Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Northwestern Wildcats Point Spread Picks

This Big 10 opener is in Dublin, Ireland, of all places. Both teams are rebuilding off of 3-9 seasons, but the similarities end there. Northwestern was terrible on both sides of the ball in 2021 and looks just as bad coming in. The defense was 101st nationally, surrendering 429.5 yards per game, and they lost star LB Chris Bergin, who led college football in tackles. The secondary doesn't return any players who had an interception. The offense returns QB Ryan Hilinski (three TDs, four INTs), lacks skill position talent, and it scored 14 or fewer points in seven of its final eight games. One of those games was a 56-7 loss to this Nebraska squad as the Huskers rolled up 657 yards (427 rushing). Nebraska was 20th in the nation offensively, averaging 447.6 yards per game and adds offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who comes from Pittsburgh. New QB Casey Thompson is aboard, and he was impressive with 24 TDs and nine picks last season at Texas. Four of the top five tacklers return on defense to a team that lost to six ranked teams by an average of six points. That includes a 23-16 loss to No. 3 Oklahoma, a 23-20 OT loss to No. 20 Michigan State, a 32-29 defeat to No. 9 Michigan, and a 26-17 loss to No. 5 Ohio State. Also, Nebraska is 14-5-2 ATS on natural grass. Make the play Nebraska.

Northwestern's defense is looking a lot like last year's powerhouse 'D,' allowing 14 points per game over the last three contests. Northwestern is on a 9-4 run UNDER the total and 32-16 UNDER after allowing 14 or fewer points in the last game. On offense, season-opening starting QB Hunter Johnson (4 TDs, 4 picks) has been benched, backup Andrew Marty (2 TDs, 0 picks) is injured, so sophomore QB Ryan Hilinski (no TDs) will start. Northwestern is 17-8 UNDER the total after getting 200+ yards rushing in the last game, plus 25-11 UNDER versus pass defenses that allow 62% completions or higher. Nebraska's defense is also playing well, allowing 14 points per game over the last four contests. That's even more impressive when you look at the last two games, losing 23-16 to No. 3 Oklahoma and 23-20 in OT to No. 20 Michigan State. Nebraska is on a 9-2 run UNDER the total and is also 22-10 UNDER as a home favorite of 7.5 to 14 points. These teams played a 21-13 game a year ago, 13-10 two years ago, and this shapes up as another fierce defensive duel. Take the UNDER for a Max Play.

Nebraska finally got to play a game and it wasn't pretty, as the Cornhuskers were demolished 52-17 by Ohio State. The Buckeyes racked up 498 yards of offense. The Huskers totally failed in containing QB Justin Fields, who enjoyed a near perfect day completing 20 of 21 and two touchdowns. At least the Huskers have had two weeks off to try and figure things out, but Northwestern is off to a good start winning its first two games against Maryland and Iowa. The game against the Hawkeyes was particularly impressive as Iowa was held scoreless in the second half, and the Wildcats pulled out a 21-20 victory. Peyton Ramsey finished 11 of 18 for 130 yards and Isaiah Bowser rushed for 85 yards on 25 carries against the Hawkeyes. Scott Frost is in his third year as coach of Nebraska and so far nothing has clicked, as the Huskers were 4-8 his first year followed by 5-7 in 2019. The Wildcats are out to avenge last year's 13-10 loss to the Huskers, after beating them in overtime each of the two previous years. Take Northwestern on the moneyline.