South Alabama vs. Nebraska Total Pick
Can No. 24 Nebraska live up to its preseason hype and put up a big number against South Alabama when the two meet up on Saturday at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
163 South Alabama vs. 164 Nebraska
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Noon ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Nebraska is the favorite to win this game, as the Cornhuskers are getting odds of -36 points against South Alabama. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 65 points. The public betting currently has 72 percent going on Nebraska as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Jaguars struggle in 2018
South Alabama had a pretty forgettable 2018 season in Steve Campbell’s first year as coach. The Jaguars were 3-9 on the season and 2-6 in the Sun Belt. South Alabama was 5-6-1 against the spread and 9-3 with the over.
The Jaguars didn’t have much to offer on either side of the ball. The defense gave up 38.8 points and 448.7 yards per game and returns just three starters. Offensively, South Alabama averaged 24.2 points and 355.3 yards per game. The offense has six starters back this season. The Jaguars will be breaking in a new starting QB in Cephus Johnson, a sophomore. He has four starters back on the offensive line and a transfer in at left tackle. The offense will be led by Tra Minter, who rushed for 801 yards and six touchdowns in 2018.
Cornhuskers hoping for turnaround
It was a slow start for Scott Frost in his first season at Nebraska, but the Huskers won four of their last six to build some momentum for this year. Nebraska was 4-8 last year and 3-6 in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers had a 6-5-1 record against the spread and a 7-5 record with the over.
The Nebraska offense also got better as the season went on and ultimately averaged 30 points and 456.2 yards per game. Adrian Martinez had a promising freshman season at QB, throwing for 2,617 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 629 yards and eight scores. He has one of his top targets back this year in JD Spielman, who caught 66 passes for 818 yards. They will need a new starting running back, but have three starters back on the offensive line. Defensively, Nebraska allowed 31.3 points and 433.5 yards per game last season. The defense has six starters back, with most coming in the defensive front.
College Football Betting Trends
South Alabama
South Alabama is 13-6 with the over in its last 19 non-conference games and 5-1 with the over in its last six road games.
Nebraska
Nebraska has hit the under in its last four non-conference games, but is 7-3 with the over in its last 10 games overall.
Prediction:
The total is set pretty high, but I would expect the Nebraska offense to put up a big total. The Cornhuskers have a very capable QB that got better as 2018 prolonged. Martinez should be able to tear up the South Alabama defense. The Jaguars aren’t an offensive power by any means, but I think they can tack on some touchdowns on this Nebraska defense to help hit the over.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: South Alabama/Nebraska Over 65