Husker junior quarterback Joe Ganz isn’t about to let lack of preparation be an issue as he gets ready to make his debut as Nebraska’s starter.

“(He’s been) concentrated, detailed,” Husker coach Bill Callahan said. “That’s how I would describe it, just based on him living up in the office all week. He’s been around every single minute. He’s just poured a ton of time into this preparation so you know it’s important to him.”

Someone asked Callahan how long he thought it would take a guy like Ganz, who hasn’t started as a quarterback in about four years, to get up to game speed.

“I think it’s a good question,” he said. “I think (he) better get up there real fast, just because of the urgency of the situation.”

Callahan said he thinks since Ganz has been in the system for four years, “he’s capable of coming in and playing at a high level.

“Had he not been in the system for any length of time, it could be tough in that respect.”

Despite it being Ganz’s first time seeing extended action, the full playbook should be available Saturday against Kansas.

“I think as a coach you try to continue to do what you do, and let them prove to you that they can’t do it,” Callahan said.

He said there’s still no decision on whether junior Beau Davis or true freshman Patrick Witt will be the No. 2 quarterback Saturday.

Bo' staying home

Linebackers Bo Ruud and Blake Lawrence did not practice Thursday.

“They won’t travel and they won’t play this week,” Callahan said. “They’re officially ruled out.”

The Huskers are now out three linebackers for the game. Senior Lance Brandenburgh was lost for the season because of a shoulder injury suffered against Texas.

By the numbers: 98 - Number of years since Kansas has been 8-0 in football.

Kansas was coached that year by a man named A.R. (Bert) Kennedy. The Jayhawks, part of the Missouri Valley conference then, only gave up 10 points in their first eight games.

Coincidentally, that Kansas team also played Nebraska on the first Saturday in November. The Jayhawks won 6-0.

Scouting report: WR Nate Swift

Husker junior receiver Nate Swift had some kind of day in Texas, catching six passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a pass on a two-point conversion.

On the two touchdowns — 24 and 23 yards — Swift was left running wide open across the middle.

What happened?

Nebraska had four receivers running vertical routes on the plays. Texas, playing a two-deep zone, blitzed a man, leaving the middle of the field open.

Good fortune for Nebraska.

“The structure was good but Nate did an excellent job and (quarterback) Sam (Keller) did a good job reading the coverage,” Callahan said. “Those opportunities exist, but it’s almost like you had the perfect call for the perfect scenario.”

Opponent watch: Colorado

Colorado officials are hoping attention is being paid to the toughness of the Buffs’ schedule this year when it comes to handing out bowl bids.

USA Today’s recent Sagarin college football ratings list Colorado (5-4 overall, 3-2) with the third-toughest schedule in the country, behind Notre Dame and Washington.

The Buffs, who play host to No. 9 Missouri this week, still need to win a game to be bowl eligible.

“I don’t know (about the bowls),” CU athletic director Mike Bohn told the Denver Post. “But I do believe the national flare of our schedule and the number of times we have been on TV, that’s got to be a huge asset for us.”

The Big 12 has eight bowl tie-ins this year. Potentially, 10 teams could be eligible if Nebraska wins two of its final three games.

“I really don’t concern myself with what other people think, pro or con,” CU coach Dan Hawkins told reporters about bowl speculation. “I can’t get into that game. We’ve got to control what we can control. That’s all we can do.”

— Brian Christopherson