The Red Wolves will take to the road in their regular season opener for a matchup with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska had a decent record last season but struggled badly down the stretch, and seem to be in a transition year.
The Huskers have more talent and should win this game, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Arkansas State makes them uncomfortable from start to finish by hanging around. For those looking for a bold upset pick, a win by the Red Wolves in this game isn’t totally out of the question.
Watch this regular season Week 1 matchup live on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium.
NCAA Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arkansas +15
Nebraska -15
Over/Under 47
Odds Analysis
This spread isn’t too high considering the disparity in the size of these schools, but it seems to be pretty spot-on. Nebraska has a slight majority when it comes to the wagering, as 53.3 percent of the action thus far has chosen the Huskers to cover.
The scoring total is quite low for a college game, and the bettors believe it is too low, with 83 percent of the early action choosing the “over.” Arkansas State is +534 on the moneyline, and that seems to be an intriguing proposition for bettors, as the vast majority of the early action is on the Red Wolves. Nebraska pays off at -750 on the moneyline if it wins, not a great bet considering the upset potential of this one.
Matchup To Watch
Arkansas State defensive front against the Nebraska offensive line -- The Red Wolves have a solid group on the defensive line, and if it can control the game upfront, this contest could get really interesting.
Arkansas State’s Ja’Von Rolland-Jones is a dominant force, as he had 13 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss a season ago. Nebraska needs to keep in check in order for the offense to roll out at maximum capacity. Dee Liner added nine tackles for loss a season ago and will aim to make a bigger impact in 2017.
Nebraska’s offensive line returns a good deal of experience but the group had its share of issues last season. The Huskers are breaking in a new quarterback and they are hoping to give Tanner Lee plenty of time to scan the field and pass the ball.
Player To Watch
Kieron Williams -- The Nebraska secondary should be one of the strongest position groups on the team, and Williams leads the way. He had 52 tackles and a team-high five interceptions a year ago, including two picks in one games against Purdue in a 27-14 win in which the defense dominated.
If he can make plays like that once again, the defense may be able to bounce back from its late 2016 struggles.
Williams needs to step up because star cornerback Chris Jones could miss the whole year with a knee injury. It’s a big blow, but one the Huskers may be able to overcome in this game if the rest of the defensive backs play well.
Free ATS Pick
This is a tough early-season matchup for a Nebraska team which has a lot of new pieces, but there is still a pretty big talent difference. The Huskers may not be a top-25 team this season but they are still a quality program.
While the spread looks pretty accurate, take Nebraska to ice this game with a late score, which will also result in a cover. The “over” seems like the right call on the scoring total, although that should also be close.
College Football Odds: Nebraska 34, Arkansas State 17
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