Mitch is live from Indianapolis after Nebraska enjoyed its time in the sun at Big Ten media days. Matt Rhule and player reps Isaac Gifford, Ty Robinson and Ben Scott on Wednesday exuded confidence in the 2024 Huskers. How will Nebraka fix the turnover issue? What's the plan in August at QB? And did DeShaun Foster turn in a more memorable opening statement than Scott Frost from 2022? Also, Connor and Mitch discuss roster limits, a bigger and more versatile coaching staff in Lincoln and the No. 4 choice for our list of most important Huskers.

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As Big Ten media days got underway, commissioner Tony Petitti went out his way, seemingly, to keep things calm on Tuesday. The boat has been rocked regularly in college sports, in large part because of the Big Ten, over the past couple years. The beginning of this event brought some calm amid the storm. But is that how one of the most powerful players in sports is supposed to approach his big preseason moment? Mitch has thoughts upon his arrival in Indy after a jarring exit from a week of vacation. Also, Nebraska featured Jimari Butler and Tommi Hill in its latest installment of "Chasing 3." We discuss. And we reach No. 5 on the countdown of most important Huskers.

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Back at work on this Monday, and finally there's something real to discuss. Big Ten media days begins Tuesday in Indianapolis as Ohio State takes center stage. Matt Rhule and Nebraska are up, alongside Iowa, USC, UCLA and others, on Wednesday. We dig into the storylines that figure to follow the Huskers to the league's big event. Also, is Iowa a real College Football Playoff contender? And our countdown of important Huskers reaches No. 6. A transfer claims his spot.

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Good friend of the Locked On Nebraska pod Max Olson of The Athletic devised a brilliant idea, simulating 25 versions of the 2024 season on the new EA Sports College Football 25 game. We could not resist diving into the data and assessing what it said about Nebraska, the Big Ten and others of interest in our corner of the college football world. First and foremost, Max's data indicates that Nebraska's shot to make the CFP this year -- yes, after seven consecutive losing seasons -- is not zero. Also, our countdown of important Huskers reaches No. 7, featuring a player with as high of a ceiling as anyone on the roster.

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Nebraska opens its season in 2024 with seven games viewed largely as winnable, as you know. But which contest that falls among these first eight weeks is the most consequential to the Huskers' season? Most observers would go with Colorado. But not Connor, who's taking Rutgers. He explains, and the hosts give their best- and worst-case scenarios for the opening seven. Also, our countdown of important Huskers continues. And we muse over Huskers and former Huskers featured in social-media posts during this quietest sports week on the calendar.

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Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.

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FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up ALL CUSTOMERS with a boost or a bonus, DAILY! That’s right, there’s something for everyone, every day, all summer long! Visit FANDUEL.COM and add a big win to your summer bucket list!

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We continue with our countdown to camp, ranking the most important players to Nebraska's success in 2024. At No. 9 on the list is kicker Tristan Alvano. How much of the perceived stress around the kicking position in Lincoln is tied to the spring game? The sophomore returns after a solid first year with the Huskers in an attempt to fend off competition from two newcomers. Also, Connor and Mitch discuss the significance of the designation last week of the 1890 Initiative as Nebraska's official collective. And Connor played several hours of EA Sports College Football 25 on Monday. Why should we care?

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.

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Nebraska added a recruit on Sunday as cornerback Bryson Webber out of Texas joined the 2025 class to play for new secondary coach John Butler. That's encouraging for Matt Rhule's program. And so is the addition of Jamar Mozee as a senior analyst. Mozee most recently worked as an analyst at UCF, but he's a longtime former high school coach at Lee's Summit North in the Kansas City area. Might he help the Huskers forge a stronger connection in the KC area? We discuss. Also, a new feature of the pod that will take us straight into Big Ten media next week: A countdown of the Huskers who are most important to a winning season.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.

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FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up ALL CUSTOMERS with a boost or a bonus, DAILY! That’s right, there’s something for everyone, every day, all summer long! Visit FANDUEL.COM and add a big win to your summer bucket list!

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Mitch sat down late this week with Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen and heard about plans to replace the artificial surface at Memorial Stadium with natural grass. It's coming. But when? And why? Also, Dannen dished on the expected roster limits to come in college football and the unlimited-sized coaching staffs that are now here. What does it all mean for the Huskers? And a tribute to a great Nebraskan, Monte Kiffin.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.

FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up ALL CUSTOMERS with a boost or a bonus, DAILY! That’s right, there’s something for everyone, every day, all summer long! Visit FANDUEL.COM and add a big win to your summer bucket list!

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)