Avery steps up for Boise State

Jeremy Avery never complained or sulked when he was informed by coaches back in August that his role in the Boise State backfield would be diminished this season.

Avery has been patient and positive, and in the wake of a season-ending injury to D.J. Harper, wants to make the most of his chance. He did just that Saturday, scoring three touchdowns in a 57-14 rout of Toledo.

“You never know what is going to get thrown at you. I learned about myself,” Avery said. “I took that role and kept on playing. When opportunity knocks, you have to go for it.”

Against Toledo, Avery carried the ball just seven times for 42 yards, sharing the rushing load with Doug Martin. But the small and shifty running back was clearly the go-to guy when Boise State got close to the end zone.

Fans in Nebraska have been gearing up for Texas’ visit to Lincoln for months. It’s the final meeting between the Longhorns and Cornhuskers as Big 12 conference rivals.

Tired of Texas holding so much power in the Big 12, Nebraska decided to move to the Big Ten next season.

The Longhorns come in riding a two-game losing streak, which takes some of the luster of the game nationally, but not in Lincoln. The Huskers would love to add to Texas’ misery.

Beaten and unranked

There were two teams that came into this past weekend undefeated and unranked. Both lost.

After Kansas State was crushed by Nebraska on Thursday, Northwestern lost its first game on Saturday night against Purdue 20-17.

The Wildcats ran out to a 5-0 start by winning close games against a bunch of losing teams, but two missed field goals did in Northwestern against the Boilermakers (3-2).

Florida State, with new defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, has 26 sacks in six games to match its total from last season.