The run-oriented Kansas State offense is exactly the type of unit that senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh would prefer facing.

Suh likes hard-nosed, physical football. So anytime the Huskers line up opposite teams that like to run the ball, Suh has extra motivation to play well.

“This is great for me,” he said. “That's my type of football, not the cutesy stuff we see in the majority (of games) in our conference.”

Suh, who averaged 6.1 total tackles during the first eight games, has totaled seven since. And none of those stops have come behind the line of scrimmage.

Many spread offenses — using quick passes, screen plays and stretch runs — are designed to nullify the impact of defensive lines, according to Suh. But he expects to have opportunities Saturday because Kansas State often challenges its opponents.

“(It's) a very physical team,” he said. “Getting a brief look at their run game (Monday), they're in a lot of big personnel ... and they definitely want to come downhill on you.”

Bo had high hopes immediately

How much optimism and confidence oozes from Nebraska coach Bo Pelini? When asked Tuesday if he believed that the Huskers would be playing for the Big 12 North title in his second season, Pelini responded: “I was disappointed last year that we weren't in that position.''

Nebraska (7-3, 4-2 Big 12) hosts Kansas State (6-5, 4-3) on Saturday night. The winner goes to the Big 12 championship game Dec. 5 in Arlington, Texas.

The Huskers have improved to 16-7 in two seasons under Pelini behind a three-game winning streak. NU has won just one North Division title (2006) in the past nine seasons.

“I believe in my heart that if we do what we need to do on a daily basis, it puts you in position to have these opportunities,'' he said.

Bo: Lee regained confidence at KU

Pelini said he saw a little swagger return to Zac Lee at Kansas. He watched the confidence of the quarterback grow as the game went on.

It has become clear that the junior will start Saturday against K-State. Lee had started the first seven games before freshman Cody Green started against Baylor and Oklahoma.

“I think one of the things we've done well is we've communicated all along the way,'' Pelini said. “Those two young men who are playing quarterback are pretty special guys in that they're very team-first guys, team-oriented guys.

“Even though they both want to be the guy, there's been no selfish attitude about them.''

Pelini said again that the NU staff intended to play Green at Kansas.

“I felt like the flow of the game was such that I liked what I was seeing from Zac and why make a switch when you don't need to,'' Pelini said. “There were some things we had prepared for Cody that we thought were there.''

Ground game success pleases Pelini

Nebraska ran the football on 85 of its 120 offensive snaps the past two games. The Huskers also produced 355 of their 590 total yards on the ground against KU and Oklahoma, consistently going with more power sets.

“I feel like we kind of have something that's working for us right now — kind of hard-nosed, just go at people,'' NU center Jacob Hickman said. “Kind of like what you want to be as a lineman anyway.

“We're just kind of running the ball and, if they want to load the box up, run some play-action off that. That seems like what we're going to have to do to have success: run the ball and take what they give us in the passing game.''

Pelini said he likes balance, and “the only way to create balance in your offense is to be able to run the football.''

“I think when we started running the football and we started making yards on the ground, that's when other things open for you,'' Pelini said. “When you can't run the football and you become one-dimensional, you're going to have problems.''

Hiding from head coach harder on the sideline

NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson came down from the press box to be with Green for the Baylor game — and has stayed on the sideline since.

Pelini said it's nice having Watson on the field because it's easier to communicate. That included at least one brief heat-of-the-moment exchange at KU.

“He's a smart enough guy, he's coached long enough, he knows how to avoid me and keep me from driving him crazy,'' Pelini said.

Hickman banged up like usual

Injuries in November are nothing new to Hickman. “I've always had something,” the senior center said.

This year it's a bruised hip. Hickman is sporting a nasty contusion on his right side.

“Just kind of stuff when you play as many games as I have it kind of comes with the territory,” he said. “If you get through a season without something in the training room, then you're a lot stronger than I am. You're lucky, too.”

— Jon Nyatawa and Rich Kaipust

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