Regardless, all three coaches agree that Nebraska's defense loves to blitz.

The Huskers only have 15 sacks through eight games, but their pressure package has flustered many opponents this season. Gundy said defensive ends Adam Carriker and Jay Moore spearhead the aggressive defensive approach and that Nebraska's linebackers are as good as "anyone in this league."

OSU's offensive line has surrendered only 10 sacks this season. But Fedora said Nebraska represents the toughest challenge to date for his offense.

"They are big and they run extremely well. They play hard. They are proud of the way those guys play because they fly around on film," Fedora said. "They blitz more and they have some different types of blitzes than we've seen because they run (man-to-man) coverage quite a bit."

Because of receivers Adarius Bowman and D'Juan Woods, the Cowboys have not seen much man-to-man coverage this season. Fedora is thinking one thing when he hears man coverage and constant pressure from the ends and linebackers.

"I think big plays," he said. "That's the way we train our guys that if a team plays (man) coverage, the only way to get them out of it is to make big plays on them. We're confident we can do that."

OSU's tailback plan: At Kansas State, it was Keith Toston. At Kansas, it was Mike Hamilton. Last week against Texas A&M, it was Dantrell Savage's turn.

OSU has utilized the "hot" running back theory all season, and particularly in the past three weeks.

Toston had 109 yards at Kansas State and earned the starting assignment the following week at Kansas. After Toston fumbled twice in the first quarter, Hamilton ran for 70 yards and Savage added 55. Hamilton started the A&M game and had 50 yards on 11 carries. But Savage received the bulk of the work in the second half and finished with 134 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

"(Savage) gave us the big play threat last Saturday. I think Mike has played better this year than last year. He's been more elusive and he's made more plays in space," Gundy said. "Obviously, when Toston is taking care of the football and running, he has made plays."

The three tailbacks have combined for 1,097 yards and eight touchdowns.

Nebraska's tailback plan: Similar to OSU, Nebraska believes in the hot tail back theory as well. Marlon Lucky leads the team with 481 yards, but Brandon Jackson, Cody Glenn and Kenny Wilson all have at least 300 yards this season.

Jackson got the majority of carries last week against Texas. But Nebraska coach Bill Callahan refused to declare Jackson is the team's primary back.

"We're going to use them all," Callahan said. "We're going to do a lot of different things with our backs this coming weekend. So stay tuned."

Rank and file: Nebraska is just the fourth ranked opponent OSU has played in Gundy's two-year tenure. The Cowboys are 1-2 in those games. OSU lost to Texas and beat Texas Tech last season, and fell to Texas A&M last week. Nebraska is No. 20 in this week's Associated Press poll.

Road success: Nebraska is seeking its fourth consecutive Big 12 road victory Saturday in Stillwater.