Nebraska vs. Ohio State: Can Either Team Afford the 0–2 Big Ten Start?

Nebraska and Ohio State took serious lumps from Wisconsin and Michigan State, respectively, this weekend. This means the loser in Lincoln next weekend will be a surprising 0-2 in conference play right off the bat.

Can either team recover from such a start to win their division?

For Nebraska, the answer is yes. While the winless start would be highly disappointing, the Cornhuskers have three factors working in their favor even should they lose on Saturday to the Buckeyes.

First, the Cornhuskers have an explosive offense that will not face another defense of the same caliber as Wisconsin for the rest of the season. Michigan State is solid statistically, but the Spartans will suffer once better competition hits them later in the season. Thus, Nebraska should be able to outscore most opponents on the docket for the remainder of the season.

Second, the schedule is highly favorable after the two-game killer stretch to begin conference play. Michigan State has to come to Lincoln, and the Spartans have not been impressive on the road.

The only tough road game based on what we know after five games will be at Michigan, but who knows how healthy Denard Robinson will be by late November. Plus, that game is a trap game for Michigan with the big rivalry versus OSU the following weekend. Thus, the schedule looks like it could lead Nebraska to 6-2.

Third, the remainder of the Legends Division is just not good enough to run the table, which is what it will take to keep the Cornhuskers out of the championship assuming NU is 6-2 at the end of November. Michigan State is much too inconsistent, especially on the road (and they play Wisconsin, which looks like a certain loss this year). Michigan will lose at least two games with the rebuilding defense.

Iowa might be the only threat with no conference losses to date and no game against Wisconsin, but the Hawkeyes are just too young at key positions to run off seven straight wins before the game against the Cornhuskers.

Consequently, the 0-2 start against non-divisional opponents can be overcome by Nebraska. Indianapolis still awaits if 6-2 happens for NU.

For Ohio State, the answer is no. Although similar factors exist as listed above for Nebraska, there are three factors that will eliminate OSU from the conference championship race at 0-2.

First and foremost, there's one massive problem with being 6-2 in the Leaders Division and that would be Wisconsin. After blowing away Nebraska in the conference opener, the Badgers look like serious national championship contenders and the clear class of the conference.

It is hard to imagine Wisconsin losing two conference games, so OSU could beat the Badgers and still fall a game short if Wisconsin finishes 7-1.

Second, the schedule is not conducive to Ohio State getting on a roll right away. A tough October continues with a road game at Illinois, where OSU struggles even when Illinois is not as good as they are this season, and then Wisconsin at home following a bye.

The Buckeyes proved that they need another month to get all the suspended players back into the offensive mix and get the offense off the deathbed. Illinois and Wisconsin will not feel sorry for the team that has dominated the league for the last decade, and it will be difficult to avoid loss No. 3.

Third, this is not the Buckeyes team of the past decade. Under Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes only lost two conference games twice in the last nine years and not since 2004. This is easily the worst Buckeyes team since 2004 and perhaps in over 10 years.

Thus, this team will not be ready to mentally rebound from losses and will not be able to rely on pure talent or coaching genius alone to get out of tough situations. The problems will snowball in Columbus as the rebuilding process begins.

So, next weekend, Ohio State is playing for its life in the conference championship race, which is a tough spot being on the road in unfamiliar environs. Both teams will be hopping mad from the opening losses, but only Nebraska will be able to play without the pressure of this being a "must–win."

Good luck Buckeyes. You will need it, if this weekend is any indication.