Husker Football: Power Ranking Pelini’s ’14 Benchmark Games

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

4. Miami (FL)

Actually, I take it back. Not only does Pelini have difficulty with primetime games on the road, home contests are no better. While the tangle with Frenso State’ll be on the CBS Sports Network, this Nebraska football fan’s fantasy will be under the Memorial Stadium lights on ABC.

This game has a Virginia Tech 2008 feel. Nebraska was in the game and could’ve chalked up a win, but it was Pelini’s first year and mistakes happen. In theory, if Nebraska can slow down Duke Johnson, the Huskers win.

Considering the Big Red has a front line hungry to demolish backfields, logic indicates this tips the scales in Nebraska’s direction. Never bring logic to a college football game. While The Duke gets name recognition, the Hurricanes have another running back who’s equally successful: Dallas Crawford.

Never bring logic to a college football game.

Johnson only played in eight games last season and outgained Crawford by 362 yards, but the latter had 12 touchdowns to Johnson’s six.

Sophomore-to-be Gus Edwards adds another player to contend with on the ground. Expect Crawford and Edwards to be used in trying to spring Johnson free.

Much like Nebraska, the quarterback situation’s shaky, so the ‘Canes will likely be leaning on their backfield to get the job done. This actually may be a low-scoring affair if the Big Red defense steps up.

Back-to-back primetime wins both on the road and at home would go against Pelini’s history in a major way and should get Husker fans excited for what’s in store.