PREDICTION TIME

Robin Washut HuskerOnline.com

While some are calling this a potential repeat of Texas 2010, I see Nebraska taking care of business and exacting a little revenge tonight. As long as the defense can contain a mediocre at best Wisconsin offense, the Huskers should be able to put up enough points to open its second run through the Big Ten Conference with a victory. This one is going to be all about the running game on both sides, but look for Taylor Martinez to be the X-factor. Nebraska 24 Wisconsin 14 Michigan State 28 Ohio State 27 Penn State 17, Illinois 14 Iowa 35, Minnesota 21 Oklahoma State 45 Texas 38 Season: 12-7 vs. the spread: 11-8

Dan Hoppen HuskerOnline.com

The Badgers offense has struggled to get going this year, though it began to show signs of life last week. Even with Montee Ball in the fold, the Huskers will find a way to slow Wisconsin enough, especially with freshman quarterback Joel Stave making his first road start. And despite UW defensive end David Gilbert's comments on Taylor Martinez's arm, this game will be decided by Nebraska's multifaceted running game. Nebraska 31 Wisconsin 23 Michigan State 20 Ohio State 17 Penn State 17, Illinois 14 Minnesota 28 Iowa 24 Texas 45 Oklahoma State 38 Season: 15-4 vs. the spread: 11-8

Andy Kendeigh KETV Channel 7 Omaha

It's a battle of the big reds and keep in mind a couple of magic numbers: Wisconsin is 42-3 under Bret Bielema when the Badgers hold the opponent to 20 points or less. Nebraska is 24-0 under Bo Pelini when scoring 35 points or more. The latter is more likely than the former as the Huskers score 40 and vote to play in the alternate all red uniforms every week for the rest of the season. Nebraska 42 Wisconsin 24 Michigan State 27 Ohio State 24 Penn State 31, Illinois 17 Minnesota 24 Iowa 21 Oklahoma State 31 Texas 28 Season: 11-8 vs. the spread: 6-13

Mike'l Severe 1620 the Zone Radio Omaha

I think this is the game where we find out just how much progress Taylor Martinez made over the off season. I expect Wisconsin to concentrate all its efforts into stopping the run and dare Martinez to read their zone coverage and make plays. In the end I just don't think the Badgers offense can keep up with the Huskers. Nebraska 27 Wisconsin 17 Michigan State 17 Ohio State 14 Penn State 24, Illinois 7 Iowa 21, Minnesota 20 Texas 31 Oklahoma State 21 Season: 12-7 vs. the spread: 12-7

The start of Big Ten conference play is finally here for Nebraska. The Huskers will take on Wisconsin tonight in Lincoln in their new alternative uniforms specially produced by Adidas for this game.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are today's keys to victory over Wisconsin. The Huskers enter tonight's game as an 11 ? point favorite over the Badgers. It is only the third time since 2007 Wisconsin has been a double-digit underdog.

Control the tempo

A big part of this game tonight for Nebraska is they need to control the tempo both on offense and defense. Last year in Madison the Badgers dictated the terms and made the Huskers play at their pace.

If the Huskers want to win tonight, they can't let that happen again. This can't be an old-fashioned slowed down Big Ten game. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck needs to tempo the Badgers with his no-huddle offense.

Last year Beck made the mistake of playing a slowed down physical game early against Wisconsin, which plays right into their hands because they see that type of offense every day in practice. I expect to see a lot of spread sets forcing Wisconsin out of the box and allowing more running lanes for Taylor Martinez, Rex Burkhead and Ameer Abdullah.

Make offensive adjustments

How will Wisconsin defend Martinez and the offense tonight? That's the million dollar question. A year ago the Badgers came out in a look they've never shown before, which really threw Beck off. The Badgers played a zone based scheme and their players bragged after their blowout win they ran the same five defensive calls the entire game.

NU has to be ready for zone or man. Beck needs to be on his toes tonight and ready to make the quick adjustments if the Badgers come at him with another new defensive look. NU also needs to get their passing game going early to loosen up the box and allow Burkhead more running room.

Win the early downs on defense

Wisconsin won't do anything exotic on offense. They'll come at Nebraska with an old-fashioned two-back or two tight end set and just pound the football on first and second down. Nebraska has to be ready to stop this. They cannot let the Badgers play "3 yards and a cloud of dust" football where they can have a third-and-short every time.

The Huskers need to win first and second down so they can force redshirt freshman quarterback Joel Stave into obvious passing situations. If they can do that, it will allow head coach Bo Pelini to dial up some blitz looks the Badgers haven't seen before since the Huskers will be in a 4-3 base for the first time all season.

Play with sounds fundaments on defense

Wisconsin is going to run right at Nebraska and they are going to force the Huskers to stop them. They are going to test NU's tackling and fundamentals.

In their eyes Nebraska is an unproven team and they feel like they can exploit some of the things UCLA did a few weeks ago. NU has to prove that theory wrong tonight and tackle and play with solid fundamentals.

The 12th man

Last year the 12th man killed Nebraska in Madison. This year Husker nation needs to pay back the favor. 85,000 Nebraska fans need to make their presence felt.

With the night game atmosphere and alternate uniforms, there is plenty of motivation for the crowd to get up for today's game. The Huskers also have to give them something on the field early to cheer for.


Callahan's weekly predictions

As long as Nebraska can dictate the tempo and control the pace of this game, I see no way they lose at home. Wisconsin is just not explosive enough to keep up with the Big Red if Nebraska is able to get some early points on the board and force Stave into some tough throwing situations. I'll take the Huskers, but I don't think they'll cover the 11 ? points.

Nebraska 31 Wisconsin 21
Ohio State 24 Michigan State 20
Penn State 23, Illinois 16
Iowa 31, Minnesota 27
Texas 45 Oklahoma State 37

Season Record: 12-7 overall; 12-7 vs. points