Nebraska backs attempts for starters (7)
I believe the answer is:
entries
'starters' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'nebraska backs attempts' is the wordplay.
'nebraska' becomes 'ne'.
'backs' says the letters should be written backwards.
'attempts' becomes 'tries' ('try' can be a synonym of 'attempt').
'ne' in reverse letter order is 'en'.
'en'+'tries'='ENTRIES'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for entries that I've seen before include "Gateways" , "Ledger records" , "Records made by Steiner" , "Items listed" , "Diary items; competitors accepted" .)