Florida Atlantic-Nebraska preview capsule

The Associated Press

Florida Atlantic at No. 22 Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. (BTN)

Line: Nebraska by 23 1/2.

Series Record: Nebraska leads 1-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

This was supposed to be the Pelini Bowl, but the matchup between coaches Bo Pelini of Nebraska and Carl Pelini of FAU isn’t to be after Carl’s ugly departure from FAU with four games left last season. The Cornhuskers believe the pieces are in place for a breakthrough after losing four games each of Bo’s six years in Lincoln. The Owls of Conference USA won their last four games and hope to keep the momentum going under new coach Charlie Partridge.

KEY MATCHUP

Florida Atlantic receivers vs. Nebraska secondary. Expect the Owls to test a secondary that will have a new starter at cornerback and lost its starting nickel back to injury and a starting safety to suspension. FAU’s William Dukes is one of C-USA’s best receivers and a big-play threat.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida Atlantic: QB Jacquez Johnson was C-USA’s newcomer of the year after rushing for 772 yards, passing for 1,876 and accounting for 22 touchdowns.

Nebraska: OL Alex Lewis has drawn raves for his high motor in practices after transferring from Colorado, where he started 12 games in 2012. Lewis at tackle and Jake Cotton at guard form what should be an extremely strong left side.

FACTS & FIGURES

Nebraska won the only previous meeting 49-3 in the 2009 opener … The Owls love to play the big boys. They took on Miami and Auburn last year and Georgia and Alabama in 2012, and they’ll travel to ‘Bama again next week … Nebraska begins its 125th season of football and ranks fourth all-time in victories. FAU begins its 14th season … The Huskers have won 28 straight openers … Partridge was a defensive assistant under Bret Bielema at Arkansas last year and at Wisconsin from 2008-12.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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