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The premise is straightforward. You ask me some questions — or vent your frustrations — about Nebraska Athletics. Any sport. I attempt to answer them.

If you want your question included in the next edition of the mailbag, find me on Twitter/X at @Amie_Just or email me at ajust@journalstar.com.

Blaming the players and bringing in a consultant. ... If unable to figure it out on their own, they are in over their heads. — Tim M.

This feels like a common sentiment from the fanbase, and it’s absolutely warranted. Though, I think Matt Rhule’s message from Monday was more him trying to have everyone take accountability together — him, the players, the offensive coordinator, all of them together.

Either way, it was the first time that I can recall where he publicly called upon the players collectively to execute. I’m not counting last season’s turnover woes conversation. That feels different.

But yes, Nebraska is bringing in outside help with three games remaining. Nebraska, per source, has hired former Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen to be an offensive consultant. Though, it sounds like his role could expand as the season comes to a close.

The hire intrigues me for many reasons.

For one, the timing. Why bring someone in now? Sure, things aren’t working, but with three games left in the season? Why not earlier? It reeks of desperation. It feels like Nebraska is having an existential crisis as the clock reaches the 11th hour. I don’t disagree that changes need to be made. But the timing is interesting. How much can change with three games to go? Unclear.

For two, Holgorsen is an Air Raid guy, having worked with Hal Mumme and the late Mike Leach earlier in his career. So, if Holgorsen is going to have input in the offense for the next three weeks, what will it mean for Nebraska’s frustratingly ill-used run game?

What’s your letter grade for the Huskers' football season? – Ed H.

A phenomenal question. There’s an argument to be made for several letters, but I’m going to say D as it stands right now — with an upward trajectory of a C if Nebraska makes a bowl game and, inversely, a downward trajectory of an F if Nebraska fails to win a game in the final three chances.

The lack of offensive production concerns me. The Huskers have all these playmakers, and they aren’t producing at the level that they should. Some of that responsibility lies at their feet — through missed reads, drops or boneheaded turnovers. Some of that responsibility lies at the feet of their teammates, namely through the lack of perimeter blocking. Some of that responsibility lies at the feet of offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield and his predictable playcalling.

Here are some of the offensive stats that jump out as being problematic.

Total offense: 354.1 yards per game. That’s No. 99 out of the 133 FBS programs. Now, that is technically higher than last season, but not by much. Nebraska averaged 312.8 yards of total offense per game last year, ranking No. 115 nationally.

Rushing offense: 124.9 yards per game. That’s No. 104 out of the 133 FBS programs. Comparing this year to last year is like comparing apples to licorice, so I won’t do that. But, the issue I have is that Nebraska’s numbers here are bolstered by the nonconference slate. In the last four games, Nebraska has put up 97 yards (vs. Rutgers), 70 yards (at Indiana), 121 yards (at Ohio State) and 113 yards (vs. UCLA). That’s a four-game average of 100.25 yards rushing per game. That number would be the 11th-worst nationally for a season-long metric.

Passing offense: If your run game is as dire as the numbers reflected above, one would hope that the passing offense at least had some legs, right? Well, Nebraska’s passing offense is middling. The Huskers average 229.2 yards passing per game, which is No. 67 nationally. Need higher numbers than that if your run game is as lackluster as it is.

Scoring offense: 23.6 points per game. That’s not going to win very many contests. That number surely won’t win against Iowa, a team that’s currently averaging 30.8 points per game. That number surely won’t win against USC, a team that’s currently averaging 30.6 points per game. That won’t even win against Wisconsin, a team that’s averaging 25.1 points per game.

So, for the offense, I give an F — just knowing their potential compared to their actual output.

While the Blackshirts have had issues lately — that opening drive against UCLA and the entire game against Indiana, for example — Nebraska’s defense is still legions better than the offense.

Nebraska’s total defense still ranks at No. 17 nationally while allowing opponents 308.1 yards of total offense per game. The rushing defense still ranks No. 13 while allowing opponents an average of 102.6 yards rushing per game. The passing defense, the weak spot for Nebraska’s defense, ranks No. 46 at 205.6 yards passing allowed per game. And the scoring defense is No. 22 at 19.11 points allowed per game.

Even with the issues, the defensive output gets a B-.

Special teams? Yeah, this is a D- — which is up significantly from the F I would have given the unit before John Hohl’s record-tying day against Ohio State.

The punt block team has been a liability. The kick return game has been a liability. Kick coverage has been a liability. Punt return has been OK. Punter Brian Buschini has been incredible when he’s not getting blocked. Field goal blocks have been a massive detriment this season, too.

That’s a long-winded answer, but one that feels the most fair.

What’s the status of Gabe Ervin? – X user @TwinTwisterDad

He is healthy, by all accounts, considering he hasn’t been listed on the pregame availability report, but he has only seen the field a negligible amount this season.

The last time he saw the field was against Indiana when he was in for seven of the 70-plus offensive snaps. He was on the field for one offensive snap against Purdue. In total, he’s only seen the field for 24 offensive snaps this season.