PREDICTION TIME

Robin Washut HuskerOnline.com

Nebraska has been dealing with its share of issues this week, but those issues don't hold a candle to what Ohio State has gone through over the past few months. The fact is suspensions and injuries have decimated the Buckeyes' roster. While the defense is still solid, OSU's offense is one of the worst in college football. It won't be pretty, but the Huskers should come away with the win tonight without much trouble. Nebraska 27 Ohio State 7 Iowa 31 Penn State 28 Oklahoma 42 Texas 24 Season: 9-6 vs. the spread: 7-8

John Talman HuskerOnline.com

If lessons were learned for Nebraska this week in practice on both sides of the ball, this is a very winnable game for the Huskers. Ohio State struggled offensively last week against Michigan State. The Buckeyes march in ranked 108th in total offense including being 111th in passing offense. On the flip side, they're 13th in total defense and 11th in scoring defense. I predict a low-scoring game and the offense finding a more complete rhythm than they did from the second quarter on at Camp Randall. Nebraska 27 Ohio State 17 Iowa 24 Penn State 21 Oklahoma 31 Texas 24 Season: 8-7 vs. the spread: 6-9

Andy Kendeigh KETV Channel 7 Omaha

If teams take their cues from their head coach, Nebraska is ready to fight Saturday night. The Huskers have something to prove and can ill afford another Big Ten meltdown on national television. The bad news is Ohio State has talent. They may be missing a few pieces but they do have talent especially on defense which makes me believe this one is going to be closer than people think. Big Red gets a big win but not by much. Nebraska 20 Ohio State 17 Iowa 27 Penn State 24 Oklahoma 35 Texas 21 Season: 8-7 vs. the spread: 7-8

Mike'l Severe 1620 the Zone Radio Omaha

The game against Wisconsin started just like I thought it would, but by the halftime it was obvious Nebraska had made one too many mistake through the air and the game was basically over. I would expect this week against Ohio State a game plan closer to what was done in 2003 with Jamal Lord. BTW, Nebraska ran the ball 72 times vs Penn state that year. Nebraska 27 Ohio State 13 Penn State 17 Iowa 14 Oklahoma 28 Texas 27 Season: 11-4 vs. the spread: 9-6

Nebraska faces their first bit of adversity this season tonight when they take on Ohio State in Lincoln. This will be the Buckeyes first ever trip to Memorial Stadium and NU's first ever Big Ten Conference home game.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are the keys to victory over Ohio State, along with our HuskerOnline.com staff and guest predictions for week six.

NU enters tonight's match-up as an 11 point favorite over OSU, after the Buckeyes dropped a disappointing game against Michigan State last Saturday.

NU can't afford a flat start

When I think about tonight's game with Ohio State, it's hard for me not to go back to last year's home game with Texas.

There was so much hype for that game, just like this week. NU came out flat that day against the Longhorns and it affected the entire tone of that game. The Huskers cannot afford to do that against the Buckeyes.

Like Texas last year, the Buckeyes are extremely fragile after suffering two early season losses. If Nebraska can strike first, that will lay a damaging blow to this reeling Ohio State squad.

Give the ball to No. 22

This one is pretty simple. Running back Rex Burkhead needs to get the football early and often in this game. Bukhead needs to be used out of the Wildcat. Tim Beck has to find ways to get him involved and take pressure off Taylor Martinez.

I think Beck also has to understand that with Ohio State's struggling offense it's perfectly fine to concede some third-and-longs to punt the ball away to OSU. Field position will be absolutely huge in today's game. If the Huskers can force Braxton Miller to drive the field, they have a great chance of winning this football game.

Limit OSU's punt and kick returns

Ohio State may have one of the nation's worst offenses, but the Buckeyes do have arguably the best collective group of special teams units the Huskers will see this season.

You have to think Buckeye head coach Luke Fickell is going to go after a punt or try to set something up in the return game for Jordan Hall.

Coming into today's game Hall is one of the most dynamic punt returners in the country and if they can make a play or two on special teams that will greatly help their chances to stay with Nebraska.

Keep Martinez in favorable situations

As long as Martinez can keep a defense off balance he is extremely dangerous. You have to think the Buckeyes are going to load the box and force Martinez to throw.

It will be important for Beck to come up with a plan to weather any early storm the Buckeyes aggressive attack up front might present.

If the Buckeyes can force the Huskers into second and third and long situations, it's going to be another hold your breath kind of day for Martinez and this offense.

Play with emotion

All week we've heard how this team has the back of Martinez and how they've rallied around one another.

I expect to see an emotional team take the field tonight and I expect Memorial Stadium to be on emotional edge. Bo Pelini called out the fans this week and told the Journal Star the "same people that sit on their hands for an entire game are the same people ripping Taylor Martinez." Ron Brown said people that rip NU's players through social media are "note true Husker fans."

How will Memorial Stadium respond to that? How will Martinez respond to the criticism he's received all week? How the Huskers control their emotion will ultimately be one of the biggest keys to this football game.


Callahan's weekly predictions

What scares you about this game is no matter what people say Ohio State has talent and probably the best defense and special teams NU has seen all year. I think this will be a battle. Two desperate teams fighting for a much needed win. In the end, the home crowd helps NU prevail, but I like OSU against the points as an 11 point underdog.

Nebraska 19 Ohio State 10
Iowa 23 Penn State 17
Oklahoma 37 Texas 23

Season Record: 9-6 overall; 7-8 vs. points