(1) Pregame drama

Tim Cassidy, associate athletic director for football operations, told the Big Red Breakfast crowd Friday morning in Omaha that Nebraska fans should try to be in their seats 30 minutes before today’s 2:40 p.m. kickoff so they can enjoy the entirety of the pregame production. Indeed, the pregame drama may greatly exceed anything that occurs once the game commences. Can the new Tunnel Walk be any more riveting than the one that has originated for the past 12 years in South Stadium? Dunno, but we do know the new Tunnel Walk now occurs in North Stadium, with NU players and coaches set to emerge from the northwest corner of the field, perhaps through glass doors. The team will come out of the locker room under the stands to a stretch of bright red FieldTurf that will take them to the edge of the field — and to the cusp of their first win of 2006. It won’t be close, folks, so there will be plenty of time between NU touchdowns to enjoy the old stadium’s new look and impressive features.

(2) Well, who goes first?

Well, I guess there could be some drama involved once today’s game begins. Which Nebraska I-back will take the field first? Husker coach Bill Callahan has chosen his words carefully when discussing the subject ever since the Aug. 3 start of preseason drills. “We haven’t decided yet,” the coach said with a smile during the Big Red Breakfast. With Marlon Lucky, Cody Glenn, Brandon Jackson and Kenny Wilson, Callahan insists he has four I-backs capable of starting. In games such as today’s, which Nebraska should win comfortably, it might not be difficult to spread around the carries and keep all of the I-backs happy. It might be a different story in tussles (Sept. 16 comes to mind), when the nature of the game may well dictate that substitutions can’t be made so freely. Bottom line is, the I-back on the field last in close games will probably mean more than who went first. Whatever the case, this will be a season-long storyline. Today? It’ll probably be Marlon’s lucky day.

(3) 'Pound the rock'

“Pound the rock” has been Nebraska’s enduring theme ever since it finished 107th nationally in rushing offense last year with an average of 96.0 yards per game. Pound the rock? Translation: Establish a high level of physical play and show you can run the football in most every situation. That’s typically a requirement for teams seeking to win a championship in a league the caliber of the Big 12. To be sure, if Nebraska again finishes outside the top 100 in rushing, it’s difficult to imagine the Huskers capturing a championship of any sort. Hence their emphasis throughout the offseason. NU today will face a Louisiana Tech defense that has only two starters returning from last year’s unit. Look for the Huskers to roll up a big rushing total — 200-plus yards would be a good start.

(4) Rocky’s big payday

Callahan on Friday compared Louisiana Tech to Rocky Balboa. “It’s their one-time shot,” the coach said. “They get an opportunity to come to Nebraska and take their knockout shot, and we’ve got to be able to respond.” The Bulldogs pride themselves on being “giant killers,” having recorded upsets over the years against teams such as Mississippi State (1996), California (1997), Alabama (1997, 1999), Oklahoma State (2002) and Michigan State (2003). In fact, Louisiana Tech closed last season with a triumph at Fresno State. However, Louisiana Tech today will have as many as a dozen first-time starters, including quarterback Zac Champion. You can almost hear NU’s front seven licking its chops. At least the Bulldogs will receive $750,000 for their appearance at what figures to be a grand show at the refurbished stadium.