Kansas @ Nebraska preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2009 ) Nebraska 31, Kansas 17

The No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers welcome a familiar face to Memorial Stadium on Saturday when their former star quarterback, and first-year Kansas coach Turner Gill comes to town.

Gill may be a favorite son in Lincoln, but don’t expect the Huskers to roll out the welcome mat. Nebraska is two victories away from a Big 12 North title, and Kansas is just another stepping stone.

Both teams narrowly escaped with dramatic wins last week. Nebraska needed an interception on a two-point conversion attempt in overtime to secure its victory over Iowa State. The Jayhawks rallied from a 45-17 deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Colorado 52-45.

For Nebraska (8-1, 4-1 Big 12) , the close call was an eye-opener. The Huskers are seeing unique game plans from every team they play. Such is life when you are the class of your league, but the Huskers have answered the bell against everyone so far, except Texas.

Kansas cannot relate as teams aren’t exactly gearing up the the Jayhawks (3-6, 1-4 Big 12). Before defeating Colorado, they had dropped 11 straight conference games. Gill is trying to change the culture, but his young team has struggled.

The Huskers are hoping for the return of quarterback Taylor Martinez this week. The red shirt freshman has missed the better part of the last two games with an ankle injury. Sophomore Cody Green ran the team last week, with running back Rex Burkhead getting a chunk of snaps in Nebraska’s “Wildcat” formation. The offense was less than scintillating, though.

Nebraska’s defense may have its hands full with Kansas running back James Sims, who accounted for 28 points and 123 yards against Colorado.

If the Jayhawks hope to stay in the game, they must run the ball effectively, and hope to slow the Huskers’ sixth-ranked rushing attack. They must also win the turnover battle as Nebraska has fumbled 31 times, and lost 11.

This will be Gill’s only chance to beat Nebraska as a conference rival as Nebraska leaves for the Big 10 in 2012.

A Cornhuskers' victory gets Nebraska one game closer to the Big 12 Championship in Dallas; a Jayhawk victory gets Gill and Kansas one step closer to respectability.