INSIDE SLANT

For the second consecutive season, Nebraska is showing signs of getting stronger as the season grows older.

The Huskers have won three straight games since a shocking 9-7 home loss to Iowa State, a game in which Nebraska committed eight turnovers. Last year, the Huskers won their final four games, including a Gator Bowl victory over Clemson, after losing at then-No. 1 Oklahoma.

Nebraska, 7-1 all-time under coach Bo Pelini in games played after Nov. 1, needs to defeat Kansas State on Saturday to clinch the Big 12 Conference’s North Division title. The Huskers, 7-3 overall and 4-2 in conference, have won four North titles since the league’s inception in 1996, with their last crown in 2006.

Kansas State would also win the North with a victory over Nebraska, making Saturday night’s nationally-televised game at Memorial Stadium a winner-take-all battle. But the Wildcats, a 6-5 overall and 4-3 in conference, also need a win in their regular-season finale to become bowl eligible. (They have two victories over FCS opponents and can only count one toward their six-win requirement).

Nebraska closes the regular season Nov. 27 at Colorado.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Nebraska could solidify its position for a Holiday Bowl berth by defeating Kansas State and clinching the Big 12 North title. Of course, if Nebraska wins the Big 12 Championship, the Huskers would earn an automatic BCS bid to the Fiesta Bowl.

• Nebraska’s five-game November winning streak is the program’s longest since a 19-game streak in November games from 1992 to 1998. That streak ended with a Nov. 14 loss at Kansas State.

Series History:   Nebraska leads 76-15-2 (last meeting, 2008, 56-28 Nebraska).

Scouting The Offense:   In retrospect, Bo Pelini thinks maybe Nebraska could’ve focused more on its running game earlier in the season. But hindsight, of course, is 20-20, and Pelini will take what success the young, growing offense is currently having. “I like the balance we’ve had the last couple weeks,” Pelini said. “We’ve put up some numbers on the ground, and we’ve challenged some people down the field and made some plays.”

Nebraska, utilizing two tight ends and two running backs much of the game against Kansas, ran for 214 yards. QB Zac Lee who “showed more swagger,” according to Pelini, also threw for 196 yards. “I like balance, and I know to have success here over a long time you have to be able to run the football,” Pelini said. “The only way to create balance on offense is to run the football. When you can’t run and become one-dimensional you’re going to have problems.”

Scouting The Defense:   It’s saying something when coaches and players express disappointment after surrendering 17 points in a conference road victory. “We left a lot of plays out there on the field,” senior safety Larry Asante said of Nebraska’s victory at Kansas. “At times when they got their plays it wasn’t off of what they did. … It just was us not playing our assignment or our leverage to the best that we could.” The 17 points were the second-most allowed by Nebraska this season, and the 335 yards are 55 more than the defense’s season average. And this to a Kansas team that combined to score 111 points in its previous two games against Nebraska, with many of the same offensive weapons returning.

Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said the defense looked “heavy-legged” against Kansas. “Everybody is tired this time of year,” he said. “It’s something you have to deal with. It’s something you have to overcome. It’s more mental than it is physical. Our guys are in good shape. They are ready to go.”

Quote To Note:   “They’ve been through a lot with the coaching change, and they’ve represented the program well. A number of them started as walk-ons, and all have their own story they’ve been through. They’ve done a great job of leading this football team this year, and we want to send them out winners.”—Bo Pelini on his team’s 13 seniors

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Kansas State at Nebraska, Nov. 21—Kansas State hasn’t won a true road game this season, and the Wildcats have won in Lincoln only once since 1968. Veteran Bill Snyder may give K-State a slight coaching edge, but the Huskers are more talented across the board. Nebraska has won four straight in the series.

Keys To The Game:   Nebraska needs to build off last week’s offensive performance and hope its defense stymies Kansas State’s ball control attack. The Huskers must be wary of Brandon Banks on kick returns and not let the Wildcats get a big play or two to spark momentum. Take K-State out of the game early, and Nebraska could roll.

Players To Watch:  

LB Sean Fisher—The redshirt freshman plays the SAM linebacker position, meaning he has not seen an abundant amount of playing time in conference play. With Nebraska facing so many spread teams, coaches use nickel and dime formations that take Fisher off the field. But Fisher figures to see more time in the base defense against a more traditional K-State offense.

NT Ndamukong Suh—He’s among 13 seniors playing for the final time at Memorial Stadium. The big man wasn’t happy with Nebraska’s lack of front-four pressure last week at Kansas, personally giving the defense an “F” grade for its performance. Look for bigger things this week from Suh.

K Adi Kunalic—Kunalic’s powerful leg could be a key weapon as the Huskers try to keep kickoffs away from the always-dangerous Brandon Banks, who’s returned four kickoffs for touchdowns this season. Kunalic doesn’t need any wind at his back to boot kickoffs for touchbacks, but against a breeze he’ll need to be smart with Banks on the field.

Roster Report:  

• DE Pierre Allen missed Monday’s practice with an undisclosed injury, although coach Bo Pelini said the junior would be fine.

• RB Rex Burkhead, who has missed all but one conference game because of a severe foot injury, has begun running and could return to practice within the next two weeks, coach Bo Pelini said.

• -TE Mike McNeill left Saturday’s game with bruised ribs and didn’t practice Monday. He’s questionable for the Kansas State game.