• Video: Mitch Sherman and Jon Nyatawa break down the Holiday Bowl in the season's final edition of the Big Red Today show:

KEY MATCHUP

ARIZONA OFFENSIVE LINE VS. NEBRASKA DEFENSIVE LINE

This is the last time Barry Turner, Ndamukong Suh, Jared Crick and Pierre Allen will play together across the Husker defensive front — and they'll be challenged. The Arizona line, led by second-team All-Pac-10 players at center (Colin Baxter) and right tackle (Adam Grant), has allowed just 11 sacks all season and helped the Wildcats eclipse 2,000 rushing yards for the second straight season.

NU RUSH OFFENSE VS. ARIZONA RUSH DEFENSE

Nebraska's ground game started to find itself in the second half of the season as NU committed to the run during a five-game winning streak. The Huskers were stymied by Texas, with Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead combining for 50 yards on 27 carries — and no gain longer than 7 yards. Helu is as healthy, but NU has never quite solved its line issues and will face a rushing defense that ranks No. 22 nationally (111.9 yards per game).

Advantage: Arizona

NU PASS OFFENSE VS. ARIZONA PASS DEFENSE

After throwing just two interceptions during the five-game streak, Zac Lee was picked off three times by Texas. That is exactly what Nebraska can't afford with its current approach of throwing 15 to 20 passes and trying to live off efficiency. Junior receiver Niles Paul started to come on late in the year and finished with 36 receptions and 18.7 yards per catch. Arizona's strength is its pass rush: Ricky Elmore has 10½ of the Wildcats' 34 sacks.

Advantage: Arizona

ARIZONA RUSH OFFENSE VS. NU RUSH DEFENSE

NU showed its run-stopping ability by holding Texas to 18 yards. Take away the lost yardage from nine sacks and the Longhorns still managed only 70 yards on 29 carries (2.4 per rush). In its last two regular-season games, NU had allowed 134 yards to Colorado and 140 to Kansas State. Arizona will use both Keola Antolin (569 yards) and Nic Grigsby (559), with Grigsby the more explosive — when healthy — with 7.5 per carry.

Advantage: Nebraska

ARIZONA PASS OFFENSE VS. NU PASS DEFENSE

The Wildcats are capable and dangerous even though quarterback Nick Foles is heading into just his 10th career start. Foles completes 66 percent of his passes, and Arizona has used good protection to allow just 11 sacks all season. NU ranks No. 3 nationally in pass efficiency defense, and the Huskers have applied pressure up front (31½ sacks from linemen) and made plays in the back (17 interceptions by the secondary).

Advantage: Nebraska

SPECIAL TEAMS

Alex Henery hit four field goals vs. Texas, the fifth time he has made at least four in a game. His continued help with field position on punts earned him a Blackshirt. Paul added another big punt return in the Big 12 championship game to set up a late field goal. Arizona is dangerous, ranking No. 4 nationally on punt returns (16.4 yards) and No. 11 on kickoff returns (25.5). But Texas had those kinds of numbers and did nothing.

Advantage: Nebraska

INTANGIBLES

Pelini is 5-1 in bowl games (2-0 with NU and 3-0 with LSU). Arizona coach Mike Stoops also has a healthy amount of postseason experience, although the Las Vegas Bowl last year was his first with the Wildcats. The crowd should be an even split, and both teams should see this as the capper to a good season. The Wildcats showed some guts with a late 10-play, 80-yard drive to win at USC. That has them brimming with confidence.

Advantage: Arizona

UA WILL WIN IF

It can generate a rushing game, get some big plays out of quarterback Nick Foles and be steady defensively

NU WILL WIN IF

Ndamukong Suh leads one last dominant defensive performance and Alex Henery can salvage any blown chances offensively

OUR TAKE

As you can see from above, the defenses look to have all the advantages. Nebraska is a little better on that side and has the ability to control the game, but Arizona has more punch offensively. NU just about beat Texas in its last game, while the Wildcats won at USC. This one is tough to call and might come down to which offense makes fewer mistakes. We'll side with the Huskers in a close finish.

Prediction: Nebraska 17, Arizona 13

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