is rising around Nebraska football recruiting. Quarterback Trae Taylor, the 2027 commit, shined at an Elite 11 regional on Sunday. Also, assistant coaches are on the road to see 2026 prospects. Defensive line coach Terry Bradden made a trip overseas to see a prospect, Valdin Sone, with interesting similarities to the greatest defensive player ever to a Nebraska uniform. We explore this.

And the Big Ten baseball tournament is headed to Omaha. It features a wacky format that pits Nebraska against perhaps the best pitcher in the league and then the conference champion. Oh, and the Huskers have to win both games – or their season is over. Join us on this Monday.

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We’ve got a full Friday mailbag. It starts with a question about Millard South quarterback Jett Thomalla, who received a scholarship offer on Thursday from Alabama. Yes, Alabama. Thomalla is committed to Iowa State. Notably, he’s not received an offer from Nebraska – and likely will not, because the Huskers hold a commitment from Dayton Raiola. Did something go wrong for Nebraska in this process, or is it just the reality of recruiting quarterbacks?

Many questions came to us this week about our discussion on Nebraska’s ability to win a national championship in our lifetimes. But here’s one with a new twist: Will Nebraska qualify for the College Football Playoff under Matt Rhule? Also, how would things go for Scott Frost if Nebraska and UCF played in a bowl game and he took questions in the lead up?

Finally, we’re talking about Nebraska baseball, which officially qualified on Thursday for the Big Ten tournament next week in Omaha. Join us for all of that much more.

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Is the college football landscape on the brink of a seismic shift? With talks of expanding the College Football Playoff to 16 teams, the debate heats up as experts weigh in on the implications for the Big Ten and SEC. Craig Sheeman and Trent Condon offer contrasting views on whether this expansion dilutes competition or provides new opportunities for teams like the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The discussion also explores the potential role of Nick Saban in a federal commission examining college football, sparking mixed reactions. As the Michigan Wolverines' upcoming season is dissected, Isaiah Hull predicts an overachieving performance, despite defensive losses. Key figures like Jim Harbaugh and Bryce Underwood are spotlighted, adding depth to the analysis.

Tune in for a comprehensive breakdown of these pivotal topics and discover how they could reshape college football's future.

The over-under numbers are out for the 2025 college football season. This is simply too enticing to pass up as a topic of May discussion. Nebraska finds itself in a familiar spot, looking at 7.5 as the number. Connor and Mitch give their thoughts on the Huskers’ expected win total and discuss how the makeup of the fall schedule might factor.

We look around the Big Ten, too, at a few storylines that came to light as a result of the over-under expectations. Is something big about to go down at Wisconsin? Did the oddsmakers set the number too low for Illinois? What about UCLA?

Also, Nebraska baseball and softball are in action this weekend. We preview the Huskers’ road trips and postseason prospects. Join us on this Thursday.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k
Did you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with Fire TV Stick 4K devices — no console required. Head to Amazon.com/firetvlockedon to get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller required.

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WayFair
After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.

Gametime
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FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)