Nebraska Begins Preparing for Big 12 Championship Game and the Sooners

The Nebraska football team practiced Monday afternoon in pads and shorts inside of the Hawks Championship Center. The Huskers are preparing to take on the Oklahoma Sooners in the final Big 12 Championship game, and the importance of the matchup is not lost on Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini.

"They're a good football team who is well-coached," Pelini said. "They're a very talented team as well. It's a different time and place than last year. It is a different game and opponent. You hope some good things came out of that game last year. When you have one experience, hopefully it helps you. We have to execute. That's what it comes down to."

Pelini had a special relationship with the Stoops family, and spoke briefly on what it was like to grow up with them.

"They're good people," he said. "We learned a lot about how to do things the right way. We learned that you are going to earn what you get. We learned that from our parents. We became products of our environment."

Pelini also spoke briefly on freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez and how he practiced.

"He did alright," Pelini said. "He took a few reps." Pelini noted that it is a combination of factors that will determine which quarterback gets the start on Saturday night.

Cameron Meredith also practiced well today, according to Pelini, after suffering an injury against Colorado. Pelini mentioned that the team was in looking good health-wise going into Saturday's game. 

"We're really good," Pelini said. "We are in good shape health-wise. We are right about where we thought we would be."

The Huskers take on the Oklahoma Sooners for the Big 12 Championship Saturday. The game can be seen nationally on ABC at 7 pm.