Nebraska vs. Wisconsin: 5 Things We Learned About the Cornhuskers

Tonight was not what the Cornhuskers believed would happen during their Big Ten debut Saturday night versus Wisconsin in Madison.

Nebraska definitely has some pressing issues and possible changes to make with when they travel back to Lincoln after getting beat 48-17 by an impressive Badgers team that looks to be the class of the Big Ten.

The following five things are some key points that Nebraska will need to address before the welcome Ohio State to Lincoln in hope that the Cornhuskers second Big Ten conference game turns out better next week.

Big 12 Versus Big Ten

To steal a line from Judy Garland and the Wizard of Oz, Nebraska isn’t in Kansas anymore or any other of the easier opponents from their time in the Big 12.

The Cornhuskers might have a long season ahead of them if they play like the team did Saturday as big road tests lie at the end of the season versus Penn State in Happy Valley and Michigan in the Big House.

Taylor Martinez

With three interceptions Saturday against the tough Badgers’ defense in Madison, Coach Bo Pelini and the Nebraska coaching staff must look over the play of their quarterback and make a decision if Taylor Martinez is the right man to Cornhuskers’ offense for the rest of the 2011 season.

Running Game

While Taylor Martinez is playmaker when everything is going right with his arm and legs, Nebraska needs to get some more production out of their stable of running backs like Rex Burkhead and Tyler Legate instead of depending on the legs of their quarterback this season.

Passing Game

Following the same principles of the previous slide, the Cornhuskers need to get the ball in the hands of their receivers instead of depending on the legs of Taylor Martinez to make plays because giving the Nebraska receivers only 11 catches like in Saturday’s game will lead to more problems in 2011.

Life in the Big Ten

While some people will have no problems to say "Nebraska isn’t good enough to be in the Big Ten" tomorrow, the Cornhuskers will definitely have to adjust to the play in their new conference as seen by their blowout loss to Wisconsin Saturday night.

Will the Cornhuskers have outcomes like this every week? No. Will Nebraska need to adjust their style of play to deal with the physicality of the Big Ten? It’s probably a safe bet that the Nebraska of the Big 12 will not work as well as in their new conference in coming years.

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