Nebraska @ Minnesota preview

THE STORY: Nebraska looks for its second straight Big Ten victory when it travels to play Minnesota. The No. 11 Cornhuskers are coming off a 34-27 come-from-behind victory over Ohio State two weeks ago in a game they trailed 27-7 early in the third quarter for their largest comeback in school history. Minnesota, which also had last week off, lost 45-17 in its last game against Purdue. The Golden Gophers allowed 24 first-quarter points and turned the ball over three times in the loss. This will be the 52nd meeting between the schools and first in the last 21 years. Minnesota holds a 28-21-2 advantage, but Nebraska has won 14 straight, including a 58-0 victory in 1990.

TV: ABC or ESPN2, and ESPN3.com. LINE: Nebraska -24.5

ABOUT MINNESOTA (1-5, 0-2 Big Ten): Minnesota, which allows 412 yards and 35 points, has been outscored 210-108, including 105-17 over its last two games. Coach Jerry Kill’s quarterback-by-committee approach has been unsuccessful so far. Marqueis Gray, who will likely get most of the snaps, has completed 48.5 percent of his passes for 625 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. Meanwhile, Max Shortell has completed only 49.1 percent of his passes and has thrown two touchdowns and two interceptions. Defensively, the Gophers could be in trouble this week as they take on one of the nation’s best rushing attacks. Minnesota allows more than 167 yards and has given up 580 over the last two games.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (5-1, 1-1): Led by running back Rex Burkhead and quarterback Taylor Martinez, Nebraska holds the nation’s 11th-best rushing attack, averaging more than 246 yards. Burkhead has rushed for 635 yards and nine touchdowns for the Cornhuskers, including 119 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Buckeyes. Martinez has rushed for nine touchdowns and has added 1,014 yards and six scores through the air. Nebraska, which has scored 34 or more points in each of its five wins, hasn’t been great on defense. The Cornhuskers’ defense allows more than 370 yards and 27 points.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Under coach Bo Pelini, Nebraska is 20-0 when scoring 35 or more points and is 22-2 when a Cornhusker player rushes for more than 100 yards.

2. Minnesota has been outscored 553-100 in its 14-game losing streak against Nebraska.

3. Pelini is 5-0 all-time against Minnesota. He won four times as a player while attending Ohio State and once as an assistant while at Iowa.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 42, Minnesota 17 - Nebraska will have no trouble establishing the run against one of the worst defenses in the nation.