Southern Miss
12th Conference USA0-12
Nebraska
2nd Big Ten10-3
Southern Miss @ Nebraska preview
Memorial Stadium
Despite its fourth consecutive season of nine or more wins under coach Bo Pelini, No. 16 Nebraska was still considered something of a disappointment as it fell short of a berth in the Big Ten championship game. However, with several key offensive players returning, the Cornhuskers enter 2012 with renewed optimism and a 26-game winning streak in season openers, the longest active streak in the country. Nebraska on Saturday will host Southern Mississippi, which is coming off a school-record 12-win season. The Golden Eagles, though, should find it difficult to win in one of the nation’s toughest venues after losing most of their key personnel from last year, including longtime coach Larry Fedora.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN2. LINE: Nebraska -19.5
ABOUT SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (2011: 12-2, 6-2 C-USA): Fedora’s departure was just one of many changes for the Golden Eagles. Ellis Johnson replaces Fedora and will be joined by new coordinators on offense (Steve Buckley) and defense (Tommy West). Southern Mississippi must also replace its top two linebackers, running back and quarterback Austin Davis, who moved on to the NFL. The Golden Eagles return solid depth in the backfield and versatile all-purpose threat Tracey Lampley, the preseason Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year.
ABOUT NEBRASKA (2011: 9-4, 5-3 Big Ten): While the Cornhuskers continue to strive for more balance on offense, they will once again rely on quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead, the tandem that spearheaded the 15th-best rushing attack in the country a season ago. But in order to rejoin the nation’s elite, Nebraska's defense will need to rebound after finishing a disappointing 37th in total defense last season, a dramatic departure from the 11th- and seventh-place rankings the previous two seasons. New defensive coordinator John Papuchis – who replaces new Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini – will be tasked with getting more from his charges after the Cornhuskers battled key injuries on that side of the ball last season.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Nebraska, which owns a 2-1 edge in the all-time series, will play its first three games this season against teams with new coaches.
2. The last time the Golden Eagles won their season opener on the road was 2004, a 21-17 victory over the Cornhuskers.
3. Since losing the first game of the 1985 season to Florida State, Nebraska has won each of its next 26 season openers by double figures.
PREDICTION: Nebraska 38-17
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN2. LINE: Nebraska -19.5
ABOUT SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (2011: 12-2, 6-2 C-USA): Fedora’s departure was just one of many changes for the Golden Eagles. Ellis Johnson replaces Fedora and will be joined by new coordinators on offense (Steve Buckley) and defense (Tommy West). Southern Mississippi must also replace its top two linebackers, running back and quarterback Austin Davis, who moved on to the NFL. The Golden Eagles return solid depth in the backfield and versatile all-purpose threat Tracey Lampley, the preseason Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year.
ABOUT NEBRASKA (2011: 9-4, 5-3 Big Ten): While the Cornhuskers continue to strive for more balance on offense, they will once again rely on quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead, the tandem that spearheaded the 15th-best rushing attack in the country a season ago. But in order to rejoin the nation’s elite, Nebraska's defense will need to rebound after finishing a disappointing 37th in total defense last season, a dramatic departure from the 11th- and seventh-place rankings the previous two seasons. New defensive coordinator John Papuchis – who replaces new Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini – will be tasked with getting more from his charges after the Cornhuskers battled key injuries on that side of the ball last season.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Nebraska, which owns a 2-1 edge in the all-time series, will play its first three games this season against teams with new coaches.
2. The last time the Golden Eagles won their season opener on the road was 2004, a 21-17 victory over the Cornhuskers.
3. Since losing the first game of the 1985 season to Florida State, Nebraska has won each of its next 26 season openers by double figures.
PREDICTION: Nebraska 38-17