PREDICTION TIME

Robin Washut HuskerOnline.com

With Nebraska's defensive issues at the moment and the way Arkansas State can move the football in a hurry, I expect this one to be a shootout from the opening kickoff. I see the Huskers pulling away eventually for a fairly convincing win, but the Red Wolves aren't going to go down without putting up some points on the scoreboard. Also, look for NU's running game to have a big day today. Nebraska 56 Arkansas State 31 Penn State 17, Navy 14 USC 35, Stanford 31 Ohio State 42, Cal 14 Michigan State 28, Notre Dame 21 Season: 4-5 vs. the spread: 5-4

Dan Hoppen HuskerOnline.com

The Huskers have plenty of issues defensively to solve this week and Arkansas State has proven it can put some points on the board under offensive guru Gus Malzahn. But Nebraska's offense will get back on track and outscore the Red Wolves to preserve the victory. Nebraska 45 Arkansas State 31 Penn State 21, Navy 13 USC 38, Stanford 24 Ohio State 31, Cal 17 Michigan State 28, Notre Dame 17 Season: 7-2 vs. the spread: 5-4

Andy Kendeigh KETV Channel 7 Omaha

If there's one thing I have learned about the Huskers is you should not take my advice--go against my pick and you will win. Week 1, I expected a close game, NU blows out Southern Miss. I drink the red Kool-Aid in week 2 and predict a blowout win on the road and the Huskers get beat. I am a glass-half-full kind of guy so I am going to stay positive, thinking Bo will rally the troops, the defense will play better (how could they not?) and the offensive will put enough points on the board to make it an easy Saturday for the Huskers. So, you know it will be a nail-biter. Nebraska 44 Arkansas State 21 Penn State 18, Navy 14 USC 37, Stanford 28 Ohio State 35, Cal 14 Michigan State 24, Notre Dame 17 Season: 4-5 vs. the spread: 3-6

Mike'l Severe 1620 the Zone Radio Omaha

Arkansas has all the parts in place to put up big numbers verses Nebraska, starting with Quarterback Ryan Aplin and WR Josh Jarboe. If the Husker front seven doesn't figure out a way to get pressure, Aplin will have another great day. The Red Wolves defense is as bad as any in division one football, meaning Martinez and crew should have career days. Nebraska 49 Arkansas State 17 Penn State 27, Navy 12 USC 48, Stanford 31 Ohio State 38, Cal 7 Notre Dame 23, Michigan State 20 Season: 4-5 vs. the spread: 5-4

Nebraska will take the field on Saturday against Arkansas State trying to erase the memories of last week's 653 yard defensive performance at UCLA.

The Huskers are a 23 point favorite over defending Sun Belt champion Arkansas State, who earned their first win of the season last week against Memphis. As things get closer to kickoff, here are today's keys to victory for Nebraska.

Tackle, tackle?.tackle!

This one is pretty simple. After countless missed tackles in space last week at UCLA, Nebraska must show improvement in this area on Saturday.

The Red Wolves will attack the Huskers with a spread offense that will definitely test this, and you can bet that ASU head coach Gus Malzahn will test this early and often.

All week the Huskers have done their best to improve their tackling efforts, preaching better fundamentals, even in "tag-off" or "non-tackling" drills. We'll see how this carries over to today.

Communication on defense

Communication on defense was a huge problem on Saturday at UCLA. I felt like multiple times the play coming in from the sideline for the defense was late or the players on the field had a hard time communicating it.

This led to coverage busts or open guys over the middle. With a complicated scheme like Nebraska's, it will be important they shore up these communication issues going forward, even if that means simplifying some of the calls.

Stay balanced on offense

For Nebraska's offense to continue to have success like what we saw against Southern Miss, "balance" is the key word.

Even without running back Rex Burkhead today, it will be important that NU has a running game element, whether that's from Ameer Abdullah, Braylon Heard or Taylor Martinez.

If you give Martinez a ground game, he throws the ball much more effectively. If you make him be a third-and-long quarterback that's not putting him in a position to succeed.

Generate some early three and outs

Arkansas State comes to Lincoln with a well-schemed offense. They are going to move the ball on anybody they play, just because that's how Malzahan's system works.

I think the key though for restoring some confidence in the defense will be generating some early three-and-outs. If the defense can do that right away, then they'll start playing with a swagger we haven't seen from them in a while.

Play with passion

You saw passion from NU defensive coordinator John Papuchis on Friday at the Big Red Breakfast. I think that opened people's eyes just how much Pelini and his staff care. Everyone affiliated with the program took Saturday's performance at the Rose Bowl personal.

That passion needs to carry over to today. Nebraska needs to take the field with fire. Husker nation seems split right now. In order to get things turned around after last week they need to take the field today with a spark and do something to get the crowd going. A solid showing today will go a long way to quiet the waters.


Callahan's weekly predictions

I see Arkansas State's offense putting up a few points, as they can put up points on just about anybody they face. However, I don't see any way the Red Wolves slow down the Husker offense. I think the Huskers will jump on ASU early and it will allow Pelini to play some young faces at different spots on the defense, which will allow Arkansas State to score a few points in the second half.

Nebraska 55 Arkansas State 30
Penn State 23, Navy 16
USC 45, Stanford 37
Ohio State 38, Cal 17
Notre Dame 23, Michigan State 20

Season Record: 5-4 overall; 5-4 vs. points