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Nebraska Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Troy in Week 3

By Christian Candeloro

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Scott Frost of the Nebraska Cornhuskers leads the team on the field before the game against the Akron Zips at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Scott Frost of the Nebraska Cornhuskers leads the team on the field before the game against the Akron Zips at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers outruns linebacker Davion Taylor #5 of the Colorado Buffaloes to score in the first half at Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers outruns linebacker Davion Taylor #5 of the Colorado Buffaloes to score in the first half at Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

2. The Nebraska offense will take a step back

If Martinez isn’t able to suit up on Saturday, the starting job would fall to sophomore Andrew Bunch. Bunch relieved Martinez when he got hurt late against Colorado, completing 4 of 9 passes for 49 yards. Bunch is a walk-on who has never started a game for the Cornhuskers. Bunch transferred to Nebraska from Scottsdale Community College, where he threw for 1,331 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games while completing 55.7 percent of his passes.

Nothing against Bunch, but Martinez looked electric in his first start. Losing Martinez will hurt not only in the passing game, where Martinez completed 15-20 passes for 187 yards and a beautiful touchdown to J.D. Spielman, it will also hurt the ground game, as Martinez was the Cornhuskers leading rusher, compiling 138 yards and two touchdowns.

Troy isn’t the greatest defensive team in the world, having been torched by a very good Boise State, but it’s fair to assume the Cornhuskers will lose something if Martinez can’t play. As we get closer and closer to the game without an announcement, it’s fair to wonder if this may become a reality.

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