Nebraska and Minnesota have a lot of history playing each other, 51 times to be exact (Nebraska leads the all-time series 29-20-2). However, only 14 of those games have been played since 1960 but the two teams have not met since 1990.
Both clubs are coming off a bye week and while the Huskers learned that they will be without preseason All-American defensive tackle Jared Crick (torn pectoral muscle) for the season, there is very little reason to think this game will be anything other than a decisive win for Nebraska as it travels to Minneapolis.
The Huskers, who lost 48-17 at Wisconsin Oct. 1, averted entering the bye week with consecutive losses by rallying for their largest comeback in school history in a 34-27 win over Ohio State one week later. Nebraska trailed 27-6 midway through the third quarter.
The Gophers are 1-5 and have lost three straight games. their lone win was a 29-23 win over Miami. However, that was Miami of Ohio, not the Miami Hurricanes. Nebraska enters this game as a 25-point favorite and has played much better this season on offense. Quarterback Taylor Martinez was heavily criticized for his performance against Wisconsin but rebounded with a solid performamce (especially in the second half) against Ohio State. Running back Rex Burkhead has been the Huskers most consistent weapon all season.
Minnesota is giving up an average of 35 points per game and is equally poor at stopping the run (ranked No. 74) and the pass (ranked No. 91). If the Huskers exert their dominance as they should, the backups should get a lot of snaps.
While the Husker defense (I hesitate to call them Blackshirts just yet) has been a disappointment, they have a bye week followed by a God aweful offense. Then again, most people said the same thing about Ohio State and the Buckeyes moved the ball with little trouble (especially in the first half) against Nebraska.
However, the Huskers perhaps discovered who can play cornerback opposite Alfonso Dennard and that would be converted wide receiver Stanley Jean-Baptiste. Perhaps an extra week of practice will help further his growth into the position.
Nebraska used Stanley Jean-Baptiste at cornerback in the second half of the Ohio State game. Jean-Baptiste made an interception and helped shut down the Ohio State wide receivers; after only playing cornerback for three weeks.
He began the season as a wide receiver. With the extra week of practice, the Blackshirts may have found a third playmaker in their secondary to go with Dennard and safety Graham Stoddard.
Minnesota has a mobile quarterback in MarQueis Gray, something that has given the Huskers trouble. The problem is Minnesota has a No. 110 ranking in total offense.
There is a slight chance Minnesota could keep this game closer than the oddsmakers think. Keep in mind, Minnesota gave USC all it could handle in a 19-17 loss but we are not talking a USC team led by Carson Palmer, Matt Leinert or Reggie Bush.
As long as Nebraska doesn't beat itself, it wins this game going away.
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