NCAAF Picks: From 1983 through 2002 the Miami Hurricanes and Nebraska Cornhuskers would frequently collide in high stakes matchups with the national championship on the line and thus created an intersectional rivalry that captivated the entire country.
Finally, after 12 long seasons, this rivalry will be renewed as the Cornhuskers will host the Hurricanes on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium with coverage on ESPN2 starting at 8 PM ET. BetDSI opened with Nebraska as a 7-point favorite.
Canes Lacking Value
Miami is 2-1 straight up, 1-2 against the spread, and 1-2 under the total. The Canes are coming off their first payout of the season in a 41-20 home win over Arkansas State last week. Miami has shown the potential of being a solid defensive unit with an overall ranking of 10th in the nation but their offense has sputtered through the on the job training of freshman QB Brad Kayaa, who has a 7-to-5 TD/INT ratio. Running back Duke Johnson has been solid with 6.4 yards per carry.
Big Red Busts Loose
Nebraska destroyed Fresno State 55-19 for an easy road payout as 11 point favorites to now stand at 3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS, and 2-1 over the total. The Big Red offense has impressed and ranks fifth overall in the nation and the ground game ranks ninth overall. Tailback Ameer Abdullah is a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate with 6.9 yards per carry while QB Tommy Armstrong Jr is the second leading rusher with 9.6 yards per carry to go along with a 159.3 pass rating and a sparkling 7-to-1 TD/INT ratio.
Matchup and Pick
Miami has struggled to maintain board value on the road with just one payout in their last six away games as four out of their last six away games have gone under the total. Nebraska has covered the spread in just six out of their last 14 home games with just five out of their last 14 home games going under the total. The last meeting in this series came on January 3, 2002 as Miami destroyed Nebraska 37-14 in the National Championship Game. With their explosive offense we’ll call for the Big Red in this one however as we like Nebraska to win going away.
