Two two-win teams are striving for their third in a year of a pandemic pausing play and contributing to rocky performances. Without knowing next week's to-be-determined conference opponent, this could be the best chance to deal with the devil each knows.
THREE BIG STORY LINES
Who's in?
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said earlier this week his team would miss more than 20 players from just COVID-19 positive tests alone. That combined with injuries could make for a very depth-tested lineup.
Bateman's out
Star receiver Rashod Bateman opted out shortly after the Gophers paused team activities with an outbreak that would mount to 49 cases throughout the past two weeks. Without him, quarterback Tanner Morgan and No. 2 receiver Chris Autman-Bell will have to prove their connection, with young receivers such as Daniel Jackson and Mike Brown-Stephens also contributing.
Martinez a maybe
Nebraska has cycled through two quarterbacks, with starter Adrian Martinez losing his spot early on, and Luke McCaffrey taking his place. Martinez seems to have reclaimed his throne, though it's not out of the realm of possibility to see both taking snaps against the Gophers.
TWO KEY MATCHUPS
Wan'Dale Robinson vs. the Gophers defense