What kind of potholes, road work and detours await the Huskers on their journey into uncharted territory in Big Ten country? We map the first season in the new league.

Game 1: Tennessee-Chattanooga

2:30 p.m. Sept. 3, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, TBD

ROAD REPORT

In their season opener, the Huskers have a presumed cakewalk over an FCS sacrificial lamb. Be careful what you presume. Big Ten teams have struggled with FCS foes in recent years — Minnesota has lost to North Dakota State and South Dakota, while Iowa's most recent Orange Bowl team needed to block a field goal to beat Northern Iowa — and the Huskers didn't look too sharp last year in a 17-3 win over South Dakota State. NU will have its first chance to rev up Tim Beck's new high-tempo offense.

POTHOLE

If turnovers, penalties or both make Beck's offense rattle instead of hum, it could be a long, frustrating game for a Memorial Stadium crowd in search of points and efficiency. Plus, Chattanooga quarterback B.J. Coleman is no slouch as a two-year starter.

FINAL DESTINATION

Nebraska hasn't lost a home opener since 1985, and that was to Florida State. And these Mocs are no Seminoles. This game against a quick-but-small team is the perfect way for NU to break in the season: against a defense overmatched and probably not terribly motivated to make a point (unlike South Dakota State last year). The Huskers win easily while Bo Pelini finds plenty to work on.

Prediction: Nebraska 49, Tennessee Chattanooga 14

Game 2: Fresno State

6 p.m. Sept. 10, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, TBD

ROAD REPORT

One decade ago, Fresno State was the resident BCS giant-killer on the block, with solid skill players and great quarterback play from David Carr. But the Bulldogs abdicated their throne to Boise State and TCU. David Carr's younger brother, Derek, is now the quarterback who could spice up coach Pat Hill's relatively conservative pro-style offense. FSU has a flashier name than some of NU's recent nonconference opponents, but the Bulldogs beat Idaho only 23-20 last year. Fresno's porous offensive line also gave up 2.77 sacks per game in 2010.

POTHOLE

If Fresno State beats California in San Francisco one week before the Nebraska game, it'll have some serious momentum heading into Lincoln. Hill seems to think Derek Carr, too, is the real deal. NU can't afford to give the Bulldogs early breathing room, or a 2007 Ball State scenario could bloom.

FINAL DESTINATION

NU's front four is one of the nation's deepest, most athletic groups. It doesn't matter how skilled the opposing quarterback is — it's tough to face a mean red wave play after play. The Huskers have a history of eating pro-style quarterbacks alive under Bo Pelini. Don't look for Derek Carr to be much different.

Prediction: Nebraska 28, Fresno State 13

Game 3: Washington

2:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, ABC

ROAD REPORT

Ready for the rubber match? After NU humiliated Washington 56-21 on its home field, the Huskies bit back in a 19-7 Holiday Bowl win. Washington loses quarterback Jake Locker but still has running back Chris Polk and speedy receiver Jermaine Kearse. Look for the Huskies' defense to be better in year three of coordinator Nick Holt's scheme. And coach/offensive playcaller Steve Sarkisian now knows NU's defense intimately well. Of course, there are always wrinkles for the Blackshirts to consider. This is NU's toughest home nonconference game since Virginia Tech in 2008.

POTHOLE

Washington's defense knows better than to play it too conservatively with Taylor Martinez. The Huskies will attack and make Martinez beat them with his arm and decision-making. If UW can control the ball with a steady ground game and get Memorial Stadium into its worried murmur, an upset could brew.

FINAL DESTINATION

UW got smart in the Holiday Bowl rematch, shortening the game with a strong running game that featured inside counters and quarterback draws. Look for the Huskies to stick to that plan. It'll keep them close. But NU wins the yardage battle by more than 100, makes some noise on a kick or punt return and wins the rubber match. It just won't be easy.

Prediction: Nebraska 20, Washington 13

Game 4: At Wyoming

6:30 p.m. Sept. 24, War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyo., Versus

ROAD REPORT

A trip to Bob Devaney's old stomping grounds is Nebraska's first visit to Laramie for a game. The altitude is a mile high, and the Cowboys run a wide-open spread offense that looks a lot like Missouri, since their coach, Dave Christensen, once called plays for the Tigers. Two quarterbacks — including the starter — bailed on Christensen during the offseason, so Wyoming's holding open casting calls in Casper and Cheyenne. Just kidding. But only a little bit.

POTHOLE

The thin air could gas the Huskers' spread no-huddle offense. Or that one-in-a-million shot could come for Wyoming.

FINAL DESTINATION

The Cowboys just don't have the horses, pardon the pun. This is a team still in major rebuilding mode after a disappointing 2010 season and the departure of two quarterbacks. Wyoming has a decent defensive line for the Mountain West but lacks the athletes to keep up with the Huskers' offensive speed. It could be close for a quarter before turning into a points avalanche.

Prediction: Nebraska 55, Wyoming 7

Game 5: At Wisconsin

7 p.m. Oct. 1, Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis., ABC/ESPN

ROAD REPORT

Intentionally or not, the Big Ten set up a marquee matchup for NU's debut in the league, sending the Huskers to Camp Randall to face the Badgers in prime time before an ABC or ESPN audience. Wisconsin is coming off a Rose Bowl appearance and is the Leaders Division favorite. Already with a defense-rattling run game, the Badgers added the services of former North Carolina State starter Russell Wilson to find an answer at quarterback. Bret Bielema teams, by the way, are 32-3 at home.

POTHOLE

It won't be easy for the Huskers to avoid an 0-1 start in Big Ten play, and here's one reason why: NU hasn't won a road game against a Top 10 team since beating No. 2 Washington in 1997, and Wisconsin likely will be 4-0. The Badgers' ability to run it downhill will be a test of NU's defensive mettle after it got used to matching personnel with a different kind of offensive animal in the Big 12. Wisconsin showed it can be susceptible to the run by allowing each of its last four regular-season opponents in 2010 to rush for 160 yards or more.

FINAL DESTINATION

The Badgers have things in gear, while some others in the Big Ten are trying to get off the canvas. If Wilson is the right fit offensively and Wisconsin can patch up a defense that lost five starters, it will be hard for NU to steal this one.

Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Nebraska 23

Game 6: Ohio State

7 p.m. Oct. 8, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, ABC/ESPN

ROAD REPORT

This one also was shaping up to be special when Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, quarterback Terrelle Pryor and five others were handed five-game suspensions to start 2011 — making them eligible just in time for Ohio State's first-ever trip to Lincoln. Now neither Tressel nor Pryor is coming back. The attention shifts to first-year coach Luke Fickell. It could be interesting if the Buckeyes can win at Miami on Sept. 17 and take down Michigan State on Oct. 1. Ohio State lost seven defensive starters, but it's a program regularly stocked with future NFL draft picks.

POTHOLE

OSU knows how to win on the road. Under Tressel, the Buckeyes were 31-9 in Big Ten road games over 10 seasons. The chance to play five games before coming to Lincoln also allows Ohio State to break in a new QB and find its niche under Fickell. And, actually, go ahead and plan on the Buckeyes being good defensively, considering they are on a six-year run of holding opponents to fewer than 15.2 points and 300 total yards per game.

FINAL DESTINATION

One of the issues for OSU will be how smoothly it can filter receiver DeVier Posey, tailback Dan Herron and left tackle Mike Adams back into the mix. With the Buckeyes breaking in a new QB, the offensive help will be welcomed, especially if NU is starting to get on a midseason roll defensively.

Prediction: Nebraska 21, Ohio State 20

Game 7: At Minnesota

2:30 p.m. Oct. 22, TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, ABC

ROAD REPORT

Nebraska finally gets to catch its breath after back-to-back games against Wisconsin and Ohio State, unless Jerry Kill has his magic working with a Minnesota team that started last season 1-9 before winning its last two. The Gophers turn to MarQueis Gray at quarterback and hope eight returning starters can be better on a defense that gave up 28 points 10 times in 2010. Those Husker fans used to invading the closest Big 12 stadiums likely will try to have a presence in Minneapolis, where NU won by scores of 48-0 and 84-13 in the 1980s.

POTHOLE

NU will have the luxury of studying the Gophers' first five games — including trips to USC and Michigan — but there will be a makeover under Kill. Attitude likely will be the biggest difference. Gray gives Minnesota a little flash and charisma, but he was a receiver last year. The Gophers led USC midway through the third quarter and beat Iowa a year ago, but they also lost to South Dakota and Northern Illinois (Kill's old team).

FINAL DESTINATION

Minnesota is the Huskers' only opponent during Big Ten play that didn't make a bowl game a year ago. The Gophers have lost their way running the football the last three seasons, and if they don't have that going, it will likely be a tall task to upset the Huskers. They also need to find a pass rush after managing just nine sacks a year ago. Minnesota hardly made TCF Bank Stadium a tough place to visit in 2010, starting 0-6 at home before finally beating Iowa in late November.

Prediction: Nebraska 38, Minnesota 13

Game 8: Michigan State

TBA, Oct. 29, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, TBD

ROAD REPORT

Michigan State maybe lacks the respect it believes it earned by finishing in a three-way tie for the 2010 Big Ten title, but it didn't help its cause by taking a 49-7 beating against Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. So if it wants to do something about being picked behind newcomer Nebraska in the Legends Division, this is a perfect spot. The Spartans, however, play Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin in the three games before coming to Lincoln, and they could be running a little low on fuel by late October. But remember that this was a team that started last season 8-0.

POTHOLE

When it comes to skill-position players, few in the Big Ten can match Michigan State with quarterback Kirk Cousins, backs Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell, and receivers Keshawn Martin and B.J. Cunningham. If the offensive line can come together, MSU can put up numbers like it did a year ago, when it scored 30-plus points nine times. The Spartans also excel on special teams.

FINAL DESTINATION

Teams started running on Michigan State as last season progressed — capped by Alabama going for 275 yards — and Nebraska wants to have that kind of attack. Mark Dantonio is a rising star in the coaching ranks, but the Spartans lived a charmed life at times in 2010. Sometimes that has a way of evening itself out. NU has won the three meetings since 1995 by combined scores of 122-27, although this one should be much tougher to nail down.

Prediction: Nebraska 34, Michigan State 24

Game 9: Northwestern

TBA Nov. 5, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, TBD

ROAD REPORT

You'll hear some version of this cautionary reminder every year: Watch out for Northwestern, a well-coached, hard-working squad that makes up for its perceived talent gap with superior intelligence. Only this time around, the Wildcats might just have the talent to expose anyone who underestimates them. They're led by quarterback Dan Persa, a dark-horse Heisman candidate who's an elusive ground threat and an accurate thrower. Assuming he stays healthy enough to lead a fast-paced offensive attack, Northwestern will provide its league foes with a legitimate challenge.

POTHOLE

Northwestern gave up more sacks (40) than anyone in the Big Ten and relied on its quarterback to make plays with his arm and legs last season. Sounds like the perfect matchup for Bo Pelini's spread-torching defense, right? Well, here's the problem: Nebraska's not yet made it through a season under Pelini without suffering a disappointing home loss. And this seemingly automatic win could be that trap game for the Huskers, who may try to exhale after a tough four-game stretch.

FINAL DESTINATION

There may not be a better decision-maker in the league than Persa, who's back after suffering an Achilles injury late last season. But he may not have the final say vs. the Huskers. The Wildcat defense collapsed late in 2010, allowing an average of 54.3 points during the final three games. Regardless of what form the still-developing NU offense ends up taking, it will find openings against Northwestern.

Prediction: Nebraska 31, Northwestern 21

Game 10: At Penn State

TBA Nov. 12, Beaver Stadium, State College, Pa., TBD

ROAD REPORT

If Husker fans have removed every memory of Happy Valley, no one would blame them. The last trip to Penn State resulted in an embarrassing 40-7 beatdown in 2002. The one before that? A 27-24 Nittany Lion win in 1982 remains among the most controversial finishes in Husker lore. Expect the mental time machine to be booted up by both fan bases as this one draws near. The two cross-divisional rivals, both contenders to reach the league title game, will each have plenty on the line when they meet in the Pennsylvania mountains.

POTHOLE

In a slight scheduling glitch, this matchup is Penn State's final home game. That makes it an emotional event any year, but these home finales carry a heightened level of enthusiasm as the clock ticks on the career of coach Joe Paterno. What makes this game even more important is how the Nittany Lions finish the season: at Ohio State and Wisconsin. If PSU wants any shot at the Big Ten title, it better beat the Huskers.

FINAL DESTINATION

Despite inexperience at quarterback, Penn State often tried to attack through the air last year, attempting the second-most passes in the Big Ten (425). Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden might end up again sharing duties at QB, but they won't have Penn State's all-time leading rusher, Evan Royster, to rely on. Sounds like a death wish against a Pelini defense that specializes in ruining quarterbacks' Saturdays. The PSU defense will keep the game close, but NU should make enough plays to win.

Prediction: Nebraska 19, Penn State 13

Game 11: At Michigan

TBA Nov. 19, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich., TBD

ROAD REPORT

It's been far too long since these two legendary programs played in each other's historic venue. They met in the Alamo Bowl in 2005 and the Fiesta Bowl after the 1985 season, but to find the last regular-season matchup, you have to go all the way back to 1962. Both programs are trying to re-establish themselves on the national scene (the Huskers are getting closer). Expect this game to get plenty of attention because of that. Oh, and we shouldn't forget that pair of game-changing quarterbacks — Nebraska's Taylor Martinez and Michigan's Denard Robinson.

POTHOLE

It's all about Robinson. Michigan, under new coach Brady Hoke, won't run the spread attack, so expect more under-center formations. But that might make the quick and elusive junior QB even more unpredictable. The Wolverine offense led the Big Ten in yards per play (6.8) and total production (488.7 yards per game) in 2010 behind Robinson, the league's leading rusher. It's enough to give even the defensive gurus in Lincoln headaches.

FINAL DESTINATION

The Big House has the national reputation of being a daunting fortress that consumes opponents the moment they enter, but, truth be told, it might be the quietest collection of 100,000 fans anywhere. And lately, thanks to the sudden demise of the on-field product, the Wolverines are 3-9 against conference teams at home the past three seasons. They gave up an average of 36.5 points in those 12 games. A switch to a 3-4 defense won't solve all those problems.

Prediction: Nebraska 35, Michigan 20

Game 12: Iowa

11 a.m. Nov. 25, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, ABC

ROAD REPORT

The first installment of the nation's newest border showdown likely will live up to the building expectations. The rivalry has sort of been forced on the two fan bases in what will prove to be an unnecessary step by the league's powers-that-be. Hawkeyes and Huskers don't get along. There's tension fueled by a lack of head-to-head matchups — it's been all talk for the last decade. Now it's time to walk the walk. Perhaps the players and coaches will play down the rivalry given the lack of recent history, but their perspectives will have little effect on the hype.

POTHOLE

NU can't afford to limp to the finish like it has the past three seasons. Sure, Colorado was a rival, but NU enjoyed a clear on-paper advantage. Yet, the games were dangerously close. Alex Henery delivered a 57-yarder to save NU in 2008. The Huskers' 28-20 win in Boulder a year later was too close for comfort. Last year, they beat the Buffs comfortably, but needed two TD passes from a running back to do that.

FINAL DESTINATION

There may not be a team in the Big Ten that has to reload the way the Hawkeyes do. But Iowa's favorable conference schedule could give the young team a much-needed confidence boost. Marcus Coker is a rising star who'll be relied on to spark a subpar ground attack. Iowa's defense is unproven. NU will have the talent edge, probably in every facet of the game. But rivalries tend to unfold differently than expected sometimes, even ones that are just getting started.

Prediction: Iowa 24, Nebraska 21

Text by Sam McKewon, Rich Kaipust and Jon Nyatawa

Illustration by Matt Haney

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