Off The Cob
A site consisting of editorials from a fan who has followed Nebraska football for over fifty years. Catch the latest off the beaten path, off the wall, strikingly different thoughts from Lyle Harmon.
The truth is I’m like many other Husker fans. I don’t have access to the football coaches or the players. I’m not a media member who attends games or press conferences. I’m not a former player or part of a Husker inner circle. I’m not a reporter, rather I express my viewpoints or opinions on various topics in order to provoke thought and engage my audience. I’m like most of you, willing to share my thoughts and feelings on Husker football. Join me!
Editorials will be posted each week all year long. You can also find ‘Off the Cob’ at Carriker Chronicles.
Look for postings and videos each week on Face Book, Instagram, ‘X’ & Tik-Tok. Or email me at lyleharmon.otc@gmail.com
-Lyle Harmon
Hot Off The Field!
This week’s take!
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The Early Bird Gets the Worm….and the Bag
Husker fans awoke this morning, stretched, and then suddenly remembered Matt Rhule started his November tradition of losing football games a day early. This of…
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Nebraska Reaches Crossroad
I’ve said for the last four months Nebraska will go 8-4 in 2026. I haven’t changed my mind. But as I mentioned before the season,…
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Depth Charts Washington – Nebraska
Nebraska came into the bye week at just the right time after getting banged up at Oregon. The two weeks off allows multiple players a…
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Recruits Taking in the Blackout
Nebraska has two home games left on the 2026 schedule. That means the Blackout game against Washington and the Ohio State game on November 21st…
Recruits Taking in the Blackout
Nebraska has two home games left on the 2026 schedule. That means the Blackout game against Washington and the Ohio State game on November 21st are the last two opportunities for coaches to have recruits at a game. The Blackout is especially attractive being a night game with alternate……….
The Cob’s Best Games Week 9
Movement within the Top 25 continued as week 8 produced more upsets. Ranked teams that lost included No. 2 BYU, No. 7 Ole Miss, No.8 Texas Tech, No. 11 Tennessee, No. 14 Houston, No. 15 Iowa, and No. 16 USC. Obviously, everyone shifted in the rankings………
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 19
Welcome to installment No. 19 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday………
The Coaching Carousel is On the Move
Okay, so how is this Nebraska news and why is it worth talking about? Because there is no other profession where the six degrees of separation plays a bigger role. And while it’s often hard to see who a firing or hiring effects, unsuspecting names often pop out of……..
All is Right Again – Or Is It
Last Friday night, almost a week after Oregon, my Nebraska football world finally fell back in sync. After a meltdown and a reboot on my part, I’m back to where I was pre-Indiana. Thank goodness reality slapped me in the face and woke me up. Then week 8 happened……..
A Learning Lesson for Rob Aurich and the Blackshirts
Who do you point a finger at in the Oregon debacle? It’s nobody’s fault. It’s everybody’s fault. The loss against Oregon was a team loss. You can’t point at the offense, the defense, or the special teams and say ‘they cost you the game’……..
The Cob’s Best Games Week 8
I said last week to look for more movement as we enter the second half of the schedule, and after week 7 that’s exactly what we got. Five of the top seven teams in the AP Poll rankings lost last weekend. No.1 Georgia lost to Auburn,……..
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 18
Welcome to installment No. 18 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday……..
Dissecting Matt Rhule
Let me start by saying I have never once suggested Matt Rhule be fired. I’ve said all along that I think he is the right man for the job. But after the last two games I think his coaching abilities are being scrutinized, and frankly, it’s justified…….
Is This the Final Straw
It’s the morning after the Oregon game. And if you’re a Nebraska Cornhusker fan like me, you find yourself lost and confused. You had spent the entire week, hell season, believing in something. You had convinced yourself it was real, only to find nothing could be further from the truth…….
Why Nebraska Defeats Oregon
Before the season I said Nebraska would go 8-4 with losses to Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State and Iowa. But after their performance against Indiana and what I’ve seen from Oregon this season, I’ve changed my mind. I’m not saying this team will go to the CFP, but with a win…….
Depth Charts – Nebraska vs Oregon
We’re half-way through the season and Nebraska has stayed surprisingly healthy. At this point there have been no season ending injuries. Let’s hope that continues. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has often said a player’s greatest asset is availability. So, he made it a priority during the offseason…….
The Cob’s Best Games Week 7
We continue to see the rankings turnover with teams posting big wins or losing games they weren’t expected to. Texas dropped from No.1 to No.7 after a loss to Oklahoma. LSU dropped from No.11 to No.22 after losing to Kentucky, and Oregon dropped out of the top 25……..
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 17
Welcome to installment No. 17 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday…….
6 Things to Fix Before Oregon
We saw our Husker’s dominate three quarters of football against Curt Cignetti and his 6th ranked Hoosiers Saturday, and even though there were 40 mile-per-hour wind gusts most of the day, the last twelve minutes of the game took the wind out of every Husker fan’s sails……
With Indiana Win, there is No Dilemma
After Anthony Colandrea’s 39-yard run for a touchdown and putting Nebraska up 17 to 6 with 12 minutes left in the game, I found myself working towards a potential dilemma. With a win over the national champion Hoosiers, would I finally be fully bought in on this Nebraska…….
Indiana’s Offense vs Nebraska’s Blackshirts
Gary Sharp of the Omaha World Hearld appeared on the Average Joe Sports Show Wednesday and posed the question, “If Nebraska plays the best they can play, and Indiana does too, what does that look like?” That’s an important question, even for Husker fans who don’t……
Indiana’s Defense vs Nebraska’s Offense
Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff will be in Lincoln on Saturday, and this will be the first time both Indiana and Nebraska have been in the spotlight this season. You better believe that won’t be missed by Curt Cignetti, as this will be his chance to make a statement……
Depth Charts Nebraska – Indiana
The Nebraska depth chart continues to list a few “ORs”. However, we gained back an “OR” on the offensive line and there is still one on the defensive line, linebacker, and nickel. According to OC Dana Holgorsen running back Jamal Rule will play against Indiana…..
The Cob’s Best Games Week 6
I said I wasn’t feeling too confident with my picks last week when I went out on a limb with a couple. I missed the Virgina Tech, Michigan, Florida, Iowa, and Virginia games to finish 7-5. My worst week so far. In my defense, Virgina Tech…..
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 16
Welcome to installment No. 16 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday.:….
Spectacularly Beautiful – Spectacularly Ugly
This Nebraska team has a way of taking fans breath away. Whether it’s the dazzling Anthony Colandrea scrambling down field for 55 yards or seeing an opponent’s wide receiver streak 65 yards untouched for a touchdown, you’ll hear a simultaneous hush from the multitudes, followed by a deep sigh….
Maryland Terrapins vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
You may not realize it, but this game has been red circled and talked about since the schedule came out. It wasn’t just Nebraska fans either, college football know-it-alls across the country looked at the Huskers 2026 schedule and all proclaimed the same thing – “If Nebraska beats….
Depth Charts Nebraska – Maryland
The Nebraska depth chart continues to list a few “ORs”. However, there are no longer any listed on the offensive line and there is only one on the defensive line. This is the first season for new injury reporting rules for the Big Ten. The conference requires….
The Cob’s Best Games Week 5
Games of note last week were Oregon’s victory over USC, LSU’s spanking of Texas A&M, Georgia’s domination of what we already suspected was a bad Oklahoma team, and Iowa’s last second victory over Michigan, which can only be described as karma. Texas squeaked by Tennessee and Northwestern kept…..
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 15
Welcome to installment No. 15 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday…..
An Ugly but Satisfying Win for Nebraska
Nebraska not only dispatched Michigan State Saturday with a 31-13 victory, but they exorcised a couple of old demons as well. It was Nebraska’s first win to open conference play since 2019, and Anthony Colandrea became the first Husker quarterback to win in East Lansing since Taylor Martinez…..
Michigan State, a Must-Win
Every game on Nebraska’s schedule is not a must-win game, but the Michigan State game Saturday is just that. There are several fans who are reluctant to agree this is a different Nebraska team. If they don’t win this one, those fans will be right, same old Huskers….
Depth Charts Nebraska – Michigan State
The Nebraska depth chart continues to be stuck in neutral and covered with “ORs”. Michigan State does not release an official depth chart, so we’ll go with a 2-deep depth chart and call it good. This is the first season for new injury reporting rules…..
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 14
Welcome to installment No. 14 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday…….
The Cob’s Best Games Week 4
The Cob’s Best Games Week 4 In week 2 the big upsets were Texas coming back to take down Ohio State and Oregon falling to Oklahoma State. Last week the upset was Kentucky dumping Texas A&M at home. The Ole Miss versus LSU game lived up to the billing, and surprises but not upsets……
Huskers Remain Unchallenged
I said before the game that North Dakota would be the best team Nebraska faced in the non-conference. And I wasn’t the only one, head coach Matt Rhule talked the Fighting Hawks up, saying, “I think the football team we’re playing against is as well coached, disciplined, well playing…….
Huskers Remain Unchallenged
I said before the game that North Dakota would be the best team Nebraska faced in the non-conference. And I wasn’t the only one, head coach Matt Rhule talked the Fighting Hawks up, saying, “I think the football team we’re playing against is as well coached, disciplined, well playing…….
North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Ohio and Bowling Green may be from the MAC Conference and Nebraska may have outscored them 105-28 in their first two games, and North Dakota may be an FCS school, but Nebraska fans better not doubt the football played up north. North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota……..
Nebraska and North Dakota Depth Charts
When the Huskers first depth chart against Ohio came out people were a little taken back with the number of “ORs” listed. When the depth chart for Bowling Green came out fans thought there might be fewer “ORs”, if any at all. But they were surprised yet again…….
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 13
Welcome to installment No. 13 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday……..
The Cob’s Best Games Week 3
Last week I talked about the Big Ten’s poor performance against the MAC Conference. But in week 2 they took a haymaker on the chin with Minnesota being dismantled by Mississippi State, Illinois losing to Duke, Texas taking down Ohio State, and the real shocker, Oregon losing 31-39…….
Husker Army Podcast with Off the Cob
Yes, that’s right, the Husker Army Podcast has invited me, Lyle Harmon of ‘Off the Cob’ to join them as we recap the Bowling Green – Nebraska game. The Huskers took care of business. So, now it’s time to “FALL IN!!” …. and find out…….
Nebraska Fails to Humble Heisman Coach
The Cornhuskers dismantled former Heisman winner Eddie George’s team Saturday night in Lincoln, winning 56-7. The Huskers performed to expectations for three quarters, racking up 546 total yards of offense and holding the Falcons scoreless. Once again, the Dana Holgorsen coached offense was well balanced, passing for…….
Bowling Green Falcons vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska has big problems brewing. Bowling Green is rolling into town on Saturday night and OC Dana Holgorsen and staff must figure out not only who is going to touch the ball, but how. On top of that, Rob Aurich and Matt Rhule are surely discussing…….
Nebraska and Bowling Green Depth Charts
Nebraska’s depth chart changed very little this week and there is still 14 “Ors” listed. One position of note was defensive end. Earlier in the week Mac Markway was added to the depth chart as the fourth defensive end. However, as of Wednesday, Markway announced…….
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 12
Welcome to installment No. 12 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday……
Best Games Week 2
Week 1 wasn’t the best week of football. Those are yet to come. And maybe it’s just me, but it seemed there was a greater separation between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ in week 1. However, that can’t be said when looking at the MAC versus the Big Ten……
Huskers Slop Their Way to a Win
If you’re from Nebraska and you hear the word ‘sloppy’ your first thought usually isn’t Husker football, its rain, slush, and muddy roads. And those conditions typically don’t happen when the temperature is 100° with the sun beating down. But evidently conditions were perfect Saturday for sloppy…….
Ohio Bobcats vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
Frank Solich will set high above Tom Osborne field tomorrow and take in two of his former teams battling on the gridiron. Those dressed in red know Frank won’t openly cheer for the Huskers. He doesn’t have to. They know where his heart is. Those who…….
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 11
Welcome to installment No. 11 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights and sounds of gameday…….
Week 1 Depth Chart Questions
Nebraska released its official depth chart for Week 1 Monday. So, were there any surprises? That depends on who you talk to. There were some names listed I didn’t expect to see and a couple that were absent that sparked questions…….
Best Games Week 1
We got just enough out of Week 0 to make our college football taste buds water. Now for Week 1, not a dream schedule that will knock your socks off, but worth looking forward to after 7 months of hibernation. I used to pick the top ten games…….
NU Position Groups 2026 – Defensive Backs
The defensive backs and the secondary play for the Huskers last season was the best part of the defense. And I believe they’ll be as good or better this season. But for different reasons. There is one simple truth when talking about Nebraska’s pass defense in…….
Big Ten Win – Loss Records 2026
When you take on the task of ranking the Big Ten you can very easily find yourself going down the rabbit hole. I’ve had to work extremely hard not to let that happen or else this could end up being one of those 4,000-word 17-minute snooze fest reads. Sometimes…….
NU Position Groups 2026 – Linebackers
The theme for Aurich throughout his defense is to have at least six players at each position that he can rotate. The linebacker position is no different. And again, everybody on the roster is listed as a linebacker, when the truth is there are “Mike” backers and “Will” backers……
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 10
Week 0, we get the worst week of football in 2026 right out of the gate. But stop and remember, the 2026 football season consists of 948 games over 149 days. Umm, football heaven. Due to week 0 being so lame, I only picked three games. But…….
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 10
Welcome to installment No. 10 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. Hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the sights…….
The Cob’s 300th Article @ Carriker Chronicles
I will give you a defensive litmus test. As Husker fans we pride ourselves on defense. We are all in on the ‘Blackshirts’ and the tradition they bring to Nebraska. And if you’re my age, you witnessed some of the greatest defenses in Husker history……..
NU Position Groups 2026 – Defensive Ends
Much like the defensive tackle spot, Aurich wants six players he can rotate in-and-out to keep fresh and give offensive tackles different looks. Something we didn’t see last season was guys showing different moves to get to the passer. That won’t happen this year with Manning coaching this group…….
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 9
Welcome to installment No. 9 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share Associated Press headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. No matter what your age, hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel…….
NU Position Groups 2026 – Defensive Tackles
I know two things about football. Winning is fun, and it sucks to lose. Even though the Huskers were on the winning side of things last season with a 7-6 record, there wasn’t much fun. With the departure of Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, and D-Line coach Terrance Knighton…….
Tikey Lasted Longer than Minchey
And just like that, he’s gone. Running back Tikey Hayes, the latest portal addition, has been dismissed from the Nebraska football team. After approximately one month and nine practices Hayes was shown the door. Well, he was a Husker longer than quarterback Kenny Minchey was anyway…….
Chambliss on the Butkus Watch List
It was announced last Thursday that Nebraska linebacker Owen Chambliss has been named to the Butkus Award Watch list. Chambliss is one of 51 linebackers to be placed on the list. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. The 51-player list is named in honor…….
The Cob’s Weekly Archive Dive No. 8
Welcome to installment No. 8 of ‘The Cob’s Archive Dive’, where each week, I’ll share Associated Press headlines and excerpts from past articles printed in the Falls City Journal. No matter what your age, hopefully you’ll find a piece of Husker football history that makes you feel the…….
