Nebraska vs. USC: Holiday Bowl Preview With TV Schedule

When you think of teams who fell short of expectations in 2014, you have to be reminded of the play of the USC Trojans and Nebraska Cornhuskers. Both teams had a realistic shot at making the College Football Playoff, but sloppy play, tough defeats and poor execution led to their eight and nine-win seasons.

Nebraska seems like a team who can’t finish a year with more, or less, than nine wins. Because of that, head coach Bo Pelini was fired following the last game of the regular season — expectations at Nebraska are very high. The Cornhuskers boasted one of the best rushing attacks in all of college football behind one of the game’s most electric runners in Ameer Abdullah. The senior back led the team with 1,523 yards and 18 touchdowns while sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. was second with 664 yards and five scores. Armstrong Jr. was also solid through the air, passing for 2,314 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Senior wide out Kenny Bell was his favorite target, catching 40 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns — Jordan Westerkamp was a close second.

The Trojans have been led by a talented quarterback of their own this season in second-year starter Cody Kessler. The junior quarterback engineered the 15th-best passing offense in the nation with his 3,505 yards, 36 touchdowns and four interceptions — also completing 70 percent of his throws. Junior wide out Nelson Agholor has been the quarterback’s favorite target, catching 97 passes for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns while freshman breakout star JuJu Smith has 51 catches for 658 yards and five scores. Running back Javorious Allen has been as dynamic as they come, catching 40 passes for 442 yards and a score as well as leading the team in rushing with 1,337 yards and nine touchdowns.

Defensively, the Cornhuskers have been much better in 2014 than in years past, ranking 49th in points allowed as well as 49th in total yards given up per game. The Trojans have been solid in scoring defense, ranking 38th in points allowed but have struggled in total defense, ranking 68th in the nation in total yards surrendered.

When: 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, Dec. 27

Where: Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif.

TV: ESPN

PREDICTION: Nebraska 30, USC 34

Want to see Nebraska take on USC in the Holiday Bowl? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].