Northwestern Wildcats vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction, Pick and Preview, October 2 (10/2): NCAAF
- Range
- Oct 2, 2021, 6:07:15 PM
Credit: photo by Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Odds
| Time | 7:30 p.m. EST |
| Wildcats money line | +370 |
| Wildcats spread | +11.5 (-110) |
| Cornhuskers money line | -520 |
| Cornhuskers spread | -11.5 (-110) |
| Over / under | 52 |
Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats will travel west and take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers this Saturday for some Big Ten action. The Cornhuskers enter on the heels of two close road losses to ranked Oklahoma and Michigan State, while Northwestern is coming off of a blowout win over Ohio.
Offensive matchup
Northwestern
The Wildcats have elected against playing senior Hunter Johnson in the second half against Duke and senior Andrew Marty yielded positive results. Marty went 11-16 for 151 passing yards, with two touchdowns and a 25-yard touchdown run.
Evan Hull is coming off of the best outing of his career. After running for a career-high 126 yards Indiana State, the sophomore back outdid himself last weekend against Ohio with 216 yards on 22 carries, including a 90-yard touchdown run. He's the key to Northwestern's offense.
Through two weeks, KU transfer Stephon Robinson Jr. leads the team 15 receptions for 193 yards. Sophomore Bryce Kirtz has caught an identical 16 passes for 193 yards.
Nebraska
Adrian Martinez had another strong weekend in East Lansing, but he was sacked seven times and threw a costly interception in overtime. The junior quarterback went 24-34 for 248 passing yards and the one turnover, he also added 59 yards and two scores on the ground.
Martinez leads the Cornhuskers in rushing with 349 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while Markese Stepp and Rahmir Johnson handle the backfield work. Johnson is coming off of his best game of the season, gaining 76 yards on 19 carries, while Stepp has 128 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns.
Samori Toure has come in and given Martinez a reliable target early. The Montana transfer leads the team with 20 catches for 373 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Austin Allen is second in both catches (17) and yards (163).
Defensive matchup
Northwestern has struggled on the ground defensively. After giving up a whopping 326 rushing yards to Michigan State in the opener, they gave up 208 yards on the ground to Duke.
Nebraska has shored up their defense since giving up 30 points to Illinois in the opener. They only gave up 23 points to Michigan State, after dominating Buffalo and Fordham, and putting a scare on Oklahoma.
Prediction
These matchups have been historically close, with only one of the last eight meetings decided by double figures. Northwestern may have had quarterback problems earlier this season, but Evan Hull represents a very dynamic presence. Nebraska is due a victory, and they should get back in the win column this weekend.
Take Nebraska's game spread this weekend, as they should get back on track after a pair of tough road losses.
PICK: Nebraska Cornhuskers -11.5
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