A lot has changed since 1977 when Iowa State last beat Nebraska on the road.

As is customary in Lincoln, it will be the defense that leads the way for the Cornhuskers (4-2, 1-1 in Big 12) against the Cyclones (4-3, 1-2) on Saturday.

“It’s by far the best defenses we’ll have seen up until this point, and I would be hard pressed to say, just as a casual observer, that we’ll see a better one all season,” ISU offensive coordinator Tom Herman said.

The Nebraska defense, as stout as any other in the Big 12, has given up just 271 yards per game, good for third in the Big 12 and 12th in the nation.

Even with the Huskers’ 31-10 loss to Texas Tech last week, the unit has allowed just 11.83 points per game, sixth best nationally.

“They’re a very good defense, probably the best we’ve seen so far,” senior wide receiver Marquis Hamilton said. “They’re fast and physical. Obviously you know about the big [defensive] tackle, Ndamunkong Suh.”

Cyclone fans do not know about Suh already will very soon.

Suh, a senior from Portland, Ore., leads Nebraska in tackles, tackles for loss, pass break ups, quarterback hurries, is tied for the team lead in interceptions and is second on the team in sacks.

ISU coach Paul Rhoads said Suh is one of the best defensive lineman in the country, and if he’s not the best, “he’s one of the top three.”

The Nebraska defense, however, is more than the superstar defensive tackle.

“If you put together an all-star team of all seven defenses we have played up until this point, I don’t know that there is one guy that could even get into [Nebraska’s] starting lineup,” Herman said.

Along with Suh, each of the defensive linemen have two or more sacks so far in 2009.

No one player has been phenomenal statistically — aside from Suh, of course — but as a team, the Cornhuskers have 17 sacks, compared to just 10 for the Cyclones. Nebraska’s defense also has 34 other tackles for loss of yards, while Iowa State has just 16.

The lack of individual stars has not slowed down Nebraska coach Bo Pelini and his staff. The Cornhuskers are in the top three in the Big 12 in almost every major statistical category.

“[Suh] demands your attention, but at the same time, the rest of their front seven is so good that you can’t just concentrate on him,” Rhoads said.

Herman echoed Rhoads’ sentiment, saying they would not change the gameplan around the 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman.

The offensive coordinator said he has confidence in his offensive line getting their job done, as they have for most of 2009.

“We’re going to start off the game doing what we do, and if [Suh] is causing us problems, then we’ll adjust at that point,” Herman said.

Now, there is more to Nebraska than Suh and the rest of the Blackshirts.

Junior running back Roy Helu Jr. is the Big 12’s second leading rusher — behind Iowa State’s Alexander Robinson — with 103 yards per game.

“[Helu] is physical with the ability to make you miss,” Rhoads said about the other Nebraska star. “If a back is able to do both, which he can, that becomes a problem.”

That problem will face an Iowa State defense that, although not as fearsome as the Blackshirts, has begun playing well as of late.

Also, the Cornhuskers face uncertainty at the quarterback position coming into Saturday’s showdown.

Early season starter Zac Lee has completed 61 percent of his passes and has 10 touchdowns, yet Pelini referred to the quarterback spot as “always open” earlier in the week.

“I think we’ve got a pretty good idea,” defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said when asked who he thought would be under center for the Huskers come Saturday. “I don’t know much about the other kid, but watching it on tape, I don’t know that we’re preparing any differently.”

“I think the Lee kid would have to have something seriously wrong with him if we don’t see him,” Burnham said.