On the same day he was named the Big 12’s Offensive Freshman of the Year, Taylor Martinez‘s status for the Big 12 championship game was updated as well.
On Monday, head coach Bo Pelini said that the quarterback was day-to-day with a pair of injuries. Tuesday, he hinted that whether or not Martinez starts against Oklahoma will be, at least publicly, a game-time decision.
“What time’s the games start Saturday?” Pelini said when asked when he wanted to announce the starter. He added that the players do not necessarily need to know until right up until game time just who will line up under center for the first possession.
Martinez has been bothered by an ankle injury and turf toe, and he was sidelined in favor of Cody Green in the division-clinching win over Colorado. The Sooners, though, don’t seem to be buying the uncertainty over Martinez that’s being sold by the ‘Huskers.
“We’re preparing for Martinez,” said Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis. “They both can throw the ball. But we need to prepare against a running quarterback like Martinez more.”
Regardless of just who starts and who the team on the other side is preparing for, Pelini has strongly intimated that both players could see playing time this weekend.