Buckeyes rolling into Nebraska

LINCOLN, NEB.» Ohio StateNebraska matches two of the five programs with the most major college football wins in history, but the teams are in very different places entering Saturday night’s game at Memorial Stadium.

The ninth-ranked Buckeyes beat Nebraska by 59 points last year in Columbus and have dominated four straight opponents since their loss at home to Oklahoma. They’re bidding for a third appearance in the College Football Playoff in four years.

The Cornhuskers are just another team behind Wisconsin in the Big Ten West. They’ve lost to Northern Illinois, and Wisconsin beat them by three touchdowns. With a university administration and fan base desperate for a return to glory, third-year coach Mike Riley is under increasing pressure.

The stadium will be sold out for the 359th consecutive game since 1962, but with the Huskers 24-point underdogs, tickets were available for as little as $17 on the secondary market.

“It’s very tradition-rich, the fans are very prideful and it’s a great opportunity for us to go into a big-time atmosphere and be able to showcase our skills,” Buckeyes center Billy Price said.

Those skills have been showcased a lot recently. The Buckeyes have amassed 2,462 yards of offense the last four games, the most ever over a four-game span for the program, and have scored 54 or more points in three straight. Quarterback J.T. Barrett, who hasn’t had to play in the fourth quarter in three straight games, has thrown 16 touchdowns against one interception.

“I think J.T. and the receivers are playing well together,” coach Urban Meyer said. “I can’t ask for more out of them as far as working and trying to get better.”

Devine Ozigbo has run for 100 yards in three straight games for the Huskers, but quarterback Tanner Lee has been inconsistent and prone to throwing interceptions.