By Erin Sorensen
Things looked much different in the Big Ten’s Legends division just one month ago. Then Michigan State upset Wisconsin. With Nebraska’s loss to the Badgers, a large amount of weight has been put on today’s game. Will the Huskers head to Indianapolis and compete for a Big Ten title? The opportunity is still there, but fans will need to see a few key things today for that to happen.
1. Confidence from Taylor Martinez
Martinez has had an interesting season thus far. Between a rough showing at Camp Randall and a second half comeback against Ohio State, Martinez’s confidence has been all over the board. With the media and fans piling on, it has been tough for the young quarterback to keep focus at times. While it is easy to say he should just tune everything else out, this has proven to not be a simple task for him.
When Nebraska and Michigan State face off, it will be the ultimate test for Martinez as Nebraska's quarterback. A game against the Spartans should not be one worth getting worked up over. To this point, a lot of the buildup for Michigan State is just hype.
Martinez needs to focus on the fundamentals that helped in Nebraska’s wins against Washington and Ohio State. An interception may happen from time to time, but Martinez needs to remember that he is the leader of this team, and they will follow his lead.
2. Continued Growth on the Offensive Line
The 41-14 win over Minnesota was a strong one for the Husker fans, yet it was still disappointing for players and coaches. In what many called, a “so-so” showing, the Cornhuskers still managed to improve on many of the season’s weak areas. One such area that has continued to get stronger is the offensive line. However, there are still some big concerns that the men up front have to work on.
The holes that were allowed against the Golden Gophers cannot happen against the Spartans. A much tougher defense, Michigan State will run right through those openings and sack Martinez every time.
Offensive tackle Yoshi Hardrick will have to step up as a leader and bring his unit together. The offense is going to rely heavily on the offense's big bodies to wear down the Spartan defense. If they can do that, Husker fans should not be disappointed.
3. More Stability in the Secondary
The game in Minneapolis showed promise for a struggling secondary. Senior safety Austin Cassidy even provided a defensive touchdown, something that Nebraska has not seen much of this season.
It was a small moment in the big scheme of things. However, it still carried a big impact. The secondary hasn’t lost its fight, but what will they show against Michigan State?
With the Spartans having a running game statistically worse than Minnesota’s, fans can expect to see the football put in the air as much as possible by Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins.
This means the secondary will have to be ready. Making smart decisions and reading the offense more precisely will be essential. If the secondary can mimic their focus from last week, fans should see more stability and growth from this group.
4. Team Composure
Saddled with the 11:00 A.M. ESPN time slot, this game doesn’t seem very meaningful nationwide. Contrary to how that appears, it’s very much a make-or-break deal for both teams. The winner will most likely head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship. Nebraska fans want nothing more than for that to happen during the Cornhuskers’ first year in a new conference.
This team needs to find a balance of composure among the individual units. While this is a big game, it doesn’t need to be overhyped. Nebraska faced a very similar situation last year when Missouri walked into Memorial Stadium after a big win over No. 1 Oklahoma. By the end of the Huskers’ face-off with the Tigers, the Cornhuskers had won in grand fashion.
It was a big moment, and one many of the current players remember. This time, Michigan State comes to Memorial Stadium after a big win over Wisconsin. While the stakes are high, the attitudes should not get too worked up.
If fans can take anything from head coach Bo Pelini this week, it is that this game is just as important as any other. We’ll see if that mentality holds true.
5. A “Big” Win
It will be a big win for Nebraska if the they Michigan State by one point. The Cornhuskers have not beaten a team ranked in the top 15 since 2001 (Oklahoma).
This statistic alone is alarming for fans that want to see Nebraska back in the top tier of national exposure permanently. With that said, this game’s outcome provides more than a win or a loss.
A win of any kind for the Huskers will be big. Fans don’t expect to see a blowout, but they are dying for a win. Come the end of the game, Nebraska will have a pretty good idea of its fate. A bowl game is already in the cards, but a Big Ten title is still on the line. Will the Huskers keep their dreams alive? As always, the fans will be watching.
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