Husker Doc Talk

Last Saturday night you could hear the collective sigh of relief all across the state of Nebraska and Husker Nation. Following a week where the Husker football program was criticized from all every angle; Nebraska upsets 6th ranked Michigan State 39-38. It's Nebraska's first win over a top 6 opponent since October 27, 2001. You remember, when Frank Solich was the head coach and Mike Stuntz hit Eric Crouch for a touchdown pass in a 20-10 win over Oklahoma. I really thought people were going to celebrate at 72nd and Dodge in Omaha like it was 1995 Orange Bowl. This team needed this win. This coach needed this win. This fan base needed this win. It gives hope and restores trust in Mike Riley that things are moving in the right direction.In this week's Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, Dr. Rob and Travis discuss the victory and what it means or can mean moving forward with two games to play.

We learned something new after Nebraska lost to Purdue. Nine games into the season we finally hear something from Nebraska Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst that he failed to mention last December. The Nebraska Football Progam has to be rebuilt, brick by brick.This revelation comes as a bit of a shock to a lot of Big Red followers. How can program that won nine games or more in every season under Bo Pelini need rebuilding? After all; this is the storied Nebraska football program, we don't rebuild, we reload! Oh, if that was only the case.In this week's Husker Dod Talk Podcast presented by The Rimington Trophy; Dr. Rob Zatechka reacts to the astonishing letter to the "Husker Family". We also hear from Mike Riley at his media meet and greet on Monday. Riley knew what was coming, but did he answer any of tough questions or did he dance in circles and run out the clock until he had to leave the room?Dr. Rob gives it to you straight! Like what you hear from him? Make sure to follow him on Twitter, @DocTalkSports. We want to hear from you as well, leave your comments below.

Everytime Nebraska loses, the big debate on social media is; are the Huskers problems more coaching or more talent? It's not an easy question to answer, but Dr. Rob Zatechka and Travis Justice try and do that in this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy.
It's easy to look at the losses and blame coaching. I mean decision making had to play a part of losing five games by a total of 13 points, right? Dr. Rob makes an excellent comparison between the NFL or professional coaching mentality that Mike Riley seems to have versus a college coaching state of mind. Now before you break out into cold sweats and start thinking the Bill Callahan has returned, it hasn't! Or at least we don't think it has.
Yes, there have been some bad coaching decisions in the first eight games for Nebraska, those decisions have cost the Huskers a chance at competing for a Big 10 Conference Championship. But what about the talent, or better yet the talent gap? Let's face it, the Big Red doesn't have the horses to compete week in and week out in this the Big 10, at least not yet. The O-Line is average at best and has no depth. The defensive backs just gave up another big play why you weren't watching, and these guys are still adjusting to a coaching change.
So is it coaching to talent? How about both? Listen to Dr. Rob give his expert insight and opinions in this podcast. We also want to hear from you; please leave your comments below. Make sure to follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports.

A win at Minnesota gives Nebraska the big momentum shift the have been looking for. It's amazing one winning can do for the spirit and make you think that all is right with the world again.
In this week's Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, Dr. Rob Zatechka and Travis Justice talk about what's next for the Big Red in the wild Big 10 Conference race. Northwestern is up next, an 11:00 kickoff at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Wildcats are coming off two horrible losses that essentially drops them out of contention for the Big 10 West Division Championship.  Now, Nebraska will have a hard time winning the division as well but Saturday the storyline will be two teams heading in completely different directions.
Right now, Iowa is the team to beat in the division  There is a lot of football to be played before that last game of the year, but Dr Rob is already looking forward to the showdown with the Hawks.
We have some big news to break in this week's podcast. Listen to find out who the featured speaker will be at this year's Rimington Trophy Presentation as well as the Ford Legends Award winner.  You will not be disappointed with either one of them.
We like to hear from you. Please leave your comments below, or reach out to Dr. Rob on Twitter, you can follow him @DocTalkSports.

There is a fine line in college football these days when it comes to being considered a great team and a bad team. Right now, Nebraska is on the wrong side of that line. Halfway through the season the Huskers are 2-4 and dreams of a bowl trip are fading fast. 
Some of it is just plain bad luck.  Some of it is a lack of good talent.  Some of it is bad coaching. Add it all up and you can see why a lot of fans are in a panic. The reaction on social media, local radio and local print is all over the board. Some people are furious and see the Bill Callahan days returning. Some people have blinders on and are preaching patience and worrying that all the negative talk will hurt recruiting. 
In this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, Dr. Rob talks about the Husker offense and what he sees as the problem.  When listening to this, imagine Dr. Rob sitting down with Mike Riley and Danny Langsdorf and giving him the diagnosis they need to hear. Dr. Rob might not have the cure, but the medicine he's offering might ease some of the pain. Here's a hint, it's going old school!
We don't focus a lot on the x's and o's in this podcast, more about the mindset and philosophy and moving forward after a terrible start.  
We would like to hear your thoughts, leave your comments below. Also, make sure to follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports.

Five games into his first season at Nebraska and the honeymoon is officially over for head coach Mike Riley. Starting the season 2-3 is bad, but it got worse when the Huskers lost to what could be considered the worst team in the Big 10 Conference, Illinois.
In this weeks, Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, former Husker All-American Dr. Rob Zatechka takes a good hard look at the Nebraska's problems. Everyone wants to look at the pass that should have been a run by quarterback Tommie Armstrong; Dr. Rob says it's more than one play, and it's what he sees as the problem has been going on since the first game of the season.
Losing to Illinois was a serious blow to Nebraska's shot at winning the Big 10 West Division.  However,  the bigger question for this team now is this.  Is the season going to get worse for the Huskers before it gets better?  Nebraska is at home Saturday to play Wisconsin. The Badgers also lost last weekend which means there will be two teams on the field in Lincoln with something to prove. The loser will be pretty much eliminated from having a chance of winning the division. 
Want to hear more from Dr. Rob? Follow him on Twitter @DocTalkSports.  We also want to know what you think of this podcast, feel free to leave your comments below.

The numbers are really hard to look at.  Nebraska is ranked 102nd nationally in total defense; its is giving up well over 6-yards a play. The Huskers scoring defense is ranked 76th nationally giving almost 27 points per game.  These numbers are a good reason Nebraska is just 2-2 heading into Big 10 Play.  
In this weeks Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by the Rimington Trophy, Dr. Rob Takes a harder look at the defense and breaks down the woes we see today and if they are here to last all season.
Now, despite the problems the Huskers are having on defense, their Big 10 opener at Illinois the place to build some confidence.  The biggest question heading into this game is will any Illini fans even show up. Despite being 3-1, the fan base has all but abandoned the Illini. And don't let that 3-1 record fool you, Illinois has beaten nobody of significance. 
As the Big 10 season gets started, just where does Dr. Rob see the Huskers in the wild west division? Here's a hint, it's not at the top.
We like to hear from you so please feel free to leave your comments below and make sure to follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports.

In this edition of the Husker Doc Talk Podcast presented by The Rimington Trophy, Travis and Rob are sitting down on the patio at the Benson Brewery.  A live, on location recording in the heart of Benson and a proud supporter of our podcasting efforts.
Coming off a loss at Miami, the reactions of the Big Red faithful were mixed.  Some people like the fight the Husker showed in the 4th quarter, fighting back to force overtime. Others pointed out the negative including a first quarter that was about as bad as it gets.  
United we stand, divided we fall. It's a cliche', but it's also true. Not just from the fan base but the players as well.  What does Alex Lewis' stupid tweet do to this team? Also, should there be better social media policy place to prevent what Alex did from happening again?
Oh, and there's a game this week, taking on Souther Mississippi.  Enjoy our on location podcast (new intro and outro music) and let us know what you think by leaving your comments below. Also, follow Dr. Rob on Twitter, @DocTalkSports.