The Nebraska Cornhuskers are bringing their rush happy offense into Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, and if the Cyclones hope to pull off a victory, tackling will play a key factor.

A heavy burden will be placed on the linebackers to stop Husker quarterback Eric Crouch, tailback Dan Alexander and the Nebraska option.

“Their [offensive] line is gonna be the best we face all year because they’ve been playing together for so long, and they’re a tight bunch,” Iowa State starting linebacker Justin Eilers said. “Their quarterback is outstanding. He’s an outstanding athlete, and then both their fullback and tailback are outstanding athletes.”

The Nebraska rushing offense leads the nation, averaging just over 355 yards a game.

Alexander has rushed for 467 yards on the year, third in the Big 12.

Crouch is sixth as he has rushed for 340 yards in four games.

“We’ll treat him [Crouch] just like a running back,” Eilers explained.

“We’re gonna have to wrap up and hit some guys, they ain’t gonna go down with an arm tackle,” linebacker Derrick Walker said.

Iowa State faced the triple option in the first game of the season against Ohio, and Eilers said it may prove helpful against Nebraska’s option.

“[The option] is similar, but I think Nebraska does it a lot faster and a lot more effective,” he said.

The ISU defense gave up 179 yards to a highly touted Ohio rush attack and hopes to do the same to Nebraska.

“We’re gonna have to play a solid game, just try to get some turnovers, go out there and finish off plays and stop the option,” Walker said.

The Cyclones may be ready for Crouch having already faced two mobile quarterbacks in Dontrell Jackson of Ohio and Jason Thomas from UNLV.

“I’d compare Crouch to [Thomas]. They’re about the same. Crouch is smaller but he’s more shifty,” Eilers said.

“On film [Crouch] has looked real good. He’s a Heisman candidate so he’s definitely bringing something to the table,” linebacker Tyrone Tucker said. “[Compared to] the other two quarterbacks, he’s more polished than they are.”

Iowa State will enter the game 4-0 for the first time since 1980 but are still underdogs to the first ranked Huskers.

“It’s just us against the world right now. We’re out to prove something,” Walker said.

Eilers said that he uses it as motivation.

“I always think being an underdog is good motivation because you got everybody looking down [saying] `well you know you’re gonna lose’ or `well you know you’re not gonna do that good’ so when you do do something good then you surprise everybody.”

But Eilers said that Iowa State is just going to play well against the Huskers, they are playing to win.

“This team right now is on the verge of having a great team. We got the players here. We got the depth. If we can play well or beat ’em it’s gonna be a huge step for this university and this program,” Eilers said.

“This is gonna be the crossroads of our season cause it’s the Big 12 and its a big game against a ranked opponent,” Walker said. “It’s gonna show how good we really are.”

In order to win, Iowa State will have to put together two good halves, something that has been a problem.

Against Baylor Iowa State scored 31 points in the first half and was shut out in the second half.

“We got to play four quarters,” Eilers said, but added that if the defense can force turnovers and score points it could take care of that problem.

“That’s what we’re looking for. We’re trying to get some points on defense. Most definitely we can’t just play one half of football,” he said.

Amidst the pressure, Tucker said he is anxiously waiting f to play the Cornhuskers for the first time in his career.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait. This is what I came to Iowa State for. The Big 12 – it doesn’t get bigger than this,” Tucker said.