Here's what I know so far about Nebraska. They don't allow wide loads on the roads on football Saturdays, because folks are coming from all over to Lincoln. And they have a lot of corn … and radio stations.

The latter occurred to me after the first half-dozen calls requesting interview segments. Everybody wants to know about the Michigan-Nebraska showdown, between harvesting sessions.

One interviewer made an interesting observation in mid-chatter tonight. He noted the prevailing feeling among Nebraska fans he'd heard from involves a high level of confidence in running up the score on Michigan, because the Wolverines haven't seen a real offense since Alabama.

Hmmm. Well, what about it?

It's worth a look, to see if they've been sipping too much ethanol or perhaps have a point.

Survey says…

Air Force -- They're the No. 2 in the nation in rushing (352.7 yards-per-game average). Then again, that's all they do. Still, they're No. 27 in total offense (463.57) and No. 43 in scoring offense (32.6 points per game).

And yes, they're playing a Mountain West schedule. Then again, Nebraska has been playing a Big Ten 2012 schedule.

Massachusetts -- The NCAA site indicates no rankings are available, which indicates whoever runs it is probably a UMass grad. Let's just concede this one, since this team is 0-4 in the Mid-American Conference and has been shut out twice, while scoring just six against Indiana.

Notre Dame -- The Irish have been getting by on defense, mostly, with the No. 2 scoring D in the nation (9.4 points allowed per game). They're no better than No. 76 in scoring offense (25.9) and No. 74 in total offense (387.9), although they're No. 38 in rushing offense (193.9).

Purdue -- The Boilermakers are No. 48 nationally in scoring offense (31.3), but 48 against Eastern Kentucky, 54 versus Eastern Michigan and 51 on Marshall definitely pumps up those numbers. They're no better than No. 80 nationally in total offense (381.57) and No. 69 in rushing offense (158.1).

Illinois -- Well, the Illini are a mess. They're No. 111 in the nation in scoring offense (18.1), and all the other categories assure that's not misleading.

Michigan State -- The Spartans are giving the Illini a run for their money, sitting No. 107 nationally in scoring offense (19.6). They're No. 87 on total offense (370.8) and No. 84 in rushing offense (140.0).

Maybe they're not living a corn-fed delusion after all, out in the flatlands. Then again, they'll have to score more than 17 against Michigan's defense to prove it.


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