Ahead of their matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini, opposing head coach Bret Bielema detailed the challenge of playing the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, NE. He also relived his history and experience facing off against Nebraska throughout his coaching tenure.

“My first experience, I was an assistant at Iowa,” said Bielema. “We had a home-and-home series against Nebraska back in the day before the conference realignment. I remember going over there and getting the cheers running on the field right? And then they cheered louder when they left; because you lost. My next experience was at Kansas State. We went there, and we actually had success and won there. And I think it was the first time Kansas State had been to Lincoln and beat them there in like 30-40 years.

“I really enjoyed the tenacity of the environment we played in. It’s a great environment. Very comparable, in my mind. It’s kind of like some of your Big Ten venues. They’re very vertical stadiums; a lot of people. Very interactive crowd and one that I’m excited to let our guys play.”

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Nebraska has arguably one of the toughest home environments in college football. Unfortunately, fans attending the games have not had much to celebrate in recent history. However, interim head coach Mickey Joseph has done a decent job and his first four games at the helm and is working to change that. The Cornhuskers are 2-2 under him with a 1-1 mark on the road and at home. But, if Nebraska and Joseph are to add another tally in the win column, they will need the backing and support of their home fans as they try and take down the No.17 ranked team in the nation on Saturday.

Joseph: Nebraska still believes it can win

When you fire your coach in September, it can seem like your program is giving up on the season early. However, in the case of Nebraska, it was so early in the season that the Cornhuskers still had a chance to compete in the Big Ten West. Now, after going 2-2 and 2-1 in conference, interim head coach Mickey Joseph says that Nebraska still believes it can win.

However, while in a press conference, Mickey Joseph was asked if he needs to build the team’s confidence.

“We show them where they’re at,” Mickey Joseph said. “You know, we show them that they’re right there in the middle.”

“Then, they’re going to play the number one team in the West this week. So, they still control their own destiny. But, you know, I think their confidence is there right now. They believe that they can win,” Mickey Joseph said.

“Just noticing on the flight home, after the Purdue game, and the look on their face–they were hurt. They were hurt. They were upset they let that game go. And I got like I said, I’ve got to do better with them. I gotta get them over that hump. But, they’re a different team. They’re a different team.