FOX analysts Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart placed Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea at the center of the Huskers' matchup against No. 7 Indiana.
Speaking from the FOX Big Noon set behind the Nebraska Union, both analysts said they will watch Colandrea closely, according to 247sports.
com.
Quinn expects Indiana's defense to take away Nebraska's rushing attack and force Colandrea to produce through the air.
He stressed accurate passing, ball security and playmaking on passing downs as the keys for the quarterback.
"Anthony Colandrea is going to have a game.
Indiana isn't going to allow you to run the football, so he's going to have to be special through the air, take care of the football and make some plays with his legs on passing downs," Quinn said.
Quinn added that Colandrea's experience fits what Nebraska coach Matt Rhule and his staff want offensively.
He also noted Indiana's likely plan to keep Colandrea inside the pocket and disrupt his downfield vision.
"I love the fact he's experienced. I think he's a good fit for what Coach Rhule wants to do.
I felt like with Dylan (Raiola) it never got to a place where it was going to operate like a dual-threat quarterback can," Quinn said.
"He does a lot of good things.
If I'm Indiana I'm going to rush him and try to keep him in the pocket, not allow him to get outside.
Get my hands up and try to bat down some balls and make it hard to see downfield," he added.
Leinart said Nebraska's result will depend heavily on Colandrea delivering in a major game.
"In big games like this, you have to be great. That's kind of cliche as a quarterback make big throws when they're there," Leinart said.
The analysts also discussed Nebraska's defense under new coordinator Rob Aurich.
They pointed to the Huskers' early-season ability to force turnovers, while Indiana entered the matchup with one turnover.
Quinn said Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover's previous turnover history at TCU could be a factor, though Hoover had not faced that test with Indiana.
According to 247sports. com, Hoover had thrown 15 touchdowns with no interceptions while completing 71 percent of his passes.
"That might still be there, but he hasn't been tested there to see it," Quinn said.
FOX Big Noon was scheduled to broadcast from behind the Nebraska Union beginning at 9 a. m.
CT, according to 247sports. com.
Nebraska volleyball players Harper Murray, Andi Jackson and Bergen Reilly were also set to appear.
