The 3-2-1: TJ Lateef gets his shot, Husker fans ready to take over Pasadena and beer sales boom at Memorial Stadium

TJ Lateef’s big opportunity begins as Husker fans prepare to flood Pasadena — and Nebraska leads the nation in beer sales

We hit on that and more in this week’s 3-2-1 column with the latest insights, key questions, and one bold prediction.

RELATED – Radio Rundown: Lateef talks the adjustment to being QB1

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THREE THINGS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK

1 – TJ Lateef has been presented with a unique opportunity

The next few weeks will present a unique opportunity for freshman quarterback TJ Lateef. Not only will he get to make starts against UCLA, Penn State and Iowa, he’ll get to make a statement about his future.

We are going to learn a great deal about Lateef and just how talented he is. I think we are all intrigued to see what offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and QBs coach Glenn Thomas can do with Lateef.

You also wonder what these next few weeks will do to the future NIL/rev-share value of Lateef. A strong showing could make the discussion interesting here in Lincoln, while also driving up his overall NIL/rev-share market, whether that’s here or potentially at another school that may indirectly make contact, given NU’s future quarterback situation once Dylan Raiola returns.

All of it’s intriguing. Nobody knows what to expect. Just have fun with it.

2 – A Big Red invasion is expected in Pasadena

Every time Nebraska has been to the West Coast in recent years to USC (2024 and 2006), Oregon (2017), Washington (2011), UCLA (2012 and 1993), Fresno State (2014) and Cal (1998), it’s been a Big Red invasion of 20,000 to 30,000 Husker fans.

Most are predicting a similar scene at the Rose Bowl on Saturday for this year’s match-up against UCLA.

NU has such a great West Coast alumni base in California, as well as Las Vegas and Phoenix, that you can expect to see many Husker fans in Pasadena, along with many others who want to take in a great weekend with 80-degree weather in Los Angeles.

Hopefully, the local bars and restaurants in Old Town Pasadena are ready, because the Big Red faithful is coming. In 2012, I can tell you that they were not prepared, and many didn’t even realize what was going on in Pasadena.

3 – An eye-opening stat came out about beer sales at Memorial Stadium

Earlier this week, Matt Brown from Extra Points shared some interesting data he obtained from FOIA requests regarding alcohol sales for various college football teams.

Of the data he shared from 21 schools, Nebraska led them all in total units sold and revenue. NU sold 168,293 units to 260,009 people over five games, for a total revenue of $2,074,806.25.

That was ahead of Tennessee and LSU, who both had higher attendance figures than Nebraka, but Husker fans still drank them under the table. With LSU, one has to wonder how much alcohol is consumed in the parking lot versus the venue, considering the reputation of the Tigers’ tailgate scene.

One notable school not listed was the Ohio State University. I’m told the Buckeyes’ sales numbers would be No. 1 over Nebraska’s, but they don’t release their numbers until the end of the season. That’s still quite a number, and it makes you wonder how much revenue NU has left on the table over the last few years by holding out on alcohol sales for this long.

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TWO QUESTIONS THIS WEEK

1 – Is Emmett Johnson now the favorite to win the Big Ten Running Back of the Year award?

Through 10 weeks of college football, Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson could run away with the Big Ten’s rushing title. Is he now the favorite to win the Big Ten running back of the year award? Today, I would say yes.

With 1,002 yards, he’s by far the leading rusher in the league. The No. 2 leading rusher, Michigan’s Justice Haynes (857 yards), is out for the season. There are still a few others, though, that could elevate and challenge Johnson for the award.

Penn State’s Kaytron Allen has 688 yards with four games to go. Washington’s Jonah Coleman has 643 yards and 13 touchdowns with four games remaining. Michigan’s Jordan Marshall is also another who should see his volume of carries increase, as he’s currently had 729 yards and eight touchdowns.

Coleman has games against Wisconsin, Purdue, UCLA and Oregon that could lead to a big finish. He’s also regarded as one of the best running back draft prospects.

2 – Were you surprised to see seven Big Ten teams ranked in the first CFP poll?

The first installment of the College Football Playoff was released on Tuesday. Seven Big Ten teams made the first set of rankings. Were you surprised to see seven Big Ten teams make the first poll, as the latest AP poll only ranks six?

I think the biggest surprise, perhaps, of the poll is how much the committee values Iowa, as the Hawkeyes came in at No. 20. They have close losses to Iowa State and Indiana. I believe the combination of how closely they played the Hoosiers, along with how well they’ve looked in recent wins over Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as edging out Penn State, all played a factor.

The poll also puts in perspective how close NU is to being in the top 25, as they have a 3-point loss to No. 21 Michigan and a 4-point loss to No. 19 USC. It also puts in perspective how favorable the NU schedule is, as they only play teams ranked 19, 20 and 21.

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ONE PREDICTION: 300 yards of offense from Lateef

It’s hard to know what to expect from Lateef in his first start at UCLA on Saturday. I’ll make a bold prediction: I predict you’ll see Lateef leave Pasadena with 300 yards of total offense.

Between what he will do as a runner and passer, I think the sum of that number will be over 300 yards on Saturday. I also believe that having an entire week to put a game plan in place for Lateef will go a long way.

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Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.

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