The Husker Hombre vs. The Big Ten — Wisconsin

If you’ve been to a Nebraska game at Memorial Stadium or watched one on television, you may have seen the guy in the oversized sombrero.

Each week during Big Ten conference play — dental student Paul Favela — also known as “The Husker Hombre” — will give his take on the upcoming game, as will a UNMC employee with connections to that week’s Husker opponent. (Peggy Cain, College of Dentistry)

That is the “Husker Hombre” — otherwise known as Paul Favela — a Husker superfan and first-year College of Dentistry student.

You can read more about Favela and his Husker fanaticism online. For our purposes, what you need to know is that each week during Big Ten conference play, the Hombre will go head-to-head with a UNMC employee who has connections to Nebraska’s opponent.

This week he takes on Matthew Zimmerman, Ph.D., assistant professor of cellular and integrative physiology and a huge Wisconsin fan. Dr. Zimmerman grew up near Madison and was instilled with a deep passion for Badger football that even withstood eight years at the University of Iowa.

So what do the Hombre and Dr. Zimmerman think will happen Saturday in Nebraska’s first Big Ten tilt? Read on to find out.

Matthew Zimmerman, Ph.D., pictured with his son Colvin, is a big Wisconsin football fan. He sees good things in store for the Badgers this weekend.

The Hombre says, “Badgers? We don’t need no stinkin’ Badgers! We Huskers have heard just about enough about Russell Wilson this season. The good thing is, the Blackshirts are back to full strength and know how to handle an over-hyped quarterback. Just ask Jake Locker. Home field advantage? Bo knows how to get the crew fired up for big road games. On top of that, Husker Nation has ‘packed their black’ and is ready to fill the stands in Camp Randall. Expect a big day from Taylor Martinez and Kyler Reed.” NU 37, Wisconsin 31

Dr. Zimmerman says, “It will be the best of Wisconsin (their offense) vs. the best of Nebraska (their defense). Ultimately, Wisconsin will win this game because of the home field advantage. The atmosphere inside of Camp Randall is phenomenal — assuming you are a Badgers fan. The student section controls that stadium like no other student section in the country.” Wisconsin 30, NU 17