TV/radio: 7 p.m. Saturday, ABC-7.
Line: Ohio State by 17.
Records: Nebraska 7-1, 4-1 Big Ten; Ohio State 7-1, 4-1.
Last meeting: Ohio State rushed for 371 yards, with huge games from Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde, and Nebraska turned it over four times in the Buckeyes’ 63-38 whipping on Oct. 6, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio.
Keys to the game
Can Ohio State contain a running quarterback? Few QBs are more fleet-footed than Tommy Armstrong Jr., who deked Wisconsin last week on an option run for a 2-yard touchdown. Armstrong needs 53 yards to become Nebraska’s career leader in total offense, topping Taylor Martinez (10,233). The Buckeyes gave up a 35-yard rush last week to Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson.
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How is Nebraska’s mindset? Based on comments after their overtime loss to Wisconsin, the Cornhuskers remain confident. WR Jordan Westerkamp called Ohio State “a different kind of animal. We know how good they are, but they’re beatable.” Coach Mike Riley said his team is “mad.”
Can the Buckeyes win without much of a passing attack? The home crowd booed the Buckeyes more than once last week, displeased with a passing game that has been mediocre (60 percent completions, 196.8 ypg, 3 TDs, 2 INTs) over the last four games. Coach Urban Meyer does not sound overly concerned, saying: “Do I wish that we were (scoring) 56 points and all those kind of things? Sure, but we’re a work in progress.”
Teddy Greenstein’s pick: Nebraska proved to be no pushover at Wisconsin, and it will be the same this week. Ohio State 27, Nebraska 24.