Finally, after years of trying to get back in the national spotlight, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are again relevant in championship discussion, and not just in the Big 12. This season will be the Cornhuskers last in the Big 12 before making its move to the Big Ten. Finishing well in its final season against old conference foes will be a high priority in Lincoln, NE.

Last season the Huskers lost in the Big 12 Championship Game to Texas by a controversial, last second field goal. A game which saw Nebraska (and Ndamukong Suh) dominate the Longhorns until the very end, before the officials adding one second back to the game clock, allowing the Longhorns to kick the winning field goal. Coming off the heartbreaking loss, the Huskers finished 2009 by pummeling Arizona in the Holiday Bowl, 33-0. The Huskers are looking to pick up right where they left off.

Ever since Tom Osborne retired as head coach, Nebraska has tried to fill the shoes of a legend with Frank Solich, Bill Callahan, and now Bo Pelini, who is entering his 3^rd year at the helm. If you measure the success of a Nebraska coach on any one thing, it’s defense, and last season marked the return of the storied “Blackshirts.” The timing of Nebraska’s return to dominance and its leaving the Big 12 leaves 2010 wide open for a poetic ending to Nebraska’s departure and the conference as it is today. A perfect ending would have included one more win against Oklahoma for old time’s sake, but that game likely won’t happen any time soon unless tradition somehow transcends conferences — or the two rivals meet in the Big 12 Championship.

The biggest question around Nebraska this year is whether or not the defense can dominate and win games like last year, without Heisman finalist Ndamukong Suh, and without a high-powered offense. The Blackshirts return 6 starters from a unit that ranked 1st nationally in scoring defense. Suh’s partner in crime last year, Jared Crick, returns to anchor the defensive line, and cornerback Prince Amukamara is at the top of most NFL scout’s list at corner. The Huskers may not possess the top ranked defense at the end of the year, but it will certainly be of top 10 caliber, and the core of the Nebraska football team.

The offense returns 9 starters, the most in the conference on offense. Roy Helu Jr. returns to lead the ground attack along with sophomore Rex Burkhead, giving the Huskers a solid 1-2 punch. Last year’s leader at wide receiver, Niles Paul returns along with Mike McNeill. The biggest question in Lincoln right now is at quarterback. Last year’s starter Zac Lee returns, but may not necessarily be the favorite due to off-season surgery. Sophomore Cody Green and freshman Taylor Martinez will likely see early playing time.

Nebraska’s Big 12 farewell tour schedule puts the Huskers in a great position to return to the conference championship game. Opening the first two games at home against Western Kentucky and Idaho, the Huskers’ first major challenge will be on the road against Heisman hopeful Jake Locker and the Washington Huskies. Big 12 play opens with a trip to Manhattan, a nationally televised Thursday night game on ESPN and marks the start of toughest part of their schedule. The Huskers will then take on Texas, go to Oklahoma State, and come back home to face Missouri. They finish the season against potentially weak opponents, with a road game at Iowa State, home against Kansas, at Texas A&M, and Colorado at home.

Last season was a breakout year for Nebraska. It is conceivable that this team could play a part in shaping the National Championship landscape. If Nebraska can reach Ames, IA undefeated, look for them to run the table. While it is expected that the Huskers make it to the Big 12 Championship game, the major task is possibly having to beat Texas twice, however neither of those games would be in Austin. Nebraska’s offense needs to show significant improvement from last year and the defense must perform near the same level to be included in the National Championship discussion. Expect to see the Huskers lose at least two games finishing 12-2.