February is winding to a close at the Locked On Nebraska podcast, and we’ve got a preview of football in the spring today as the Huskers make available three of their new assistant coaches to answer questions from the media.

We’ll hear from Phil Snow, associate head coach, Phil Simpson, outside linebackers coach, and wide receivers Daikiel Shorts. It’s an interesting trio in that Simpson, Shorts and Snow come to Nebraska with a wide range of experience, exposure to Nebraska and connections to Matt Rhule’s coaching staff. And what they’re being asked to do in Lincoln varies considerably.

We dive into the most important topics related to each of the three coaches. Join us on this Wednesday.

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The Nebraska basketball team lost at home Monday night to Michigan. It was ugly. It looked disjointed. Tuesday on the pod, we look past the result – to what may rate as a source of the struggles that we saw on the court at PBA: The difficulties of building a roster in college sports today.

It impacts the work of basketball coach Fred Hoiberg and football coach Matt Rhule. In this pay-for-play era, it’s more difficult than ever to find the right pieces and the right mix at the right price. Sometimes, it all leads to something nice. Other times, you get Monday night, when Huskers not named Brice Williams shot 17.1 percent and Nebraska posted a low point total in the Hoiberg era.

We look also at the final seconds of this game. And we turn our attention to football in the final segment, checking in on Millard South QB Jett Thomalla, who earned a four-star ranking this week from On3. Is Nebraska likely to get in the running for this talented 2026 prospect?

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As February news in college football goes, the cancellation late last week of the Nebraska-Tennessee series in 2026 and 2027 rated as a bombshell. The Huskers framed this as a financial decision. We’re not so sure. Who’s to blame in this situation? Connor and Mitch weigh in on the scheduling developments.

Also, we’re paying tribute to Tyson Terry, Nebraska’s defensive line signee who finished his high school wrestling career over the weekend with a perfect record as the first four-time state champion at heavyweight ever in the state of Nebraska. Terry wrestled with a knee injury through his senior season. He’s sure to redshirt in 2025 with the Huskers. But what about the rest of his incoming freshman class?

Finally, we’re talking about Nebraska basketball, which hosts Michigan on Monday night. It’s a big one for the Huskers.

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The Friday mailbag is open. We’re starting with a question about Runza. One listener to the pod takes issue with our suggestion that if you’re concerned about Nebraska’s favorite food leaving Memorial Stadium, just go buy one on the way in. Be assured, we are with you, Team Runza. Keep them for the long term.

We’re having conversations about the College Football Playoff and Matt Rhule’s takes on the sport. How is Rhule viewed by fellow coaches who hear his well-formed opinions? Is there a way for the spring showcase to not count as one of the Huskers’ 15 practices?

There’s a volleyball question in the mailbag. And one on basketball related to Nebraska’s lack of NCAA Tournament victories. Are we getting trolled? Join us to find out.

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Big Ten football is on the brink of transformation. Will Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan maintain their dominance, or will rising stars like Washington and Indiana shake up the hierarchy? As the college football landscape shifts, the expansion of the College Football Playoff looms large, promising new opportunities and challenges for teams across the conference.

Join Spencer McLaughlin and guests Zach Sako, Jacob Goins, Roman Tomashoff, and Ryan Herrings as they dissect the future of Big Ten football. They explore the impact of NIL deals, the transfer portal, and conference realignment on powerhouse programs like Penn State and USC. Discover how quarterback play and trench strength could redefine success for teams like Wisconsin and Nebraska.

Don't miss this chance to gain insider insights into the evolving dynamics of Big Ten football. Listen now to uncover the strategies and stories shaping the future of the game.

We’re two months deep into the football offseason for Nebraska. And here’s a question: How much do you care? How much do you care about the circumstances that have made Nebraska unique for decades and the topics that are turning college football into a scaled version of the NFL?

Has college football at Nebraska become an entirely bottom-line business? Connor and Mitch talk about it. Also, Nebraska basketball laid an egg Wednesday night at Penn State. The Huskers could not overcome another lackluster start on the road. Now they’re faced with a four-game stretch to end the regular season that will determine their NCAA Tournament fate.

We also cover a few odds and ends in Nebraska football this week. Mat drills have commenced. And Nebraska baseball hits the road for Louisiana. Join us.

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Tuesday in Nebraska football delivered news that running backs coach E.J. Barthel is sticking with the Huskers after he showed up as a candidate for jobs elsewhere. Barthel signed a deal to keep him at Nebraska for the next two seasons. And he got a pay bump as Nebraska continues to show the commitment needed with its staff to compete in the Big Ten.

What do we make of Nebraska’s full offensive staff? Connor and Mitch offer their thoughts. Also, Mitch takes a look at the story of Nebraska defensive lineman Conor Connealy, who is bidding to return from injury and simply remain a part of the program in Lincoln as college football teams are forced to reduce their rosters to 105 players.

And Nebraska basketball travels to Penn State on Wednesday night for a game against the last-place team in the league. The Huskers can use this to get back to .500 in the Big Ten, an important spot with a challenging four-game stretch on the schedule ahead to end the regular season. Join us on this Wednesday.

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Just when we thought the coaching carousel had stopped, speculation surfaces around a report from On3 that Nebraska running backs coach EJ Barthel is a candidate for the same position at Texas. How would Nebraska fans feel about Matt Rhule faced with a search for a running backs coach at this stage of the offseason?

What do we think about the production of the backs in two years under Barthel? And if he goes, is his replacement already on staff in Lincoln? We talk all things running backs in this Tuesday episode.

Also, Rhule offered thoughts in a recent interview with Josh Pate on how he manages discrepancies in income earned within his locker room. And the Big Ten and SEC are strengthening their grip on college football. We’re apparently supposed to be mad about this. But are we? Join us for answers.

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