Northwestern vs. Nebraska Prediction
Which struggling Big Ten team will pick up a needed win and cover today when Nebraska hosts Northwestern at 4PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
361 Northwestern vs. 362 Nebraska
Saturday, October 5, 2019
4PM ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Nebraska is the favorite at home, as the Cornhuskers are getting odds of -7.5 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 49 points. The public betting currently has 65 percent going on Northwestern as the road underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Cornhuskers thrashed by Buckeyes
Nebraska took one on the chin last weekend, suffering a 48-7 loss at home to Ohio State to fall to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers are just 1-4 against the spread and 3-2 with the under.
The Cornhuskers are middle of the road on both sides of the ball. The defense is giving up 29.8 points and 402 yards per game while the offense is averaging 31.8 points and 438.2 yards per outing. Quarterback Adrian Martinez is leading the team with 1,100 passing yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 315 yards and three scores. Dedrick Mills has added 296 rushing yards and six scores while JD Spielman has 19 catches for 391 yards and a touchdown.
Wildcats unable to upset Badgers
Northwestern is off to a slow start to the 2019 season, as it fell to 1-3 on the year with a 24-15 loss at Wisconsin last weekend. The Wildcats are 0-2 in the Big Ten, 1-3 against the spread and 3-1 with the under.
The Wildcats are one of the worst offensive teams in the nation, averaging just 15.5 points and 293 yards per game. Defensively, Northwestern is pretty solid. The Cats give up just 320.2 yards and 21.5 points per outing. Injuries have plagued the QB position as TJ Green was lost for the season with a foot injury and Hunter Johnson is now dealing with a knee injury that has him listed as questionable, but he is expected to play. Aidan Smith is the third option. He has 137 passing yards with one TD and three interceptions. Drake Anderson is leading the offense with 305 rushing yards and three touchdowns while Bennett Skowronek has 12 catches for 141 yards.
College Football Betting Trends
Nebraska
Nebraska is 6-2-1 against the spread in their last nine conference games and 4-0-1 ATS in their last five following a loss.
Northwestern
The Wildcats are 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 games in October and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games on fieldturf.
Prediction:
Northwestern has won three of the last four against Nebraska, including a 34-31 OT victory last season. I keep waiting for the Wildcats to show that gritty effort they had last year under Coach Fitzgerald, but it hasn’t come through. They have lost close games to Wisconsin and Stanford while getting beat up by Michigan State. Scott Frost hasn’t been able to work his magic with Nebraska yet either. Ohio State completely dominated the Huskers and Colorado outlasted them in OT earlier in the year. I question if Nebraska has the toughness to execute as Frost was like. I don’t have to question the toughness of Northwestern. The Wildcats just have lesser talent than most opponents. I don’t think that will be their downfall today. Nebraska just hasn’t shown its ready to take that next step and I expect the Wildcats to punch them in the mouth and make this a game.
College Football Week 6 Prediction: Northwestern +7.5
Related: Northwestern vs. Nebraska Total Prediction