Injuries to Rex Burkhead, Giovani Bernard Represent Worst Case Scenarios

The worst case scenario any BCS conference team coach faces in his season opener is losing a star player, particularly against an over-matched opponent. Both Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini and Larry Fedora of North Carolina face such situations, with Rex Burkhead and Giovani Bernard each suffering injuries on Saturday.

Nebraska is in action as of this writing, leading Southern Miss by double digits in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles were an 11-game winner in 2011 and claimed the Conference USA championship, but replacing a quarterback, key defensive players and a head coach (coincidentally, Fedora) gave the Cornhuskers a decided advantage. Burkhead was generating preseason Heisman Trophy buzz with his yard consuming, old school style. ESPN.com Big Ten blogger Brian Bennett reports the injury is initially described as an MCL sprain.

The loss of Bernard could be even more maddening if it’s serious. The explosive Tar Heel sophomore came out of a 62-0 romp over Elon with soreness in a knee. Keeping It Heel has more. UNC is ineligible for the postseason this year, but Fedora has a talented, young core around which to build for the future. Bernard is chief to that project, and having his potential compromised in any fashion is a decided negative, especially in a season with nothing on the line; especially in a 62-0 blowout.