Husker coach Bill Callahan was fairly candid in talking about his defensive line after Thursday's practice.

"We just don't have the depth that I would like to have to feel really comfortable and confident that you could roll eight or nine guys at one given time," he said. "A lot of guys are doing some double duty right now.

"We're a little bit young there, a little bit inexperienced, but we knew that coming in. It wasn't any surprise, but I’d like to be deeper, especially inside."

He said typically you’d like to have enough depth to redshirt junior college  transfers like Kevin Dixon and Shukree Barfield this season.

“What you'd really like to do is just give those guys a year of development, but we don't have that luxury,” he said. “They’ve got to play now. The expectations are to play them now, get them ready, they got to go, and that's essentially what we've done."

The Huskers, ranked 96th nationally in total defense, will have their hands full Saturday against Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys are 14th nationally in total offense and average 234.5 yards rushing a game, which is second in the conference.

Callahan said he didn't know yet if defensive lineman Ty Steinkuhler, who's been battling injuries this season, would start Saturday.

“I think these next six games will determine a lot of things as to where we can go and how much improvement we can make over the long haul,” Callahan said. “Usually, as the season goes on, you continue to improve in areas.  As long as you see that, I’m pleased. If it could register into a few more wins, I’d be a lot happier.  At the split (in the season), it’s not where I want to be.”

What's Mo say?: Husker receiver Maurice Purify took some serious licks in Saturday’s 41-6 loss to Missouri.

Purify maintained this week that he’s feeling good, but did say “my shoulder hurts a little bit.”

The senior had five catches for 40 yards against Mizzou. After the game, Callahan mentioned him as one of the few bright spots.

He is currently averaging 4.8 receptions a game, which tie him for 14th in the conference.

Purify was asked if he feels like he’s not being given enough chances to make big plays.

“I don’t feel that way. All our receivers came back from last season,” he said. “It all can’t be about Maurice.”

Purify said he thinks guys are going into games with plenty of emotion, but “when we’re losing games, it’s like ‘Oh,  man, this again.’ We just get in this little slump and just come out, not really nervous, but unsure. There’s a lot of guys unsure of what they’re doing.”

Football certainly wasn’t the main concern for Purify last week. His girlfriend recently died in a car accident.

It cast uncertainty about whether Purify would play against the Tigers. He only decided to suit up after talking to his girlfriend’s family.

“They said that she would want me to play the game,” he said.

By the numbers: 6 - The number of statistical categories (out of 16 listed in Nebraska’s weekly press release) in which the Huskers are ranked 11th or worse in the conference.

The Huskers are ranked last in the conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and tackles for loss.

Nebraska ranks no higher than fifth in the Big 12 in any category except net punting. The Huskers are second there.

Scouting report: DE Zach Potter

Though the defensive line has struggled greatly, Callahan did heap praise upon junior defensive end Zach Potter.

“I felt that, looking at the front four, of all the guys we had to replace, I felt that Potter was the guy that would really have to come along. He had to fill some big shoes,” Callahan said. “He’s improved more than anybody in that front four."

What has made Potter so good?

“He’s smart and has a motor. He learned well under (Adam) Carriker,” Callahan said. “He had a few years of getting himself ready. He loves the game. He prepares hard. He still has a long ways to go, but he’s really been a physical player for us, at the point of attack especially.”

Opponent watch: Texas A&MTexas A&M coach Dennis Franchione hasn’t yet lost his job for a secretive, for-pay newsletter, but he might.

On Thursday, A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said the newsletter — which delivered inside info to boosters for $1,200 a year — would be considered when he evaluates the coach after the season.

The school said it would report results of an internal investigation to the NCAA because of possible rules violations. Franchione has also been told to shut down his Web site: CoachFran.com.

“The Aggies are embarrassed right now,” Byrne said. “I’m assuring you, it will be part of his personnel review.”

 — Brian Christopherson