Nebraska Football: What Cornhusker Fans Should Watch for Against Wisconsin

It’s finally here. The dark days of 2010, when referees were out to get them and conference commissioners feared for their lives on the mean streets of Lincoln, are formally put behind NU. Nebraska enters B1G Conference play against the defending champions, Wisconsin, in one of the great venues in all of college sports.

So what can we expect from the game? For Nebraska fans watching, here’s three things you’ll be happy to you see, and three things you’ll be sad to see.

HAPPY IF ... Someone Other Than Taylor Is the Hero

The focal point of this game from a national perspective is the battle between “established Heisman contenders” Russell Wilson and Taylor Martinez. While that focus makes sense from a marketing standpoint, don’t kid yourself. Wisconsin knows that Martinez is Nebraska’s most explosive weapon, and will tailor (pardon the pun) their defense to stop him.

However, that could leave the door open for another of Nebraska’s offensive weapons to succeed. The most likely scenario for a Nebraska win involves Martinez being a threat but another Husker (like Rex Burkhead, Ameer Abdullah, Braylon Heard or Jamal Turner) getting the game ball.

HAPPY IF ... Wisconsin Turns the Ball Over

Zero fumbles. Two interceptions. That’s it for Wisconsin’s turnovers in 2011. The Badgers have done a good job of not beating themselves, and that could be problematic for Nebraska. Against Washington, a special teams miscue was the turning point in an eventual rout, and against Wyoming, NU needed mental breakdowns in the form of personal foul penalties to pull away in the second half.

Camp Randall is going to be a raucous, hostile environment for the visiting Huskers. Turnovers are a great way to take a crowd out of a game and to swing momentum. If NU can buck the trend and cause Wisconsin turnovers, its chances for success increase dramatically.

HAPPY IF ... the Third Half Matters

Special teams can be referred to as the "third half" of football, in addition to the offense and the defense. Nebraska has a clear edge in that area, and that edge could materialize in a number of different ways.

From consistency in field goals, to field position from punts to kick returns swinging momentum, Nebraska has the opportunity to gain an advantage over Wisconsin in special teams. Even if Nebraska loses the battles offensively and defensively, their edge in special teams could help keep the game close or sneak in a victory.

SAD IF ... the First Quarter Goes Poorly

Nebraska’s biggest danger against Wisconsin is in repeating its habit of starting slowly. It is not difficult to imagine a scenario where Wisconsin scores on its opening drive, Nebraska has an ineffective three-and-out possession and Wisconsin scores again.

In that scenario, Nebraska is down 14-0 halfway through the first quarter, Camp Randall is rocking and a very young Nebraska squad has the potential to crack. NU simply cannot afford to start slow against Wisconsin, or the game could get away in a hurry.

SAD IF ... the Big 3 Aren't the Answer

This will be the first game Nebraska will play fielding Jared Crick, Lavonte David and Alfonzo Dennard on the same field. But the "we can’t call them Blackshirts yet" have struggled mightily against the lesser competition they have faced, and a lot of the young players on defense have not yet had a chance to figure out how to play with the more experienced crew.

Nebraska optimists hang their hats on the hope that when the Big Three are back, Nebraska’s defense will be back to the Blackshirts everyone expected at the start of the season. If that doesn’t happen, it could be a long ride home for those who packed their black.

SAD IF ... You See a Lot of Maher without Cassidy

Don’t kid yourself. Wisconsin is going to put points on the board against Nebraska. The NU defense allowed over 100 yards against Fresno State’s Robbie Rouse and Washington’s Chris Polk. Wisconsin’s running back tandem of Montee Ball and James White are both better than anyone NU has faced. Wisconsin’s offensive line is better than anyone NU has faced. Nick Toon is a better wide receiver than anyone NU has faced. Russell Wilson is a better quarterback than anyone NU has faced.

So Wisconsin will score. The key will be whether the Tim Beck Offensive Experience can take its show on the road and keep up with the Badgers. If you see Brett Maher trotting onto the field in punt formation, you know Nebraska has given up an opportunity to keep up with Wisconsin.

FEARLESS FORECAST

This game is tough to call because neither team has really faced any competition on the level they will face against each other on Saturday. However, Wisconsin has been far more impressive in its victories over its minnows than Nebraska has. With Nebraska’s sudden defensive frailties exposed, the first thought would be to take the air out of the ball to minimize Wisconsin’s offensive possessions and win a tight game.

Unfortunately, Tim Beck’s new offense isn’t really built to do that very well. In all likelihood, the game will turn into a bit of a track meet, with each team’s offense put on the spot to match the other team’s performance. If there is anything that Wisconsin does well, it is to execute efficiently and not make mistakes. The same can’t be said for the Taylor Martinez-led Nebraska offense.

Assuming Nebraska doesn’t get buried early and have to abandon its game plan, look for a shootout to go back and forth, making for an entertaining spectacle. But ultimately, Wisconsin’s consistency should win out, allowing the Badgers to make more plays offensively and outscore Nebraska.

Wisconsin 38, Nebraska 30

I will be in Madison for the game on Saturday (happy early birthday to me!), and will be live-Tweeting my experiences before, during, and after the game. Follow along @patrickrunge! Or drop me an e-birthday card (or just yell at me for picking against Nebraska) [e-mail].