I- is this a situation where you, you ... changes the expectation of the fan base, where it's like, "Okay, maybe you should be more competitive and/or win this game," even though it's on the road and all the different things that Oregon has stacked up with all the wins that they've had at Autzen Stadium?

No, I mean, I, I think you have to look at it.

I mean, you, you take, take the emotion out of it.

I mean, look, look at this, this game this way.

I mean, you, you're going to play in a, still a very tough place to win, regardless of who the quarterback is, uh, or, or what's taken place, uh, there already this year.

I mean, you're, you're gonna be getting a team that's, whose back is against the walls.

Um, you know, a lot of, there's a lot of big picture conversations that are taking place in Oregon this week that don't typically take place there.

[laughs]

Bruns, as you're looking back at Indiana, is there, is there any concern about the kind of emotional or mental state about Nebraska heading into the Oregon game?

Um, I think, I think early in the week there was still a little bit of a hangover from that.

I don't, I don't know.

Like, it, it, it almost felt like it was a little bit more with the coaching staff, to be honest.

Like, you know, in listening to the players come through and the coordinators talk about, um, you know, w- kind of, you know, how they felt coming out of that game, I mean, it, it ...

You, you felt it more from, from Dana Holgorsen and Rob Orrung that they knew that that was an opportunity, a big opportunity that they were not able to get over the finish line.

And so, you know, I, I don't, I don't think that there's gonna be that with, with this team.

Bruns, in terms of your concern from the injury report that came out last night on Nebraska's side, is there more concern that Jameir Kahl is a, is listed as out, unlikely to play, or if Riley Van Poppel is unable to go, uh, once again against Oregon?

Brunson, in terms of your concern from the injury report that came out last night on Nebraska's side, is there more concern that Jameer Khan is listed as out unlikely to play or if Riley Van Poppel is unable to go once again against Oregon?

Well, I mean, I think Jameer Khan's that's a big injury.

I mean, when he, you know, walked off, that indiana game bc and i were talking about how big that is and i think if you've been paying attention uh going back to the spring i mean i i think there was a little bit of surprise on the start part of some people that oh jameer khan's you know gonna be a big piece of this huh and it's you know he was identified by rob orange back in december as somebody that was going to be important for this and he's he's important from a leadership point of view um He's played really well at a high level in run support.

And, you know, Nebraska has some of its own decisions to make about how they approach this.

And Rob Orch said as much on Tuesday.

Like, you could just slide in another safety for him.

Or you could mix and match a little bit to try to get your best 11 on the field.

How did you think they performed in his absence?

It, it's okay to be proud of the effort, but understand it wasn't good enough.

Yeah, I mean, I, I think, you know, I, I don't think that anybody over in the football offices over there was surprised by the effort Nebraska gave.

Like, I felt like, I felt like going into it, if you kind of go back and listen to what they were saying and you, you listen to what they've said since then, like, uh, they...

Th- there was a lot of belief that they matched up well with Indiana.

Um, and, and, and weren't...

There, there was no like, "Oh, we, we need to play up here." Like, it wa- it was, you know...

And, and I think, I think that played out.

But that being said, whenever you flip on their games on a Saturday, it doesn't always, uh, come across that they have as much talent as they do.

So Brunz, what, what do you think the ultimate takeaway out of the, of a weekend that we've seen before where Nebraska plays a top team really well but doesn't come away with the win is? Like, what's your big takeaway as it relates to this 2026 team?

As it relates to the 2026 team, um, some micro takeaways.

I thought that the, I thought that the run defense held up better than I thought they would.

I, I thought that, that was a big concern I felt like going into that game, was Indiana's ability to run the ball on Nebraska's defense, and I was, I was pleasantly surprised with how Nebraska did there.

Um, you know, it, it's hard to, you know, big, big picture to, w- with the, the number of new guys on this roster, um, and, and just the, the nature of college football roster construction nowadays to, to like, like how is this group, this group gonna react to a game like that where you basically dominated a team for, what, 40, 48 minutes of, of game time, um, and, and, you know, didn't come away with the win.

I mean, I, I feel like that group should feel walking out of that stadium like they absolutely should have won that game, that they let that one get away, um, and, and be, you know, moderately pissed off about that.

Um, you know, unfortunately, it, it's also another one in a long line of opportunities to get kind of that, that program changing type win, um, and, and you weren't able to, to do it when you put yourself in position to do that.

Bronce, are you at all surprised that, uh, Oregon is as big of a favorite as they are in this game? Do you think that has to do just sheer talent or Dante Moore coming back or just the road game?

But the thought or the question is c- can Indiana neutralize Kwadwo Gilmer? Can, can they take him out of the game? W- do you think that the Hoosiers will be able to do that, or if maybe it'll be a different emphasis in the game plan from IU on the defensive side of the ball on Saturday?

Yeah, it'll be interesting.

I mean, I, I didn't think that at any point Maryland kind of, uh, you know, tried, tried to limit Kwadwo when it was pretty clear that, that that's where Nebraska was wanting to go, or at least where Anthony Calandra was wanting to go with the ball.

Um, you know, it's gonna be a little bit of a different look anyways from Indiana.

They're a little bit more zone heavy than maybe what Nebraska's seen to this point.

Um, you know, I am kind of curious just overall, and not just with, with Gilmer, you know, with, with having more guys just, you know, facing the quarterback, what, what does that kind of do in terms of Calandra's ability to scramble, uh, if nothing's open or, you know, to kind of use the quarterback run game? So it, it's gonna be a little bit, I think, of a different defensive approach.

Um, you know, I think Nebraska, you know, at some point is going to have to get more people involved in the passing game.

Uh, just recruiting-wise, what does this weekend look like?

Um, as you're looking at Nebraska this week, uh, what has been your overriding sense, not from fandom or, or, you know, message boards or anything like that with, with What's Your Job, just, like, as you're looking at this game, like, what has been your overriding sense of how you think this game plays out? Not necessarily a win or a loss, just kind of the overall tenor of the game.

Yeah, I mean, I'm, I'm expecting a four-quarter game.

I mean, I, I think, you know, I, I don't know if it's, you know, an easy cup, but I mean, I, I thi- I could see a, a game kind of like the, the game that Northwestern and Indiana played.

Like, that, that kind of a, um, a match up.

I mean, I, I think that, you know, I, I think Nebraska probably, at least the coaching staff, learned a bit from the match up two years ago in Bloomington just about kinda how you have to manage, uh, going against a Cignetti-led Indiana team.

Um, you know, I think the longer he's been there, too, you kind of, uh, know what to expect a- and what you have to be able to do well and, and, you know, what you have to avoid.

Um, you know, I, I do think that, you know, there, there was some panic two years ago, um, in, in, in the way that that game played out.

now.Bronce, is there a stat that you are focused on on either side, uh, that leans into maybe some more confidence for Nebraska's chances in this game?

As you're looking at Nebraska this week, what has been your overriding sense, not from fandom or message boards or anything like that with what's your job, just as you're looking at this game, what has been your overriding sense of... how you think this game plays out not necessarily a win or a loss just kind of the overall tenor of the game

yeah i mean i'm expecting a four-quarter game i mean i i think you know i don't know if it's you know an easy cup but i mean i i think i could see a game kind of like the the game that northwestern and indiana played like that that kind of a uh a match-up i mean i think that I think Nebraska probably, at least the coaching staff, learned a bit from the matchup two years ago in Bloomington just about how you have to manage going against the Cignetti-led Indiana team.

I think the longer he's been there, too, you kind of know what to expect and what you have to be able to do well and what you have to avoid.

I do think that You know, there was some panic two years ago in the way that that game played out.

And I think, you know, at least with the way that this version of Nebraska football, the 2026 version, is made up, I think there's more maturity on the roster.

I think there's a little bit, you know, Calandria is certainly excitable, but I think there's just a little bit of a, you know, been there, done that type feel to this roster a bit.

So I think that benefits you in a game like this, right? Like there's going to be times when Indiana is going to rip off a 10 or 12-yard run on you, but how do you make sure that it's a 10 or 12-yard run and not a 60-yard run? You know, how do you deal with a three and out? I mean, I think it's going to be one of these games where Nebraska is just going to have to weather things that come along with being in a, you know, a four-quarter game with a really good team.

Bruns, is there a stat that you are focused on, on either side, that leans into maybe some more confidence for Nebraska's chances in this game?

It feels like the Hoosiers in the past two seasons, whenever the lights are bright and there's a lot of attention on them, they always seem to play their best.

Yeah.

I mean, you don't wanna say they're robotic, 'cause I, I don't think that's true.

But I mean, I, I think they, they're, they're just methodical, right? Like, they ...

Y- you kinda just go up and down the rankings of, of what they are.

Um, [laughs] you know, there, there's not a lot of, of weaknesses.

I'm just sitting here looking at the, the, the kinda tale of the tape.

And I'm interested here, Nebraska's biggest issue will be what Saturday? And what do you see Indiana's biggest issue being potentially?

Were you, did you get a speeding ticket on your way there?

Uh, no.

And I wasn't sitting on the concourse either, um, doing my work.

So, um, no, I, I think probably my biggest takeaway, I, I think probably goes to the defensive side of the ball.

Um, you know, I, I thought, I, and I, and I think it's been this way too through the year, that I, I think Rob Orich is pretty, doing a pr- a pretty good job of making adjustments in the second half.

Um, you know, it was, it was looking a little precarious there.

He had the 300 yards in the first half.

Which one would you rather have? Run offense or run defense?

Yeah.

So I guess step up Paramount is what we're looking at here.

They were expecting to get stuff from Big T, but instead they had Dave Portnoy instead.

No Big T, unfortunately.

Like, what would Ohio State be able to do? Like, they don't own anything here.

They did ban Dave Portnoy from the stadium.

Which, I mean, yeah, they could do that.

Yeah, but television broadcasts, they don't.

How do you kind of weigh the talent of the Maryland roster, which I think is actually more talented than the Michigan State roster, versus the results that they put up, which are pretty consistently underwhelming? Like, that's a weird place for a team to be, right?

Yeah, well, that's kind of been the story of the Loxley era the last couple of years.

The results haven't necessarily matched up with, especially the skill position players.

I think they've always kind of had guys that can get some things done on the outside.

I think they've also done a really good job of recruiting along the defensive line.

They've had some good pass rushers the last couple of years that Nebraska's really kind of had to deal with, but Um, yeah, I don't know.

I mean, I think it's, you know, it is kind of hard to score.

Does that make them more dangerous coming to Nebraska that you know they might just huck it 50 times just to make sure that they keep Malik in this game and that's their best strategy to stay in the game with Nebraska?

Love that.

Love that.

That was actually the one that I was most – kind of wanting to see where that was going to go just based on kind of how he looked in that game in East Lansing after the injuries.

So that was a positive thing.

But, yeah, I don't know.

We'll see how it goes through the week.

You know, I think Mekhi Nelson and Mosey and Genitone and whoever else are more than capable of stepping in there and handling things if they have to for Jamal Rule.

Brons, how do you kind of weigh the talent of the Maryland roster, which I think is actually more talented than the Michigan State roster, versus the results that they put up, which are pretty consistently underwhelming? Like, that's a weird place for a team to be, right?

Saturday is about what? Fill in the blank for Nebraska against the Terps.

Keeping your foot on the gas.

I think you heard the right things from Nebraska's players today about Maryland and their situation.

I think Malik Washington is the type of quarterback that you can't take lightly.

He's got a big arm.

They've got talented skill position players around him and that's something that has to kind of get your respect a little bit.

I mean, look, like, Maryland came in a couple years ago and beat Nebraska.

What do you believe about Iowa?

that

they're as important.

I think Somebody like a Dwayne McDougal, I think you could probably make a case that he would be right behind that group.

But no, I think Gilmer's been, obviously the on-the-field stuff, he's been really good.

And if you go back and look at his numbers at UCLA, he was remarkably consistent, but not particularly flashy.

like his two best games were against Nebraska.

So I think there's a little bit of a, you know, not recency bias, but like Nebraska fans have seen him at his best when he was at UCLA both times.

As long as 49, yeah.

Is that kind of where you're leaning just in general of how the fan base is gathering and getting ready for this game?

Uh...

Yeah, I mean, I think there's probably a little bit of self-preservation going on.

You know, the fact that you have two big boogeymen, right? You've got Fitzgerald and then you've got LeVar Woods over there, too, that gets mentioned more than probably any special teams coordinator that I can recall.

Yeah.

So, yeah, I mean, I think there's definitely a little bit of wait and see, and I think that that's fair because, I mean, Nebraska did what they were supposed to do against teams that they were supposed to do it against.

So, you know, I think all offseason we were talking that you're going to learn the most whenever Nebraska goes to East Lansing, and here we are.

What is it about going to East Lansing that causes a little bit just of extra anxiety just because of maybe the weirdness that goes into that trip?

Is that kind of where you're leaning just in general of how the fan base is gathering and getting ready for this game?

Uh...

Yeah, I mean, I think there's probably a little bit of self-preservation going on.

You know, the fact that you have two big boogeymen, right? You've got Fitzgerald and then you've got LeVar Woods over there, too, that gets mentioned more than probably any special teams coordinator that I can recall.

Yeah.

So, yeah, I mean, I think there's definitely a little bit of wait and see, and I think that that's fair because, I mean, Nebraska did what they were supposed to do against teams that they were supposed to do it against.

So, you know, I think all offseason we were talking that you're going to learn the most whenever Nebraska goes to East Lansing, and here we are.

Notre Dame's in that in that category, but they have a different brand, obviously.

And I want to get your take on the magnitude of Saturday, big and small picture for Nebraska football, because it just feels, and it is super important, but do you feel like Nebraska's better positioned this year than in past years to actually make it happen?

Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, you've heard a lot so far this week in the discussion about just being older, right? And You know, I think, you know, in the Transfer Portal era...

I think the one kind of constant that's true is that you are going into the portal to get older, whether it's football.

I know Will Bolt harped on that a lot during baseball season, and they saw the benefits of that.

But I think where it helps you the most is where you're going on the road and you're having to deal with Big Ten road crowds and play composed in those types of settings, and I think that's why you go And you spend the money that you did at the offensive line spots.

Why you went and got Anthony Calandria, who started four years, or three years, and this is his fourth year in the college game.

There's a lot of benefits to that.

How do you like that matchup, Nebraska's offense v. the Spartan defense?

Definitely some force feeding going on, yeah.

Yeah, but no, I mean, I don't know.

I don't know what to make of that.

I don't know if what they're doing offensively is going away from him.

I mean, it feels like it's going to be a thing until it's not.

Dana Holgerson's comments last week about, you know, the practices and stuff during the week and, you know, that felt like a little bit of a challenge.

We'll see if, you know, the narrative has changed any there.

to kick it as far

Um, as you're looking through and we'll get to Nebraska in a second, but, um, as you're looking through, uh, some of the big 10 results this week, have you changed your mind about obviously Oregon's losing Oklahoma state's the big one, but have you changed your mind about how you feel about any of the, the top of the big 10 through the first couple of weeks?

Um, I mean, Oregon got their young upfront and we knew that going in.

Um, I don't know.

Like I, I don't, Even though Oregon lost, I don't know that there's, like, I have a fair amount of confidence that they're going to be able to right the ship.

Like, they're too talented to, you know, continue down the path they're on.

You know, playing Boise State close may be a concern.

You know, last week's result, it looked just all over the place.

But, no, I'm eager to kind of see as you get close to the big-time play, what does that rotation look like

Um, as you're looking through and we'll get to Nebraska in a second, but, um, as you're looking through, uh, some of the big 10 results this week, have you changed your mind about obviously Oregon's losing Oklahoma state's the big one, but have you changed your mind about how you feel about any of the, the top of the big 10 through the first couple of weeks?

Um, I mean, Oregon got their young upfront and we knew that going in.

Um, I don't know.

Like I, I don't, Even though Oregon lost, I don't know that there's, like, I have a fair amount of confidence that they're going to be able to right the ship.

Like, they're too talented to, you know, continue on the path, down the path they're on.

You know, the playing Boise State close may be a concern.

You know, last week's result, it looked just all over the place.

as you get close to the big 10 play, what does that rotation look like

Rob Aurich today kind of downplayed some of the concerns with the pass rush saying, well, these first two games, not a lot of drop back opportunities, not a lot of chances for his guys to kind of pin their ears back and get after the passer.

Yeah.

And I think that's, you know, what I was going to mention with the, you know, the, the offenses they've seen.

I mean, I, Bowling Green wanted to get downhill a little bit more in the run game.

They weren't kind of the traditional drop-back style passing.

A lot of the things that Ohio was doing were kind of having to keep the Nebraska defenders in place to see what they were going to do.

So, you know, I do think that, you know, Nebraska will be able to scheme up pressure if they need to.

run see on a on a bigger scale right now what's your your big 10 power rankings look like uh who's the the top of the list right now and how much of a shake-up is it from a week ago

I mean, just overall, what kind of excitement do you have now that we've got two games under our belt? When you look at, at Gilmer and Barney and Isaiah, even though Isaiah wasn't too active on Saturday after the first play of the game, I mean, just where are you at with the wide receiver room or pass catchers in totality?

Yeah, I think it's, you know, we kind of talked, I think, all offseason that that was likely the strongest group, you know, on the roster.

And, you know, we haven't seen a ton of the depth yet.

I've been a little bit surprised that we haven't seen more Quinn Clark than we have just kind of based on what the conversation was preseason.

But I think part of that is they've just been, you know, the top three guys have just been really good.

And, you know, I think Barney's become a pretty valuable target for Calandria so far.

I mean, I think he's been a pretty good safety valve at times.

Are we starting to get some hints on what we feel like their strengths are on defense?

Did you get a feel of what you can make an evaluation of his field vision and also decision making was on just rewatch?

Yeah, I mean, I think one thing you look at is the turnover piece of it.

He didn't turn the ball over.

I know there's the fumble.

There were, you know, the plays that were intentional grounding where he kind of spun into the sack.

You know, but I thought for the most part, he made good decisions i mean the the catch and run for the touchdown by mckay nelson i mean a lot of that was him just getting back to um you know the the third option and then finding nelson in the in the traffic underneath so i think you've got to give what you know when you hear all off season about how he's going to extend plays extend plays at least in my mind, you start thinking of, okay, you've got a wide receiver running free 50 yards down the field because they've had to cover for seven, eight seconds.

But there's also that piece of it where you can find that check down and some good things are going to happen.

Brunce, what's your comfort level for each of the three levels of defense from the defensive line linebackers and

Brunce, in your evaluation of Calandria's play, from when you first watched the game live to maybe a revisit, or if you were specifically watching how just his play evolved through that contest, did Did you get a feel of what you can make an evaluation of his field vision and also decision-making was on just rewatch?

Yeah, I mean, I think one thing you look at is the turnover piece of it.

He didn't turn the ball over.

I know there's the fumble.

There were, you know, the plays that were the intentional grounding where he kind of spun into the sack.

You know, but I thought for the most part, he made good decisions.

I mean, the catch and run for the touchdown by Mekhi Nelson, I mean, a lot of that was him just getting back to, you know, the third option and finding Nelson in the traffic underneath.

Brunce, what's your comfort level for each of the three levels of defense from the defensive line, linebackers, and