The stakes for Nebraska this week against Minnesota are significant, even after consecutive losses punctuated by a drubbing at Ohio State last week and the scary injury that befell quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. in the first half.

Armstrong progressed through the concussion protocol and practiced Thursday. If he avoids a setback before kickoff, he looks set to return Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Tommy Armstrong brings experience and leadership to the Cornhuskers, whether on the field or not. Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports

Despite his shortcomings as a passer, the Cornhuskers definitively play better with Armstrong in charge. Their performance in Columbus -- the Buckeyes outscored Nebraska 48-0 after the injury -- serves as the latest evidence. And it makes sense. After all, Armstrong holds the school record for total offense. His 87 touchdowns rank second at Nebraska, three behind 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch.

Experience matters. Armstrong, by starting this week, would tie the Nebraska QB record of 43 starts held by Taylor Martinez.

Leadership matters. Armstrong raced through the tunnels at Ohio Stadium last Saturday night, still wearing hospital scrubs, to stand alongside his teammates in the second half.

“He will be there for this team,” coach Mike Riley said.

And it’s always been that way with Armstrong.

Nebraska needs him over this final stretch. A poor finish, triggered by a loss at home to Minnesota, would wreck the positivity generated from seven straight wins to start. And a 10-2 regular season, representing a five-game improvement over Riley’s first season a year ago, remains within reach.

Yes, the rest of November, which appears low in stakes for the Huskers compared to the quest of other Big Ten teams in contention for the College Football Playoff, may prove pivotal in the long term for Riley.

The coach needs to sustain momentum to finish strong with an impactful recruiting class. And Riley needs to construct a manageable path to 2017, when a new quarterback takes charge -- likely transfer Tanner Lee or Patrick O’Brien, redshirting this fall as an understudy to Armstrong and backup Ryker Fyfe.

Which brings us to another, less-heralded quarterback on campus in Lincoln: Zack Darlington.

Understandably overlooked, Darlington is a third-year sophomore, the Huskers’ emergency QB who dutifully took over as the holder this fall in place of the late Sam Foltz. Darlington tried his hand at receiver last spring. Then last Saturday, when Armstrong was knocked unconscious, Darlington grabbed a football and began warming up.

“He’s good with whatever been doing,” offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said. “He’s a smart kid, and we’ve got a package of plays for him.”

Darlington has played quarterback on the scout team this year when needed. Early this week, in Armstrong’s absence at practice, Darlington worked behind Fyfe.

“I really like that guy,” Riley said. “He is that guy who is willing to do anything.”

Even if Darlington does not take a snap at quarterback, he fills an important role. Much like Nebraska needs Armstrong for his various contributions in this critical month, it needs Darlington to assist with the transition to next year. He seems a natural leader, the brother of former Oklahoma center Ty Darlington -- influential as a student-athlete representative in NCAA legislative forums -- and a survivor of multiple concussions as a high school QB in Florida.

So while Michigan and Ohio State scramble for a playoff spot, while Wisconsin and Penn State look for an open door, Nebraska looks to its most- and least-experienced available quarterbacks to forge a path ahead and ensure that the progress of this season is not reversed.