Missouri’s no-huddle offense today likely will use a tactic that is becoming increasingly popular in college football, Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said.

Don’t be surprised to see Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel start his cadence at the line of scrimmage and suddenly stop to look toward the sideline for signals from his coaches. At that point, Daniel just might be changing the play based on how the defense is aligned.

“There are a lot of chess games being played now with spread offenses,” said Callahan, praising the Tigers’ adjustments on the fly. “That’s how they produce a lot of their yards.”

Because offenses are making last-moment adjustments at the line of scrimmage, a defense has to be careful not to tip its hand too early as to its intentions, said Nebraska middle linebacker Corey McKeon.

McKeon said the Huskers try at times to disguise their alignments with personnel shifts as the quarterback barks his calls. However, McKeon said, those shifts can be dangerous because sometimes defenders find themselves out of position once the ball is snapped — an all-too-common occurrence last week as Oklahoma State rolled up 496 total yards, he said.

Daniel might have a difficult time changing plays at the line today amid the din of Memorial Stadium, Nebraska linebacker Lance Brandenburgh said.

“That’ll be an advantage for us,” he said.

WHERE’S WILSON? Junior college transfer Kenny Wilson has taken a back seat in Nebraska’s I-back “committee,” as he has carried only three times for 2 yards in the last four games. “He’s still in there (at practice) working extremely hard,” Husker running backs coach Randy Jordan told the Big Red Breakfast crowd Friday in Omaha.

Jordan said he preaches patience to all of his I-backs.

“My job as a coach sometimes is to be Dr. Phil,” the coach said  in reference to Phil McGraw, a psychologist with a syndicated television show, who often urges people to “get real.” Said Jordan: “My job is to keep my guys tight-knit.”

When talking to his I-backs about playing time, Jordan said, he often draws upon words of wisdom from two former Oakland Raiders teammates, Jerry Rice and Tim Brown.

“They always said, ‘Don’t be one of those guys who says, ‘Everything is fine as long as I got mine.’” In other words, the team is most important, Jordan said.

Junior Brandon Jackson, meanwhile, “is developing into a very good back,” Jordan said. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior in the last four games has rushed 66 times for 430 yards, or 6.5 per carry.

BLOCKING BACK: Nebraska senior fullback Dane Todd has two receptions this season, but no carries. In fact, he hasn’t had a rushing attempt since the 2003 season. Don’t look for one any time soon, according to Jordan. “I’ll be very frank, Dane Todd is not a runner — not a runner,” Jordan said when asked if Todd might sometime be used on a trap play. “Dane’s job in this offense is to block for the I-back. And he does a darned good job of it. … I think we have better, more efficient runners.”

SCOUTING REPORT: Senior defensive end Xzavie Jackson is the emotional leader of Missouri’s defense, according to Jordan. “He gets after you. He got chop-blocked last week (against Oklahoma) and was yelling at (the Sooners’) sideline — I like that,” Jordan said. Jordan said Missouri runs a “chuck and duck” offense that spreads out defenses and often uses an empty backfield. Jordan praised Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel. “Our defense has to be ready for a four-quarter assault.”

BYFORD AGAIN: Junior center Brett Byford will make his ninth straight start today ahead of senior Kurt Mann. Mann started the opener, and then was sidelined for four games by mononucleosis. He has played backup to Byford in recent weeks. “Kurt is coming along, but Brett is playing his butt off,” Jordan said.

LEVELED: Husker wideout Maurice Purify continues to make big plays as a receiver. He also can be a vicious blocker, said Jordan, noting a Marlon Lucky run against Oklahoma State during which Purify leveled a safety with a crunching blow downfield.

SERIES NOTES: Nebraska has beaten Missouri 14 straight times in Lincoln dating to 1978. … Homecoming festivities will be held during today’s game. … Nebraska had won 36 straight Homecoming games before falling last October to Texas Tech. …  NU and Mizzou will play today for the 100th time in a series that stretches to 1892. The Huskers lead the series 62-34-3. … Mizzou has won two of the last three games in the series after NU won 24 straight from 1979-2002.