1-on-1 with DP – 93.7 The Ticket KNTK - Traditional bowl games: December 12, 11:00am

Episode Date: December 12, 2025

Review of current state of bowl games. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hey, what's up y'all? Kelly Clarkson with Wayfair. My favorite thing about the holidays? Decking out my whole house. It's not a competition, but if it was, well, I'd win the season with Wayfair. Outdoor inflatable Santa? Got it on Wayfair. Trees, lights and ornaments? Wayfair. Hosting must-havs, like dining sets, beds, sheets, and towels. Wayfair. For everything in your style delivered with fast and free shipping, visit Wayfair.com or the Wayfair app to win the season. But again, it's not a competition. Boom and welcome to one-on-one here on 93-7. The Ticket DP once again out today. But Austin Ormond, jumping in studio with me for the hour, as we've got plenty to talk about. I was just kind of talking off-air with Austin that, you know, he's been gone for a while.

So I'm interested in his thoughts on just about a thousand things. Because the last couple weeks, there's been so much different going on here. Today, by the way, Nebraska did make their new hires official, Rob Oritz and Jeep Wade. are on staff, as had been reported. Of course, still kind of going through that phase now with Roy Manning. If you missed it the other day, Roy Manning will be hired in subcapacity at Nebraska on the defensive side of the ball. Help drop Orge over there with the San Diego State defense. So a lot to kind of break down there.

We know Nebraska's bowl destination, of course. So I want to do a little Las Vegas bowl trivia with here in a little bit. But the bowl games start tomorrow. How pumped? How fired up are you, Austin for bowl games now? of course, that being a big controversy since I last talked to you on air and that Notre Dame, Iowa State,

Kansas State, all these teams just declining bull games as a whole. You know, I still do find the joy and the magic in bowl season. I do. And maybe it's because Nebraska hasn't been to the college football playoff that we've been forced to care about bulls

and not been in the championship or bust or playoff or bust mindset of some other places. But I still think there's beauty and joy in it, right? Maybe I've been college basketball pills a little bit, but what college basketball is done to start this year, has been given us some just incredible neutral site matchups, even some home and homes here and there, but I think home and homes are just beyond the pale gone

for a while in college football, which is a bummer. And so if that's not going to happen, the best we can do is postseason neutral site games. I mean, think about it, Bach, when Nebraska was going to your Capital One Bulls, then your Gator Bulls, then your holiday bulls and what have you, you never got the chance to see Nebraska, Arizona. You never got to see, you know, Nebraska, Washington get renewed.

You didn't get to see Nebraska Clemson, Nebraska, Georgia, Nebraska, South Carolina. These are marquee top 25 or borderline top 25 games that were fun to see someone else to get one last chance to see your team play to build your day around football one last time, except you can also have games on in the background before then. Bulls are still fun. I'm worried that we've lost the plot too much, which is too bad. I understand why it's happened. It doesn't mean I have to like it. Yeah, it is. In holiday, you know, it kind of reminds me of the holiday season, obviously. It's just all kind of part of it. So it's the tradition of college football, which, again, has been mangled and beaten up and been through this kind of new era of college football.

And, you know, all these conference realignment, no longer geography mattering so much of traditional robberies, Nebraska fans, obviously feeling that as much as anybody that's moved from conference to conference. But yeah, so throughout all that, it is nice to still kind of have those traditional. additions and to go back on those. And it is. I mean, it's different. When you bring up those, those games, you know, I do think about everybody that's playing. And, you know, you think about that South Carolina game. Ashan Jeffrey against, you know, an Alfonso dinner going into that game. And, you know, so there are big matchups and excitement. And now it is admittedly different. You know, you might not have the best players playing in the game. You certainly don't have the full staff of your team. You know, there's, and so it's a little bit, again, it's, it's

different. I don't think we'll ever have quite. I like how you kind of put it, the magic of it. I think the magic of it has died down to a degree just because of the surrounding circumstances, but it's still there. There is still some magic there. Oh, there absolutely is. And I think the biggest reason that we've lost

some of that sense of the magic is because we always have to qualify it. Yeah, that's fun, but yeah, you won this bowl game, but it wasn't this. We know. You don't have to say the second part. Like, we know the Gator Bowl isn't the college football play. We know the Las Vegas Bowl isn't, you know,

the Cotton Bowl or whatever. Like, we get it. At some point, just be grateful that you get another chance to watch your team. Be grateful that, hey, here's 50 more practices to develop for next year, right? And you just don't have to qualify it. We get it. Just enjoy the game for what it is. It's not that hard to do. Now, it is, what I will say, it is a little bit hard as far as the context. Do you, would you look, will you walk away from this team and say that they're seven and five or will you walk away of this team and say they're seven and six or eight and five depending on the bowl game. And I think part of it depends on the outcome of the bowl game and to a degree, doesn't it? It does. But my impression of this year's Nebraska team is already

solidified. Right. This somewhat reflects on them. But that's kind of the lens that at least I watch like this bowl game through for Nebraska is on the one hand. Yes, it's a testament to the hard work of the players that will get to play. They get one last opportunity with this group. to lace them up. But I'm not really watching for this year. This year won't color my impression of Nebraska. You know, if, let's say, Nebraska pulled Utah to 20 rushing yards in this game, right? They go full Georgia, Alabama and the SEC championship.

Utah can't run to save its life. Sure, maybe there's a twinge of, well, where the heck was this all year? But it wasn't there. Yeah. He had a month to game plan for this game. You knew it was coming. Congratulations. You played out of your mind for a game.

It can happen to anyone. If they lose and get blown out, well, okay, it's bull season. Utah just rained for 350 yards on 17 carries, you know. Good for them, so be it. But hey, did you see the Donovan Jones is looking the part? Did you see, hey, maybe they're playing some four down and you can see some steps in the right direction. Or hey, T.J. Latif made it back against a team that has some athletes on it and look the part. Look at these young receivers flashing that are going to play a role next year.

Yeah, you'd rather win it than lose it. But that's really not the lens that I'm watching this game through. and very little can be done to change my opinion on what's already happened. The bowl game is not the crowning achievement or not the one card that's going to pull apart everything and make the whole tower fall. Yeah, and I think that's appropriate.

You just have to change how you view the game, right? It doesn't, it might, and so, and that's what's kind of been frustrating to me, a traditional, you know, Husker fan, college football fan, is that always, I always included those games. Of course you would, because, you know, back in the day, there wasn't much of a reason not to. And then about, you know, 10 years ago, a few guys started opting out.

And you're kind of like, okay. And, you know, and I had a co-host that started already to not count those games. It would drive me crazy in the off season. He'd just count the 12 games of the regular season. But now, I mean, you're almost there. You have to be. I mean, no, you know, no Emmett Johnson, the coaching staff, free shuffled, all that sort of stuff. But, you know, to your point, you just have to view it through a different lens.

And it can be unique in that way, right? I mean, it's better than a spring game. it's probably better than a Houston Christian game even though we're going to count the Houston Christian game in our assessment, right? So, you know, it is, it's somewhere stuck in between crowning one season and moving into the next. But I love it.

If you told me you could do that in February or March, I'd sign up for it automatically and be super enthused for it. And that's where I brought this up with Jay. I love your take on it too. The game itself, Nebraska against Utah, I think it would be a much different vibe around here. for the next 19 days if Nebraska was in Utah's shoes.

You know, only losses are the teams that were ahead of you in your conference. You had an outside shot at making your conference title game. It just didn't break your way. But you still won double-digit game. You know, yeah, Nebraska did win one more game than last year. Nebraska can still end up with the exact same record

is last year. They're in a bowl. Again, they have a chance to lace it up and that's all fine and well. But I can understand maybe some big picture frustration from Husker fans because they might have wanted to be Utah. This team clearly proved that it wasn't at that level. It had 12 opportunities to do it, and it wasn't.

So maybe they, we, whoever, was out ahead of their skis predicting Nebraska to be a college football playoff team. Credit Utah, they lived up to more of their preseason hype. They made a little bit more of a climb and good to them for that. But if this was a 10 and 2 Nebraska team going into this bowl game here, Bach, there would, I think, be more pressure on them to win it to say, okay, you're in a bowl that you're disappointed to be in. Let's still prove that we're the better team in this one to go out and get

a win. Maybe it's because Nebraska is 7 and 5 and back their way into this bowl. I'm like, whatever happens happens. I'm not going to add it to the ledger of the team because sure, bowl games can be more about the motivation. Who's available? Who's not available? We'll see what compliment of players Utah

has. But I don't know if it'd be a better or worse feeling for Nebraska. It'd be 10 and 2 in a disappointing bowl or be 7 and 5 with a shot to take down a really solid program. Yeah, it is interesting to view it that. I hadn't thought of that because I do think Utah probably will view this as part of their season. I mean, if they go 11

and 2, they're not going to say, well, yeah, 10 and 2 without extra game against Nebraska wasn't fully, you know, whatever. You know, in their lens. Yeah, this is the bowl game. And so that's what's so interesting but as every team can kind of view it differently and it can change based on. Hey, what's up, you all? Kelly Clarkson with Wayfair. My favorite

thing about the holidays, decking out my whole house. It's not a competition, but if it was, well, I'd win the season with Wayfair. Outdoor inflatable got it on Wayfair. Trees, lights, and ornaments, Wayfair. Hosting must-havs like dining sets, beds, sheets, and towels, Wayfair.

For everything in your style delivered with fast and free shipping, visit Wayfair.com or the Wayfair app to win the season. But again, it's not a competition. Wayfair, every style, every home. A day. Four days ago, three days ago, Michigan was probably viewing that Texas Bull game a little bit differently than they are as far as the importance of what's going on there now.

So it is, it's just fascinating. Now, as we kind of continue the conversation with, with it, of course, it is Las Vegas, New Year's Eve, last year, Yankee Stadium, New York. So kind of unique opportunities for Husker fans. All that being said, would you rather be playing in Detroit against an opponent that you might have more of a chance? Because I think, and it's not, I'm not trying to downplay Nebraska. Obviously, the matchup with Utah is specifically difficult because of the rushing. but this is a team knocking on the door of the playoffs. This is a team right outside of the

playoffs. And I feel, and I hate to say it, but this year's bowl lineup just doesn't have a whole lot of oom. Some of it would be a little bit. If Notre Dame would have accepted the Pop-Tarts Bowl against BYU, yeah, I'm jazzed up for that. But I feel like Nebraska kind took a spot against a team

that would be one of those interesting bowl games if you had matched them up with a, you know, an 18th, 20th rank team or something like that. Instead, you get kind of a limping into the game 7 and 5 Nebraska, which is all due to the fact that the Pact 12 is dead. This is a Pact 12 tie-in. They have the rights to these old Pact 12 schools, which is why they're there and it has

the Big Ten tying, which is why Nebraska is there. If you give me the choice between Vegas and Detroit, now I've spent way too much time in Vegas in the last calendar year. I'm not exactly tying to go back. I will go if I am sent, but I've gotten very acquainted with my hotel rooms in Vegas, you know, just for safety's sake. But no, I still rather go to Vegas than Detroit. right right you know and let's even view this through the the newbraska matruill lens is it

processor results Nebraska would be more likely to beat a mac team in you know the whatever bull that is up there in detroit anymore or you know the independence bull down in shereveport against a conference USA team or whatever and sure it's always great to end your season with with a win yes it's a result-oriented business but i think these 15 practices these these next you know, 19 days, the month between Black Friday against Iowa in this game against Utah is more about the process. What does Nebraska need? Nebraska doesn't need to feel good about itself beating up on a team from a lesser conference that Nebraska can just out talent. What Nebraska needs is to continue to face better and better competition to drill into Nebraska's head how much better

it needs to get. This is what a 10 and 2 team looks like. This is a really good team, a really solid, stable program that still has not made the college football playoff. It's a Utah team that's still searching, right? In Nebraska, it faces a stiff test against Utah. And that's not even the best of the best. You know, that's a team that's still hungry and trying to knock on that door to get into the college football playoff. So, yeah, would it be great for Nebraska to go beat up on some, you know, mediocre Mac program

and get to eight and five, hey, first eight win season in however long? Sure. But is that more or less meaningful than another potential building block to the future of, hey, this is what it's going to take to get to this level? I'd rather Nebraska have that opportunity 10 times out of 10. Yeah, I like the approach to that. And I do think, you know, again, these bull games have kind of swung important, from the gap that Nebraska had of their bowl game in 2016 to this past year in 2024.

But I do think the most important part of missing all those games is not the game. It's the practices. You know, it is that those practices for seven straight years, you get 15 extra practices. That's a lot of extra practice. That's a lot of extra time that you can spend developing your program and getting those young guys going. So, you know, I think that's the most important part of this whole experience.

But like we said, I mean, it's going to be somewhat results oriented how Nebraska looks at this because if you can do well defending the run against Utah, obviously can really propel and change the taste in the mouths of Nebraska fans kind of going into the offseason. If this goes how we expect it to Utah, a two touchdown favorite already in this game. You know, I don't think it completely throws off what you want. I mean, as long as you don't lose 56 to 10 or something like that and you avoid national embarrassment, then I don't think it changes a whole lot of what you're thinking moving for. I was going to say once the last time Nebraska got embarrassed like that, but oh, wait, we kind of.

It's not a couple different time. I was going to give this program, benefit of that for being competitive. But maybe it will be because this is one of those Bach where, how in tune are you to the game playing, how motivated are you? Iowa knows Nebraska. Minnesota knows Nebraska.

Penn State. Okay, maybe that's less scouted. But at least you're a conference opponent. I'd like to see Nebraska compete, and I don't think that goes back to the loser's mentality. You're looking more for the wins in the individual performances, right? And it's going to be hard, especially on the defensive side of the ball, with a new scheme coming in.

How much will you really be able to take away? But I would like to be encouraged by a good performance from Donovan Jones. I would like to see Riley Van Popple and Keona Davis flash and make an impact. I would like to see Cam Lennhart look like he earns a starting role going into next year.

Young linebackers, Nebraska needs to see something. That's going to be a big position of need and even other young defensive backs. I mean, this is a great opportunity for that defensive backcourt to go out on a relative high note, but there's got to be a lot of young, interesting names behind them.

You know, we saw the flashes from Caleb Benning in the bowl game last year. Didn't lead to much this year, but, you know, can he find his way onto the field? I mentioned Donovan Jones. Other guys in that mix, right? Rex Guthrie,

what do you look like in a matchup like this? It's more to me about the small wins for these players, not these grand sweeping observations. Well, and it is, I mean, on the defensive side of the ball, I definitely can see, you know, kind of steps being taken forward there. The office of the side of the ball is, incredibly intriguing. Now, again, it won't be if you score 3 to 10 points and there's not much to

kind of take away from it. But, you know, you're kind of trying out a new offensive line, new guys up there. How much kind of depth does Nebraska have there and some of the young guys get in the spot or the opportunity? And then, of course, the big one is that running back. I mean, somebody's got, are we just going to give everybody five carries and see kind of who goes off? Is somebody going to win this through practice? Obviously, it's going to change hands throughout the season. They're a matchup they like better among those guys. But can somebody, I mean, obviously, if somebody can have a 100-yard game or, you know, whatever it is, 80 yards, even that can really make Nebraska fans, I think, feel a lot better about going into next season, but also, more importantly, that guy is put them in pulse position to either have that job or be the number one competitor for that job. because I do think Nebraska, almost regardless,

unless somebody rushes for 200 yards, is going to have to go to the portal to get some competition. You're telling me, you don't see Quentin Ives having the Divine Azigbo year? Is that what you're telling me, Bach? We could see it. Listen, we've seen some meteoric rises before. We have. We almost saw the Brody Belt meteororic rise and in Springball. That did not happen at that position either. No, I mean, I think it's a great opportunity for those running backs,

learning hopefully not a new running scheme, but probably slightly different depending on what Coach Wade is able to do with the offensive line. I'm still not sure what I say Mosey is or going to be. I hope he's not Ramir Johnson 2.0 in that he just bounces back and forth

and never finds a home. I was impressed with the flashes I saw from the young fella. Just pick a position. Just pick a position. Don't make yourself worse two positions just because you want to get

someone on the field, right? If he can handle running back and he's a running back, then he's a running back. If he's a receiver and he can handle receiver, then he's a receiver. right don't have him going back and forth let him pick one right malcolm hartstock i think his career

has been so up and down because of that very reason right mckeye nelson i think he's probably the truest running back there give that's the guy i would give the first shot too i've seen more for mosey i like him more if he's a running back give him the first shot if you're not sure what he is then give mckeye nelson the first reps right quentin knives where are you are you going to play a role here is this a connor shoot game like you know jaden bradley leading nebraska and rushing in a spring game right is this his moment to shine i don't know Kenneth Williams is technically running back, you know? Does he get reps there instead of just a kick for Turner?

That's a fascinating position. Yeah, it will be. So, again, there's not a lot to look forward to against the bull game for Utah. Whether Nebraska wins are not part of it, but a whole bunch of kind of story and intrigue going in there. So don't let them tell you bowl games don't matter, even though they matter left. That's my say. When people say, bull games don't matter. No, they matter exactly the amount that they matter.

No more and no less. All right. take a quick break. Like I said, we've got, who hit the button already. We've got a little bit of trivia, Las Vegas Bowl trivia. We'll see how well Austin does. And I know you've watched every Las Vegas Bowl since

1992. Start to finish. Yeah, I've been going back and forth trying to prepare for this game. What can I expect from the Las Vegas Bowl, baby? Absolutely. We'll do that coming up next year on one-on-one on 93-7 ticket. Download our wrap.