Holiday Bowl, No. 18 Nebraska Vs. Washington: Jake Locker Takes Center Stage

In the final game of his college career, Washington quarterback Jake Locker has a lot on the line. Locker, facing the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the second time in 2010, has the weight of the Washington program on his shoulder, with a chance to improve his draft stock on national television thrown in as an added bonus. Last time these two teams met, Locker was a dismal 4-20 in the passing game, throwing for just 71 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Over at SB Nation’s Washington blog, UW Dawg Pound, Locker is the beginning, and the end, of the Huskies chances in the Holiday Bowl.

Jake Locker has to play the game of his career or at least this season if Washington has any hopes of beating or at least competing with Nebraska. The Huskers out gained the Huskies 535-246 in September and Locker was only 4-for-20 for 71 yards with two interceptions. I expect a different type of Jake in this game.

Even though Locker had a poor performance against the Huskers in September, Corn Nation, SB Nation’s Nebraska blog, has reason to worry about Locker carrying the Huskies to victory.

In other words, who the hell cares what Locker did against Nebraska in September - the only thing that matters is how he does tonight. Regardless of how he plays against Nebraska, Locker will be a NFL prospect - the NFL is amazing at ignoring years of college football experience in favor of how a player performs at the combine - and you can’t ignore his talent just because you want to. Locker has plenty of motivation to perform well, and if he can get hot with the right combination of plays, he’ll be a threat.

Locker and the Huskies take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Holiday Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 30 at 10 p.m. EST.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream right up through game time, as we review key unit matchups, odds, bowl history and more, and connect with Nebraska fans at SB Nation’s Corn Nation and with Washington fans at UW Dawg Pound and SB Nation Seattle. For a complete list of bowl games, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule.