Ohio State @ Nebraska preview

THE STORY: Nebraska’s weaknesses were on full display for the nation to see last week. Unfortunately, Ohio State’s flaws have been front and center on the college football scene for some time. In Saturday’s 48-17 nationally televised blowout loss at No. 5 Wisconsin, the Huskers allowed a season-worst 486 yards and the most points it had surrendered in a game since a 62-28 loss to Oklahoma in 2008. Three interceptions from quarterback Taylor Martinez led to 21 points for the Badgers. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have been working under the NCAA's microscope since the end of the 2010 season. The latest hit was this week’s announcement that three players - including wide receiver DeVier Posey and running back Dan Herron - will not play Saturday as punishment for receiving improper benefits. Both players were also involved in the memorabilia scandal that eventually led to the dismissal of former coach Jim Tressel. Nebraska and Ohio State have met twice, with the Buckeyes winning both meetings in Columbus in 1955 and 1956.

TV: ABC. LINE: Nebraska - 11

ABOUT NEBRASKA (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten): Martinez has only four touchdown passes against five interceptions in 2011. The Huskers feature the ninth-best rushing attack in the country, led by Rex Burkhead (511 yards) and Martinez (425) - individual totals that rank as the second- and fourth-best marks in the conference, respectively.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (3-2, 0-1): The Buckeyes, who rank 108th in total offense this season, had only 178 total yards in a 10-7 loss to No. 20 Michigan State last week, only avoiding a shutout by scoring with 10 seconds remaining. Conversely, Ohio State has fared well on the other side of the ball, ranking 11th nationally in scoring defense and 13th in total defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Huskers coach Bo Pelini, who played for Ohio State from 1987-1990, is 2-0 against his alma mater during his coaching career, but will be facing the Buckeyes for the first time as a head coach.

2. Nebraska has started conference play with two losses only once since 1968.

3. The Buckeyes have won 16 of their last 19 conference games dating back to 2008.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 24, Ohio State 13 - The Huskers will struggle to run the ball again, but the Buckeyes don’t have the same kind of offensive weapons that Wisconsin does to take advantage of the Huskers’ mistakes. Expect Nebraska to win a low-scoring slugfest.