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Week 3: Washington vs. Nebraska Preview & Free Pick

On Saturday September 17th its the Washington Huskies vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers. Odds have the Cornhuskers listed as 16.5-point favorites. The game’s total is currently set at 54.5, here is a preview, free pick plus the college football betting angle.

Washington (2-0) vs No. 10 Nebraska (2-0) Gambling Preview + Predictions

When Washington and Nebraska meet this coming Saturday in Lincoln, it will be the third time these teams have met in the last year.

Kyle Hunter
Kyle Hunter

Early last year the Huskers stomped the Huskies in Seattle, but Washington exacted revenge by shocking Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl last year. Which team will come out on top this Saturday afternoon?

Washington vs. Nebraska
Memorial Stadium
Saturday September 17, 3:30 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Nebraska -16.5 (-110) Washington +16.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 54.5
UW vs. Nebraska ATS Gambling Stats –>

Washington

Jake Locker is in the NFL, so this year’s Huskies team looks quite a bit different. Chris Polk is still in the backfield, and he is one more of the more talented runners in the country. Polk has picked up 5.2 yards per carry so far this year. Keith Price has taken over as the starting quarterback for the Huskies. Price has completed 70% of his passes and thrown seven touchdowns in just two games, so he is definitely off to a great start. Nebraska’s combination of an impressive pass rush as well as a strong secondary will make this a real test for Price and the Huskies offense.

Washington’s defense allowed Nebraska to run for 385 yards (they picked 535 total yards) in the first meeting last year. Amazingly, the same defense only allowed the Cornhuskers to run for 94 yards and pick up 192 total yards in their bowl meeting last December. The Huskies defense has allowed more than 800 passing yards in just two games so far this season! Nebraska can’t throw it too well, but they’ll definitely need to shore up the secondary as the season moves along.

Nebraska

Taylor Martinez started last year so well that he was actually mentioned as a Heisman candidate several times, but after an ankle injury in the middle of the season he was never the same. Martinez has rushed for 301 yards in the team’s first two games this year, so it appears the ankle is feeling quite a bit better. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

The Cornhuskers have another very good runner in the backfield in tailback Rex Burkhead. Burkhead is averaging five yards per carry so far this season. While the running game is great, Nebraska’s passing game is normally non-existent. In order to be one of the top teams in the land, Nebraska will need to get a little more balance on offense.

The Nebraska defense was expected to be tremendous this year, but the Blackshirts have gotten off to a slow start in 2011. Fresno State put up 29 points on Nebraska last weekend. The Bulldogs actually outgained the Cornhuskers last weekend, and the lack of a pass rush from Nebraska was a real surprise. Jared Crick is a great defensive tackle and Lavonte David is a very good linebacker, but there are some youngsters on this defense.

Nebraska hasn’t looked very impressive so far this year, but I believe they’ll show up for this one. The Cornhuskers were embarrassed by their performance last December, and I think we’ll be able to tell this weekend. Washington has some talent, but they have far more holes on both sides of the ball.

NCAA Gambling Trends:

Over is 6-2 in WASH last 8 non-conference games.
Under is 6-2 in NEB last 8 home games.
NEB are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

Free College Football Pick: Nebraska -16.5
Score Prediction: Nebraska 38 Washington 14

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.