PREDICTION TIME

Robin Washut HuskerOnline.com

Minnesota has a few decent players on its roster, but this is essentially an extension of the bye week for Nebraska. The Gophers will easily be the weakest team the Huskers will face all season, and this game will be more about NU looking to continue the momentum it started in the second half versus Ohio State. It might be somewhat competitive early, but once Nebraska gets a lead, this one is over. Nebraska 45 Minnesota 17 Wisconsin 35 Michigan State 21 Penn State 21 Northwestern 20 Season: 11-9 vs. the spread: 9-9

John Talman HuskerOnline.com

Nebraska looked like a different team in the second half against Ohio State. If they found something, whether it's a new face in Stanley Jean-Baptiste at corner or a new attack up front on the offensive line, my belief is they can carry that into Minnesota. The Gophers have struggled, but there is no question that they are still very athletic. Regardless, if Nebraska takes care of business on both sides of the ball like they did in the second half against Ohio State, I can see this getting out of hand in the second half. Nebraska 49 Minnesota 20 Wisconsin 28 Michigan State 24 Penn State 28 Northwestern 21 Season: 10-8 vs. the spread: 8-10

Andy Kendeigh KETV Channel 7 Omaha

Of all the categories on offense, defense and special teams just one Minnesota player is listed in the NCAA top 25 rankings, that's Marcus Jones who is the 17th best kick returner in the country. That's it. Team-wise they are not in the top 25 in any category, not one. So unless MarQueis Gray is a larger version of Braxton Miller this one smells like a Husker blowout. Nebraska 42, Minnesota 3 (a long kick return by Marcus Jones sets up a Gopher field goal). Nebraska 42 Minnesota 3 Wisconsin 31 Michigan State 21 Penn State 27 Northwestern 20

Mike'l Severe 1620 the Zone Radio Omaha

The Gophers rank near the bottom in nearly every important statistical category. I expect NU will be able to get out to a quick lead since Minnesota has only scored 47 first half points in six games. The Gophers have also failed to force turnovers and get to the passer over the first half of the season. Nebraska 56 Minnesota 7 Wisconsin 27 Michigan State 17 Penn State 20 Northwestern 17 Season: 14-4 vs. the spread: 10-8

MINNEAPOLIS - After a week off, Nebraska will begin the second half of the 2011 season today at Minnesota.

The Huskers enter today's match-up as a 25 point favorite, as the Gophers have been outscored by an average of 43 points in their first two Big Ten games.

As things get closer to kickoff in Minneapolis, here are today's keys to victory over Minnesota.

Make the early adjustments

One of the biggest challenges for Nebraska today will be making the early adjustments in this football game, particularly on offense.

Minnesota has literally showed a different defensive front each game this season. In fact, the joke amongst the Husker coaching staff is the Gopher's scheme is called "the defense of the week."

NU has literally been preparing for everything on defense this week, because they have no idea exactly what front Minnesota will come out in today. The early adjustments made by Tim Beck will ultimately decide what type of day the offense has.

Contain Gray outside of the pocket

It's no secret that mobile quarterbacks have given Nebraska's defense problems this year. That's why when you look at Gopher quarterback MarQueis Gray you have to have some concern of NU's ability to defend signal callers that can operate outside of the pocket.

Defensive end Cameron Meredith told me earlier this week that the Huskers have a better plan in place this week on how to defend Gray. The only way I see Minnesota moving the ball today on offense is if Gray can extend drives with his feet or keep plays alive by scrambling outside of the pocket and finding open men down field.

Expose the Gopher defense

Every quarterback Minnesota has faced this year has had a huge game. There should be a big opportunity for Taylor Martinez to put up some numbers through the air and on the ground.

Nebraska needs to impose their physical will on this Gopher defense by establishing the run early and opening things up in the passing game for Martinez down field.

Filling Crick's shoes

Say what you want about the kind of season Jared Crick was having in 2011, the guy still drew the attention of every offensive coordinator in the league and the Huskers no longer have a player up front that can do that.

The Huskers will rotate by committee today at defensive tackle and it will be important for players like Chase Rome and Terrence Moore to pick up the slack and try to give NU some solid contribution. Nobody is asking them to be Jared Crick, but if they can at least give NU something it will go a long ways.

Start fast, finish fast

The motto for Nebraska as they start the second half of the season is to "start fast, finish fast." As the Huskers take the field today in Minneapolis that's means forcing quick three and outs and establishing early offensive rhythm.

These are things NU hasn't done the first half of the season and if the Huskers want to get to Indianapolis it must start today.


Callahan's weekly predictions

The motto for the second half the season for Nebraska is to "start fast, finish fast." I expect that to happen today. Taylor Martinez will have a big day and the Blackshirts will leave Minneapolis with some swagger and the Huskers will role to an easy victory and cover the spread.

Nebraska 41 Minnesota 13
Wisconsin 31 Michigan State 20
Northwestern 23 Penn State 20

Season Record: 11-7 overall; 10-8 vs. points