Nebraska Football Schedule 2011: What To Know for Each Game

As the calendar turns to August, college football fans start to feel the excitement of the impending season build to a fever pitch. With fall practice underway, we all know that it won't be long before the bands are playing, the stadiums are filling up, and game day is upon us.

It's time then, to really take a look at the schedule and think about what we're going to see game by game. So sit back and walk through Nebraska's schedule with me, and we can kill a few more moments until that first kickoff.

Tennessee at Chattanooga (home), Sept. 3, 2:30 P.m.

Last season’s record: 6-5

History against Nebraska: First meeting

What you’ll see from the Mocs: Chattanooga is Nebraska’s only true minnow, an FCS school coming in for a paycheck. The Mocs are an average team at the FCS level, which means a step up in talent should prove far too much to stay competitive with Nebraska in Lincoln.

Key question: What does Tim Beck’s new offense look like when it counts? The Mocs will provide the first opportunity for NU to test out their new offensive coordinator’s ideas. While the game plan might not be as in-depth as it will be against future opponents, at the least fans will get a good look at the rhythm, tempo, and philosophy of life with Beck.

Fresno State (home), Sept. 10, 6:00 P.m.

Last season’s record: 8-5

History against Nebraska: First meeting

What you’ll see from the Bulldogs: Pat Hill has been known as a fearless “Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere” scheduler, and his trip to Lincoln highlights that tendency. But this time Hill brings more of an aerial threat on offense with Derek Carr (former NFL number-one pick David’s younger brother) at quarterback.

Key question: How does Nebraska fare against its first real test? No disrespect to the Mocs, but the Bulldogs are a legitimate test for Nebraska and could steal a win if the Cornhuskers play poorly. Nebraska should have a much better idea about their strengths after facing the Bulldogs.

Washington (home), Sept. 17, 2:30 P.m.

Last season’s record: 7-6

History against Nebraska: Tied, 4-4-1

What you’ll see from the Huskies: This might be better answered by what you won’t see, which is quarterback Jack Locker. Still, the Huskies return tailback Chris Polk and will have all the confidence in the world after pulling the surprise upset of Nebraska in last year’s Holiday Bowl.

Key question: Can Nebraska win the rubber match? Last September, Nebraska went to Seattle and eviscerated Washington. Nebraska and Washington were re-matched in the Holiday Bowl, and a disinterested NU squad laid a colossal egg. Will a desire for payback sharpen NU’s focus or make them tight and susceptible to another upset?

Wyoming (away), Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.

Last season’s record: 3-9

History against Nebraska: NU leads series 5-0

What you’ll see from the Cowboys: For starters, you’ll see a new quarterback. There are three contenders in Laramie for the job, and it might be the start of the season before the winner is announced. Whoever wins, it’s likely you’ll see a dual-threat quarterback and run-focused offense face Nebraska.

Key question: How does this year’s Cornhusker squad travel? Wyoming will be Nebraska’s first road game of the season. In 2010, it seemed that Nebraska actually thrived on the road. But each year is different, and the trip to Laramie will be the first opportunity to see what kind of a travelling team the 2011 Cornhuskers will be.

Wisconsin (away), Oct. 1, 7:00 p.m.

Last season’s record: 11-2

History against Nebraska: NU leads 3-2

What you’ll see from the Badgers: Usually, Wisconsin football is pretty reliable and predictable—stout defense, huge offensive line, punishing running attack. But this year, transfer Russell Wilson will add another dimension to the Badger’s attack as a dual-threat quarterback. The Blackshirts will have their hands full just handling the “regular” Badger threat without Wilson’s added wrinkle.

Key question: What’s life in the B1G going to be like for Nebraska? Welcome to the conference, boys. Nebraska’s conference opener is against the defending champions, at night, in one of the toughest places to play in the conference. A trip to Laramie is one thing, a trip to Madison is something completely different.

Ohio State (home), Oct. 8, 7:00 p.m.

Last season’s record: 13-1

History against Nebraska: OSU leads 2-0

What you’ll see from the Buckeyes: Boom Herron, DeVeir Posey, and two other Buckeyes who will be making their first start of the season after sitting out a five-game suspension for accepting improper benefits. How the addition of those talented players will affect Ohio State under interim head coach Luke Fickell is anyone’s guess.

Key question: What Ohio State team will be showing up in Lincoln? We all know that Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor are no longer part of the Ohio State program. Fickell will be learning on the job in his first five games, and will then be re-integrating Herron, Posey, and the other suspended players against Nebraska. Will they be able to seamlessly fit in, or will there be rust and a lack of timing that will cause Ohio State to struggle in Memorial Stadium?

Minnesota (away), Oct. 22, 2:30 p.m.

Last season’s record: 3-9

History against Nebraska: UM leads 29-20-2

What you’ll see from the Golden Gophers: A rebuilding project in the works. When Jerry Kill took over in mid-season from Tim Brewster, the Minnesota program was in disarray. While Goldie pulled some upsets at the end of 2010, the talent level is nowhere near what Minnesota needs it to be to be competitive week-in, week-out in the B1G.

Key question: How fast can Kill turn things around? Minnesota was markedly improved once Kill took over, and the Gophers are now capable of upsetting superior opponents. Will a Nebraska team, back on the road and sandwiched between two conference co-champions, be another of Kill’s victims?

Michigan State (home), Oct. 29, TBA

Last season’s record: 11-2

History against Nebraska: NU leads 5-0

What you’ll see from the Spartans: An experienced and poised leader in Kirk Cousins will guide the Michigan State offense into Lincoln. The Spartans’ defensive line is also rock-solid, and will give Nebraska’s offense fits trying to run.

Key question: How much of 2010 was a mirage for the Spartans? Last year, Michigan State rode a softer schedule and a number of miracle finishes into a co-conference championship. While having Cousins at the helm is a huge asset, it remains an open question whether Michigan State has the depth and talent to match their run from 2010.

Northwestern (home), Nov 5., TBA

Last season’s record: 7-6

History against Nebraska: NU leads 3-1

What you’ll see from the Wildcats: If he’s healthy, Dan Persa might be the best quarterback in the B1G Conference. Smart, athletic, with a good arm and great leadership, Persa makes the Purples’ offense tick. Northwestern plays good enough defense to make them a threat to every team on their schedule.

Key question: Will Northwestern be Nebraska’s trap game? Nestled snugly between Michigan State (the conference co-champions) and a trip to Happy Valley to face Penn State, will Nebraska be able to summon the necessary focus to handle a dangerous Northwestern team? The Wildcats are more than good enough to steal a win from Nebraska if they can’t.

(And, no, the "who gets to use the 'NU' nickname is not THE key question. It may be A key question, but not THE key question.)

Penn State (away), Nov. 12, TBA

Last season’s record: 7-6

History against Nebraska: PSU leads 7-6

What you’ll see from the Nittany Lions: Penn State struggled on both offense and defense in 2010, and the Lions hope that a returning quarterback and corps of receivers will help kick-start their offensive performance. Joe Paterno, in his 45^th season, is a known quantity in terms of his team’s philosophy.

Key question: Will the Penn State defense be back? From 2004 to 2009, Penn State was ranked in the top 15 defensively. In 2010, the Lions took significant steps backwards. They will have eight starters on defense returning, though, so that experience may help plug the holes and stop the bleeding.

Michigan (away), Nov. 19, TBA

Last season’s record: 7-6

History against Nebraska: UM leads 3-2-1

What you’ll see from the Wolverines: Denard Robinson might be the single most exciting offensive player in the B1G Conference, but it remains to be seen how he will fit into new head coach Brady Hoke’s system. Michigan will be jettisoning former coach Rich Rodriguez’s spread attack in favor of a more traditional approach, and those changes in offensive philosophy (as Nebraska fans are well aware) can be challenging.

Key question: Can Michigan stop anyone? The Wolverines did not suffer for a lack of offensive output in 2010. But defensively, Michigan was bad almost to the point of embarrassing. Hoke was brought in to clean up the defense, and how fast he is able to right the ship will go a long way towards telling what kind of an afternoon Nebraska will have in Ann Arbor.

Iowa (home), Nov. 25, 11:00 a.m.

Last season’s record: 8-5

History against Nebraska: NU leads 26-12-3

What you’ll see from the Hawkeyes: What you always see from a Kirk Ferentz coached team—tough defense, great offensive line play, and a punishing ground attack. Iowa will be turning to James Vandenberg at quarterback after Ricky Stanzi’s graduation. However, Vandenberg gained valuable experience in 2010 when Stanzi was injured, including leading the Hawkeyes to a narrow defeat against Ohio State in Columbus.

Key question: Is this really going to be a rivalry? Just about no one is satisfied with the “Heroes Game” title bestowed upon this day-after-Thanksgiving clash between the two schools. But both fan bases seem ready for Iowa and Nebraska to embrace the rivalry between the two schools. It may take an Iowa win over Nebraska, however, before Nebraska fans view Iowa as anything other than the noisy neighbors to the east.

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