2014 Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl: Five Things To Watch For

Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl is just two days away, and it seems like an eternity has passed since The Nebraska Cornhuskers last took the field. The Georgia Bulldogs await Nebraska with a talented group of offensive players and a defense that should also challenge the Huskers.

With so many story-lines heading into the game, we narrowed it down to five things you should watch for in Wednesday’s game.

1) A well rested Ameer Abdullah playing behind an equally healthy offensive line:

Abdullah was by far the best offensive weapon for Nebraska during the 2013 season. With his offensive line also at 100% The Huskers should give Georgia a heavy dose of the run game. Ameer should benefit from the time off, and if Nebraska can take down The Bulldogs it will be directly tied to his success rushing the football.

2) The Blackshirts vs Todd Gurley:

Gurley is as good as any running back Nebraska has seen this year. He is a big, physical back that also has another gear once he breaks free. With Nebraska’s struggle to stop the run in 2013, it will be interesting to see how well The Blackshirts have progressed since the end of the regular season.

3) Tommy Armstrong: 

This is Armstrong’s opportunity to set the tone for his 2014 run at the starting quarterback position. While he has been given an opportunity to learn on the fly and gain valuable experience, Johnny Stanton will push him in both spring practice and fall camp. The Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl will allow Armstrong four more quarters of real game experience to show the coaching staff that he is the man in the post Taylor Martinez Era.

4) Punt returns are fun:

With just over a month since Nebraska’s loss to Iowa in The Hero’s Game, Special Teams Coordinator Ross Els has had plenty of time to install some sort of wrinkle in The Huskers anemic punt return team. With the way the unit played in 2013 it almost made you question why they didn’t just line up in a defensive formation and just let the ball bounce. If anything, lets hope for no special teams turnovers.

5) Butterfingers:

I’m not talking candy here. The Nebraska Cornhuskers have to hold onto the football in order to beat Georgia. Turnovers have haunted this team all season long, and if they had been able to take better care of the football they would probably be sitting at ten wins and playing elsewhere.

What are you most looking forward to in Wednesday’s Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl? Voice your opinion in the comment section below.