Nebraska running backs coach Randy Jordan, always on the move along the sideline, instructs his guys to stick close to him, because at any moment one could be summoned to enter the game.

So, they travel as a group, a trio of I-backs and the kinetic position coach, like a school of fish winding through a crowded aquarium.

“If you don’t get out there to the field when he calls on you, he’ll throw another back in there,” said Brandon Jackson, one of four Nebraska I-backs with at least 60 carries this season. “If you miss your play, you’re pissed.”

Said Jordan: “If I have to say it twice, they’re done. You get two times, that’s it.”

Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan said he’s uncertain if it is all that unique, this rotation of four I-backs. Whatever. He doesn’t have time to mull such trivial matters, especially this week. “It is what it is,” he said of the system.

Make no mistake, using four I-backs is unique in the college game. No other Division I-A team has four running backs each with 60-plus carries. The rotation has worked well this season for 17th-ranked Nebraska, which is 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12.

If the system again bears fruit today, Nebraska will create for itself a better chance to upset No. 5 Texas. For if the Huskers can establish a running game, quarterback Zac Taylor should have an easier time passing and the Husker defense could benefit from sustained breaks between skirmishes with Texas’ explosive offense.

Pound the rock! That has been Nebraska’s mantra on offense since spring practice. The Huskers today will see how their running game stacks up against the nation’s second-ranked rush defense — Texas has allowed just 47.7 rushing yards per game. Callahan said the Longhorns attack with “fierce” intensity.

Nevertheless, “There’s no doubt in my mind we’re going to try to run it,” said Nebraska sophomore I-back Cody Glenn, a native of Rusk, Texas. “We’re going to run the ball no matter what. It’s something coach Callahan tells us every day. And I think we can get something established on the ground early.”

So who will it be this week? Jackson has started the past two games after Marlon Lucky started the first five. Glenn came on strong two weeks ago against Iowa State, then faded some last week against Kansas State as Jackson and Lucky played lead roles. Kenny Wilson, after moving to the forefront in mid-September, hasn’t had an official carry in the last 10 quarters.

Who will play lead roles today? Not even the I-backs can answer the question with much certainty until Friday nights, when Callahan releases to the team the first 15 plays. From that list, I-backs try to gauge their level of involvement in that particular game. To some degree, by Friday night, they already have obtained a feel for the situation by noting which plays were run in practice that week, as the game plan crystallized.

“I try to get a feel from the guys during practice which plays they like to run,” Jordan said. “I try to go through the game plan and figure out where I’ll insert guys. Sometimes it’s predicated on down and distance. Sometimes it’s predicated on who’s hot. I have a lot of stuff on my plate.

“It keeps everybody on their toes and in tune with what’s going on.”

 Come game time, “I’m really kind of oblivious as to who’s in the game at I-back,” said Callahan, who calls the plays. “Randy’s managing the backs as to what they do best. There may be a time when I ask for a certain guy I like.”

However, Callahan said that the majority of the time, as he scrolls his play sheet, the pace is moving too quickly to match certain plays with a particular I-back.

Will Wilson get chances today? He said he has experienced some recent knee tendinitis, but nothing that would preclude him playing. So he’ll stick close to Jordan along the sideline, hoping his number comes up.

“I guess we’ll see what happens,” Wilson said. “Hopefully I’ll get my chances — an equal opportunity like everyone else.”

Wilson, who has rushed 66 times for 311 yards and three touchdowns, seemed upbeat in an interview this week.

“The coaches said my time’s coming,” he said.

Asked whether he remains patient, Wilson said, “Somebody’s always going to have a down side (in a four-back system). It’d be great if you get a game where everybody’s happy.”

But with four backs, he said, it’s kind of difficult.

Jordan agreed, saying it’s only natural for each I-back to want to be the go-to guy.

“At that position, you have to be a little bit selfish,” Jordan said. “This is I-back U. Guys want to carry the ball 20-25 times a game. I wouldn’t want them if they didn’t want that. So you have to manage them.”

Keeping everyone happy isn’t always easy.

“You’re always putting out fires,” Jordan said. “And trying to prevent one. Sometimes I feel like Smokey the Bear.”

Lucky’s average of 10.9 carries a game leads the foursome.

“I’m sure they’re disappointed when they don’t get their carries,” Callahan said. “That’s fine with me. They should be disappointed because they’re all true competitors. But they all hold the team concept very high.”

Glenn obtained a taste of the “down side” Sept. 16 against Southern California — he received no carries as Nebraska lost 28-10 in Los Angeles. The Huskers squeezed out 68 yards on 36 carries.

“We were still trying to get the feel of things, trying to get the feel of the rotation,” Glenn said. “Some people were happy, some were unhappy. I mean, everybody wasn’t on the same page. Now, we kind of know how things are going to go. We’re way more confident now. People trust in the system.”

However, Glenn understands Texas poses a significant challenge — perhaps a tougher challenge than USC’s defense.

“Texas specializes in stopping the run, and we specialize in establishing the run,” he said. “It’s going to be a big test for our offensive linemen. They’ve been playing good, but I don’t know if they’ve seen a defensive line as good and as big as this defensive line.”

Texas’ defense also is fast and disciplined, Wilson said.

Although Nebraska pounded away with its ground attack in its last two wins, the Husker offense might need to be more balanced today. On the season, NU is averaging 42.9 rushes, 25.4 passes a game.

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to win,” Wilson said.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.