• It's the start of Big 12 North play as the Huskers and Cyclones square off in Lincoln. Pregame coverage from the papers in Lincoln (1, 2), Grand Island,* Ames, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Waterloo. Columnists: McKeever, Sipple

• See what Shawn Watson said at the Big Red Breakfast.

• It's been 30 years since the Cyclones' last victory in Lincoln.

• Sam McKewon, Jim Dolezal and Jon Schuetz tell us what to expect Saturday.

• Huskers past and present discuss what it means to be a Blackshirt.

• Catch up with two pass-catchers: Sean Hill (1, 2) and Nate Swift. Thursday notes: 1, 2, 3

• The ISU defense looks to keep improving.

• Phillip Dillard is one Blackshirt who wears his emotions on his sleeve.

• Sam Keller and Bill Callahan find themselves more and more in sync.

• Members of the defense must mix and match responsibilites because of injuries, and they reject any notion that Kevin Cosgrove's system is too complex. Wednesday notes: 1, 2, 3

• ISU freshman Phillip Bates will be on the sideline opposite some old friends.

• From the LJS, a position-by-position analysis of Iowa State.

• The Cyclones look for improvement in yardage after contact and turnover margin.

• Iowa State unveils a new look for its athletic uniforms.

• There is talk about a black-out for the game Saturday.

• Here's a little item to get you in the mood for the Iowa State game.

• The Big Red is looking awfully little, TSN's Matt Hayes writes.

• ISU's young offensive line is showing signs of improvement.

• The Nebraska game is the start of a rugged five weeks for ISU.

• Husker Dan checks in with his latest installment.

• Bill Callahan responds to fan criticism and says Steve Octavien regrets his postgame comments. The coach says he hasn't lost faith in the defense. Steve Pederson also weighs in. More: 1, 2

• Ben Eisenhart's parents rack up the mileage to follow their son's NU career.

• HuskerPedia's David Max offers his 2 cents about being a Nebraska fan.

• ISU's coach says the NU-Ball State game shows that anything can happen.

• The Colonel checks in with his assessment of what transpired Saturday.

• Sam McKewon examines the inherent tensions between coaches and reporters.

• Bill Callahan responds to fan criticism and says Steve Octavien regrets his postgame comments. The coach says he hasn't lost faith in the defense. Steve Pederson also weighs in. More: 1, 2

• A lack of big plays has plagued the Cyclones so far this season.

• Roy Helu is happy to have a chance to do his "1/11th" on the field.

• Consistency has Terrence Nunn* closing in on a couple of school records.

• A couple of hot topics: Booing and the Blackshirts.

• The defense tries to make quarterback sacks part of its repertoire.

• See how the Huskers and Cyclones match up statistically.

• Next up is Iowa State, which blew a late 11-point lead and fell to Toledo.

• Next weekend's game will be a radio-only event for most Husker fans. Randy York fondly remembers when that was the norm, not the exception.

• The ISU game will have a 1:05 p.m. kickoff, and no telecast is in the works.

• Iowa State hires Texas assistant Gene Chizik as its new head coach.

• See how the Cyclones' spring game went.