HuskerExtra.com's Brian Christopherson takes a look at the Huskers' matchup with the Demon Deacons.

Let the big boys feast: Leave the pretty boys out of this. Here’s what everyone really wants to know: Is Nebraska’s offensive line for real? Is it back to the days of running five stretch plays in a row just because you can? The Huskers socked the other guy in the mouth pretty good last week — 96 plays, 625 yards, 413 rushing. That was against Nevada, though. This week, the defending ACC champ. Boston College only mustered 54 yards rushing against Wake Forest in the season opener. Then again, the Eagles didn’t have to run. They threw for 408 yards.   Husker coach Bill Callahan says running against Wake Forest is no picnic. He called the Demon Deacons’ front seven the strength of the team. Today we start to find out how good Nebraska’s big boys really are.

Ready for Mo football: After an offseason of missteps and heartache, Husker senior receiver Maurice Purify is back in the game today. A season removed from leading NU in receiving yards (630) and touchdown receptions (7), Purify said he’s faster, in better shape and knows the plays better this year. His teammates and coaches speak of “Mo” with fondness. They know how bumpy his road’s been. After being suspended for the season opener, his older brother was shot and killed just a few weeks ago. Purify went home to California and cried for two days. He’ll wear a T-shirt today that has a picture of his brother. “Hopefully, he’s with me and will help me make those plays I wouldn’t be able to make,” he says. Purify won’t start. Nate Swift will. How many snaps will Purify get? We’re watching. Bet the family car he’ll be out there if the game’s tight and the Huskers are driving for six.

Wake the wounded: Again, Nebraska likely misses out on facing one of the opponent’s premier players. Last week, it was Nevada linebacker Ezra Butler, who was suspended. This week, Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner is injured. Skinner (28-for-37 for 236 yards, a TD and three interceptions before his injury) steered Wake Forest to the ACC title last year. The Demon Deacons are now counting on sophomore Brett Hodges, who came in and completed 17 of 23 passes for 130 yards and a TD. How does Hodges respond to starting and will his offensive line prove more helpful than last week? Wake Forest had 2 yards rushing — a stat Kevin Cosgrove surely dreamed  about last night.

Winning in white: It should not matter if this game is played in Lincoln, Winston-Salem or Nova Scotia. An elite team should down this Wake Forest bunch without getting its shirts too dirty. Husker players spoke this fall camp about the program being ready to take the steps back to prominence. Well, here’s the staircase. Don’t trip. Of course, the Huskers will be wearing those white jerseys today. An 11 a.m. kickoff. That’s no fun. Since the 62-36 meltdown at Colorado in 2001, Nebraska is 10-15 in true road games. The Huskers are 6-8 in such games under Callahan. Granted, each year has seen an improvement. They were 1-4 on the road his first year, 2-2 his second, 3-2 his third. But Year No. 4 brings with it a rise in expectations. Winning today is anticipated, recommended. Dancing with Southern Cal next week with a loss already in your pocket is a dangerous thing.