2009 NCAAFB Betting Preview: Florida Atlantic at Nebraska Trends

Last Updated on September 5, 2009 3:45 am by drew

FAU at Nebraska

Expectations are high for a change coming into the 2009 college football season for No. 24
Nebraska, and the Huskies begin their season Saturday night at 7PM ET when they host
Florida
Atlantic.

Bet Florida Atlantic at Nebraska

After the Cornhuskers struggled for four seasons with former Raiders’ coach Bill Callahan,

Nebraska turned to former Huskers’ assistant, Bo Pelini, to pick up the pieces. In his first season as coach in 2008, Pelini led

Nebraska to a 9-4 season and has brought the Huskers back to the national spotlight. This season,

Nebraska has hopes to contend for the Big 12 Conference title, but will do so with an inexperienced offense. Junior Zac Lee will be the quarterback this season in his first year as a starter. Joe Ganz threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns for

Nebraska in 2008.

Nebraska does bring back Roy Helu at running back after rushing for 803 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. The Huskers defense was 112^th in the nation in 2007, but improved to 55^th last season, and is poise to improve again with seven starters back. Leading the way will be Ndamukong Suh, who had 76 tackles with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss at defensive tackle in 2008.

Florida Atlantic is coming off a 7-6 season in 2008, which included a bowl win in the Motor City Bowl. Long-time college football coach, Howard Schnellenberger is in his ninth season with the Owls, and he has senior quarterback Rusty Smith leading the way for the FAU offense. Smith threw for 3,224 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2008 and is the Sun Belt Conference’s all-time leading passer. Smith has his top target, Cortez Gent, back this season.
Gent caught 60 passes for 935 yards and nine touchdowns in 2008. On defense, the Owls lose eight starters and seven of their top eight tackles from last season.

Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made

Nebraska 23-point home favorites over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 60.

Betting Trends

NEBRASKA is 55-35 ATS (+16.5 Units) in home games when playing on a Saturday since 1992.

NEBRASKA: 4-8 ATS as home favorite

FLA ATLANTIC: 7-0 Under as underdog
Key Player Injuries
FLORIDA ATLANTIC

No significant injuries.

NEBRASKA

No significant injuries.

College Football Week 1:
Florida Atlantic at

Nebraska Odds & Over/Under Totals:

Florida Atlantic Owls +23 Over 60 (Off)

Nebraska Cornhuskers -23 Under 60 (Off)

Bet Florida Atlantic at Nebraska

Posted: 9/5/09 3:45PM ET