Just an observation, but it seems to me that during the Pelini era--our offense and the play-calling has always been "built" around that one great offensive player----be it Ameer, Martinez, Burkhead, etc. and the whole gameplan is designed for that one guy to perform--and when they do--we win, but when we dont----we lose. We seem to get little out of out back-ups (in close game or when we really need them to step-up) and I dont think its a talent issue as much as it is the strategy in having that one go-to guy.
In big games, it;s simple for the D to focus on that one start player and shut them down--and when that happens- we go to sh#t.
Just my take,