Wisconsin Hosts Nebraska: The Biggest Big Ten Game of 2011?

This is the biggest game for the Nebraska Cornhuskers after joining the Big Ten Conference. They are used to this kind of hype, after all the Big 12 is no slouch of a conference.  Having played these high profile games before, Nebraska will challenge those in Camp Randall today and prove that they are worthy of being in the Big Ten Conference.

As a sports fan, this is the game I look forward to the most. This is my game to watch for the 2011 season. Yes, the entire season. Why? Because no matter who wins this much anticipated game, I am a winner.

As most of you know, I chose Bret Bielema's Wisconsin to take the national title. Some may call me crazy, yet the Badgers are the only team in the nation that has not suffered a fumble. Of course, I would not have predicted that, but I stand by the hope that I may be right in their good fortune.

Secondly, I am a proud, three-decade long, Husker fan. Of course, I want them to beat the Badgers, my heart tells me they will. This win, by the Huskers, is more important than being right on a national championship prediction. It is pride either way, however, I take my Husker pride very seriously.

With that said, Wisconsin (53-16 under Bielema) is coming into this dual without a secondary and they have also lost their top defensive end in David Gilbert (broken foot). Not to be deterred in talent, the Badgers' defense (a top 10 ranked defense) will need to stay on top of Taylor Martinez’s passing game and shut down the Nebraska run.

Nebraska will have their starting defensive players all in for this game. Alfonzo Dennard, LaVonte David and Jared Crick are all healthy and prepared to stop the rushing dominance that is the Badgers.

Wisconsin has an overwhelming stat in third down conversions (at 61 percent) and also in red zone performances (at 88 percent) for touchdowns.

If Nebraska running back, Rex Burkhead (420 yrds, 7 TD's), can dominate the run, as he has done in the last two games, they will need to give him a lot of touches (Nebraska is eighth in the nation in rushing offense). Martinez will need to have a near perfect passing game and take advantage of the Badger’s lack of secondary.

Certainly Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini (33-12 in fourth year) understands how to tear up defenses and make his own defense respond. He is an expert in this area. Will the Huskers respond to him today?   

Pelini will need to bring all his weapons today.

Bottom line is this: Stop Montee Ball (480 combined yrds, 10 TD's) and James White, stop Nick Toon and Russell Wilson (1136 yrds, 11 TD's), engage the run with Burkhead and Heard and let Martinez utilize his receivers in a way that Nebraska has never seen.

Take the crowd out at Camp Randall, focus on not fumbling the ball, concentrate on pass completion plays and keep the Badgers out of the red zone. If the Husker game plan plays out and is executed in the most precise manner–Nebraska will win this game.

Up to this point, neither team has played ranked opponents. Today’s game is the deciding factor of who became more prepared in the first games of those non-conference teams.

Having an overall 44^th conference title, the first year Nebraska joined the Big Ten, is more rewarding than boasting rights on a prediction I made before this season started. Nonetheless, this is definitely the game where you will find my phone shut off for that three and half hours, respectively.  

The anticipation and wait is over. Thirteen months later, since the announcing of Nebraska going to the Big Ten, it comes down to today. Seventh place ranked Wisconsin and eighth place ranked Nebraska, it doesn't get any more important than this!

Nebraska must take the reins and lead this team to a victory today. Surely they would like to show the Big Ten (and Wisconsin) how thankful they are for the opportunity in this conference. That’s Nebraska hospitality. Plain and simple, it is respectful football in the deed of glory.

Editor's Note: This afternoon it was reported, according to Steven Sipple at Lincoln Star Journal that Braylon Heard was not on the travel roster. This, according to Sipple, was not a disciplinary move and that Curenski Gilleylen will start in his place.