TODAY Game: Pitt (0-2) vs. Nebraska (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb. TV/radio: WTAE/WPGB-FM (104.7), WBGG-AM (970) and Pittsburgh Sports ISP Network. Scouting Report Matchup: Pitt (0-2) vs. Nebraska (2-0), 3:30 p.m, today, Memorial Stadium (73,918), Lincoln, Neb. The Cornhuskers are favored by 10. TV/radio: WTAE-TV; WPGB-FM (104.7) and WBGG-AM (Fox Sports Radio 970). Pitt: Leads the all-time series with Nebraska, 15-5-3. ... Is 6-1-3 in Lincoln. ... Has its first 0-2 start since 1984. ... Is coming off a 16-10 overtime loss at Ohio. ... Has not played in Lincoln since 1958. ... The Panthers' winning percentage (.717) against Nebraska is the highest of all the Cornhuskers' non-conference foes (minimum of 10 meetings). ... Is 24-21-4 against current Big 12 Conference teams. ... WR Greg Lee leads the team with eight receptions and 107 yards. ... WR Derek Kinder will earn his first career start. He will replace Joe DelSardo (Seton-LaSalle) at flanker. ...RB Rashad Jennings is questionable with a shoulder injury. Nebraska: Beat Pitt, 24-17, at Heinz Field last year. ... Is allowing only five points and 62 rushing yards per game. ... Despite winning two games by an average score of 28-5, the Huskers average about six minutes less possession time per game than their opponents. ... Cory Ross leads the team with 40 carries for 203 yards (5.1 per carry). ... QB Zac Taylor is in his first year as a starter. He has completed 29 of 69 passes with one touchdown and three interceptions. ... Athletic director Steve Pederson held the same job at Pitt until December 2002, when he took his current post. Hidden stat: Who needs the offense to score? So far the Huskers have scored four defensive touchdowns, including a school-record three in a 31-3 victory over Wake Forest last week.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt and Nebraska coach Bill Callahan have traveled similar paths to their current posts, and both are being asked to bring the glory years back to their school. Both coaches were hired to replace successful coaches who were fired or shoved out the door and both are asked to elevate a successful program to the elite level.

Although the manner in which they've been asked to go about it is different -- Callahan was asked to upgrade the Cornhuskers' passing game while Wannstedt is being asked to upgrade the run game.

The transition for Callahan -- in his second year -- hasn't been a smooth one, especially on offense. And so far, although it has been two games, the "new-look" Panthers offense has mostly sputtered.

Today, the Panthers (0-2) meet the Cornhuskers (2-0) at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., and Wannstedt said he expects it to be a defensive battle. He said he has been impressed by the Huskers' offense, but it is still going through some of the growing pains the Panthers are experiencing.

"If you watch them play, you can tell their offense is coming around," Wannstedt said. "I think they are way ahead of where they were at this point last year, and you can see the progress they've made just from the first game to the second. Anytime you have a dramatic change in scheme like they did, there will be a growing process.

"The key with them is, their defense will have to carry them until the offense catches up. That is similar to what we are experiencing here."

Callahan, who like Wannstedt has an NFL pedigree, was hired by Nebraska last year to replace Frank Solich, who was fired despite a 58-19 record and six bowl appearances in six years. One of the main reasons Solich was fired was that Nebraska's traditional option offense was considered to be outdated and incapable of taking a team to a championship.

The transition was not smooth as Callahan tried to fit Nebraska's option-offense talent into his West Coast-oriented system. The result was a 5-6 record, the Huskers' worst since 1961.

Wannstedt said he is experiencing some of the same frustrations Callahan went through last year. The Panthers' offense has struggled in both games, although it had some success in the opener against Notre Dame.

"I'm sure Bill would tell you, it isn't easy to make a transition like this," Wannstedt said. "In some ways, we're asking the kids to do things they may not have been asked to do in the past, but it is the future of the program we are building for. I think any new coach has to let his defense win games until his offense is set, and I'm not sure when we'll be set on offense.

"Nebraska, to me, looks like they are getting closer to the level of production he requires and will only continue to improve."

Callahan and Wannstedt have crossed paths before -- most recently in 2002 when Wannstedt was the Miami Dolphins' coach and Callahan was the Oakland Raiders' coach. They are familiar with each other and respect for the other.

That mutual admiration and respect enables both to understand what the other is trying to accomplish.

Callahan, however, insists that the Huskers' offense, though not complete, is much closer to becoming consistently productive.

"I always feel confident about our offense," he said. "I know we need improvement. I see that. Our players understand we need to get better in order for us to get to where we want to go as a football team. I can't make a prediction as to when it is going to break out and have a big game. Every game is different, every defense is different. We just want to become consistent and efficient.

"This game is not about coaches, I really believe that. It is about players, especially for us, here. These guys have done tremendous things in terms of preparation and focus. For us to have success, we have to continue that route."

NOTE -- Starting tailback Rashad Jennings didn't make the trip because of shoulder injury. Ray Kirkley is expected to start today.