Dallas ? Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox’s contention that the Nebraska defense doesn’t match up with the speed of Southeastern Conference teams was met with rolled eyes and sharp retorts Friday.

“Nebraska, they’re a lot different than teams we face in the SEC,” Cox said. “They’re a lot bigger guys. They’re not as quick to the ball.”

Nebraska linebacker Corey McKeon said Cox should take another look at his scouting report on the No. 22 Cornhuskers, who meet 10th-ranked Auburn in Monday’s Cotton Bowl. McKeon said the Huskers held their own in the speed department in losses to Top 10 opponents such as Southern California, Texas and Oklahoma.

“We’ll let the film after the game say who’s slow,” McKeon said.

Defensive end Adam Carriker said the perception of Nebraska having a plodding defense was nothing new – and it’s become annoying.

“We’ve always gotten that, like when we played Miami in the early ’90s,” Carriker said. “It doesn’t matter if a guy runs a 4.2 or (5.1). We just go out and play.”

Defensive end Jay Moore brushed off Cox’s assessment.

“I’m taking it with a grain of salt because I know we can bring it,” Moore said. “They can say what they want. I’m not too worried about what they think because I know what we can do.”

Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said conference size and speed comparisons are a misconception.

“They have outstanding speed, and you see it throughout the conference,” Cosgrove said of Auburn. “As you look at the Big 12, we have size. When I look at the SEC, they have size. I look at the Big 12, I think we have very good speed. I think it’s a good matchup.”

So does Auburn receiver Courtney Taylor, who said friends and fans have told him he should relish to opportunity to go against a Nebraska defense that has struggled defending the pass.

“I hear a lot of people say, ‘Hey, you ready to play against their secondary. They’re kind of undersized,”‘ Taylor said. “Hey, those guys are on scholarship just like me.”

Neither is Taylor buying the argument that the Huskers are slow afoot. He said Nebraska cornerbacks Cortney Grixby and Andre Jones are two of the fastest players he’s seen this season.

“I’m going to find out how quick I am,” Taylor said.