PROGRAMMING NOTE: This episode was recorded nearly two months ago, prior to the passing of Dee Riley. We want to extend our sincere condolences to Mike Riley and his entire family on the loss of their wife, mother and grandmother. As both Brian and Brandon point out in the episode, Mike Riley is one of the nicest and best people they have worked with. He and Dee touched countless lives during their time in Lincoln, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Riley family.

****

The Common Fans bring you Episode 4 of The Reckoning series. This episode, featuring long time Nebraska reporters Brian Christopherson and Brandon Vogel, focuses on the question: Was Mike Riley the Biggest Miss of the Post-Osborne Era?

The crew looks at:

• The very brief coaching search by then Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst as he quickly zeroed in on Riley.
• The challenging environment Riley walked into - a divided locker room, extremely high expectations, and the demand to win right away.
• The 2016 season, when the Huskers got out to a 7-0 start and were ranked in the top 10 before the bottom fell out.
• The forced firing of Mark Banker, Riley's longtime friend and defensive coordinator, and the installation of Bob Diaco as DC.
• The Riley team's recruiting efforts: Calibraska, Friday Night Lights, and more.
• Biggest wins of the Riley era, including the 2015 Michigan State game and the 2016 Oregon game.
• The major turning points: the end of the 2016 season, and ultimately, the 2017 loss to Northern Illinois.
• In the end, Riley was not the right fit for Nebraska, at a time when the Big Red really needed to get it right.

Special thanks to Brandon Vogel of the Counter Read for joining the Common Fans for all of The Reckoning episodes. Make sure to check out www.counterread.com for Brandon's excellent coverage of Nebraska football, college football, and other Nebraska sports.

And make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@commonfangbr.

GBR for LIFE!

The Common Fans bring you Episode 3 of The Reckoning series. This episode, featuring long time Nebraska reporters Sam McKewon and Brandon Vogel, focuses on the question: Bo-liever or Bo-leaver?

The crew looks at:

• The hiring of Bo "restored the House of Osborne," according to Sam McKewon.
• Pelini's fire was a welcome change from the more stoic Callahan, but it was evident from early on that his temper was fierce - and perhaps a detriment to the team.
• Pelini's early success - two conference championship game appearances in his first three years - contrasted with the volatile and, at times, dysfunctional way he ran the team.
• Two massive turning points in the middle of Bo's tenure: Nebraska's move to the Big 10, and the unexpected blowout loss against Wisconsin in the 2012 Big 10 championship game.
• The impact of Shawn Eichorst coming in as Athletic Director in 2012.
• The infamous tape after the 2013 UCLA game.
• The 2014 Wisconsin game that sealed his fate.
• And much, much more.

Special thanks to Brandon Vogel of the Counter Read for joining the Common Fans for all of The Reckoning episodes. Make sure to check out www.counterread.com for Brandon's excellent coverage of Nebraska football, college football, and other Nebraska sports.

And make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@commonfangbr.

GBR for LIFE!

The Common Fans bring you Episode 2 of The Reckoning series. This episode, featuring long time Nebraska reporters Mitch Sherman and Brandon Vogel, focuses on the question: Would Bill Callahan Have Worked with More Time?

The crew looks at:

• The prolonged, messy coaching search that ultimately led to Callahan - Nebraska's fifth choice in the process - being hired.
• Upending tradition - installing the West Coast offense, moving away from the walk-on program, ignoring former players, and more.
• Callahan took the Huskers to the Big 12 title game in 2006, before it all fell apart just one season later. Was he one good defensive coordinator away from putting it all together at Nebraska?
• Callahan went 5-6 in year 1; Matt Rhule went 5-7 in his first year. If Rhule goes 8-4 in year 2 and wins a bowl game, and then goes 9–3 and plays for the conference championship in year 3 (identical to Callahan), would he survive a 5-7 season in year 4?

Special thanks to Brandon Vogel of the Counter Read for joining the Common Fans for all of The Reckoning episodes. Make sure to check out www.counterread.com for Brandon's excellent coverage of Nebraska football, college football, and other Nebraska sports.

And make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@commonfangbr.

GBR for LIFE!