Just: As questions swirl ahead of Nebraska football's opener, one still rings from last year

Tears. Blank stares. Towel-covered faces. Stoicism.

The emotions were vivid in Las Vegas Bowl after Nebraska football lost to Utah. Each Cornhusker dealt with the disappointment his own way.

To add salt to the wound, the loss was the third-straight blowout for Nebraska football — factoring in the rivalry loss against Iowa, 40-16, and the demoralizing 37-10 beatdown at Penn State.

“It’s not at all what we wanted,” defensive tackle Riley Van Poppel said then, “but I think everyone in that locker room knows what needs to be done.”

Questions about Nebraska’s identity arose.

Who were they? That’s anyone’s guess. But the more important question now, on the eve of the 2026 season, is: Who do they want to be this season?

Van Poppel, along with the graduated Henry Lutovsky — who landed on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad this week — had some ideas back then on that final day of 2025.

“I hope the identity is, ‘You eat what you kill,’” Van Poppel said then. “Rhule says that to us a lot. I want to get back to — and I want to do what I can in my part as a leader to get back to that Blackshirt mindset.”

Lutovsky added, “Find something that works and stick to it. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Just focus on — we say it all the time. ‘Find your superpower and lean on it.’ I just want us to do that.”

That’s what Nebraska should be: a team that displays toughness and authenticity.

Arriving at that isn’t a big leap. In fact, those two tenets are in the underlying ethos of Nebraska Athletics.

Look at men’s basketball last season: Tough and authentic. Look at Nebraska volleyball in recent years: Tough and authentic. Nebraska wrestling? Tough and authentic. Nebraska softball? You guessed it: Tough and authentic.

Will Nebraska football be tough and authentic this year?

Right now, early indications seem to be yes.

Nebraska hired several new assistant coaches and transfer players who fit those molds. Many of the returning players fit that, too. And with those attributes together, there are signs of optimism from inside the building.

“There’s a physical transformation. It looks different than when I got here. I would say the leadership factor is there,” Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen told the Journal Star in late August. “... It’s much more important to lead a program inside the locker room than outside of it. I see a lot of leaders in the locker room, and, frankly, a lot of guys that are a lot less concerned about leading outside of the locker room.

“That is an important asset. You gotta lead yourself first. Player-led teams are always more successful than coach-led teams. The players are doing a good job of leading.”

Will that alone win you games? No. But it’s a massive step in the right direction.

As we sit here before Saturday, dozens of questions about Nebraska football remain unanswered. And it isn’t because Matt Rhule isn’t answering them. This is the name of the game. We just need to see things play out — in a real, live football game.

How does quarterback Anthony Colandrea look? What does Colandrea’s decision-making look like? How many off-schedule plays is Colandrea making? Who takes charge at running back? Is the offensive line playing together as a unit? How are they in pass protection? How many receivers get involved in the game plan? What does Kwazi Gilmer look like in his first game as a Husker? How much 22 personnel will Nebraska run, if any? What about any 21 personnel? How creative is Dana Holgorsen’s offense going to look against Ohio? How does Nebraska’s red zone offense look?

What will defensive coordinator Rob Aurich’s defense look like in a game? How much translates from San Diego State to Nebraska? How do all the transfers look? Are they complementary to the returners? How much rotation is there on the defensive line — especially on the edges? What flashes do Owen Chambliss, Owen Stoudmire and Jahsear Wittington show? Who ends up solidifying their spot as starting safety between Dwayne McDougle III and Rex Guthrie? Who ends up starting at cornerback between Victor Evans II and Jeremiah Charles? How does Nebraska’s red zone defense look?

How do the special teams units look with a new coordinator running the show? Can the Huskers maintain progress in those areas? Who receives a single-digit jersey? What do the new uniforms look like in person? How do the Huskers avoid cramping with the weather forecast projecting a high temperature that’s flirting with triple digits?

That’s a lot of questions. But most football programs around the country are asking similar questions of their squads, too.

Will all of them be answered Saturday?

No — especially not if Nebraska calls off the dogs in what the sportsbooks think is going to be a lopsided affair — but it’s a start in the right direction.

And starting in the right direction, by showing toughness and authenticity, is exactly what Nebraska needs against Ohio.