1. How will Taylor Martinez match up against South Carolina’s defensive line?
Martinez isn't the explosive big-play runner he was a season ago. This year's offense is dictated by the offensive line's ability to control the line of scrimmage. Nebraska has transitioned from a zone-read running game to more of an option style offense. Martinez is able to grab yards in chunks, but this year's chunks are closer to seven to 10 yards instead of the 40 to 50 from last season. The biggest threat in the NU running game is junior Rex Burkhead. He's Nebraska's workhorse and if he gets going, the Husker offense gets stronger as the game goes on as the opposing defense starts to wear down.
2. Nebraska’s defense had issues against mobile quarterbacks like Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson, Northwestern’s Kain Colter, and Michigan’s Denard Robinson. Will Connor Shaw be a problem for the Cornhusker defense?
Containing Connor Shaw will be one of the keys for NU's defense in the bowl game. The Huskers have struggled with mobile quarterbacks, but it hasn't been the QB running game that has hurt the most. It's been the quarterback's ability to extend plays with his feet in the passing game. Nebraska has one of the best cover corners in the nation in Alfonzo Dennard, but if Shaw is able to have all day to pass the ball, it could spell trouble for Nebraska.
3. After its first season in the Big 10, was leaving the Big 12 a good move for Nebraska? What is the reaction amongst fans to the change?
From a football standpoint, it's hard to say whether the move to the Big Ten has benefitted Nebraska this season. But the conference change was more about just football. The Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the country when it comes to tradition and academics. Nebraska has a lot of tradition and a move to the Big Ten will give it the opportunity to become a better academic institution as well. Years two and three, once Nebraska starts to recruit for the Big Ten, will be better indicators on the football side.
4. With Carl Pelini leaving for FAU, is Mike Stoops going to be the next defensive coordinator?
In the early going, that sounds like a definite possibility. Nebraska does like to promote within, though, and it's possible current assistant John Papuchis could step into a bigger role.
5. Prediction time—who ya got?
Nebraska: 24-23
What's coming up:
I'll post a blog tonight with the rumors circulating around the Gamecocks' coaching staff. There'll be more basketball related posts in the coming week, as the Gamecocks will play Presbyterian and Ohio State next week.
Tweet of the Day: @JeffSchultzAJC: Mikhail Prokhorov: "In Soviet Union, we had no tampering. We had KGB. Shut up and give me Dwight." OK, he didn't really say that.
Sports story that will be overlooked because of other headlines: From CNBC.com, Why The NBA Can’t Do The Chris Paul Deal, http://www.cnbc.com/id/45606670
