For dedicated Nebraska fans, Husker game days may seem more like practicing a religion than just watching a game.

According to one Lincoln professor, Husker football is more like religion than most would think Michael Hoff is an archaeologist and professor at UNL.

He's spent much of his professional career learning about ancient Roman religion.

Hoff says from the game and tailgating, to music and mascots, there are many parallels between the two. "They will commune with each other, they will break bread and in some cases, they don't even go to the game. They just come for the fun and the enjoyment and especially the fellowship and camaraderie."

Hoff says tradition was a big part of ancient Roman religion and believes that's evident today at Memorial Stadium.

Hoff says Nebraska football, much like religion for the ancient Romans, is an institution that binds together people across the state.

Hoff says his parallels between the two are tongue and cheek for the most part.

He hopes listeners will get some degree of entertainment out of hearing his take on Husker football tradition and how it relates to an ancient religion a half a world...and a few millenia...away.