Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Big Ten Predictions: Week 8 picks against the spread

By Barry Leonard Jr.

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next

Oct 17, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver De

  • Date: Saturday, October 24, 2015
  • Time: 12:00 PM Eastern
  • Location: Lincoln, NE
  • TV Channel: ESPN2
  • Spread: Nebraska -7.5
  • Over/Under Total: 48.5

Two weeks ago Northwestern was undefeated and had hopes of making a run at the Big Ten Championship and perhaps beyond. However, things turned quickly in Evanston and it doesn’t look like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. The Wildcats were blown out 38-0 at Michigan and then were dominated 40-10 at home by undefeated Iowa last week.

Quarterback Clayton Thorson has really struggled as of late, as has the entire team. Running back Justin Jackson rushed for over 100 yards in four of the first five games, but has only recorded a total of 55 yards in the last two contests.

The biggest change for Northwestern has been the play of the defense. The Wildcats gave up just 35 total points in five games before giving up a combined 78 to Michigan and Iowa.

On the road again this week, the Wildcats could be in for a long day.

Nebraska enters this contest fresh off its first conference win over the season with a 48-25 victory at Minnesota.

The Cornhuskers have been very productive on offense, putting up over 32 points a game and 451 yards a game. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. has thrown for 1,761 yards with 15 touchdowns. He’s also ran for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Armstrong Jr. has a trio of talented receivers to throw to in Jordan Westerkamp, Brandon Reilly and Alonzo Moore.

However, the Nebraska defense has allowed 24 points a game, putting pressure on the offense to put up a large amount of points.

The line on this week’s game favors the home team by more than a touchdown. The Nebraska offense is rolling now and should be able to put up points on Northwestern. Armstrong threw for three touchdowns last week and running back Terrell Newby ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Those playmakers will look to keep it going against the Wildcats.

Home favorites can sometimes be a trap. This one is not. Nebraska will score enough to cover the reeling Wildcats.

Next: Indiana at Michigan State

Home/Big Ten