PREDICTION TIME

Mike Babcock

Despite assurances by Bo and Carl Pelini that Nebraska's run defense is fine, seeing how it deals with Daniel Thomas will be interesting. If Taylor Martinez struggles a little early and Kansas State fans get to rocking, the Huskers could have some anxious moments. But with a good start, Nebraska's last game in Manhattan should go pretty much as most have over the years. Nebraska 28 Kansas State 10 Season: 4-0 vs. the spread: 2-2

Robin Washut

This is obviously a game Kansas State has circled on its schedule since the season began, and the atmosphere in Manhattan is going to be as electric as it's ever been. However, that advantage will only go so far once the game gets underway. With the way both teams like to run the ball, I see this being a relatively low scoring affair, but it's going to be Nebraska's defense that ends up being the difference maker. Daniel Thomas may get his yards, but there's no way Carson Coffman can make the plays he's going to need to make to win this game. Nebraska 27 Kansas State 14 Season: 4-0 vs. the spread: 2-2

Aaron Babcock

Nebraska's final Big 12 tour begins Thursday night and I'm intrigued to see how the Huskers respond after a disappointing (yet victorious) outing against South Dakota State 12 days ago. The biggest question in this game is how will Nebraska's defense perform against KSU Daniel Thomas, who is rushing for 184.0 yards per game. I think the Huskers will continue their bend, but don't break philosophy, on defense. So if Taylor Martinez can avoid turnovers, the Huskers will win this game comfortably. If not? Well, let's not even go there. Nebraska 24 Kansas State 10 Season: 4-0 vs. the spread: 2-2

John Talman

I think it's fairly obvious that the last game against South Dakota State was a wake-up call and taken seriously by the staff and players during the bye week. If the Huskers can bottle up Kansas State's rushing attack led by Daniel Thomas and make them at least somewhat one-dimensional, I think the secondary can have another big day. Having said that, KSU will likely try make this game as slow as possible with their rushing attack. Then I expect to see some stuff the Wildcats have yet to run this year. I look for a game closer than maybe a few fans think and lower scoring than some in the past. Nebraska 31 Kansas State 17 Season: 4-0 vs. the spread: 2-2

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Nebraska football team will open up Big 12 Conference play tonight against Kansas State in Manhattan.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are the five keys to a Husker victory against the Wildcats. NU enters tonight's game as a 12 point favorite against KSU.

Strike early on offense

Maybe the most important thing for Nebraska to do tonight is start fast against the Wildcats. If they can duplicate their start against Washington, it's going to be hard for them to lose this game.

Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder has a plan how he wants to take this game, the biggest thing for the Huskers to will be to take him out of that plan as soon as possible. A quick start and a 10 to 14 point will do that.

In last year's game in Lincoln the Wildcats stayed with the Huskers until NU broke things open with a deep play action pass that put them up 17-3 early in the third quarter.

Force KSU into passing downs

Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas is going to get his yards. Last year Thomas touched the ball nearly 35 percent of the time for KSU on offense and this year he's touching it over 40 percent of the time. Plain and simple Thomas is the Kansas State offense.

The key is taking the game out of his hands. If Nebraska can force KSU into some longer third down situations it will be very hard for the Wildcats to have success on offense. The Huskers feel that with their secondary and head coach Bo Pelini's ability to dial up the blitz nobody in the country is better than them on third down passing situations.

Make proper decisions in the zone read

During the South Dakota State game the Jack Rabbits defended redshirt freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez differently in the zone read and he didn't know how to react to it.

Martinez needs to learn from his mistakes against SDSU and keep the ball when it's there and give it up when KSU decides to key on him.

If anything, the film from the South Dakota State game should've served as a learning lesson for Martinez and the offense that teams are going to defend them in the zone read differently each week.

Control field position and special teams

Special teams and field position will be a big part of what Snyder will want to do tonight. If Kansas State is going to have a chance in this game, this is where they will make it happen.

It will be important for the Huskers not to give the Wildcats the short field or any big plays in the return game. KSU is not an explosive offense and anything they can get in this phase of the game will be a huge bonus for them.

Limit turnovers and mistakes

Martinez has had some trouble at times with both his ball security and decision making in the passing game. It will be important for him not to make any early mistakes in this area. The last thing you want to do is give Snyder a lead to work with, because once that happens the style of the game completely favors what he wants to do.

If the Huskers can limit their mistakes and have some successful early scoring drives I don't see how they lose this game. KSU just doesn't have the horses to run with Nebraska.

I'll take Nebraska to not only win, but also to cover the 12 point spread. The game will be close at halftime, but NU should be able to pull away in the third quarter.


Callahan's Prediction:Nebraska 37 Kansas State 17
Season Record: 4-0 overall; 2-2 vs. points