LINCOLN -- It's amazing how quickly things can change in the span of just one year in the wild, wild world of college football.

Last season at this time, it was Colorado on its way to the Big 12 championship game when it was a heavy favorite over the Cornhuskers. Today at Memorial Stadium, it's a complete role reversal -- and then some -- as the Buffaloes limp in as two-touchdown underdogs, a 2-9 record and nothing more to play for than pride.

Here's guessing the Buffs will pull out all the stops and make it a game early. However, Colorado appears to lack the balance on offense to keep it close in the second half. Then again, this is NU-CU. Nothing that happens today should surprise anyone.

Staff selections ...

Bob Hamar, assistant sports editor: NU 26, CU 10
Kevin Schuster, reporter: NU 38, CU 10
Bob Gonderinger, reporter: NU 35, CU 16
Tony Boone, reporter: NU 27, CU 19
Terry Douglass, sports editor: NU 41, CU 7

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According to Pro Football Weekly, it seems that Nebraska cornerback Zackary Bowman may not return for his senior season (take two) with the Cornhuskers.

As you may recall, Bowman suffered a season-ending knee injury in fall camp back in August. Prior to that, he had been projected as one of the top cornerbacks in the country for the 2007 draft.

On the surface, leaving early would certainly appear to be a major mistake. While there have been exceptions, it seems that most players who have significant knee injuries need more than a full year to completely recover. I would wonder if he'd even be 100 percent prepared to play for the Huskers next season, let alone battle it out for a spot in a NFL training camp.

For his own good, Bowman should stay in Lincoln for another year.

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Nebraska's regular season is down to its final game, but the possibilities for the Cornhuskers' bowl destination remain numerous.

Two things are for certain:

--Nebraska will go to a bowl game.

--If the Cornhuskers win the Dec. 2 Big 12 championship game in Kansas City, Mo., they will automatically earn a bid to the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.

Still, it's apparently not too early for numerous Web sites to start making their bowl projections. Of course, all these pairings are unofficial and based on where things stand right now -- so put your travel agent on hold.

Here's a sampling:

--Sportsline.com projects Nebraska will play Auburn in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1.

--ESPN.com predicts the Huskers will face Wake Forest in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1.

--SI.com has Nebraska taking on LSU in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1.

--Collegefootballnews.com projects a NU-California matchup in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.

--Should the Huskers qualify for the Fiesta Bowl, the consensus is that their opponent would be Boise State.

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- While technically not vital to winning the North Division race, Nebraska's game today against Texas A&M remains a big one for the Cornhuskers.

NU coach Bill Callahan and his players have pointed out several times this season that their main goal is to win the North, but seniors like defensive end Jay Moore want to finish things off right -- and that doesn't include a loss against the Aggies.

You don't have to talk to too many folks down here to realize that his game is equally big -- perhaps even bigger -- for coach Dennis Franchione and the Aggies. Despite an 8-1 start, last week's loss to Oklahoma has some fans and southern pundits calling A&M "paper tigers" who haven't really defeated anyone of note this season. Sound familiar?

On to the picks:
--Terry Douglass, sports editor: Texas A&M 27, Nebraska 21 ... The game ranks as virtually a toss-up. In those cases, I always tend to lean toward the home team.
--Dale Miller, sports writer: Texas A&M 28, Nebraska 24.

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Kickoff is coming fast, so let's get to it. Staff predictions for today's Nebraska-Missouri game:

--Terry Douglass, sports editor: Nebraska 31, Missouri 13 (and GICC grad Jenny Green gets named homecoming queen.
--Dale Miller, staff writer: Nebraska 28, Missouri 20
--Bob Gonderinger, reporter: Nebraska 28, Missouri 24
--Tony Boone, reporter: Missouri 24, Nebraska 21
--Kevin Schuster, reporter: Nebraska 24, Missouri 13

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