Know Your Opponent: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Image: Getty Images

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Head Coach: Scott Frost

Overall: 2nd Season, 8-11 (.421)

Bowl Appearances at Nebraska: 0

2018 Record: 4-8 (3-6, Big Ten West)

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 15 (7-8)

Mascot: Lil’ Red/Herbie Husker

Colors: Scarlet and Cream

Outfitter: adidas

National Titles: 5

Conference Titles: 46

Heisman Winners: 3

2019 Record: 4-3

Last Week: BYE, Two Weeks Ago LOSS 34-7 @ Minnesota

Statistical Leaders

Passing  Adrian Martinez (88-146, 51.1 Comp 60.3%, 1245 Passing Yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs)

Rushing Dedrick Mills (76 attempts, 350 yards, 4.6 avg, 7 TDs)

Receiving JD Spielman (24 receptions, 469 yards, 1 TD)

Tackles Mohamed Barry (60 TKLs, 2.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 QBH)

Interesting Statistic: Nebraska has been outscored 75-41 in the third quarter this season, including 37-7 in their last three games.

Nebraska’s Talking Points

1. Can Indiana run on Nebraska?

This question may be even more important if Michael Penix’s injury against Maryland will force him to miss time but will be a factor no matter what in Indiana’s quest towards a balanced offensive attack. After being relatively stout to the run to begin the season, Nebraska was completely gashed in a cold, nasty contest before the bye week. Minnesota was able to amass 322 total yards on the ground, including 4 rushing touchdowns. Three different Gopher running backs ran for 84 or more yards on 7 yards per carry. If Indiana’s stable of running backs can put together similar numbers, Indiana could find itself with its elusive sixth win even if Peyton Ramsey has to fill in.

2. Will Adrian Martinez play?

Just like the Hoosiers, there is some uncertainty surrounding the quarterback situation for the Cornhuskers. Quarterback Adrian Martinez missed Nebraska’s last game against Minnesota with a left knee injury. The offense struggled in his absence, scoring just 7 points, all coming in the 4th quarter. In his first career start, replacement quarterback Noah Vedral went 14 of 23 for 135 yards and rushed 15 times for 49 yards. Minnesota pressured Vedral early and often, tallying four sacks by the day’s end.

The Nebraska offense is not the same without Martinez but would see a significant increase in production if he is able to play. Coach Allen on Monday called Martinez, “A special player,” and said that, “it all runs through him.”

3. Does Nebraska have buy in problems?

Depending on how you want to perceive it, Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost either challenged his players, or threw them under the bus, last week. On his weekly radio show, Frost was quoted saying:

"It's hard to be a leader if guys don't want to follow. And the majority of the team does, but maybe not everybody. And the leaders need to continue to improve, but we need good teammates, not just good leaders."

Clearly a bold statement, but whether or not this is being used as a motivation technique or actually has legs is yet to be found out. Frost did also say, “Things are never as good as you think, never as bad as you think,” after the Minnesota loss, so it may just be a call for his players to wake up with an important stretch of games (Indiana, @Purdue, @Maryland 3 of the next 4) coming up.