Week 7: Oklahoma State at Nebraska

Nebraska coach Bill Callahan is in damage control mode.

After Missouri walloped the Cornhuskers 41-6, Callahan let it be known that he isn’t the only unhappy camper in the state of Nebraska.

“It is important to know that it destroys us to go through what we did last week,” Callahan said. “We want to win. We feel an obligation to this state. I love this place. I love our team.”

If Nebraska has anything on its side this week, it’s historically-related.

Fact: Oklahoma State has not won in Lincoln, Neb., since 1960.

The Cowboys continue to struggle in any road setting, the latest debacle happening in College Station, Texas, as they let a 17-0 halftime lead evaporate in a 24-23 loss to Texas A&M.

“I think we are really close,” Oklahoma State offensive lineman Andrew Lewis says about the Cowboys’ mentality on the road. “We need to eliminate those mistakes. It is just making stupid mistakes, that’s all it is.”

Oklahoma State expects to have QB Zac Robinson cleared to play. He suffered what later was diagnosed as a slight concussion against the Aggies. The Cowboys’ best bet against Nebraska might be handing it off to Kendall Hunter, who averages 7.7 yards per carry. Oklahoma State surely will test the Huskers’ rush defense, which ranks last in the Big 12.

Nebraska’s emphasis of attack: Oklahoma State’s secondary. The Cowboys are No. 116 in the nation in pass defense (321.8), so plan to see Huskers’ QB Sam Keller in air-it-out mode.

On the other hand, Nebraska can let Marlon Lucky loose. He leads the Big 12 in rushing yards (105.3).

BOTTOM LINE: Callahan has to be feeling the heat. If the Huskers fall behind, he’ll be hearing boos. Oklahoma State can be your worst nightmare if wide receiver Adarius Bowman is feeling it, and his playmaking ability will have Nebraska on high alert. If the Huskers don’t take this one, it really will be a long season for the Big Red. They’re at home, which might be the key difference.

Nebraska by 3