The fallout: Michigan State overreactions, Nebraska volleyball’s killer instinct and recruiting buzz

Waking up on Monday morning after Week 6, Nebraska football is 4-1. Things haven’t been perfect, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

The Huskers have learned how to win. They might struggle against elite teams (who doesn’t?), but Saturday’s game was one Nebraska football would have lost two years ago, maybe even in 2024.

Nebraska squandered a 14-point lead. The Huskers scored 24 unanswered points and took control of the game that easily could have slipped away.

Yes, people will complain about the sacks. Rightfully so. Although putting all the blame on the offensive line isn’t fair. The offensive tackles were the highest-rated players on offense, according to PFF.

The five sacks against MSU — the 12 over the past two weeks — are unacceptable. It can’t keep happening, but it’s about more than the offensive line. Dylan Raiola needs to get rid of the ball quicker or just throw it away. The protection also needs to be better from an adjustment standpoint.

Too many times, blockers are left in bad matchups, such as Emmett Johnson trying to block a blitzer off the edge, which led to a sack.

Still, there are plenty of positives. Michigan State rushed for 83 yards. The Spartans’ starting running back averaged 3.2 yards per attempt. Aidan Chiles ran 13 times for 23 yards.

The special teams were elite, which helped cover up a poor effort from the offense. Nebraska football left some meat on the bone, but the people who are upset about 4-1 need to chill.

There is plenty of worry about, but Nebraska isn’t alone in that. Every team is flawed. The best teams can overcome them to win every week, and as much as some don’t want to admit it, Nebraska is becoming one of those teams.

As we saw with Penn State, you can’t take anything for granted in the Big Ten. Nebraska is right where it needs to be. Maryand (4-1) will be a test. The Huskers are an early 6.5-point favorite.

A positive on the recruiting trail for Nebraska football

It seems like Nebraska did well with many of its 2027 and 2028 visitors. The biggest news, though, is that the commitment of four-star cornerback Danny Odem feels secure.

Odem has been flirting with Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. There was some reporting that suggested that Odem could visit Michigan. That’s likely not going to happen now (Rivals). 

That’s huge for the Huskers. Odem is a top-100 talent via 247 Sports. He’s one of the best cornerbacks in the 2026 class. Nebraska’s haul isn’t elite in 2026. Odem is, and that’s why keeping him is massive for the Big Red.

Nebraska volleyball is on another level

The Nebraska volleyball team didn’t just beat Penn State on Friday night; the Huskers humiliated them. Penn State didn’t score more than 15 points in any set. The Nittany Lions were also held to a -.114 hitting percentage. That’s just unheard of.

Offensively, Nebraska hit .437, a season-high. Penn State’s 34 points were the lowest in a match for the Nittany Lions in 24 years. Rebekah Allick was a force with nine kills (.615). Virginia Adriano also had a stellar outing with eight kills. Andi Jackson and Harper Murray had six.

The individual stats weren’t anything special. As a team, Nebraska volleyball left no doubt about who the best team in the country is, at least on October 3rd.

On Saturday, Nebraska volleyball improved to 4-0 in the Big Ten, 14-0 overall, after its fifth-straight sweep. Murray had 11 kills as the Huskers hit .390. Rutgers hit just .060. It was the fifth straight match hitting .360 or better, and right now, it’s hard to see Dani Busboom-Kelly’s squad playing better.

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