Things I know, and things I think I know:
In honor of Patrick Reed — what a steely triumph Sunday at Augusta — let's go with a big-boy Nebraska football theme.
Peyton Newell, a fifth-year senior Nebraska defensive lineman with only two career tackles, is making a push this spring to be the starting nose tackle, his bid aided by Zach Duval's strength and conditioning program, which continues to elicit raves from players.
Meanwhile, fellow senior Cole Conrad, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound walk-on from Fremont, once again finds himself in a battle for the starting center job. Another walk-on, Hunter Miller of Stromsburg, is making serious noise at center as one of the spring's biggest surprises.
So, we're talking about some big dudes competing hard in the middle of the fray.
"The nose spot for this defense and a lot of defenses, it's the big dog," Newell said Saturday at roughly the halfway point of spring drills. "It's the person in the middle making the calls. He sets the tone of the defense. That's something I'm trying to do my best right now."
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With senior Mick Stoltenberg, a returning starter, sidelined by a knee injury, Newell and redshirt freshman Damion Daniels are getting especially long looks. The 6-3, 295-pound Newell feels urgency in part because he's appeared in only seven games in his college career.
You sometimes wonder how veterans stay so patient while awaiting their chance.
"I just try to stay consistent every day," said Newell, of Hiawatha, Kansas, adding that he also strives to make those around him better.
But, yeah, Newell wants to wreak some havoc himself on autumn Saturdays.
"I've been through four (position) coaches, three head coaches," he said. "You just control what you can control."
In that regard, Newell addressed a recurring theme this spring — the fast pace of new head coach Scott Frost's practices. There's not much time between plays, not much time between reps, not much time at all to daydream.
"We're used to it by now," Newell said following the team's seventh practice under Frost. "The strength staff did an amazing job getting us ready for it."
When he says "amazing," Newell means it.
"During the first seven weeks with Coach Duval, I lost 3 percent fat and gained 23 pounds of muscle," he said.
He cited team nutritionist Tommy Jensen as being a key factor, particularly in helping players become more knowledgeable about the right foods to eat.
So Newell cut out McDonald's. He said he won't even eat a grilled chicken sandwich.
Hey, he's trying to win a job.
* In case you missed it, Nebraska's defense had a good day Saturday in scrimmaging. The offense … not so good.
"We executed what we were supposed to do," Newell said. "I mean, it's spring. The offense has more that they need to learn. As a defensive player, you just go out there and tackle."
Sounds easy enough, although last season's Blackshirt film suggests otherwise.
* Newell came up with a fresh way to describe a coach, saying Husker defensive line coach Mike Dawson's approach includes "controlled loudness," as opposed to my uncontrolled outbursts whenever an NBA referee swallows his whistle as LeBron gets hacked driving to the hoop. Happens a lot.
The playoffs begin Saturday.
Get ready, honey.
* As for Conrad, he has been practicing almost the entire spring, albeit on a somewhat limited basis because of a right shoulder injury, he said. He started the first three games at center last season, battled injuries during the middle of the season, then returned to start the final four games. Michael Decker, who started five games in place of Conrad, is sidelined this spring while recovering from a knee injury.
Conrad said he gained 12½ pounds of muscle during winter conditioning and dropped 5 pounds of fat.
"I think I have the most muscle on my frame that I've ever had," he said. "That's definitely a good thing."
Especially for confidence. You still have to wonder about this team's confidence after last season's debacles down the stretch.
* Note to self: Find out more about how Duval produces strength gains.
* The 6-5, 275-pound Miller's emergence is worth watching. In addition to starring on both sides of the ball for Cross County High School, he placed third at 285 pounds in Class C at the state wrestling meet as a senior. Which means Miller and guard Tanner Farmer (6-4, 305), an Illinois state wrestling champion, could give new meaning to the term "tag-team" blocking.
OK, I'll keep my day job.
* Thumbs up to Rickie Fowler's bright orange slacks and orange Puma stripe on his white shoes.
The biggest cat of all, though, was Reed. I like his fire. He showed tough dudes can look good in pink. Or was that a purple shirt?Â
Whatever color, it looked just fine with that green jacket.