| Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah has rushed for at least 100 yards in three straight games against some of the Big Ten's top defenses. (US Presswire) |
Penn State (6-3, 4-1 Big Ten) at No. 16 Nebraska (7-2, 4-1)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Nebraska by 7.5
Watchability: This is arguably the best game of the weekend as it pits Penn State’s 14th-ranked scoring defense (17.1 ppg) against Nebraska’s 20th-ranked scoring offense (38 ppg). Penn State has managed to take out every Big Ten road crowd it’s faced this season (Illinois, Iowa, Purdue) by dominating opponents by a combined score of 107-30.
Shining stars: Penn State -- At 6-to-1, not only does Matt McGloin have the best touchdown to interception ratio in the Big Ten, but it’s tied for fifth-best in the country among the top-40 quarterbacks. He has yet to throw an interception on the road this season and has thrown for over 300 yards three times this season, including each of the past two games. Even more dangerous for opposing defenses is that the Nittany Lions have displayed a much more balanced offensive attack featuring running backs Zach Zwinak, Bill Belton and Michael Zordich. Nebraska -- Taylor Martinez has been every bit as effective as the Big Ten’s supposed best dual-threat quarterbacks Braxton Miller and Denard Robinson. He set a season-high last week with 205 yards rushing and two touchdowns and threw for two more in the comeback victory against the Spartans. He’ll need to get the ball out quickly to receivers Kenny Bell and Quincy Enunwa as the Nittany Lions are second in the conference with 23 sacks.
Who could steal the show: Penn State -- With second-leading receiver Kyle Carter unable to make the trip to West Lafayette last weekend due to a left ankle sprain, junior WR Brandon Moseby-Felder scored his first career touchdown and set career-highs in catches (6) and yards (129). The 6-2 junior has emerged as McGloin's second-best option after all-Big Ten candidate Allen Robinson. He’s increased his production in each of the last four games recording games of 34, 60, 70 and 129 receiving yards, respectively. Even if Carter is healthy for Saturday’s game, Moseby-Felder adds another layer to the surprisingly deep Penn State offense. Nebraska -- Running back Ameer Abdullah recorded his third consecutive (Michigan, Northwestern) game of at least 100 rushing yards last week against the Spartans. The feat is even more impressive given that the Wolverines and the Spartans are in the top-10 nationally in terms of total defense. Abdullah’s presence is enough to keep defenses honest on fake handoffs, thus opening up holes for Martinez. The tandem has helped form the sixth-best rushing offense in the country.
You going? Ranking the road trip: One year ago, the Huskers were in the unlucky position of having to face Penn State in Happy Valley the same week Jerry Sandusky was arrested. “That was a unique experience to be part of,” coach Bo Pelini said to the Philadephia Inquirer. “They had gone through a tragedy that was a lot bigger than a football game.”
Saturday’s game is about football and a chance for the Nittany Lions to continue their remarkable season. For the Huskers, it’s their last difficult test before the Big Ten championship game. With the implications, there’s no doubt Memorial Stadium will be jam-packed.
Magic number for Penn State: 1. Penn State has the best turnover margin in the Big Ten, averaging plus-1 per game. The Huskers are last in the conference at minus-1.
Magic number for Nebraska: +23. The Huskers have outscored opponents 37-14 in the fourth quarters of their four Big Ten victories. Three of those four wins have been after Nebraska was trailing and two of those victories have been when the Huskers were trailing by double digits. In their lone conference loss to Ohio State, they were outscored 14-7 in the fourth quarter.
The game comes down to: Whether Penn State’s defense, led by linebackers Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges, can limit the Huskers’ explosive offense.
Prediction: Nebraska 30, Penn State 24
For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigten.