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Bo Pelini had his weekly press conference, and had the following to say about the status of Ameer Abdullah:
On if senior I-back Ameer Abdullah is back
"We'll see on Saturday, but I anticipate him playing."On if Abdullah practiced last week
"No, he worked out on the field."On if he thinks Abdullah is close to being 100 percent
"Yeah, but I'm not a doctor. I don't know how it's going to play out. We go a little bit off of how he's feeling. We'll find out Saturday."On if Abdullah's absence puts added pressure on Armstrong
"You know, that doesn't change Tommy at all. Tommy knows what he has to do to make our offense click and work. Regardless of who is back there with him, Tommy has tremendous confidence in them. It's not like Ameer is the only running back we have. He's a great player and obviously you want a great player. But we have other pretty capable running backs back there that are in there when he's not in there."
There's a lot of focus on one guy, but that's understandable given what's at stake, and the focus on the Melvin Gordon vs Ameer Abdullah story line. Pelini's answer doesn't provide a whole lot of confidence, but I'm not sure what else he's supposed to say. I know that Husker fans collectively are hoping Abdullah is fine.
Pelini also talked about the the last time Nebraska played Wisconsin:
On how Wisconsin has changed since the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game and how they have stayed the same
"It's interesting because there is a new staff, but it's very similar in what they're doing. It's really the same offense. I mean there are a few wrinkles here and there, but they do a good job. They know what they want to do. They're physical and well-coached, and they execute very well. It hasn't changed a whole lot. And you know what, it was probably a smart move on their part. You come in, you have a defensive guy taking over. Why mess with a good thing? And they haven't. They've done a good job of sticking with what they're doing. I actually spent a lot of time learning, trying to figure out why they were doing things and how they did it. They've put a good product on the field."On if playing Wisconsin this weekend rekindles any bad memories from the 2012 championship game
"No, it doesn't really rekindle for me. Me personally, I'll never flesh that out. That's something that will always be there. It's hard to flesh that one away. But there's nothing you can do about it. That was one of the most unusual games I've ever been a part of. And frustrating at the same time."On why he thinks the team struggles on the road against ranked opponents
"It's hard to win on the road against good football teams in tough environments. But I know that those last five games won't have anything to do with what happens on Saturday. The team that executes the best is going to win."
I'll be heading to Madison this Friday. My last trip was a great time... with the exception of the actual game. I will be meeting with some college chums, a couple of which I haven't seen in over a decade. That will take away some of the tension around this game, but I can't help but wonder how much anxiety Nebraska fans have this week.
It's an understatement to say this is a huge game. A whole season of goodness is still right in front of us. Adbullah is a special guy, but he's only one guy. Nebraska's defense has the chance to show they're a special bunch.
I'm just hoping I find out what good fans Wisconsin has after a loss.
Map shows where people care the most about college football - SBNation.com
Alabama and Nebraska appear to lead the way.
Not really shocking, is it?
New College Football Playoff and bowl projections: Baylor, not TCU, joins top - SBNation.com
Your weekly look ahead at how the full bowl and Playoff picture is shaping up. The biggest question this time: What to do about the Big 12?
2014 college football rankings, Week 12: Alabama tops composite Top 25 - SBNation.com
Pairing the two big human polls with a computer ranking and a gathering of a whole bunch of rankings gives us a familiar No. 1 this week. Let's see on Tuesday what the Playoff committee thinks.
Explaining Alabama's awesome fat guy trick play that helped beat LSU - SBNation.com
On the first play of overtime, Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin dialed up a play that got the ball to a 305-pound offensive lineman in space. It was beautiful.
Marcus Mariota is going to win the 2014 Heisman Trophy* - SBNation.com
It is only the second week of November now, but there's no doubt about who will hoist this year's Heisman. As long as he stays healthy.
Open Letter to the Auburn Family - College and Magnolia
Second, based on the reactions in the stands around me, I'm afraid that Auburn fans have started to believe that winning every game is our right. People who believe that will never enjoy football again. Winning brings no real pleasure because you're merely doing what you're supposed to do. Losing feels like betrayal.
Texas A&M stuns Auburn, proving each Saturday is a completely new one - SBNation.com
The only thing less likely than an Auburn win in November is an Auburn loss in November. Texas A&M's stunning 41-38 road upset completely redefines the season for both teams.
Baylor vs. TCU: A comprehensive comparison of the Big 12's Playoff contenders - SBNation.com
The biggest college football argument of this week, and likely future weeks as well: Who's better, Baylor or TCU? Let's get to the bottom of this.
L.S.U. Mascot Mike the Tiger Chooses to Stay Home on Game Days - NYTimes.com
For all seven of L.S.U.'s home games this season, Mike the Tiger has refused to leave his well-appointed residence for the mobile cage that would take him into the stadium.
Oklahoma QB Knight's tests negative after injury
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops says there is good news on quarterback Trevor Knight after a hit he took in Saturday's 48-14 loss to Baylor. Stoops says MRIs and x-rays were negative, and he'll know more about Knight's status for Saturday's game at Texas Tech in the next few days. Knight won't practice Monday.
FOUR FACTORS IN REVIEW: IOWA AT MINNESOTA - Black Heart Gold Pants
Iowa lost by 37 on Saturday. Not even Smarf can save us now.
Tommy Stevens Flips to Penn State - The Crimson Quarry
Just another reminder to never believe anything a recruit says. Ever.
Big Ten Players Of The Week Announced: Maxx Williams Not One Of Them - The Daily Gopher
What's the deal Big Ten? It's not like anyone had a really big offensive performance in a Saturday night game while playing quarterback...
Week 12: Rutgers could go bowling with a win over Indiana - On the Banks
Rutgers is on the cusp of bowl eligibility, and Indiana provides the best chance for a postseason berth out of the last three games.
Three Takeaways: MSU - Ohio State - The Only Colors
What stood out from MSU's 49-37 loss to the Buckeyes.
Football Five Factors: Bent and Broken - The Only Colors
Quantifying the pain
Maryland receiver Stefon Diggs out for regular season with kidney injury, per report - Testudo Times
Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs has a lacerated kidney that will keep him out of action through at least the rest of the regular season, per the Baltimore Sun's Matt Zenitz.
That sucks.
Collin Ellis retires from football - Inside NU
Pat Fitzgerald announced on Monday that the senior linebacker has retired from football due to medical reasons.
The history of Northwestern-Notre Dame - Inside NU
A look back at the incredible history of this once-proud rivalry.
By the numbers: Northwestern's 10-9 loss to Michigan - Inside NU
Trevor Siemian and the Northwestern defense provided some statistical highlights in an otherwise dreadful contest.
The pitchforks are out at Northwestern - Inside NU
And for the first time, not even Pat Fitzgerald is safe.
BT Powerhouse's Top 25 Big Ten Players: #15-11 - BT Powerhouse
We continue our top 25 Big Ten players list today with the next five up. Who made the cut?
Nebraska Football
20 rejected names for Nebraska-Wisconsin's new Freedom Trophy - SBNation.com
Nebraska and Wisconsin will play for the Freedom Trophy now. Here are other names it certainly could've gone by.
BIG TEN WIN PROJECTIONS: POST-WEEK 11 - Black Heart Gold Pants
If the Big Ten has any chance at getting a team into the college football playoff, Ohio State and Nebraska are the only teams left with a shot. THOR+ gives Ohio State the best odds at advancing to the Big Ten championship game with only one loss, while Nebraska only has about an 11% chance right now, thanks to Wisconsin being the favorite in the West.
Freedom Trophy: Wisconsin and Nebraska To Play For Terrible Gift Shop Chatchski - The Daily Gopher
Does anyone like the Bell? Because what we'll get is another Bell.
On the Quadrangle of Hate, Trophies, and the Big Ten West - Off Tackle Empire
It's time someone defends the stupid Freedom trophy.
Big Ten’s best playoff chance? It’s not Ohio State, according to Jerry Palm " Big Ten Network
Nebraska, not Ohio State, is the Big Ten team with the best chance to make the inaugural College Football Playoff, according to Jerry Palm.
New cast of Blackshirts focused on executing, not revenge against Badgers : Latest Husker News
"What happened in 2012 is pretty much irrelevant," said Husker senior safety Corey Cooper of this year's meeting with Wisconsin.
No. 11 Huskers look to overcome Top 25 road demons | College Football
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska heads into its most important game to date facing two obstacles.
Beyond the Box Score: 'Regular Season' Review | Hail Varsity
Updating our Beyond the Box Score numbers through the Huskers' first five games and comparing them to 2013.