Will Nebraska football give Ohio State a challenge?

Matt Rhule spoke for more than 17 minutes Monday before the conversation shifted from last weekend to the next road game against a ranked opponent.

If Indiana caught Nebraska by surprise with its talent and performance, Ohio State — a brand name that’s again a preseason favorite for a Big Ten and national title — won’t.

“If we spend the whole game playing Ohio State looking at the scoreboard hoping to win, we’ll get our face beat in,” Rhule said.

What stands out about the Buckeyes? Rhule listed more than a few things about the fourth-ranked program. Start with the run game coordinated by former college and NFL head coach Chip Kelly that’s generating 5.93 yards per carry (sixth nationally) led by backs Quinshon Judkins (491 yards, six touchdowns) and TreVeyon Henderson (424, four). Elite defensive and offensive lines.

Transfer quarterback Will Howard is completing better than 71% of his throws and is a mobile threat too. Oh, and two of the country’s most dynamic receivers in Jeremiah Smith (28 catches for 464 yards, six touchdowns) and Emeka Egbuka (32 for 455, three) are ready to exploit any single-coverage chances that come their way.

“They’ve got great, great players,” Rhule said. “They start with the run game to create one-on-ones to throw the ball, then they have the QB run game which is a great equalizer. Really outstanding football team.”

Ohio State has a bunch of future NFL players. Does Nebraska? A Saturday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio, will be telling.

“If a team beats you because they’re better, they beat you because they’re better,” Rhule said. “But you gotta go challenge people. We weren’t that way on Saturday to many degrees.”