Both teams are looking for their first Big 12 win.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is looking for a stop to all the madness.

Never before in his college coaching career has Pelini lost as many as two games in a row. Now his Huskers have lost three straight and face a road trip.

“Believe me, it hurts me when I lose, and it takes me a while to shake,” Pelini said this week.

“As a little league kid, I didn’t lose many games. In high school, I don’t know if I lost three in my career.”

If Nebraska’s slump extends to four straight losses, it would be the program’s worst conference start in 63 years.

Making matters worse, Nebraska’s slump can be fingered to Pelini’s expertise: defense. The Huskers have allowed at least 35 points in their three straight defeats. Nebraska ranks 84th nationally in total defense and 99th in pass defense.

Iowa State offers a chance for the Huskers to feel better about themselves. The Cyclones are coming off a game in which they managed but 10 points against Baylor and didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter.

The Cyclones have lost four straight, with the Baylor loss the worst of the bunch, following competitive setbacks against Iowa, UNLV and Kansas.

“It’s devastating,” said Iowa State nose guard Nate Frere. “We thought we were close to becoming a really good football team, really coming together.”

Notes:

The Huskers have committed a league-high 54 penalties, including 10 personal fouls.

Iowa State freshman Grant Mahoney has made a field goal in all six games this season and is 10-for-14 on the year.

Nebraska owned the time of possession edge over Tech, holding the ball for more than 40 minutes in keeping the Red Raiders under their passing, scoring and total offense averages.

Player to Watch (Huskers) — Armando Murillo, CB

The Huskers senior ranks among the league leaders in passes defended. He won’t be pressed like he was against Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell, but the Cyclones have to throw to have success, with a rushing attack that averages but 131.8 yards per game.

Player to Watch (Cyclones) — Austen Arnaud, QB

Arnaud is in the bottom tier of Big 12 quarterbacks, yet remains the focal point of the Cyclones offense — now more than ever, with backup Philip Bates quitting the team. Freshman Jerome Tiller becomes the backup, but ISU coaches prefer that he redshirt and not play.

Nebraska by 6