Nebraska SquareOffs

If just one of these is possible, what would you rather see during the 2026 Husker football season?
282 7
If just one of these is possible, what would you rather see during the 2026 Husker football season?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will the home sellout streak for Nebraska football survive the 2026 season?
636 5
Will the home sellout streak for Nebraska football survive the 2026 season?
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Husker Max
Thumbs up or down on the Huskers' black uniforms for their Halloween game against Washington?
777 15
Thumbs up or down on the Huskers' black uniforms for their Halloween game against Washington?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will Nebraska's defense force 20 or more turnovers during the 2026 season?
420 3
Will Nebraska's defense force 20 or more turnovers during the 2026 season?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will Nebraska's intentional offseason mindset show up in a tougher run defense this fall?
527 3
Will Nebraska's intentional offseason mindset show up in a tougher run defense this fall?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will Elijah Pritchett take the leap at left tackle Nebraska needs in 2026?
446 3
Will Elijah Pritchett take the leap at left tackle Nebraska needs in 2026?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will Nebraska's special teams remain one of its most reliable units without Mike Ekeler?
582 5
Will Nebraska's special teams remain one of its most reliable units without Mike Ekeler?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will Nebraska's running backs rush for 1,000+ yards combined in 2026?
782 15
Will Nebraska's running backs rush for 1,000+ yards combined in 2026?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will 4-star safety Tory Pittman III keep his Nebraska commitment after visiting LSU?
317 0
Will 4-star safety Tory Pittman III keep his Nebraska commitment after visiting LSU?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will Nebraska softball add a transfer pitcher before the portal closes?
289 5
Will Nebraska softball add a transfer pitcher before the portal closes?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Will Nebraska's 2027 football recruiting class finish in the top 15 nationally?
556 6
Will Nebraska's 2027 football recruiting class finish in the top 15 nationally?
Husker Max
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Husker Max
Is Nebraska in any real danger of losing the commitments of Trae Taylor and/or Tory Pittman?
460 8
Is Nebraska in any real danger of losing the commitments of Trae Taylor and/or Tory Pittman?
Husker Max
Asked By
Husker Max
Will No. 4 Nebraska softball make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament in 2026?
136 1
Will No. 4 Nebraska softball make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament in 2026?
Husker Max
Asked By
Husker Max
Thoughts on the $600 million Memorial Stadium renovation plan?
364 10
Thoughts on the $600 million Memorial Stadium renovation plan?
Husker Max
Asked By
Husker Max
Will Jamal Rule start at RB for Nebraska's 2026 opener?
409 3
Will Jamal Rule start at RB for Nebraska's 2026 opener?
Husker Max
Asked By
Husker Max

82%
Yes WINNER

13

18%
No

2

82%
Yes

Chris Martin
1
Chris Martin

It's the coaches job to put the players in the best position to succeed individually and as a team. If there's something Mark Whipple can implement in the middle of the season to help the OL, and score points, he should do that.

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Brian Machan
0
Brian Machan

Not a full scale strategy change, but play to our strength. Good to see some new player at RT. (Benhart might look good on paper, but his poor game playing stalls a lot of drives)

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Chris Nielsen
0
Chris Nielsen

Would love to see grant, yant and logan smothers running some wildcat at some point

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Darrin Auxier
0
Darrin Auxier

We have a mobile QB, we need to use that more with designed QB keepers

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Steve “S85” T
0
Steve “S85” T

Not only do I think they should, quick hitters and more run plays, but I think these coaches are on top of it.

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Wade Williams
0
Wade Williams

Well, as one local sports writer said, when it comes to pass blocking, the OL looks like a bunch of Matadors out there, particularly the right side of the line. Consequently, that's been getting CT killed. He won't hold up all season like that, I don't care how tough he is. We gotta protect him!

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Agron Leopold
0
Agron Leopold

Thompson is getting killed. Let him move around. At least if he's getting hit while on the run it won't be flat footed with his arm in the air for a free shot.

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Al Wenburg
0
Al Wenburg

Move the pocket around or line up with two running backs in the backfield. This would buy Casey Thompson the time and options he needs to get the offense rolling.

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VAHuskerFan
0
VAHuskerFan

O line is the worst I think I have ever seen, some major adjustments need to be done if they wanna keep making progress, O line is definitely holding us back, to much talent to be only scoring 14 points on Rutgers and I think play calling hasn’t been very impressive. GBR!!!

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Thomas Wright
0
Thomas Wright

Go back to the Osborne days ... what did Dr. Tom do ? Why he subbed in players, especially young talent all the time....which is why year after year it seemed as if our entire team had so much experience because T.O. subbed in and played new guys all the time. Give those young ones a try !!!

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Blake Howitt
0
Blake Howitt

we cannot expect to continue winning without crease runs...the B1G is too tough and our line is not good enough for that. Get the ball outside on the edge and off tackle. Quit expecting to gash anyone between the guards. Ain't gonna happen with this line.

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Alexanderthegreatandterrible
0
Alexanderthegreatandterrible

Only hope with the tougher defenses we will be facing is to do what Purdue does, quick pass plays and rush breaking screens, quick outs, short routes, occasional deep ball shots and maybe throw in some Smothers and the option.

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Melvyn Halfon
0
Melvyn Halfon

Roll the QB out if the pocket, and run some halfback screens!

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18%
No

bribaby
1
bribaby

Phil Steele has Turner Cochran as the #13 tackle in the nation, and Bryce Benhart as the #34 tackle in the nation. THE NATION!!! It's time to exert our dominance and stop letting the QB, RB, and receivers get in the way of the offensive tackles!

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Larry Smith
0
Larry Smith

I am unfortunately skeptical about anything working this year.

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39%
Yes

2

61%
No WINNER

6

39%
Yes

Kevin Bolin
0
Kevin Bolin

most likely one of their coaches

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Tom Hedlund
0
Tom Hedlund

Leipold will likely prefer the Husker job over the Badgers for three reasons, and it's quite possible he would keep a few of the existing staff, namely Joseph and Busch.

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61%
No

Larry Ewart
1
Larry Ewart

Leipold will likely stay at KU. Why? Because his contract will be renegotiated in a big way and if you win over half your games as a HC at Kansas you will be the all time winning coach ever. Jack Mitchell is number one. You will have long time security in this day and age of firing coaches.

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Richard Stotts
0
Richard Stotts

neither have won anything. Hard pass

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Leonard Barron
0
Leonard Barron

we need a coach that understands the Big 10

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Bob Notbob
0
Bob Notbob

Campbell isn't B1G quality. We can and will do much better. ISU is a 4th tier fbs team. We are a blue blood. We are not the same.

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Wade Williams
0
Wade Williams

I kind of doubt it because I believe Leipold would go to Wisconsin now that they fired Chryst and I don't think Aranda would come. That leaves Gundy, which is possible. Personally, I'd love to see it work out for MJ. GBR!!!!

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Jay Reeder
0
Jay Reeder

I'll go with no. As the Baylor coach didn't leave for more money laden pastures last year. And the KU coach mayget a full court press from Wisconsin.

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Agree

56

Disagree

2

Agree

Mark Empson
2
Mark Empson

time to clean house

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Mark Empson
Mark Empson

I dont want to hear about Bo Pelini. His defense in the Big 10 was not much better. I was at the Big 10 Champ game when we were humiliated by Wisconsin. He won the games he should have won but did terrible in most of the important Big 10. So dont give me "bring back Bo defense".

Tony Reinsch
1
Tony Reinsch

I didn't like his bend not break defense when he arrived 5 years ago in Lincoln. We didn't have the athletes they had at Central Florida

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Christopher Garabrandt
0
Christopher Garabrandt

UCF's defense the two years they were there, says it all.

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Jax Theeler
0
Jax Theeler

Nothing was changing on the defensive side of the ball. Something needed to change, put some fire under these guys!

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RJ Heinen
0
RJ Heinen

Worst ranked def I ever seen

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Mike Petersen
0
Mike Petersen

Defense was bad in every aspect.

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Chuck Chase
0
Chuck Chase

Overall 4 years...25% good vs 75% bad

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Brian Machan
0
Brian Machan

The average ranking of our defense over the last 5 years has been very low.

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Lynn Cooper
0
Lynn Cooper

No real changes. Gap issues every game. Slow and far away from lone of scrimmage.

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Jay Reeder
0
Jay Reeder

The D is ranked 128th. So your saying we have the 128th most talented defensive team? Nope, therefore no excuse.

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Donald Gruenemeyer
0
Donald Gruenemeyer

He was not getting results and he was Scott's DC. Need to get a DC that will follow Mickey's directions.

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Gregg Smith
0
Gregg Smith

This was an easy call because the defense doesn't seem to understand even basic offensive schemes. Good talent perhaps, but very substandard coaching.

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K De Backer
0
K De Backer

Coaching and being able to have an effective defensive scheme were not happening.

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hm dude
0
hm dude

terrible defenses

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David Ortman
0
David Ortman

No adjustments and little creativity.

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James Stiver
0
James Stiver

He was never a good defensive coordinator. Even at UCF they just outscored the other team. He had a fair defense last year because of the super seniors. Why would he do anything to help the Huskers because he probably was going to be gone at years end. I am personally glad he's gone.

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Russell Leier
0
Russell Leier

Even at UCF, his defense was not great. Winning games 62-55 showed that. Frost should have found better coordinators from the start and maybe he would still be here. Look how well Arkansas has down with great coordinators and good strength and conditioning coach.

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Steve Willey
0
Steve Willey

Needed to be done

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Alexanderthegreatandterrible
0
Alexanderthegreatandterrible

Defense so bad, blame is on the leader and that is Chins. If the offense was as bad as the defense wouldn't we expect a change of play caller? Yes, same with DC, team can't close an automatic door let alone close holes created by o-lines.

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Randy Wolf
0
Randy Wolf

After seeing his salary (base salary $850,000) and what we were getting for it, I was going to send a ltr to Trev offering to do it for half of that. I'm sure the results would be the same but much cheaper.

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Bob Hampl
0
Bob Hampl

On pace to b worst defense ever at Neb.....also he has loyalty to frost like no other.

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David Moshiri
0
David Moshiri

The DC is responsible for the defensive performance. Additionally, he has the people he recruited playing for him and they are not disciplined.

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Richard Byers
0
Richard Byers

UCF never had a better than average defense and we are near the bottom of the statistics in most categories with top 30 recruiting classes. The math doesn't add up.

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Steve Hubert
0
Steve Hubert

I'm surprised this is even a question.

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Wade Williams
0
Wade Williams

Very likeable guy but let's be honest, his only good defense was last year and they weren't great by statistical measures. This year has been a complete train wreck. Carricker could've coached em' up better than this debacle. These guys are woefully lacking in basic fundamentals. He had to go!

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Doug Einsel
0
Doug Einsel

Chinander should have gone before Frost, as D is half if not more of the problem. The revolving door at NU is going to be a problem in getting any future coaches, in any specialty.

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Glenn Suzuki
0
Glenn Suzuki

The firing of Erik Chinander is long overdue. Many of the games were lost due to poor defensive performance.

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donald henriksen
0
donald henriksen

He didn't get the job done

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Andy Fields
0
Andy Fields

It's a results oriented job and the results suck. That's big time coaching jobs for you and I agree with it.

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Andy Fields
Andy Fields

Since I didn't address the timing, I'm ok with it. They gave Frost every opportunity to succeed. He kept Chinander and it cost him both their jobs. Win and we don't have this poll.

Kevin Schamel
0
Kevin Schamel

It had to happen everyone has lost faith including the kids in the scheme. Remember we kept Crosgrove to end the year and that was disaster. We had no fits from the secondary and that was Chins responsibility this week. I hate to see it but it is for the best,

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Kevin Bolin
0
Kevin Bolin

the defense has been abysmal and no reason for that

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Rolland Holliday
0
Rolland Holliday

Should have happened at the end of last season. This will make it very hard to recruit!

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Phil Dalton
0
Phil Dalton

NW 31, ND 17, Georgia S. 45, OK 49 Too many points, does not make any adjustments, defensive backs are playing too far off the line of scrimmage allowing the other teams offensive to get too many positive plays.

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Visitor
0
Visitor

It should have happened a couple of years ago. I've never been a fan of his type of defense it's not aggressive enough.

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michael daly
0
michael daly

part of coaching is anticipation and preparation of future situations. He knew he was pushing all the chips on his super senior d line and safeties and did little to prepare for this year. the linebacker falloff is surprising

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Chris Foix
0
Chris Foix

We are dead last on D? What are we clinging to? Not the coaches and if players aren't giving effort we can let them out of their scholarship. UCLA had only hundreds of fans last Saturday. There are expectations with NU's level of commitment.

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Doug Behrens
0
Doug Behrens

Bring back Pelini! Best defense we've had in 20 years!

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michael daly
michael daly

bo was a good d coach but an overall disaster

David Warren Sherwood
0
David Warren Sherwood

The defense has to be fixed

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Troy Erickson
0
Troy Erickson

Frost should never had brought his buddy with him from UCF. It was clear back then his defense didn’t work. Nobody seemed to question giving up 55 points to Memphis in 2017 because they won, but it was plain to see that Chinander was not a fit to coach blackshirts.

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Darren Oestmann
0
Darren Oestmann

I didn't want him to come here in the first place.

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Matt Anderson
0
Matt Anderson

What took so long?

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Brad Faller
0
Brad Faller

Should have been done a lot sooner. Doesn't matter if it's mid-season or not. Don't postpone the inevitable and move on.

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lydia chapawilson
0
lydia chapawilson

see defense statistics for this season to date

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Tom Hedlund
0
Tom Hedlund

Yes, Busch may not have much time to improve things, but it sounds like there were no tackle drills the past four years. Two weeks of fundamentals might to the D some good.

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Richard Stotts
0
Richard Stotts

going into year 5 you are supposed to have developed depth..problem is they left through the portal.

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Rob Robertson
0
Rob Robertson

You can't keep giving up 600+ plus yards and expect good results

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Jason Cleveland
0
Jason Cleveland

His side other than 1 year has seemed to underperform. He may have been limited by his HC or not. At the end of the day, even at UCF, he didn't get the job done. 2 years as a Def Coordinator before NU, is too inexperienced for the B1G. By all accounts he's a great guy, just rose too fast maybe.

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Disagree

john cochran
1
john cochran

This whole thing should have been handled at the end of last season, or the end of this one. Doing it like this causes the program (players, recruits, staff, etc.) the most harm possible. When you’re going through Hell, don’t stop. Get through it, then act. We are snatching disaster from defeat.

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Larry Ewart
Larry Ewart

I agree. I have never seen a program benefit from a mid year firing.

Jay Reeder
Jay Reeder

It's already a disaster. You have a good point, but he was trying to give the Nebraska native one more chance, right or wrong. The native failed, badly.

David Green
David Green

why wait, no flag on this decision

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