GOPHERS OFFENSE VS. HUSKERS DEFENSE
If the Gophers follow their take-what-the-defense-gives-you philosophy, the game plan might resemble last week's, with a 3-1 rush-pass ratio, and Nebraska has had problems against powerful running games. If the Gophers trail, they might have to throw into what might be the Big Ten's best secondary. Advantage: Nebraska
GOPHERS DEFENSE VS. HUSKERS OFFENSE
It's the crucial matchup, because if Nebraska reaches its 37-point average, it's going to be very hard for the Gophers offense to keep up. Junior quarterback Taylor Martinez is a passer who averages 211 yards through the air and a runner who picks up 77 yards on the ground. The Huskers might be without injury-nagged I-back Rex Burkhead, but sophomore Ameer Abdullah has gained 94 yards a game in his absence. One Gopher hope: The Huskers are mistake-prone, with a league-worst 25 turnovers. Advantage: Nebraska
SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior kicker Brett Maher has made 15 of 21 field-goal tries and owns a 54-yarder, longest in the Big Ten this year. He's also an effective punter, averaging 41.1 yards per kick, and Abdullah gives the Huskers a big-play kick returner. The Gophers own the best kick-coverage squad in the league. Advantage: Nebraska
INTANGIBLES
It's senior day in Lincoln, where consecutive sellout crowd No. 325 will also say farewell to retiring athletic director and former coach Tom Osborne. The Huskers need a victory to keep their hold on the Big Ten Championship Game berth. Advantage: Nebraska
