Nebraska vs. Penn State: 5 Halftime Adjustments the Cornhuskers Must Make

There is a lot more at stake today than a simple football game. We all know what went down at Penn State over the past week, and that makes this game a little different. Still, when it comes down to it, one of these top 20 teams has to win, and the other will lose. 

I don't expect it to be necessarily a high-scoring affair since neither offense is explosive, but both teams are very well-rounded and it will be a fun back-and-forth to watch. For the Nittany Lions, Matt McGloin is going to need step up and have a huge game. 

Nebraska's Taylor Martinez needs to play consistently and avoid mistakes. How will Penn State fare without Joe Paterno manning the helm for the first time in a million years?

Here are five big halftime adjustments the Cornhuskers must make as they take a 10-0 lead into the break:

1. Get to McGloin

Matt McGloin is making his third career start at QB for Penn State and undoubtedly the biggest one to date. He's not a bad quarterback, but when he's pressured, he is awful. Already today, we've seen a few times where the defensive line got to him and he either just collapsed in the pocket or made a bad throw.

If this Nebraska defense can continue to put pressure on the young QB and force him into trying to squeeze a ball into a tight spot, or continue to take sacks, then the Huskers can key on the running game, because that's all Penn State is going to have.

2. Utilize Martinez

As for the Husker QB, he has been throwing WAY too much so far. That's not his style. He is a hybrid quarterback who runs better than he passes. In the first quarter, Nebraska hardly got a semblance of offense going, and that's because Martinez is being utilized poorly.

His game is to run an option play where he can throw if he has to, or run if he gets the opening. There's a reason this guy is so electric with his legs. Whatever is going on in the offensive play-calling needs to change for the second half.

3. Try to Take the Crowd Out of it

This may prove to be the most difficult thing to accomplish. As I mentioned at the beginning, this is much more than a normal football game for the Penn State family. They are healing after the awful scandal that rocked the football program for the past week.

That being said, they came out in full force to support their team and have even more motivation than usual with the legendary JoePa being unceremoniously fired. I'm not sure if they will ever be quieted down in this game, but if the Huskers can build a little cushion, they will at least take the fans who came simply for football out of the mix.

4. Stuff the Run

Again, McGloin is a decent QB, but the way Penn State is going to put points on the board is on the ground. With Silas Redd and a smattering of other running backs, the Nittany Lions rely on their running game to do the things the passing game can't.

Redd has looked pretty good so far in this game, slashing and spinning his way to a couple big runs. Nebraska has a good front 7, and they really need to step up and stuff that run game today. If they let up a couple big breaks, the passing game will develop confidence too.

5. Make a Big Play

Rex Burkhead was hardly a factor in the first quarter. This guy is really the x-factor for Nebraska, and he needs to get more touches. He's capable of breaking off a big play every time he touches the ball, as is Martinez when he scrambles.

One way the Huskers can put points on the board, kill Penn State's momentum, and quiet the crowd a little bit is by getting a big play out of one of their stars.

If I'm the coach at halftime, I'm drawing up a little gadget play that opens up the field for Martinez and Burkhead and making a big statement to start the half.