Holiday Bowl 2014: Preview, Predictions for Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. USC Trojans

It's official. The Nebraska Cornhuskers and USC Trojans will head to San Diego to face off in the Holiday Bowl.

The NCAA confirmed the suspicion, but Husker and Trojan fans were both filling Twitter with word about the projection. Since its creation in 1995, the Cornhuskers have been to the Holiday Bowl a total of three times. The most recent being in 2010. This is USC's first time.

As for the series between the Huskers and Trojans, this will only be the fifth time the two have met. The last time Nebraska and USC saw each other was 2007 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Huskers lost that matchup 49-31. That was also the final season of former head coach Bill Callahan's tenure at Nebraska.

Seven years later, the Huskers have just fired the coach that replaced Callahan: Bo Pelini. The change in Lincoln could make things in the bowl game interesting.

The Huskers have never defeated USC, dating back to 1969. The two only tied once in 1970. Can Nebraska overcome adversity and defeat the Trojans in the 2014 Holiday Bowl?

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA

When: Saturday, December 27, at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Listen: Husker Sports Network

Betting Line via Odds Shark: TBD

Tale of the Tape

If this interactive graphic shows anything, it's that there is a potential for a lot of offense in San Diego, California.

While Nebraska's strength is on the ground, USC's is clearly in the air. If there's one area fans should keep an eye on, it's turnovers. Fumbles and interceptions could ultimately determine the outcome of this game.

Nebraska's Keys to Victory

Morry Gash/Associated Press

1. Run the Ball

It's simple. When I-back Ameer Abdullah is running the football, Nebraska is winning. Just look at his numbers if you don't believe it, per ESPN.com.

When an opposing team limits Abdullah, they either win or get dangerously close to defeating the Huskers. Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota all figured out the key to stopping Nebraska was stopping Abdullah and that's what they did by did. McNeese State also did its best to limit Abdullah, despite the Huskers getting the win.

That means Nebraska's offensive line is going to have to step up. Having a shot at defeating USC will require a big game from Abdullah. It's only fitting he has one, too.

2. Limit Turnovers (and Force Turnovers)

There is one thing the Huskers do not need to do and that's shoot itself in its own foot. Limiting turnovers is going to need to be a big focus for Nebraska, especially quarterback Tommy Armstrong.

USC has intercepted its opponents 13 times this season, per Yahoo Sports. That's going to be crucial for Armstrong to be aware of.

On the other side of the ball, the Blackshirts will also need to force turnovers. USC has lost seven fumbles this season and had the ball intercepted four times, per NCAA.com. Finding ways to force turnovers would make like much easier for the Huskers.

3. Have Some Fun

In all honesty, Nebraska won't have a shot at winning this bowl game if the team can't loosen up a bit. Obviously that's easier said than done.

It's been a rough week that's been filled with emotions for players. Losing Bo Pelini was clearly hard on many of them, as BTN.com showed.

It's time to move on, though. With it, Nebraska needs to have some fun and needs to simply play football. Doing that will ultimately give the Huskers the best shot at winning. Choosing to stay upset would likely mean a certain loss for Nebraska.

USC's Keys to Victory

USA TODAY Sports

1. Put Pressure on Tommy Armstrong

It's been a roller coaster of a season for Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong. If there's one thing USC can learn from watching him play, it's that he doesn't always handle pressure well.

Forcing Armstrong to make quick decisions typically results in turnovers. He's been intercepted 11 times this season and sacked 18 times, per ESPN.com.

USC needs to bring that kind of pressure. Making Armstrong uncomfortable is truly the way to make the Nebraska offense fall a part.

2. Limit Ameer Abdullah

What team that's faced Nebraska hasn't had this on the game plan? Stopping I-back Ameer Abdullah is truly the way to keeping the Huskers from a victory.

Michigan State and Wisconsin were two teams that really accomplished this. The Spartans limited Abdullah to only 45 total rushing yards, while the Badgers held him to only 69. As a result, the Huskers couldn't find a way to win.

If USC wants to get Nebraska's number, start with Abdullah. Watch what Michigan State and Wisconsin did, and replicate it. When the running game can't be established, Armstrong is forced to win with his arm, which goes back to the possibility of forcing turnovers.

3. Stick With What Works

For USC, what works is passing the football. There's no reason to fix what isn't broken.

Per NBC Nebraska, the Trojans are averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game. That ranks USC 15th in the nation, as well as in the top 30 for total offense and scoring offense.

That really needs to be the key to USC's game. Throw the ball and force Nebraska's secondary to make big plays. Based on how USC has fared all season, it looks like a matchup the Trojans could win.

Nebraska Players to Watch

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Ameer Abdullah (RB, Sr.)

Bo Pelini may not be the Huskers' head coach anymore, but he had something to say about Ameer Abdullah prior to the Iowa game that rings true today.

“I think he is a warrior. I really do," Pelini said, per Huskers.com. "He came back quickly off of an injury. He’s been less than 100 percent in the last couple weeks and hasn’t blinked an eye. I think it shows the character he has."

Abdullah truly is a warrior. He has been all season, even when hurt or limited. His Heisman chances may have slowly slipped away, but it never slowed down the senior.

He finished the regular season with 1,523 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, per ESPN.com. The Holiday Bowl will be his last opportunity to really make a statement. Husker fans will be watching.

Randy Gregory (DE, Jr.)

This will likely be it for defensive end Randy Gregory. There's a good chance he'll declare for the draft at the conclusion of this season, which means Nebraska fans should really enjoy watching him in the scarlet and cream one last time.

Gregory has been the Abdullah of the defense, leading his side of the ball as much as he can. He has recorded seven sacks on the season, per ESPN.com. That's something the USC offensive line will have to be prepared for.

Since he was out against Iowa, the Holiday Bowl becomes even more important for the junior. A big game could seal the deal of reading to the NFL for Gregory.

USC Players to Watch

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Cody Kessler (QB, Jr.)

USC has had an incredible passing offense this season and quarterback Cody Kessler is a big part of that. He's thrown for 3,505 yards on 413 attempts for 36 touchdowns, per ESPN.com. Not too bad, huh?

His performance in 2014 even has the junior exploring his NFL draft options, as the OC Register noted. However, Kessler is not sold on leaving. If he stays, it'll be to help the Trojans win championships.

“I hope that’s what it would be,” Head coach Steve Sarkisian said, per the OC Register. “I think that’s indicative of his character. Cody is a Trojan all the way."

The Holiday Bowl could be it for Kessler, or it may not be. Regardless, he'll be a player both fans and the opposing players will need to keep an eye on.

Nelson Agholor (WR, Jr.)

If you're going to watch Kessler throw the ball, you might as well watch Agholor catch it. So far on the season, he has 97 receptions for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns, per ESPN.com.

He was selected as a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, per the Los Angeles Times. Rightfully so, too. He eclipsed the 200-yard reception mark twice this season, against Washington State and California.

The Husker secondary will have to be ready for Agholor. He's definitely going to test the Blackshirts, which makes him an interesting player to watch out for.

What They’re Saying

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Nebraska Interim Coach Barney Cotton

On playing in the Holiday Bowl:

"

We look forward to the opportunity to take on USC in the Holiday Bowl, and the opportunity to finish our season with a trip to San Diego. Our goal as a coaching staff is to provide a great bowl experience and put this team in position for success in the Holiday Bowl. This team has outstanding character and leadership, and we would like nothing more than to send our seniors out with a second straight bowl victory and a 10-win season.

"

Nebraska Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst

On the Holiday Bowl and facing USC:

"

We are excited to celebrate our 51st bowl appearance with a trip to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl. The Holiday Bowl is a wonderful new partner for the Big Ten Conference, and our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans are excited to travel to the West Coast. I know they will have a wonderful experience in San Diego. The University of Southern California is an outstanding institution, has an excellent football program and will be a great matchup for our team.

"

USC Head Coach Steve Sarkisian

On the excitement of the Holiday Bowl matchup (via the Los Angeles Times):

"

We are excited to go play in the Holiday Bowl and be the first USC team to do so. We get to play close to home and our fans will show up in force. They’ll get to see a pair of Top 25 teams with storied football heritages. Having been to the Holiday Bowl when I was at Washington, I know this bowl experience will be a good one for our players and fans.

"

On preparing team for the bowl game (via Los Angeles Times): "Kind of going back to the basics. Going back to the fundamentals, the schemes and just how we do everything."

Quotes obtained firsthand from Nebraska Athletic Department, unless otherwise noted.

Prediction

USA TODAY Sports

It's hard to believe Nebraska has never defeated USC, isn't it? While the two have only met a total of four times before the Holiday Bowl, it has to feel like an uphill battle to make this matchup the one in which the Huskers finally win.

It won't be easy, either. Nebraska fired head coach Bo Pelini and hired Oregon State's Mike Riley all within a week. Except Riley won't be coaching the bowl game. Instead, that responsibility will fall to interim coach Barney Cotton.

However, Nebraska isn't the only program with a new coach. Steve Sarkisian is in his first season with the Trojans, after Lane Kiffin was fired last year and interim coach Ed Orgeron departed.

Regardless, this matchup could get interesting very quick. The two offenses will definitely focus on very different aspects, with Nebraska putting the most effort on the ground and USC in the air.

Ultimately, it's going to come down to whose defense can hold up. Both offenses will do their best to keep the game competitive, but the defenses could very well be the deciding factor in this matchup.

Nebraska has experience at the Holiday Bowl, but it may not be enough. Cody Kessler will likely be problematic for the Huskers. Expect Nebraska to keep it close in the first three quarters, with USC taking the victory in the end.

Prediction: Nebraska 31, USC 38

For complete team coverage and everything Huskers, you can follow Erin on Twitter @erinsorensen.