Look at Wake Forest

NU opponent Wake Forest is the reigning ACC Champs and coming off a historic 10 win season for the program. Wake lost to Boston College 38-28 last week, and also lost starting QB Riley Skinner, but fellow sophmore Brett Hodges filled in admirably last week, going 17-23 for 130 yards with a TD but also a costly INT. WR Kenneth Moore grabbed 15 receptions last week, so look for NU to keep a close eye on the senior.

The Demon Deacons running game, however, was non-existant last week, with neither Micah Andrews or Kevin Andrews gaining more than 10 yards despite what appears to be a pretty decent o-line including 3 seniors and a RG tipping the scales at 360 lbs.

On defense, Wake employs a standard 4-3 scheme that is stout upfront but likely to be missing DE Matt Robinson. The LBs, all juniors, appear to have good size and range, particularly SAM LB Adam Curry, who led the Deacons with 11 tackles last week. The secondary is a cause for concern as BC ripped them for over 400 yards passing last week.

I'd look for the Huskers to mix it up a bit more offensively this week due to Wake's run defense, especially with the return of WR Maurice Purify. Coach C may try to utilize the passing game to set up the run rather than the reverse. On defense, I see the Blackshirts stepping up and making Wake one dimensional and then pinning their ears back and getting after Hodges. NU appears to be healthy with Ty Steinkuhler making the trip, although he may not start due to the lingering effects of last week's knee injury, being listed as day-to-day.

While NU has had road woes in the past, I don't think Wake matches up very well against the physical Huskers, and new kicker Adi Kunalic's kickoffs almost certainly insures Wake will have to drive the length of the field to score. I think NU will go for a more balanced approach offensively, still control the clock and get the Wake QB off his game by bringing a lot of heat.

Fearless prediction: NU 38, Wake 17.