August 30, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Purdue Athletics)

All eyes this week in Cornhuskers country are on football and the start of the Matt Rhule era, but - for one night - even football steps aside as the Nebraska volleyball team takes aim at a world record crowd as it plays in front of 90,000-plus at Memorial Stadium.

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/38271128/nebraska-volleyball-record-crowd-memorial-stadium

As for Rhule, the nation will be watching as he makes his Nebraska debut.  The Huskers' season opener at Minnesota will be shown on FOX Thursday night at 8pm.

https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football-picks/nebraska-minnesota-game-picks-predictions-week-1-college-football-odds-spread-lines-by-computer-model

Speaking of TV, after decades of SEC games on CBS at their coveted 2:30pm CT time slot, the Big Ten takes over.  Starting with #4 Ohio State at Indiana as the Buckeyes play their first game in two years without star quarterback C.J. Stroud.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ohio-state-names-kyle-mccord-starting-qb-vs-indiana-in-opener-devin-brown-will-also-see-action/

2nd ranked Michigan will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh AND its offensive coordinator for Saturday's season opener vs. East Carolina.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/michigan-offensive-coordinator-sherrone-moore-suspended-for-season-opener-as-part-of-self-imposed-penalties/

Penn State gets the first night game on NBC in the new media landscape.  Coach James Franklin is also breaking in a new starting quarterback, but that may not be the biggest change on the Nittany Lions' offense as they open against West Virginia.

https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-football-offensive-coordinator-mike-yurcich-to-call-plays-from-coaches-booth

And there's a lotta new in West Lafayette as Purdue opens the new season.  New head coach, new coordinators, quarterback, stadium tunnel...

https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/football/2023/08/30/no-pressure-for-purdue-football-qb-hudson-card-going-into-fresno-state-depth-chart-tiller-tunnel/70709320007/