NCAAF Picks: The Nebraska Cornhuskers have what is arguably their best team in the head coach Bo Pelini era and now have the opportunity to prove it in their biggest and most important game of the season. The Wisconsin Badgers have quietly emerged as the top defensive team in the nation with a power running attack that gives them the ultimate old school look.
The Wisconsin Badgers will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium with first place in the Big Ten West Division on the line. Wisconsin opened as a six point favorite in the 3:30 p.m. ET game that will be aired on ABC and ESPN.
Badgers Buck Up
Wisconsin is 7-2 straight up, 4-5 against the spread, and 4-5 under the total. The Badgers are coming off a 34-16 payout at Purdue for their fourth consecutive SU win and third consecutive payout. Wisconsin has the nation’s top ranked defense and ranks third for points allowed. UW ranks fifth in the nation for rushing offense but a worrisome 117th for passing. The QB tandem of Tanner McEvoy and Joel Stave has combined for a 10-10 TD-INT ratio. The duo has combined to be at just 56% for completion percentage and under 6.5 yards per attempt. If Wisky falls behind it could be a very long day at Camp Randall.
Big Red in Black
Nebraska is 8-1 SU, 6-2-1 ATS, and 5-4 over the total. The Huskers are coming off a bye week that followed a 35-14 home payout against Purdue. Nebraska ranks 10th in the nation for scoring offense and 17th for scoring defense. RB Ameer Abdullah is a top tier Heisman candidate with 1250 yards rushing at 6.7 yards per attempt and 17 TD’s. QB Tommy Armstrong is the Big Red’s second leading rusher and is a deceptively effective passer when needed.
Our Pick
Nebraska has been far more in the black than red on the road recently. The Huskers have paid out in eight out of their last nine away games with four out of their last six away games going under the total.
The Badgers have suffered from a value drop at home recently with just two payouts in their last seven home games. Wisconsin has gone over the total in five out of their last seven home games.
Wisconsin has come away with the money in all three of the previous meetings with Nebraska as all three games also went over the total.
Nebraska looks like a different team this time however and we’ll call for the Huskers based on that better level of play and road value. Nebraska is the call.
