LINCOLN — Without solid information, there’s always speculation. And this week, with no announcement of Nebraska’s starting quarterback, speculation has focused on Taylor Martinez, the redshirt freshman.

We’ve not heard all preseason from the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Californian, since NU rules stipulate that freshmen are off-limits to the media until they’ve been tested in a game.

But coaches have sure talked about Martinez of late, and it sounds like he may take the first snap against Western Kentucky.

“He’s a baller,” offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “He just wants to play football. All this stuff doesn’t bother him. He’d as soon be away from it. He just wants to show up and play. That’s his mind-set.

“He’s just a different dude. And that’s a strength, actually, a real strength, because he’s real focused on what he needs to do.”

Looking for another clue?

Coach Bo Pelini used 26 words to answer one question Tuesday at his press conference about returning starter Zac Lee. He used 218 to answer three about Martinez. He described the QB as explosive, dynamic and intelligent.

According to Watson, Martinez showed his greatest improvement in August.

“He started completing passes and gaining confidence,” Watson said. “You could see it in his style.”

Is any of this a tip-off of their decision? We’ll soon see.

— Mitch Sherman

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