LINCOLN, NEB. ? Brady Quinn. Troy Smith. Chris Leak.

Zac Taylor?

When listing college football’s top quarterbacks, Taylor’s name doesn’t roll off the tongue quite like the others.

He’s in position to change that Saturday night when No. 19 Nebraska visits fourth-ranked Southern California for a nationally televised game between two traditional programs that haven’t met since 1970.

Taylor goes in tied for the national lead in touchdown passes (seven) and with a completion rate of 73.2 percent. He’s been intercepted once in 56 attempts, and that was on a deflected ball.

Granted, his statistics have been built up against Louisiana Tech and I-AA Nicholls State. But a big performance on the road against USC likely would give a national identity to Taylor, who didn’t even make the preseason All-Big 12 team.

“I’m not out just to prove I’m a good player,” Taylor said Tuesday. “More important, I want to show this offense is a good offense. If we put up a good performance against USC and we score some points, people will take notice of the offense and realize we know what we’re doing out here.”

Taylor, as is his nature, downplayed the notion that he’ll be on the national stage as much as a Nebraska program that is trying to re-establish itself as a power.

Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor takes aim during the Huskers' victory over Nicholls State in this file photo from Saturday. Taylor can put his name among the nation's top QBs if he plays well Saturday against Southern Cal.

The senior from Norman, Okla., has thrown at least two touchdown passes in 10 of the last 11 games.

He had three TD passes in the 32-28 come-from-behind victory over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl, three more in a 49-10 season-opening win over Louisiana Tech and a career-high four in a 56-7 rout of Nicholls State.

Taylor now has an opportunity to raise his stature against the Trojans, who have won 27 straight at the Coliseum and 46 of their last 48 overall.

“Everybody wants to be considered one of the best players at their position – it’s only natural,” he said. “But if I’m 5 for 5 for 45 yards and we rush for 400, I’ll be pretty satisfied with that. I’m going to play the best I can. If honors come with that, they come. If not, I’m not too worried about it.”

USC presents the biggest challenge Taylor has faced.

The Trojans’ pass rush features end Lawrence Jackson, who had a team-leading 10 sacks last year. Nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, who had 4.5 sacks last season and one in the opener against Arkansas, will miss the game because of a knee injury. Fili Moala, listed as a co-first stringer with Chris Barrett at defensive tackle, will start at nose tackle against the Huskers.

“I haven’t seen film on every other team we’re going to play, but it’s probably the toughest pass rush we’ve seen so far in the last two years,” Taylor said. “The offensive line is going to have its hands full.”