AROUND THE NATION

Tennessee’s uncertainty at quarterback has put a crimp in Nebraska’s defensive preparation for the Orange Bowl, according to Cornhusker Coach Tom Osborne.

“I really don’t know for sure what you do,” Osborne said Sunday. “The only thing we really know about Tee Martin is that we recruited him. We did not recruit Peyton because Peyton, obviously is a dropback quarterback and we don’t recruit dropback quarterbacks at Nebraska. We recruit guys who can drop back and throw but they also have to be primarily option quarterbacks.

“We know quite a bit about Martin and what his capabilities are, but in terms of preparation, I guess you have to practice against mostly what you’ve seen. And he’s played so little--I think he played a little bit in the game against Texas Tech early in the year, and hasn’t played much at all since.

“So, we have to be a little bit prepared for sprint outs and scrambles and maybe an option or two and see what happens.”

Either way, Osborne joked that he hopes Tennessee doesn’t do “what Nebraska did back in the late ‘50s. They played two quarterbacks at one time. They had both of them under the center, and one quarterback went one way and the one went the other way, and I think they beat Texas--and Texas was heavily favored.

“If Tennessee does that, we may be in for a long night. But,” Osborne thankfully added, “I think that’s illegal now.”

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Nebraska defensive tackle Jason Peter, for one, would prefer playing against Manning.

“I certainly want to play against him,” Peter said. “I really hoped he would’ve won the Heisman, just to be able to play against the Heisman Trophy winner. He’s established himself as without a doubt the best quarterback in college football and he’s going to be the No. 1 draft pick.

“And I think it just brings more to the game with him in there. If we were fortunate enough to beat them, you know, I think people would respect our team a little bit more. It certainly gives everybody an easier vote for Michigan if both teams win and Tennessee plays without Peyton Manning.”