Cornhuskers vs Buckeyes NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Urban Meyer kicked off his Big Ten coaching career with a hard-fought win in East Lansing last weekend. The Buckeyes return home this weekend, but it doesn’t get any easier as they must face a tough Nebraska Cornhuskers team.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio Stadium, Columbus Ohio
Saturday October 6, 8:00 PM EST on ABC
College Football Betting Odds Bovada
Moneyline: Ohio State (-160) Nebraska (+140)
College Football Spread: Ohio State -3 (-110) vs. Nebraska +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 57.5
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Ohio State blew a big lead last year in Nebraska, and you can bet the Buckeyes are looking for revenge.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Cornhuskers changed up their offense in the offseason. The team decided to move to a quicker tempo and keep the defense on its heels.
Taylor Martinez has always been a great runner at the quarterback spot, but he has struggled passing in previous years.
Martinez is having by far his best season throwing the football so far in 2012. He is completing 68% of his passes, and he has thrown 11 touchdowns compared to just one interception. Nebraska’s wideouts are the best they have been in several years. The backfield is a nice tandem of Ameer Abdullah and Rex Burkhead.
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This Cornhuskers offense has tons of weapons, and they are very tough to slow down.
They key to this team’s long-term success will be the defense. The Cornhuskers defense was a huge disappointment last season. They allowe more than 600 yards earlier this year against UCLA, but they have been pretty good since then. The Cornhuskers secondary has plenty of depth, but the front seven hasn’t been very good against the run. They must step up this week and force Ohio State to throw the ball.
Ohio State
Braxton Miller has his name in the Heisman Trophy race because of a tremendous start to 2012. Miller still has a lot of room for growth in the passing game, but he is one the best athletes you’ll see at the quarterback position. Miller is averaging 6.7 yards per carry this year, and he is easily the Buckeyes leading rusher. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Miller has thrown eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Urban Meyer wants to see his quarterback take less hits, so expect Carlos Hyde to get a few more carries this week. Still, when the game is on the line, the Buckeyes need Miller with the ball in his hands.
Ohio State is 21st in the nation in rushing offense and 101st in the nation in passing offense.
Ohio State’s defense had underperformed this year up until last week, but they were great against the Spartans. Michigan State’s star running back Le’Veon Bell was completely shut down by this Ohio State defensive front. Johnathan Hankins and John Simon are two guys that the NFL is very high on, and they have great motors on the defensive line.
Ohio State isn’t as strong as normal in the secondary, so they need the front four to pressure the opposing quarterback as much as possible.
Nebraska is a better team than they were a year ago, but their defense hasn’t proven they can stop the run. Look for the Buckeyes to run the ball well in this one and win.
Free College Football Pick: Ohio State -3
