LINCOLN, Neb. — Veteran college football broadcaster Tim Brando told the Common Fans podcast that he remains a believer in Matt Rhule and that Nebraska can continue making progress in 2026, but he urged the Huskers to shore up their offensive line and defense and to develop a tougher, more consistent identity.
Rhule’s track record and the Big Ten challenge
Brando joined the podcast for the third consecutive year and reiterated his faith in Rhule’s ability to rebuild programs, noting that the process at Nebraska has taken longer than at Rhule’s previous stops. He pointed to one primary reason: the level of competition in the Big Ten.
“The Big Ten is simply a much tougher league than the conferences Rhule navigated at Temple and Baylor,” Brando said, asserting that the conference is currently among the strongest in the sport. He added that Nebraska has struggled to follow up strong single-game performances with consistent results from week to week — a pattern Husker supporters have repeatedly cited as a barrier to sustained improvement.
Key areas for improvement
Brando identified two on-field areas he believes are central to Nebraska’s short-term trajectory: the offensive line and the defense. He argued those units must improve for the program to develop the kind of physical identity that characterized Rhule’s earlier rebuilds.
- Offensive line: Brando said better play up front will be essential to protect the quarterback and establish a consistent running game.
- Defense: Improved defensive execution and toughness were singled out as prerequisites for translating potential into wins.
- Consistency: Brando emphasized the need to build on good performances rather than treating them as isolated outcomes.
Colandrea’s arrival and development
Brando spent time discussing Nebraska’s new quarterback, Anthony Colandrea, whom he followed during the player’s breakout season at UNLV. He praised Colandrea’s playing style and suggested the move to the Big Ten gives the quarterback a chance to prove himself against higher-level competition.
Colandrea is a “wrecking crew,” Brando said, underscoring the physicality and playmaking traits he brings to the Husker offense.
Brando also credited former UNLV coach Dan Mullen with helping develop Colandrea, saying that the quarterback has tangible reasons to excite Nebraska fans as he adapts to a new environment and stiffer opposition.
Wider takeaways about college football
On the podcast, Brando pushed back against the notion that the SEC is fundamentally superior to the Big Ten and argued that recent changes in college football — notably NIL deals and the transfer portal — have reshaped the balance of power among programs. He also weighed in on broader topics, including media narrative and postseason structures.
One structural change Brando endorses is expansion of the College Football Playoff. He made the case for a 24-team playoff, saying expansion would keep more regular-season games meaningful later into November.
What this means for Nebraska
Brando’s assessment is both an endorsement and a checklist. His belief in Rhule’s rebuilding ability offers encouragement to a fan base eager for progress, but his critique — improving the line, tightening the defense and finding week-to-week consistency — is a clear prescription for what the staff must prioritize heading into the 2026 campaign.
| Focus area | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Offensive line | Protects QB, enables running game |
| Defense | Creates stops and field-position advantages |
| Consistency | Turns sporadic wins into a sustainable record |
Brando’s comments provide a snapshot of national perception as Nebraska prepares for another season under Rhule. For Husker supporters, the combination of a promising quarterback transfer and clear areas for improvement creates a straightforward expectation: measurable progress should be visible on the lines and on defense if the program is to move from potential to consistent results.
Nathan Ackerman is the state correspondent for WE NEWS.
