Gamecocks give Beck his toughest challenge

• Video Below: See the Capital One Bowl press conference and Sunday's Husker fan pep rally • Photo Showcase: Huskers, fans in Orlando * * * ORLANDO, Fla. — The sun here is a hot spotlight, burning away morning cloud curtains to reveal a maze of theme parks, strip malls, high-end greasy spoons and then-shorn shrubs. Toward downtown is an old ship of a football arena — appropriately named Bright House Networks Stadium.

This is NU offensive coordinator Tim Beck's toughest test of the year. Not his biggest — that was keeping up with Michigan, which he didn't — however his most rigorous. His play-calling has to keep the Huskers ahead of the chains — yet incorporate some early-down throws, too. Tough balance to strike.

Notre Dame, in the meantime, seems years away from a BCS bowl berth. The Irish had gobs of talent — and finished 8-5. Head coach Brian Kelly? Yells better than he calls an offense, from what I saw.