A very busy Friday mailbag show for you on the Fourth of July. Listeners and viewers are chiming in from all over this great country, asking questions about Iowa, Matt Rhule’s leash, Kansas City barbeque, Memorial Stadium seating and the potential for conflict between football programs and their apparel providers because of NIL.

Connor and Mitch are here to provide answers. Join us and have a happy and safe holiday.

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Big Ten football power rankings spark heated debate. Is Penn State truly the top dog, or will Ohio State reclaim their throne?

Spencer McLaughlin and his all-star panel dissect the conference's hierarchy, with USC's placement igniting fierce discussion. Mark Culkin makes a bold case for the Trojans' ascent, while others question their readiness. The crew also analyzes Washington's potential dark horse status and Indiana's win total prediction for the upcoming season.

Key topics include defensive improvements, quarterback performances, and the impact of challenging schedules on team success. Jacob Goins and Craig Sheeman offer optimistic outlooks for the Hoosiers, but can Indiana really hit 9 wins against a tough slate?

Tune in for expert insights on your favorite Big Ten teams and players as the season approaches. Will your team rise or fall in the rankings?

On this Thursday before the Fourth of July, we’re here to do something rare. Connor and Mitch praise the NCAA for how it has handled a roster overflow at the start of the revenue-sharing era. No later than Sunday, every football program with more than 105 players on its roster must submit a list of designated student-athletes to the NCAA.

The players assigned a DSA label won’t count toward the roster limit, no matter where they play. All of this could have created a minor mess in the middle of summer. But it won’t. Because of a decision made by a committee within the much-maligned collegiate governing body. How does it work, and why does it matter for Matt Rhule and the Huskers? We explain.

Also, is Omaha North DB Darion Jones set to disappoint Nebraska fans? We discuss the state of in-state recruiting. We have a Red Panda update. And we assess the remaining needs for Nebraska in the 2026 recruiting class.

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We’re back on this Monday to review and preview the major momentum that Nebraska football and Matt Rhule are adding to their 2026 recruiting class. The Huskers gained a commitment from a Georgia wide receiver over the weekend. And there are big things on the horizon as the fruitful month of June winds to a close.

Another wide receiver is set to make his choice, along with a coveted offensive tackle, and the top remaining target for the Huskers from the state of Nebraska. Connor and Mitch are here to assess this surge in recruiting news. What is the role of Daikiel Shorts in all of it? And what do recent developments say about Rhule’s evolving approach to talent acquisition?

Also, we go off the rails and spend 10 minutes talking about barbeque. Join us for a sweaty start to this holiday week.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.

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Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

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Finishing out the week with a mailbag pod. Connor and Mitch are here to take your questions, starting with an interesting topic: Who faced the most pressure among Nebraska football coaches of the past five decades at the start of their time in Lincoln? It’s not Matt Rhule. But where does Rhule rank on the list that includes Tom Osborne, Frank Solich, Bill Callahan, Bo Pelini, Mike Riley and Scott Frost?

We’ve got a hypothetical question about one of the best players in the NFL. Why do recruits from out of state generally pick the Huskers? One of our listeners is not buying the hype on Nebraska. We try to help his summer state of mind. A remembrance to Greg Sharpe as Nebraska’s transition to a new radio announcer continues.

And of course, the map is a topic. Join us on this Friday.

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Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.

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Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

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Big Ten flexes its muscles against SEC scheduling. Is a nine-game conference slate the future of college football?

Spencer McLaughlin and fellow Locked On hosts tackle the Big Ten vs SEC scheduling debate, predicting Illinois' football win total, and dissecting potential NCAA tournament expansion. The crew analyzes Brett Bielema's bold stance on conference parity and debates the merits of a 76-team March Madness field. Key matchups for Illinois, including showdowns with Ohio State and Washington, take center stage as the hosts weigh in on the Illini's chances for a breakout season.

Tune in for heated debates on college football's power dynamics and the future of postseason play in both football and basketball.