Nebraska
vs.
Northwestern
College Football Pick
By Jason Green
9/25/16
Nebraska is back in the top 25, ranked 20th, for the first time since the 2014 season and in their Big 10 opener they hit the road as -7.5 point favorites facing Northwestern. The Huskers have to get off to a good Conference start, as they face some of the weaker teams in the Conference in the 1st half, but in the 2nd have face Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Iowa all on the road.
Northwestern got off to a bad start this season losing their opener and then their 2nd Game against Illinois State no less only scoring 7 points. However, they did get a solid win over Duke to get the W column in their last Game. Not only are the Wildcats 1-2, but also all 3 of their Games this season have been at home.
In their last Games Nebraska scored a HUGE win beating a ranked Oregon team 35-22 and Northwestern beat Duke 24-13.
Last season at Nebraska the Wildcats upset the Huskers winning in their house 30-28 covering as a 7-point underdog.
The Wildcats did not cover in their 2 losses, but did cover facing Duke while the Huskers covered in their first 2 Games before the last one was Pick since they won by 3 and were the 3-point favorite.
Can the Wildcats contain Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong again? In 3 Games this season he has 11 TDs and also rushed for 95 yards in the win over Oregon. However, in 3 career Games against the Wildcats he has been stuffed running the ball and has 4 INT. He has the weapons such as RB Devine Ozigbo (242 yards 4 TD) and a legit WR corps, but he has to limit his mistakes, which he has not been able to do in his career when facing Northwestern.
Northwestern only ranks 101st in the nation defending the pass and 54th defending the run.
Northwestern does not have a dynamic offense, but they finished with 406 total yards in the win over Duke. QB Clayton Thorson has a legit top WR in Austin Carr, but the key on offense will be the play of RB Justin Jackson, who does have 260 rushing yards on the season, but is only averaging 4.1 yards per carry. His play is vital, as the weakness of the Huskers’ defense is against the run.
Overall, Nebraska is 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 Games.
Northwestern is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 home Games.
Jason’s Pick: Revenge call – Nebraska -7.5