Missouri Tigers Vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers: Climax of Huskers 2010 Season

Whoever said the Texas game was Nebraska's most important game of the season?

Oh yeah, everybody.

Before the season began, nobody in their right mind predicted Nebraska would be playing an undefeated, Top 10 Missouri team when the game rolled around.

That looked even more impossible after the Tigers escaped San Diego State 27-24 in large part because of luck.

But suddenly, the Tigers decided to play defense.

After Missouri's 36-27 home win over the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, the undefeated Tigers vaulted into the Top 10 for the first time since October 2008. The Tiger defense, ranked fifth in the nation in scoring, is an integral part of why the Tigers topped the Sooners' vaunted offense and enter their game with Nebraska undefeated and ranked sixth nationally.

In light of Missouri's meteoric rise, the tilt between the Huskers and Tigers in Lincoln this coming Saturday suddenly becomes the biggest Big 12 game of the year.

Considering the currently crippled state of the Big 12 South division, the winner has a good shot at a Big 12 title—and if it's Missouri, a good shot at the national championship game as well.

So, how do the Huskers and Tigers match up?

Nebraska Offense vs. Missouri Defense

This matchup is tough to diagnose because of Nebraska's inconsistencies on offense, which have coincided with the roller-coaster ride that is Taylor Martinez.

Martinez made a splash last week with 323 passing yards and five touchdowns against a below-average Oklahoma State defense. He added 112 rushing yards. Martinez had thrown only three touchdown passes in the prior six games, so it was refreshing to see a confident, accurate performance from the redshirt freshman.

The most important part of the offense's performance was not seen on the stat sheet. The Huskers, Martinez in particular, showed that when a defense stacks the box and limits Martinez's big runs, they can sustain long drives with effective between-the-tackles running, intermediate passes and timely scrambles.

Martinez never recorded one of his signature long runs but instead got his yards by consistently picking up eight- to 15-yard gains, many of which were improvised.

However, the Huskers have faced only one truly good defense this year, and we all know how that turned out.

With that being said, Nebraska had plenty of opportunities to record points on the Longhorns but were plagued by dropped passes. This offense can move the ball against good defenses, but whether they actually will depends on two things.

First, the receivers have to catch the ball. The receivers showed that they can get open, even against good defensive backs. But if they lose focus and drop passes, it will be a long day for Nebraska.

Second, Martinez has to prove that last Saturday's performance was not an aberration. His mind-numbing performances have been offset by others that have been largely disappointing, and he has not yet shown any sort of knack for consistency. His development must breed consistency, or we're in for another letdown offensively.

Doing so will be no easy task against a Missouri defense that allows only 13.14 points per game, first in the Big 12. That includes holding high-powered Texas A&M to just nine points (a team that hung 35 on Oklahoma State). Defensive end Aldon Smith headlines a unit that lacks big names but works flawlessly as a team, especially in the red zone.

Nebraska might have an advantage in this area: Martinez is known for scoring outside the red zone.

But for that very reason, you can expect Missouri to have a game plan built around limiting those big runs.

The good thing about Martinez's big passing day is that it gives Missouri something else to look at this week in practice, and it might take a little bit of pressure off the running game from the get-go.

Still, Nebraska's struggles against good defense, especially at home, and the fact that Martinez is still a freshman don't bode well for the Big Red.

Edge: Missouri

Nebraska Defense vs. Missouri Offense

At first glance, the Huskers might seem to be at a disadvantage against a strong Missouri offense, especially after the Tigers hung 36 on Oklahoma the same day that the Blackshirts were plastered by Oklahoma State, giving up 41.

However, there are a few reasons why the Blackshirts should have a pretty game against Missouri—assuming they decide to tackle.

First, the Blackshirts had the tough task of stopping arguably the best offense in the nation in Oklahoma State. While the Tigers do have a potent offense, they do not have the sheer athleticism the Cowboys possess in receiver Justin Blackmon and Kendall Hunter.

OSU offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is one of the premier offensive minds in the nation, and the Blackshirts still had a decent second half, when it really counted.

Missouri's offense is more of a conventional spread offense, the type of offense Bo Pelini specifically designed the peso defense to stop. Missouri's offense thrives on quick passes and speedy backs, and Nebraska's defense has the speed and aggressiveness to counter that.

However, Missouri still could have a big day if Nebraska's defensive line doesn't generate any pressure.

Missouri's offensive line controlled the game against Oklahoma, and if they can do the same against Nebraska (the last couple games suggest they will), quarterback Blaine Gabbert and the Missouri backs could have a lot of time and room to work with.

Even Nebraska's top-of-the-line secondary cannot cover everyone forever. They will need help from that D-line.

I think linebacker Lavonte David will play a big part in this game. He is the Huskers' best blitzer, and he will need to be flying all over the field and making big tackles to slow down the running attack.

Prince Amukamara and the secondary will also need to step up after a shaky performance against Oklahoma State. I expect that to happen.

But whether the defensive line steps up and fulfills its potential remains to be seen.

Edge: Nebraska

The Huskers' season is now at a climax: Win and be in line to head to the Big 12 championship and a BCS bowl; lose and reluctantly trudge to another halfway decent bowl. Nebraska fans dreamt of a Big 12 championship season on the way out, but given Missouri's recent success and Nebraska's struggles at home, I don't like their chances.

Please Nebraska, just prove me wrong one more time.

Missouri 28, Nebraska 24